It is well known that modern agricultural methods have been a major cause of bird and other wildlife decline in the 20th century, as hedges have been removed for efficiency and pesticides have killed small insects that make up their diet.

we have the power

As we may be adding to the decline of local wildlife around our nation, we have the power to help with its restoration! Our gardens collectively make up more space than all the national parks combined, and there are lots of things we can do in our gardens, and neighbourhood, to help.

Feeding wildlife in the winter may help temporary survival, however, wildlife, such as birds, need more than food and nesting boxes… they need habitats.

birds need hedges and trees

  1. Allow your hedging to grow as bushy as possible, and full of ivy. This will be a rich habitat for all sorts of living creatures.
  2. Cutting your hedge down may make your garden bigger, but ecologically much less rich.
  3. Similarly with trees; the older the better.
  4. Avoid tidying dead wood, unless it poses a danger. This will be filled with all sorts of invertebrate bird food, as well as holes and soft wood perfect for nesting purposes.
  5. If you already have a hedge in your garden, celebrate it!

wildlife friendly hedging

If you don’t have a hedge but have space, then planting one will be the best thing you could do. Provide a habitat and healthy food for birds well into the future….

Guelder Rose
Hazel
Blackthorn
Hawthorn
Field Maple
Crab Apple
Dog Rose

wildlife hedging packs

We also offer a range of hedging packs designed to enrich your gardens and create homes for local wildlife…

Native Hawthorn Based Hedge Pack
Native Blackthorn Based Hedge Pack
Native Coastal Hedge Pack
Native Evergreen Hedge Pack

A small pond, fruit trees and bushy shrubs to offer cover will also create the perfect mini ecosystem and ensure you have birds to watch all year round.

fruit trees

Conference Pear Tree
Stella Cherry Tree

don’t have a garden?

  1. Even without a garden of our own, as citizens we can play our part in restoring biodiversity
  2. Rather than viewing long verges, overgrown churchyards and pockets of shrub as untidy, celebrate the ecology they support
  3. Campaign for spray free verges and buy organic food.
  4. Adopt an allotment
  5. Talk to your council about how you feel about the importance of a habitat rich environment

bring back the bird song chaos!

Share your garden bird images with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, we would love to see the wonderful birds hopping around your gardens!


Source: wildlife expert, Lizzy Stroud.