How can I introduce birds & wildlife

[Mike Lyons]

Here's a question for anybody who can help.

I've taken on the task of writing for local communities where I live, through directories delivered locally and also on a web site I've put together on gardening and wildlife.

I find it hard to do all this and work full time which is why I'm asking the question..."how can I introduce birdlife and wildlife to my local community without sounding as though I don't know what I'm talking about?"

Whilst visiting a garden show recently I picked up a CJ catalogue and found my way to the forums. I've also tried looking through all the official sites but feel that I'm out of my depth when it comes to 'giving knowledge' on a subject I'm not too familiar with.

Although the forum asks for feedback I might get the answers that also answer the forum!!!

If anybody wants to see the site or in particular the page it's at www.landscape-garden-designs.com/in-the-garden.html (http://www.landscape-garden-designs.com/in-the-garden.html).

I don't mind criticism if it's due.

Mike Lyons

[Jenny]

Mike,

One of the key things anyone can do (and I'll get shot by producers of all those TV programmes :D ) is NOT turn gardens into concrete!

This trend came as a real shock to me when I went south to visit friends - theirs was the only house with trees and shrubs in a street with 120 houses! Granted the front gardens had to be uniform - bit of grass and the obligatory flower bed for annuals, but the back gardens were a desert!

Am also aware that some folks can't do garden maintenance of a lawn etc. I have an elderly friend like that and we have covered(not entirely!) her small back garden so she can get about in her wheelchair and still have the enjoyment of her birds and plants. Using a mixture of undressed stone and concrete, she has raised beds, gaps in the concrete when cushion plants are growing up and shrubs and a tree - the run-off from the paved area is directed towards this patch so we've also put boggy loving plants in. She has a small water feature for interest, visual and sound interest and to provide drinking drinking/bathing for birds. The garden is full of birds (both from feeding points and insects. The front garden is managed by the upper flat owner who has two ponds, trees and shrubs as well as a lawn, so the whole thing has worked as a team - no-one, least of all the wildlife - loses out.

You are trying to do this in communities - you don't give a lot of details but that's understandable. First, question: is there a community or is it one of these sad dormitory areas? I moved into one of those a few years back of necessity and it was a almost a wildlife desert! Hoicked out large parts of the prevailing planting (not all) and introduced by trial and error other plants to encourage wildlife. Gradually got them and neighbours (most of them) got hooked - it got to the stage of seriously interfering with my family life having the locals coming to see the hedgehogs, etc.!

I'm no gardener - landscape or otherwise! We're too conditioned to having nature under control - squeaky clean lawns/patios/decking and so on to make money, we forget wildlife! I enjoy wildlife and I don't care if a prospective buyer is put off - wouldn't sell to them anyway!

Not perhaps what you were expecting, but hopefully food for thought!

[yoke]

Hi, Like Jenny says, Mike, you’re not really clear about what kind of community you’re referring to;
I’m in a wheelchair too and live in a very small village at one of the beautiful peninsulas in the Republic of Eire. Living at the end of a council estate, above the village on a steep hill, we have fields behind us, sloping down to a small river, which has brought typical river-birds to our garden over the years like Grey Wagtails and Reed Buntings among a large gang of House Sparrows, a number of Blue, Coal and Great Tits and Green Finches, Chaffinches, Gold Finches and Siskins. Due to problems with the local youths, development of the front and back garden have never materialized (we had plans and materials for raised beds here too) while at the side we have a made a kind of “patio” out of the broader concrete path in front of the kitchen door. A round raised planter I have for herbs, in which te birdtable is built above the plants. A large Fennel dominates the planter; but being next to the birdtable, the tall stalks offer the perfect queuing area. Also, because the hollow stems of Fennel harbour lots of insects which the Coal and Blue Tits nibble on while waiting for their turn on the peanutfeeder at the table.
And the soil underneath the table holds worms and other creatures/spills from the table for the birds to enjoy. Needless to say it is very popular with my birds.
Robins, Dunnocks and Wren, are also among the regulars. While the larger birds consist of Rooks, Jack Daws and Hooded Crows who try snatching food while waiting for the kids to drop from their lunchbox in the school’s playground at the other side of the birdtable and garden.

However what you want or are looking for is not really clear to me; however I don’t doubt that you’ll explain more to us?

[bird lady]

Once you start putting food & water out on a regular basis birds will come to visit.
Starlings can be a bit of apest they eat everything, I have some feeders that have mesh covers so only small birds can eat. Especially if you feed fat blocks. I have starlings demolish one in a day! I also give the bids chopped up cheese, robins love it, apple.
I try to get my grandchildren to help feed the birds. Then they watch them come to eat. We keep a book so birds so they can see what variety they are.
We also have many nest boxes up for the spring to encourage them to nest in the garden. also have one part of the garden a bit "wild".

[gregory "peck"]

It sounds as though you want to spread the word about birds/wildlife. the two ways that worked for me. Volenteer to do a local walk, using birds as a "theme" walk. stop now and again to give a talk about birds ect. Also try and go to local schools, infants/primary. Thats the best age to reach young children about wildlife and birds. And try your local press. Or volenteer to help out at a local "R.S.P.B." Reserve. Then the public will come to you. CheersHere's a question for anybody who can help.

I've taken on the task of writing for local communities where I live, through directories delivered locally and also on a web site I've put together on gardening and wildlife.

I find it hard to do all this and work full time which is why I'm asking the question..."how can I introduce birdlife and wildlife to my local community without sounding as though I don't know what I'm talking about?"

Whilst visiting a garden show recently I picked up a CJ catalogue and found my way to the forums. I've also tried looking through all the official sites but feel that I'm out of my depth when it comes to 'giving knowledge' on a subject I'm not too familiar with.

Although the forum asks for feedback I might get the answers that also answer the forum!!!

If anybody wants to see the site or in particular the page it's at www.landscape-garden-designs.com/in-the-garden.html (http://www.landscape-garden-designs.com/in-the-garden.html).

I don't mind criticism if it's due.

Mike Lyons