Gardens for birds
Dr John Twyford, of Nailsea, Somerset, wrote to us in the spring about how our garden birdwatching can play a significant part in conservation, and in maintaining our well-being…
How to use your outside space for conservation and personal well-being
Iwatched a Blue Tit forage in my Hawthorn tree’s blossom. Upside down, back to front, from branch to branch, swinging at the end of slender shoots. Its mate also rushed into the tree and then they dived off into a hedge. I realised how good it is to see birds in the garden, especially after a year at home. Just being part of nature is a most pleasurable experience. Good cover and a bird bath help the birds.
“Given the difficulties of being at home so much, it is important to find and adopt a positive outlook on life. Just birdwatching has always been a pleasure for me. I tend to listen for bird calls and songs and look for their behaviour and movements, all with binoculars at the ready and now by lazily sitting in my conservatory. Getting up early also helps.
“I have taken part in citizen science concerning birds and birding. I understand the value of consistent observation so as to spot trends and changes, including working to certain boundaries, environments and timings. I’m assuming that science concerning birds plays its part in a far more rigorous way. Looking for patterns in bird behaviour may enable us to see their nature.
“However, just remembering bird sightings as they happen naturally is sufficient for me, today. I can remember where and when I saw a Hawfinch. I also recall being at Ham Wall RSPB when someone asked loudly ‘when will I see a Bittern, I’ve been here for half an hour?’
“I could not resist saying that it will take 30 years. I last saw a Bittern at Wicken Fen that long ago. Ironically, next time I visited Ham Wall, a Bittern was the
first bird I saw at the edge of the reedbed from the main viewing point.
“There are people who are not aware of nature – not even generally; they may lack a meaningful relationship to it. The implications of this are enormous, not the least for our well-being. Without an appreciation for nature, it is most likely that people will not notice if it’s no longer there. Would they be concerned if Song Thrushes were no more? How life works and why it matters are vital, basic issues.
“I found on my lawn several Cowslips (I mow around them), as well as a neatly cracked unearthed acorn – two empty halves left at a small Grey Squirrel scrape. It’s good to see textbook nature for real, even if it is commonplace in our minds. There are three Dunnocks nesting in a Holly bush in my garden – that’s simply their behaviour.
“I am lucky to see so many birds throughout the year. Recently, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff have been in the garden, and I’m waiting to see the House Martins return in their summer glory. I just enjoy what is there – in my own way, as part of it all.
“With apologies for anthropomorphisms and inaccuracies, as well as a lack of proper reference to ecology – I’m looking all the time at all nature. It is often asked if nature will be resilient to our wants and needs? Maybe we should respect it before we use it up. Make our bird lists useful, with regard to understanding, rather than being merely fanciful.”