Wildlife this winter
Discussion
I've a feeling it's in for a particularly tough time 
I have a number of cotoneaster trees in the garden which usually birds don't touch until no other food sources are available - normally in Jan/Feb.
This year, they've been stripped almost bare already by wood pigeons, I suppose there being few sloes, bullaces, blackberries or beech mast around due to the poor summer.
And then a report on Radio 4 today about this:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/327453-migrating-birds...
I'm gearing up with the fat balls and nut feeders. This year I think they'll need it more than ever.
I have a number of cotoneaster trees in the garden which usually birds don't touch until no other food sources are available - normally in Jan/Feb.
This year, they've been stripped almost bare already by wood pigeons, I suppose there being few sloes, bullaces, blackberries or beech mast around due to the poor summer.
And then a report on Radio 4 today about this:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/327453-migrating-birds...
I'm gearing up with the fat balls and nut feeders. This year I think they'll need it more than ever.
Had my feeders out and filled for the last month or so.
Was delighted to see our first Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on the peanuts last weekend.
We have a gang of Starlings who come over and rape the suet very day, as well as number of tits and finches.
Ive been working on turning the whole garden over to wildlife the last two years, and next year should see it all start to mature. The Pyracantha is nicely berried up and will no doubt be strripped in a week as soon as the berries are ready.
Sad to read that link though.
Was delighted to see our first Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on the peanuts last weekend.
We have a gang of Starlings who come over and rape the suet very day, as well as number of tits and finches.
Ive been working on turning the whole garden over to wildlife the last two years, and next year should see it all start to mature. The Pyracantha is nicely berried up and will no doubt be strripped in a week as soon as the berries are ready.
Sad to read that link though.
Just seen a fox in the front "garden" (grass space between the front of the flat and the pavement), it was 2:30 in the afternoon! First London fox I've seen (and only the 2nd fox I've seen alive, most were roadkill when I lived out in Herts), it was very small and quite thin, can only think that desperation has driven it out at this time of day, definitely not going to be a good winter for wildlife this year.
Good article in the Telegraph today about how to attract birds into your garden:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9634102/How-t...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9634102/How-t...
whirligig said:
Good article in the Telegraph today about how to attract birds into your garden:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9634102/How-t...
Put up a sign saying 'Free Lambrini and WKD'? Ah, not those birds...http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9634102/How-t...
Pyracanthas still full of berries, usually Nov/Dec when they get stripped.
I find the 25p loaves at the end of the day in the supermarket on my way home from work and "cakes" made of lard and porridge to be good wild bird food, also anything that gets discarded by us that the dog won't touch, some bird will usually eat.
They did make particularly good use of windfall apples and plums this year that usually get largely neglected.
I find the 25p loaves at the end of the day in the supermarket on my way home from work and "cakes" made of lard and porridge to be good wild bird food, also anything that gets discarded by us that the dog won't touch, some bird will usually eat.
They did make particularly good use of windfall apples and plums this year that usually get largely neglected.
Willy Nilly said:
The best thing you can do for wild life is give it some space and leave it alone.
I think the problem is that people do B, and not A.My garden is planted with wildlife in mind, with berry hedges, and lots of perennials which attract insects all year round, and offer seed and fruit for birds.
'Shelter' is another key consideration: I have an ancient south-facing brick wall which is perfect for bees and ladybirds to hibernate in.
Unfortunately most modern / suburban gardens have wooden fences and are laid to grass plus a few flowering bedding plants - geraniums and pansies etc. Nothing for wildlife to feed on, or shelter in.
As a minimum, I'd suggest hellebores, alliums, sedums and scabious in the borders. Pyracanthus, cotoneaster, blackthorn (sloes), elder and wild rose in the hedges.
MentalSarcasm said:
Just seen a fox in the front "garden" (grass space between the front of the flat and the pavement), it was 2:30 in the afternoon! First London fox I've seen (and only the 2nd fox I've seen alive, most were roadkill when I lived out in Herts), it was very small and quite thin, can only think that desperation has driven it out at this time of day, definitely not going to be a good winter for wildlife this year.
Having bought a new "million candle power" spotlight I tried across the field to the rear of our placeeyes staring back at me......im scared! lol
many too far away to identify but from its gait one was a badger then another night Mr Fox came out about 30ft from me and wandered off on his nightly hunt, he was lean mean and quite big, a dog fox i assume, not the plump cuddly vixens you see in pictures! Rabbits beware
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff