Birds are our garden allies! We should make sure that our gardens attract them. Among other things, they will repay us by reducing the populations of pests that attack our crops. When choosing plants for bird-friendly plantings, we should remember to provide them with a safe place to stay, convenient for nesting, but also provide a year-round food base. When choosing bird-friendly species, however, remember to decide primarily on native species. Below is a list of native species of trees and shrubs whose fruits birds feed on:

 

• Common Burberry (Berberis vulgaris)

• Elder (Sambucus nigra)

• Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)

• Common yew (Taxus baccata)

• Bird cherry (Prunus padus)

• Common Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)

• Dog rose (Rosa canina)

• Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

• Common juniper (Juniperus communis)

• Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

• Swedish whitebeam (Sorbus intermedia)

• Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus)

• Alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus) (eng. alder buckthorn)

• Wild privet (Ligustrum vulgarne) 

• Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum)

• Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) 

• European buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

• Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) 

• Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) 

• Mezereum (Daphne mezereum) 

• Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)

• Fly honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum) (eng. fly honeysuckle)

• Wild cherry (Prunus avium) (eng. wild cherry) 

 

​Remember that the fruits of these plants are edible for birds, and not all of them are edible for humans!

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In plantings, avoid species that can be invasive and thus harm native flora. Definitely avoid planting wrinkled rose, American cherimoya, tussock holly, plum-leaf chokeberry, or common thorn.

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You can read more about invasive and alien species on the website of the General Directorate of Environmental Protection (PL).

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We recommend reviewing the Code of Good Practice. Horticulture towards invasive plants of foreign origin.