Chirp-cuterie - how to create French-inspired snack platters for garden birds

Gardeners are getting creative this summer with a wholesome new trend - chirp-cuterie boards.

Inspired by rustic French charcuterie platters, these bird-friendly boards feature snacks like seeds, berries, mealworms and edible flowers, artfully arranged on wooden trays for feathered visitors.

The gardening experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have shared tips for making your own - including a warning to avoid common ingredients that can harm wild birds, like bread or whole peanuts.

It's a family-friendly way to support garden wildlife during summer, when natural food sources can be scarce. Full story below.

Chirp-cuterie - how to create French-inspired snack platters for garden birds

Gardeners and bird lovers have been offered tips on how to create 'chirp-cuterie' boards this summer - the French-style snack platters designed especially for garden birds.

The gardening experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have provided easy tips to DIY the boards at home - but they are also warning families to be careful to include the right ingredients and avoid anything that could harm feathered friends.

Inspired by rustic charcuterie boards which typically feature meats and cheeses, the trend involves arranging bird-friendly snacks like seeds, berries and mealworms on wooden trays or slate tiles, styled like a miniature picnic.

Social media users have been sharing their creations online, with some even adding edible herbs and flowers for an extra decorative touch.

The boards offer an easy way to provide a balanced mix of nutrients while enjoying birdwatching from the comfort of home.

However, not all snacks are suitable for wild birds - and even well-meaning and intricately designed platters can accidentally put birds at risk if they use unsafe ingredients or poor hygiene.

Families have been advised that boards should be placed on a raised platform or bird table, away from pets and predators. 

Any leftover food should be removed at the end of the day and boards should be cleaned thoroughly between uses to prevent the spread of disease.

A spokesperson for Gardening Express said: "Chirp-cuterie boards are a fun and creative way to support garden birds, especially in the summer months when natural bird food can be harder to find. 

"The whole family can get involved in creating them, so it's a great activity for the kids over the summer holidays. 

"Just remember that not all human food is bird-safe, and even healthy ingredients need to be presented correctly to avoid choking or disease.

"To make it truly French-inspired, you could go as far as to serve it all on a wooden board or slate tile, styled with edible herbs like thyme or rosemary for a decorative touch. Don't worry - most birds won't bother trying to eat them, but they're safe if they do."

Best foods for a chirp-cuterie platter:

• Sunflower hearts - full of energy and easy to eat

• Mealworms - a protein boost loved by robins and blackbirds

• Crushed peanuts - never whole, and always unsalted

• Fresh fruit - apples, berries, and grapes cut into small pieces

• Suet pellets or fat balls - high-energy food for nesting birds

• Raisins or sultanas - soaked in water first to soften them (ideal for blackbirds)

• Cooked rice or pasta - plain, unsalted, cooled, and cut into small pieces (good for doves and pigeons)

• A shallow water dish - vital for drinking and bathing

Foods to avoid on your chirp-cuterie platter:'

• Bread - low in nutrients and can cause digestive issues

• Salted or seasoned foods

• Whole peanuts - they present a choking risk

• Sticky or sugary snacks

• Mouldy or leftover food - may carry bacteria