With the start of Spring, many of us will be thinking about how to make the most of our green space. The charity, SongBird Survival, wants us to think about how we can create a refuge for birds in our gardens too.
They have launched a one stop shop to support gardeners with free advice and tips to help birds thrive in your garden, whether you are a beginner or a pro.
Their ‘Gardens for Birds’ campaign promotes advice based upon their scientific research and shows how you can help birds through wildlife friendly gardening.
More than half of our UK songbirds are threatened or already in decline. Total population numbers have fallen by 50% in 50 years, including some familiar garden visitors seeing drastic declines. It is hard to believe that in just ten years Scottish greenfinch numbers have dropped by more than 60% and swallows by 35%.
Although not a songbird which you are likely to spot in your garden, now confined to the Scots pine forests, the population of the beautiful, Scottish crossbill has also declined by more than half. The Scottish crossbill is the only songbird species found solely here in the UK. This decimation of once familiar and much-loved species must not continue.
Rural habitat is eroding and birds face numerous complex threats. However, with one quarter of urban area in Scotland estimated to be made up of residential gardens, we can provide a huge safe refuge if we all turn our mind to it, and plant, and sow, with birds in mind.
Gardening expert and former Gardeners’ World presenter Toby Buckland who is supporting SongBird Survival’s campaign, said, “Wildlife friendly gardens don't have to be boring or informal. You can make your garden both a safe haven for birds and a space that you love spending time in. This Spring, make some small changes that could see you enjoying many more birds to your garden this year and protecting our beautiful wildlife.”
Susan Morgan, SongBird Survival’s CEO added, “These past few years more than ever, many of us have taken solace in our gardens and outdoor space, with a much greater appreciation of the joy the dawn chorus can bring. With research showcasing the drastic declines of insect life and songbirds in our country, it is our job to open our gardens to wildlife and invite them in. Whatever the size of your outdoor space, whatever your skill in gardening, you can make a difference.”
Even a simple bird bath can make a big difference. Clean and change the water regularly.
Recent research, funded by SongBird Survival from the University of Sussex, found favourite species like the house sparrow, chaffinch, great tit, and blackbird vanish in huge numbers where chemical weedkillers and slug pellets are used. Try companion planting – planting certain plant combinations to help keep pests down, or natural remedies. Dried seaweed is a good choice for deterring slugs as it is high in salt, or you can make some good old-fashioned garlic spray to deter aphids.
All of our wildlife needs somewhere they can be safe. You can provide nest boxes, bee hotels, or even arrange a pile of fallen leaves, twigs, and branches as a makeshift shelter for birds, small mammals, and insects.
Birds are always on the hunt for nesting materials in springtime. Why not plant some long grasses like feather reed grass, moor grass, or elephant grass to help them out? Alternatively, leave grass and leaf clippings to one side for birds to take to pad out their nests.
Aim to have flowers in your garden for as many months of the year as possible for bees, especially early in the year when queens awake from hibernation. Pulmonaria and viola are great for this.
Select plants with flowers and fruits that birds love to eat. Great natural food choices include brambles, common elder, rowan, and guelder rose. When it comes to winter, you can help by placing a feeder in your garden at regular times.
If you have cats, you can protect birds by using hanging feeders, away from any perches that cats may pounce from. Try to locate feeders as far away as possible from any nest boxes, to stop a predator finding the location of chicks or eggs. SongBird Survival research has also found that playing with your cat just five minutes a day can reduce their hunting.
Keeping any feeders or bird baths clean and refreshed regularly is top priority to stop disease spreading.
Why not try leaving your lawn long in your garden to encourage pollinators? Or could you reduce the amount of pruning in your garden? By letting seedheads develop, you provide food in autumn and winter months for birds.
Creative use of garden space can have great results for the look of your garden and our ecosystem. For those who have small spaces, or a balcony, you can still attract wildlife by providing potted plants, climbers, feeders and small shelters.
SongBird Survival has a host of resources on how small tweaks in your garden can make a big difference. From a free wildlife friendly gardening calendar and guides on the best plants to help birds, to fun activity packs for children to connect with nature. You can see more advice and tips by visiting SongBird Survival’s website or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.