Most of you are probably aware of the RSPB’s most ambitious campaign to date. Stepping Up For Nature was launched last year with the aim of every one of us doing our own little bit to help nature.
Yes, governments can take big steps, and agree carbon emission targets set for some future date. Yes, George Osborne can Wake Up and deliver a budget that doesn’t threaten various habitats and our environment for future generations to enjoy, but that all seems a little detached from me and you. We’ve signed the Letter To The Future, and you can send Mr Osborne a letter, and hope that people pressure can make real change.
Emily Williamson took one of those first steps for nature back in 1889. As I mentioned in my last blog, if it wasn’t for the great crested grebe, there would be no blog to write here. Fed up with the persecution of this magnificent bird, Emily formed the Plumage League to stop the wanton destruction of this beautiful bird, for no other reason than its feathers were used to adorn ladies hats. By 1904, the Society For The Protection of birds, as it was then known, was granted Royal Decree by King Edward VII, and so the RSPB came into existence. Shortly afterwards, laws were passed to protect the grebes and numbers have continued to flourish to this day.
Small steps in your garden
You can step up for nature in your own little bit of the world.
Your back garden is part of a massive British ecosystem. I have read it many times that the amount of green land covered by our own back gardens, far outstrips the amount of land currently owned by the numerous wildlife trusts and the RSPB themselves.
I am blessed in my garden to be visited by, on average, eighteen species of birds a week. I’ve had such stunning little birds as the goldcrest and the brambling as regular visitors; nuthatches and great spotted woodpeckers never cease to thrill me when they drop in and if it weren’t so common, people would travel the world to see a bird as pretty as the little old blue tit.
None of these birds come to my garden by chance. They needed a reason.
Why not spend an hour this weekend creating a welcome for them. Put a few bird feeders up if you have a suitable branch, or even buy a feeding station. You don’t need to break the bank on bird food and feeders these days. Fresh water can be easily provided in a shallow tray. Your garden birds are going to expend a lot of energy over the coming weeks staking territories, finding mates, and raising this year’s broods. The easier they can find food and water, means less energy spent looking.
Spend a minute thinking about where you put everything. If you had to make a swift exit for cover from cats or sparrowhawks, how quickly could you get there?
Helping hand
Right now, your garden birds are thinking of nest building. If you are tidying your borders and shrubs, why not leave some fallen leaves and twigs? Moss is another staple nest building material, rake your lawn to break it up, you may have starlings collecting it no time. If you have recently given your pet dog a haircut, or if you are like me, slightly follically challenged, and cut your own hair, this is perfect nesting material for lots of birds. Put it in an old hanging basket, and you may help your local house sparrows.
All little steps, but ones that can help our troubled garden birds, you don’t have to leave your own garden, and you may be rewarded with some wonderful behaviour from your own kitchen window. You don’t need binoculars, but I find a cup of something hot and a biscuit can help!