T
here can be few cosier
feelings than peering
through a rain-
spattered kitchen
window, nursing a
cuppa, on a February
afternoon, knowing that you’ve
provided a warm, dry dwelling for
avian visitors to your garden.
Man has been offering birds
ready-made accommodation since
the early 1800s when Victorian
naturalist Charles Waterton, who
later transformed his Yorkshire
estate into what is believed to have
been the first wildlife sanctuary,
not only built one but also
manufactured them for sale.
Today, there are hundreds of
different designs available, each
created with the needs of particular
species in mind and, with National
Nest Box Week this month (14–21
February), now’s an ideal time to
choose and erect one in readiness
for feathered tenants.
More than simply a sanctuary in
which to warm themselves, the
nestbox is all about helping birds to
hatch out and raise the next
generation. Of course, this isn’t an
entirely self less act – quite apart
from a sense of smugness,
encouraging birds to reside in your
garden means you’ll have a source
of visual entertainment for the
months ahead: catching sight of the
expectant parents darting about
collecting materials with which to
furnish their new abode; watching
them feed the open-beaked chicks;
and witnessing the resulting
f ledglings take their first f light.
Just resist the urge to look inside
the box until autumn, when the
inhabitants have left and the place
needs a good clean before the new
breeding season (of course, if you’d
like to create your own version of
Springwatch, a suitable house and
nestcam is for you; try gardenature.
co.uk or simonkingwildlife.com).NEST, PLEASE!
NOW’S THE TIME TO ENCOURAGE BIRDS
TO ROOST AND RAISE CHICKS IN YOURGARDEN. OUR NESTBOX GUIDE CAN HELP
Compiled by: RUTH CHANDLER
Make a little birdhouse in
your soul (and your garden)
and you’ll have feathered
company all spring