How to provide bushes for nesting birds
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In the spring, birds choose the best locations to build nests, so why not offer them a safe place to settle?
Cleaning bird feeders and bird baths
Clean feeders and feeding sites regularly using warm soapy water or 5%. Make sure to rinse any disinfectant off thoroughly and always allow feeders to air-dry completely before adding food.
Brushes and equipment used to clean feeders, tables and baths shouldn’t be used for other purposes. Rubber gloves should be worn and hands washed afterwards.
Cleaning nestboxes
After the end of each breeding season, all nestboxes should be taken down, old nesting materials removed, and the box should be scalded with boiling water to kill any parasites. Do not use insecticides or flea-powders – boiling water is adequate. Annual cleaning should only be carried out at the end of the breeding season, from late September to February.
Under the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, if unhatched eggs are found in the box, they can only legally be removed from October to January inclusive, and they must be destroyed – it is illegal to keep them.
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More ways you can help birds
How to make a bee hotel
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Solitary bees are important pollinators and a gardener’s friend. Help them by building a bee hotel for your home or garden and watch them buzz happily about their business.
How to make a shrub garden for wildlife
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Woody shrubs and climbers provide food for wildlife, including berries, fruits, seeds, nuts leaves and nectar-rich flowers. So why not plant a shrub garden and see who comes to visit?
Reduce food waste
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10 tips to reduce food waste today!
How to use less plastic
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Plastic waste and its damaging effect on our seas and natural world has been big news recently. Here's what you can you do about it.
How to grow a wild patch or mini meadow
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Whether it's a flowerpot, flowerbed, wild patch in your lawn, or entire meadow, planting wildflowers provides vital resources to support a wide range of insects that couldn't survive in urban areas otherwise. It is also a great way of avoiding tools such…