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Do not throw your old CDs in the bin, as they can be a really useful way for gardeners to protect their flowers, lawns and seedlings from birds in spring It might sound bizarre, but now in March, many plants in the gardens are only just beginning to grow, which means their young roots are shallow and can easily be disturbed.

Spring is also the nesting season for many British birds, and species such as blackbirds, pigeons and sparrows often search gardens for seeds to feed their chicks.Birds can quickly damage a garden at this time of year by digging up any newly planted seeds, but also by pecking up flower buds and grass shoots. Gardens can struggle to grow if birds are not kept away from plants in early spring, and Tanya Anderson, gardener and founder of Lovely Greens, says hanging CDs is a very effective way to deter them.

Tanya said: "Tie old CDs by a string in your fruit trees, bushes, or elsewhere in your garden. Their reflective surfaces will flash as they move in the breeze, scaring birds away."

CDs scare birds by reflecting sunlight and producing flashes of light, which they often mistake for the quick movements of predators.

Birds are naturally cautious, especially during the nesting season, and unusual movement makes them more likely to keep their distance.

The flashing light can also disorient them while flying, making it less likely they will land in your garden and giving them less chance to peck at your lawn or plants.

This is a simple method that can be used not just with CDs, but also with strips of tin foil, old metal lids from pies, or even specialist bird deterrent tape, all of which work in the same way.

If you enjoy feeding birds, just place the CDs in areas of your garden you wish to protect, such as a vegetable garden or lawn, and keep them far from your bird table or birdbath.

It should also be noted that smaller birds like robins, chaffinches and gold finches tend to forage near the ground and are less likely to notice CDs.

They also tend to be used to humans, who are a lot more curious and bold, so they are more likely to investigate a shiny object rather than be scared by it.

CDs tend to be more effective against larger birds, such as pigeons, because they are naturally more cautious since they are more likely to be spotted by predators.

Their larger eyes also make them notice sudden flashes of light more easily, and they are also slower than small birds, so they need to be careful where they land, as escaping from threats is more difficult for them.

Big birds can also cause significantly more damage to your garden, but spending just a few minutes hanging CDs in high places, such as trees, can help keep them away throughout spring.