Act 1 - Your garden
12.1 June 2018
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that wildlife conservation can only be undertaken in large nature reserves by the state or national charities. Certainly these play an important role – but it’s important to realise that as individuals we can also make a real contribution in preserving the biodiversity of Britain.
Even what were once considered common birds such as Black Birds and House Sparrows now need our assistance to ensure their long-term survival and everyone who has a garden can play a minor – but crucial role – in a collective effort to preserve such threatened species.
In the short period between 2015-2015 some 25 species of British birds witnessed population declines – including Starlings by -10%, Blue Tits -7% and Black Birds -2%. The House Sparrow suffered a decline of -4% across England and a shocking -73% in London.1
“Even some of our once common species are becoming not-so-common.”2
Such declines are caused by human activity2 including urban development, industrial farming, loss of habitat2 reduced foraging and lack of nesting sites.1
You may think installing a bird box or feeding a table to be trivial. But if we all assisted in the survival of just one Blue Tit or Starling that could result in an additional 66 million wild birds in the UK. Surely that’s something to aim for – something to play a part in?
The real point is that a great deal can be achieved when millions of us with gardens, and millions more with access to a balcony or windowsill, plays our part.
As Ghandi declared:
“Whatever you do may seem insignificant to you, but it is most important that you do it.”
So, take action and let your garden play its role in the conservation of wildlife in Britain. As individuals we can only make small acts – but collectively we can make an enormous difference.
We need to act to save British birds.
Bird box
12.2 June 2018
Human activity has imposed a range of pressures on bird populations across Britain – this includes a lack of nesting sites.2 We can all help with the small act of building and installing nest boxes for our own gardens.
“The provision of nest boxes can mean the difference between the survival of a species and its loss from a particular area.”1
A simple nest box is straightforward to make using a small range of tools and techniques.1 To mark out the design you will need a pencil, measuring tape and square and to fabricate the box you will require a saw, hammer and drill.
There are many excellent web sites which give details of designs and recommended dimensions for nest boxes. The most important thing is that you use your imagination and materials available to create a desirable home for the small birds in your area.
The size of the entrance hole is important as this determines the species of bird that can use the nest box.3
Rather than drilling a hole you can omit the top portion of the front panel so the same type of box can be used by Robins and Wrens.3
ENTRANCE HOLE SIZE 4
| Size (mm) | Species |
|---|---|
| 25 | Blue Tits, Coal Tits,and Marsh Tits |
| 28 | Great Tits and Tree Sparrow |
| 32 | House Sparrow and Nuthatches |
| 45 | Starlings |
“Wood is the best material for making nest boxes.”1
Almost any type of wood will be satisfactory but softwood is the most readily available. New timber can be expensive so it’s cheaper to use salvaged wood such as old floor boards or pallets. Timber should be at least 15mmm thick as this insulates the box from the cold and heat.3
NEST BOX DIMENSIONS 1
| Box Size | Base (mm) | Height (mm) | Mounting (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 100x100 | 150 | 1.2-5.0 |
| Medium | 150x150 | 200 | 3.0-5.0 |
| Large | 200x200 | 450 | over 5.0 |
These dimensions are guidelines only – it is simpler and easier to make your nest box according to the wood available.1 Once marked out and sawn the pieces can be fixed together with nails or screws.
The roof needs to be finished with roofing felt or similar to keep out the rain. It’s best to provide overhangs to all sides to throw off rainwater and provide shading from direct sun.
Once constructed its best to paint the box with two coats of preservative to protect the wood. This should be a non-toxic water based finish. Oil based preservatives are potentially poisonous and for the same reason you should not treat the inside of the box.1
It is best to install nest boxes in the autumn either high on a wall or to a tree trunk.3 Recommended heights are given above. The direction of the box is not that important provided it is sheltered by an overhanging eave or tree from the prevailing wind and rain. A more exposed box is best located with the box facing between north and east to avoid direct sunlight.4 Make sure there are no obstacles in front of the entrance to give the birds have a clear flight path to the box.4 All boxes should be located away from possible predators – so try to fix the boxes where cats cannot climb.3 Sparrows nest in loose colonies so two or three boxes can be sited together on the same side of the house high up under the eaves.4 Nails and screws can damage trees. I therefore screwed vertical battens to the rear of the box and used stout wire to tie it to the tree
“All boxes should be cleaned annually.”1
Bird nests can be infested with various parasites and therefore boxes need to be cleaned each autumn. Providing a hinged lid or removable side allows the box to be easily cleaned out.1 At the same time you can check each box and undertake any necessary repairs.
It’s probably best to begin with a few uniformly spaced boxes in your garden. However, you should aim to provide a diverse range1 – so be creative and vary dimensions, hole size, roof form and external finishes. Fix them at different heights and directions to both trees and walls.
Once you have reached what you think is a maximum provision in your own garden – keep making nest boxes they make excellent gifts for friends and family.
“Even humble garden nest boxes are important…”1
There are some 27 million households in Britain5 and some 85% of these have gardens.6 This means that nearly 23 million of us have a garden of some kind. If we all made and installed just one nest box, 23 million small acts could “transform the world”7 and greatly assist the survival of British birds.
Feed the birds
12.3 July 2018
Across Britain many once common garden birds are now in decline as a result of reduced habitat and foraging.2 The simple act of installing a bird-table and providing food daily could mean the difference between life or death for many small birds.3
Feeding birds does not have to be complicated – you can simply scatter food on the ground4 or hang a seed-feeder from a tree.2 However setting up a bird-table is the best way of providing a safe place for birds to eat.2 Of course tables can be purchased at local garden-centres but it is perhaps more creative and satisfying to make your own. One can be constructed easily and cheaply with salvaged timber.
“The table…doesn’t need to be sophisticated.”5
Basically a bird-table consists of a flat, cleanable, platform, about 400 x 400 mm,2 with a 10mm high up-stand fixed to the perimeter to prevent food from being knocked off.6 It should also have holes drilled into the platform to allow rainwater to drain away.6 This should be mounted on a post about 2m high to prevent predation by cats.7 The table needs to be stable8 – so provide a cross shaped base to stop it from being blown over.9 Many people also add a roof to protect the birds and food in bad weather.7 Once complete the structure should be painted with a water based preservative.6
“Unhygienic stations can…transmit diseases.”10
A busy bird table can cause the spread of disease. So clean the bird table every two weeks, using a mild disinfectant and hot water.2 Also remove any mouldy and stale food.11
“The siting of the bird-table is critical.”5
Ideally your bird-table should be placed where it will not be disturbed – for instance in the back garden. Also it should be close to the house so it’s convenient for daily feeding.5 It needs to be set in the open with a good all-round view so the birds can see that they are safe from predators while they feed. It should also be a couple of meters away from some bushes to give the birds a safe refuge.9
“Different birds eat different things depending [on] their beaks.”2
Finches for example have strong beaks and are capable of cracking sunflower seeds but birds with pointed bills are insect eaters and need something softer.5 Therefore providing a mixture of seeds and fat makes the ideal food for a variety of birds.2
Bags of commercial seed mixes are now sold in most supermarkets.11 These generally have a range of seeds including:
Sunflower seeds which are rich in protein and unsaturated oil2 and provide an excellent year-round food.11 These are eaten by Blue Tits.11 Nyjer seeds also have a high oil content11 and are appreciated by Goldfinches.2 Also broken maize and dried peas which are eaten by Blackbirds, millet by House Sparrows and wheat which by Doves.11 Peanuts are high in protein2 and will attract Robins and Wrens.11 However always present crushed and never use whole or salted or dry roast peanuts.11 Coconuts should be cut in half and hung from your table or a nearby branch – but never feed desiccated coconut.4
Many birds such as the Redwing are fruit eaters.7 So provide apples and pears cut into segments. Chopped bananas, grapes,8 and raisins are also suitable.2
“Fat balls…are an excellent winter food.”11
Birds need high levels of saturated fat such as suet or lard to keep warm in the winter.11 Fat cakes are easy to make and provide essential diet requirements.2
You can also use kitchen scraps including pieces of soaked bread, pastry and biscuits.2 Unsalted cooked rice, grated cheese, and off-cuts of fat are also ideal.7 But avoid all salted foods, dry bread10 and milk.11
“Winter feeding benefits birds most.”8
It is especially important to feed birds during the winter – but ornithologists recommend feeding them throughout the year.4 Once you begin providing food the birds will come to rely on you –therefore you should try to feed them at a regular time – everyday.5
“The food…we provide can have a very positive influence on bird populations.”2
Thankfully many people already “feed the birds”1 – so why not join them and build your own bird-table and put food out regularly? This small act when combined with millions of others across the country could make a significant contribution to wild bird populations of Britain.
Fat cakes
12.4 August 2018
Many birds in the UK face significant energy challenges throughout the winter.1 Smaller species such as Robins and Blue Tits can lose up to 5% of their body weight overnight.2
“Many species rely on energy reserves gained during the day to survive cold winter nights.”1
Small birds have to gain almost 10% of their lean body mass in fat every day to sustain overnight metabolism3 and are therefore forced to spend much of their time foraging. Setting up a bird table can improve the chances of bird survival through cold periods4 especially if a variety of foods are provided including seeds, nuts, kitchen-scraps, fruit – and fat cakes.
“Birds require high-energy (high-fat) foods during the cold winter weather to maintain their fat reserves.”5
Fat cakes can be purchased in most supermarkets -but it’s also easy to make your own using a range of seeds melted into fat or lard.6 (Note that polyunsaturated margarines and vegetable oils should not be used.)7
Our butcher gives us suet (250g) which we chop and gently melt it in a saucepan. To this we add mixed seed (250g) and other scraps as available – including crushed nuts, dried fruit and grated cheese. The mixture is placed into silicone cake moulds and left in the fridge to set.
It is now a well-established ritual in our house – every day before breakfast we go out to feed the birds with mixed seed and chopped scraps – and a fat cake.
Predator
12.5 September 2018
“Domestic cats…are major predators of wildlife in Britain.”2
There are approximately 8 million domestic cats, Felis catus, in the United Kingdom.3 It is estimated that they are responsible for killing some 275 million other animals each year – of which 55 million are birds.2 Such figures need to be treated with caution but the effect of this massacre on many species, which are already under threat of extinction, should be of great concern.4
“The combined impact of predation by millions of cats may have a substantial impact on wildlife.”2
Millions of birds die naturally each year from starvation and disease4 but predation by pet cats also may have played a role in the recent rapid declines in the populations of many species.2 The most frequently caught bird is the House Sparrow. Studies have demonstrated that predation by cats had a significant impact on their numbers and may have contributed to their decline across the UK.5
Other species hunted include Blue Tits, Blackbirds and Starlings.4
“Cats kill an extraordinarily high number of birds in British gardens.”6
Studies have shown that simple acts like keeping cats indoors at night, feeding birds and fitting bell collars could help reduce the killing of wild birds and mammals by this predator.7
