We are right in the middle of the bird nesting season. From the end of March through to September, the birds are nesting in trees, hedges, and green spaces across the country.
So, it’s the perfect time to think about how you can keep your grounds bird-friendly. Regardless of your budget, there are lots of ways in which you can create spaces for the birds to enjoy.
This blog post is dedicated to help give ideas on how to encourage more birds to flock to your grounds. With very little effort we can all do our bit to support British wildlife, and bird song is the most beautiful addition to any outdoor area. Just by adding a simple bird box can add a lot of joy to your employees’ outdoor lunch spot.
Here are five of our favourite examples of bird-friendly spaces, as well as our top tips for keeping them in pristine condition:
1. Wall climbers
Wall climbing plants provide birds with lots of perching spots to choose from.
You’ll soon see a little community of birds taking advantage of these plants. They’re a great multi-use space, as wall climbers provide great shelter during wet weather, a site for birds to roost comfortably, and also a potential area for breeding.
2. Bushes and hedgerows
Within a bush or hedgerow, there’s ample space for birds to live. They will delight in the abundance of natural materials, which they can use to build nests, and the insects that they can feast on.
The other reason why birds are so fond of bushes and hedgerows is that they provide a fantastic shelter, which keeps them safe from both stormy weather and any potential predators.
It’s not just birds who will enjoy these spaces – hedgehogs also love to take shelter in bushes and hedgerows.
3. Plants and trees at different heights
Try adding plants and trees which more closely resemble the way they’d look in the natural world (i.e., at different heights and sizes). This gives birds and wildlife loads of choice for space, to suit exactly what they’re looking for.
Birds need natural spaces to suit lots of different purposes. So, by providing greenery at a range of different heights, you can make sure the birds feel happy and comfortable there.
4. Evergreen conifer trees
Remember, the birds need spaces all year round. But, when the leaves fall, they’re left with very little choice for spots.
So, by including evergreen trees in your grounds, you can make sure they always have a shelter to use.
5. Bird boxes
Boxes come in a huge range of different styles and price points, so you’ll easily find something to suit your grounds’ existing aesthetic.
Bird boxes make safe and secure spots for birds to make their nests. Be sure to position it high up, and away from anywhere where you can anticipate a lot of loud noise or lots of people. This will help the birds to feel safe and comfortable here.
Keeping the birds’ home pristine
It’s important that you give the bird box a thorough clean every year, because parasites or fleas (which may have been brought in when the nest was being made) will continue to live there and could harm the baby birds which hatch there the year after.
If you’re wondering how to clean out your bird boxes, the RSPB website has a handy guide to help you out.
When it comes to cleaning the bird boxes in the Autumn, the key things to remember are:
- Wait till after September, and only when you are sure that the birds have definitely moved out.
- Empty the box, and then use boiling water to clean it. This will ensure that any parasites in the box are removed.
- Do not use any chemicals, including insecticides or flea powder.
- After cleaning, you could add a handful of clean wood shavings for the birds to use on their next visit.
Another important point is to be careful when you get your hedges cut. The best time to maintain these is early March, which will ensure that everything is in pristine condition before the nesting season starts.
At Shed, we don’t perform any hedge cutting from April through to September, to protect the birds. Outside of these months, however, we can help you to manage your hedges, and keep them looking neat and tidy.
So, if you’re keen to attract more birds into your grounds, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We can provide consultations to advise you on options to encourage wildlife to your grounds and guide you through ways to transform your space into a thriving natural hub. Please email us at hello@shedgrounds.co.uk or call us on 01246 590590, we look forward to hearing from you.
