Winter Birds

As the colder weather sets in, the winter season can be hard for birds. Less food and colder temperatures which could lead to snow create challenges for them. This article hopes to advise gardeners who have an active interest in animals to help entice our furry and feathered friends into their very own back gardens.

Bird Feed

As well as the classic kitchen left overs which so often grace bird tables across the UK, today we can also offer specially made pre-packaged food for birds. Examples of this would include:

• Seeds, such as sunflower
• Mixed seed
• Peanuts (always be sure to buy from a trusted retailer as some peanuts can be harmful to birds)
• Fat Balls (Note that the RSPCA now recommends the mesh cover is removed before being out out to prevent the birds from harming themselves)
• Meal Worms (dried ones will last longer during winter)

What Could You Attract?

Where you live within the UK will naturally influence which birds you can or could attract as well as the food you supply. There are some birds which are common to all or most UK gardens and these include blackbirds, blue tits, robins, sparrows, starlings and green finches. Others may also be graced with great tits, pigeons, doves, thrushes and chaffinches.As well as these regular garden guests, you could be lucky to spot some less popular garden birds depending on weather, climate and food and of course good luck!
Places such as South Wales and the West Country may see an increase in chaffinches whilst the further North you look you may be more likely to spot birds such as Redwings and Fieldfares (visitors form Scandinavia!). Recent years have seen an increase in reports of the numbers of Blackcaps, coal tits and long-tailed tits in the UK so keep your eyes peeled.

Providing Care For Birds

It is important to ensure that the birds you attract to your garden are looked after and safe. This means providing them with food, water and shelter from the elements. Colder weather and bad winter conditions mean that sources of water may be frozen over or impractical during the cold seasons. You can help by providing places for the birds to wash in and drink from even if it is a basic plastic or concrete bird bath. Just be sure to break any ice and keep the water fresh and full.
Winter shelter is also important for birds whether it is to hide or to sleep. Nest boxes are often very popular, particularly during bad weather. By placing one or two bird boxes in your garden, up trees or against sheltered walls, you can supply that extra safe space for them to go. A safe secure garden for birds means you may be more likely to attract more species.
Mammals And Winter

As the cold sets in and winter draws up, we tend to forget about the mammals we see in our gardens. This is because we think that they have gone into hibernation and so we tend to bypass their needs or think about them. However, mammals will still stir and be present in a winter garden. Commonly these will include, mice, shrews, rats and other smaller mammals. It is important, probably even more so in winter, to make sure that you can make life easier on these little fellows by providing some food and shelter.

Feeding Mammals

You may or may not be aware that the issue of feeding mammals during winter has been the topic of some debate during the past. The key issues as to why it may not be ideal is because they may become too dependant on human help and handouts as well attracting vermin such as rats.

However, if you are careful about the amount of food you put out and what it is you are trying to attract, you wont end up with an increased number of mice, squirrels, foxes or badgers than you or the natural local environment can handle. Just be sure that you only put out enough food for the desired critters so any left overs wont attract unwanted ones.

Another key piece of advice is to make sure that your garden can provide natural food resources and hiding places so there is enough to get natural mammals through the winter. You can contact your local wildlife trust to ask about the animals you can find and attract to your garden depending on your location in Britain.

Hibernation

Whilst food may be an issue of individual choice, shelter for hibernating animals is an area that is not at all controversial and is often supported and encouraged. Animals such as bats, hedgehogs and door mice are the only mammals which really hibernate in the UK.

You could make your very own shelters for these animals as well as having them shop bought, particularly for door mice who only require limited room.

Hedgehog shelters can feature in any garden and is in fact quite useful. Hedgehogs act as a natural pest control for your garden as they eat slugs and other unwanted visitors so ensuring that they they have a hide out for winter will prevent them wandering off to find other shelters and meaning you can still have a friendly pest control friend! Shelters for hedgehogs are valuable not only for the safety of pest control in the following years but also for their own good as some burn in bonfires after settling down for winter in garden piles. Please, please do be aware that you should always check fires and other piles you wish to burn for hibernating hedgehogs and other animals (frogs and toads also like to hide under natural garden waste) before burning it.

Bats and bat boxes are also another positive garden feature for winter as well as the rest of the year. You can buy various bat boxes from good garden centres or wildlife trusts and some will suit different species of bat. Buy one that is best for your location so it will  be more likely to attract the bats nearest to you.

Wildlife Watch

Birds are always the easiest animal to find in any garden across the world, it is the mammals which are a little harder to spot.  However, winter climate and a change in natural food resources may see these shy creatures moving further afield and into view. There is no sure fire way of spotting these ones but always be sure to keep your eyes peeled and cherish any sighting as it will probably only be brief and fleeting!

There are some ways of attempting to identify what lives in or has been visiting your garden. The main tool for this is snow! By examining any trails or paw marks, you may be able to tell what has been foraging for food or hiding places. Just be sure to leave any animal in peace for both your own safety and its. If you do find tracks, keep a small portion of food available every now and then for it. Any good wildlife book or the Internet could help you identify what has been in your garden and the best methods of feeding and protection.

Good luck  winter wildlife watching!

Elegant and exotic – bamboo is a great way to enhance the garden and give it a tropical feel.

Types of Bamboo

There are hundreds of varieties to choose from that originate from countries as far apart as China and Chile. Some are hardy and will grow almost anywhere while others can only tolerate a warm climate.

Bamboos range from the lucky bamboo indoor plant to those that grow as huge plants in the forests of China. The lucky bamboo represents good fortune in Far Eastern cultures and is used in the art of Feng Shui. It is believed that the plant creates positive ‘chi’, or energy in the place where it is located within the home.

Most lucky bamboo is grown in a small amount of water and surrounded by pebbles. It lasts for years and only needs fresh water to care for it. It makes a beautiful ornamental indoor plant with its textured bright green canes. Lucky bamboo doesn’t twist and curl naturally, but is turned towards the light as it grows, forcing it into some stunning shapes.
Use of Bamboo

Because of its dense foliage bamboo is often used to create a privacy screen, a hedge or a windbreak. Most bamboo likes a sunny location, although there are a few varieties that flourish well in shady areas, which can be a great find for gardeners with a shady spot to fill.

Some bamboo shoots can be eaten – they are delicious in a salad or stir fry.

Bamboo is also commercially grown due to its incredible strength. It has many uses including: furniture, garden stakes, screening and flooring. A less well known use of bamboo fibres is for fabrics, clothing underwear and bed linen.

Bamboo Care

When bamboo is first planted it should be given plenty of water and kept moist. A common problem for newly planted bamboo is lack of water as it establishes.

Good drainage is also important. Make sure the plant isn’t standing in pools of water.

Healthy soil will produce a more successful plant. Give bamboo a good helping of compost when it’s first planted.

Like all other plants bamboo may still attract pests and it’s essential to deal with them as soon as they appear, or even better prevent them.

Pruning bamboo can be an interesting and dangerous exercise. The new culms (trunks) should be pruned to keep the shape of the plant. Take care when pruning overhead culms as they can be very sharp and can cause a serious injury on their descent.

Bamboo has different root types and can be very fast growing – be wary if you’ve got a small garden. ‘Clumping’ bamboo is easier to control and less invasive than ‘running’ bamboo, which can easily get out of control.

So if you’re looking for a mysterious and unusual plant try bamboo and bring a taste of the East to your garden.