Wildlife
Bringing wildlife into your garden is a real pleasure. We offer affordable options which encourage birds into your garden.
Part of the joy of gardening is to look out of your window at the birds and other wildlife benefitting from your hard work. Providing additional food for wildlife (especially in winter) on bird feeders and bird tables encourages birds into your garden and gives them a welcome boost through the long winter months. The natural floorshow is an added bonus - and if the birds are under threat even more so.
Most species are opportunists and will eat where they can. You can use hanging feeders - these appeal to clinging species such as Tits and Finches or ground or table feeders, favoured by other species such as Robins, Thrushes and Blackbirds - or use a combination of these. Most people like to position them in front of a window but keep in mind the predators.
Do not forget to provide water for drinking or bathing and remember to break the ice if the temperature falls below freezing.
Protecting Birds
There are about 8 million pet cats in the UK and an unknown number of feral cats and their prey will include a proportion of birds. What can cat owners do?
| "Help to protect the birds in your garden" |
Collars with bells may reduce predation of birds. It should be correctly fitted and have a quick release mechanism to let the cat free itself if it should become caught up. cats.
A well fed and cared for cat is more likely to stay at home. If possible keep the cat indoors when birds are most vulnerable, at least an hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise, especially during March-July and December-January. Also after bad weather to allow birds to come out to feed.
Take unwanted cats to a shelter to be rehomed – this will also prevent the feral cat population from increasing. Consider having cats neutered to prevent them wandering and producing unwanted kittens.
