How you can save our birds

Follow our guide to creating nest sites that will help our birds

The trend to ‘tidy up’ gardens with decking (and even artificial grass), and the removal of hedges deprives birds of feeding and nesting opportunities, while species such as Starlings, House Sparrows and Swifts, which historically made extensive use of cavities and holes in houses, or of outbuildings, have suffered because of the renovation of such structures. So, how can you help?

1 Plant dense cover

Species such as Dunnocks, Robins and Wrens like dense hedges and bushes – if the former is out of the question in your garden, try to plant at least one dense bush or shrub such as Hawthorn, Berberis, or Holly.

2 Plant a tree

OK, so you do need a decent-sized garden, and you have to be patient, because it will be a few years before it’s large enough that the likes of Collared Doves or Mistle Thrushes will start to look at building their nests in its branches. But if you want to think long-term, you could plant fruit trees, or something like a Field Maple or a Rowan.

3 Garden considerately

Try to stay away from known nest sites during the breeding season. Some species will put up with a surprising amount of casual disturbance (walking past, etc), but remember that they’ll need regular unimpeded access to the nest throughout the breeding season. Don’t cut hedges and shrubs back close between mid-february and July, to avoid exposing nests.

4 Put up nestboxes

The greater variety, the better, from enclosed boxes with small holes for the likes of Blue Tits and Great Tits, to open-fronted boxes for Robins. And don’t forget that you can also get House Martin and Swift boxes to place under the eaves of your house – both species are very much in need of a helping hand. Don’t put too many of any one kind, though – most species won’t want too many rivals close by. Site them where they’re not accessible to cats or squirrels, and out of the prevailing wind, so that rain doesn’t blow in. Ideally they’ll be shaded for at least part of the day, too, and make sure they’re securely attached, tilted slightly forward. If at first you don’t succeed, change locations a little each autumn – even a small change can make a difference.

5 Clean your nestboxes

Having put nestboxes up, a bit of regular maintenance is vital. Check your nestboxes each autumn or winter (you still have just enough time if you move quickly), remove old nests, and then clean the boxes with hot water to kill parasites.

6 Top up the feeders

Don’t forget to keep topping up your feeders during the breeding season. Adult birds will use them as quick refuelling stops – if they don’t have to worry about looking for food for themselves, they’ll have a lot more time available to find food for their nestlings.

7 Garden for food

Planting for winter food for birds is straightforward – berry-bearing bushes and shrubs are great for all sorts of species. But during the breeding season, what the birds want is insects. So, a wildflower patch is a great idea, while even something as simple as waiting longer between each mowing of the lawn, or leaving an area of lawn uncut entirely, can make a huge difference.

8 Splash out

Don’t worry, it won’t cost you a lot. But make sure the birds have a water source – a decent bird bath is fine, as long as you clean it and top it up with fresh water regularly. Better still, create a little wildlife pond – it will have the added advantage of providing more insect food for your birds.