Gardeners all over the UK are sure to have started seeing a range of delightful garden visitors over the last few days, with spring now very much in evidence.
It really is a wonderful time of year and it can be very exciting to see everything return to life and abundance – but where birds are concerned, it seems that we may start seeing fewer and fewer of our feathered friends as time goes on.
Many of the springtime birds we’ve become accustomed to seeing over the years are now, sadly, being threatened with extinction, with all sorts of favourites now on the UK’s Red List, which means that they’re facing severe declines and urgent conservation action is now necessary.
The latest Red List, published in 2021 by the British Trust for Ornithology, now includes the likes of greenfinches, swifts and house martins – all of which have long been stalwarts of the English garden scene.
Greenfinches in particular seem to be experiencing increasingly severe declines in numbers over the last ten years… so what can gardeners do to help the situation and ensure that we continue to be able to enjoy seeing these birds now and well into the future?
First of all, consider installing nest boxes in your garden to give birds somewhere to take up residence. The destruction of hedgerows and other natural habitats means that it can be tricky for birds to find somewhere to nest, but all you need to do is set up a box somewhere outside and the birds will do the rest.
Providing a constant food source will also be welcomed by birds of all kinds, whether you decide to use a seed mix or something like a suet or fat ball. The latter are high-energy options so will really make a big difference.
And, of course, birds need to keep themselves clean so a birdbath will be a welcome addition, as well. This also doubles up as a water source, so make sure you top it up during warmer weather.
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