Feed The Birds
There are so many things we can do to help nature and our wildlife, right from our own back garden:-
1) Simple – provide water for the birds. Most small birds need to drink at least twice a day and not only do birds need water for drinking but for bathing and preening too in order to keep their beautiful feathers in good condition.
2) Feed the birds. Again, so simple although there is much information regarding the correct and successful feeding of birds.
3) Put up a Bird Box in order to help birds rear their families. There are boxes for different birds you may wish to attract.
4) Put up an Owl Box – again, different boxes for different owls!
5) Feed the mammals, for example, hedgehogs and squirrels. Again, there is information at hand, even manuals on the correct and successful feeding of mammals.
6) Nurture your nettles! Probably the last thing we think about keeping in our back garden but they actually are beneficial for wildlife as they offer protection to butterflies and hedgehogs
7) Plant a tree! When you think about it, each and every mature tree has a legacy as of the support it gives to wildlife, apart from the enjoyment it gives to our future generations. It is recommended that you choose a native species, for example, Holly, Blackthorn, Hawthorn or Silver Birth.
Make a ‘bug home’. Again, probably the last thing we may think we want to attract but bugs are vital to keeping the ecosystem working. The easiest way to do this is rather simple, take a number of bamboo canes or just twigs and tie them together, hang them under the branch of a tree and you will see the bugs appear. How simple!
9) Build a garden rockery. If you plant crocus bulbs for example between the rocks, this will provide our insects with an early nectar and pollen supply.
10) If you are a cat owner, try and help the wildlife by adapting your cat’s collar with a couple of bells so that the birds have a warning when they approach. It is advised that keeping your cat in overnight can help keep our wildlife safe as sunrise and sunset are the times of the day when cats prefer to prowl!