Find space for a bird box
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s ERIN MCDAID suggests now is the perfect time to try and find somewhere for a bird box to help species through the winter
AS we highlighted in last week’s feature, next month will see the annual celebration of National Nest Box week. As this promotion of efforts to boost nesting habitat for our feathered friends approaches, now really is a great time to consider if there is anywhere in our homes, gardens or community spaces where boxes could be installed.
Nest Box Week is traditionally timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day – to link with the romantic notion of birds seeking out a mate and paring up. However, the earlier boxes are installed the more likely they are to get used this season, and any boxes put up in winter can double up as vital roosting spots for species such as wren.
These diminutive birds are known to seek out crevices, nooks and crannies in which to huddle together for warmth. Whilst groups of between five and nine are quite common, as many as 30 will occasionally squeeze into a single nest box in an effort to beat the cold.
If you do have a garden or an outdoor space such as a balcony then there is likely to be somewhere you can install a box yourself.
If you don’t have a garden why not consider if there is anywhere at work that your employer could sanction a box or consider whether there might be space in your child’s school grounds? Other options could include local community space or even on the walls of a community centre or village hall?
One exciting approach is the concept of local communities teaming up to consider how they can encourage supporting wildlife.
In the past we’ve worked with local authorities to install house sparrow boxes on a number of properties and in Nottingham local volunteers, led by our friends Trish and Nick at INSTAR, have set up their very own “Swift Street” initiative with the aim of boosting the survival chances of these amazing birds and of ensuring local residents can continue to enjoy the sight of them soaring over the rooftops each summer.
By looking beyond the boundaries of our own gardens we can work together to make neighbourhoods and even entire cities more welcoming to wildlife.
This approach is also the foundation of the Hedgehog Street programme which encourages people to get to know their neighbours and to take collective action to boost the chances of one of our most threatened mammals.
As well as being a good time to put up a nest boxes, now is a great time to put out food for birds if you don’t already do so. In mid-winter, natural supplies of food such as fruit, nuts and berries can be very scarce and as temperatures plummet below freezing, food such as earthworms can remain locked away deep underground - leaving meagre pickings for many species.
The food we choose to put out can become a real lifeline. If you continue feeding through the spring and summer you’ll also dramatically increase the wildlife watching opportunities in your garden and this potential for connecting with nature at close quarters could be very welcome if the current lockdown continues.
For more information about Swift Street visit we-are-instar.co.uk/ swiftstreet