Wildlife in your Garden

[chrismpw]

House Sparrows are ace, but all but gone from the cities. Little pockets hang on here and there. We`ve got a little colony by me, with about a dozen in it. You hear them before you see them, as they make such a racket, even more so when they`ve got young ones with them.

Starlings are going the same way too.

Because there`s a load of woods by us, we get all kinds depending on the time of year :

Bats, Hedgehog, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Coal Tit, Jackdaw, Magpie, Blue Tit, Crow, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Starlings, Gold Finch and the odd Green Parrakeet.

So far this year the Robin has had two lots of chicks in a nest box, the Great Tits have had one and a Bumble Bee colony has set up residence in another bird box.

Sparrows have been on a horrific decline. I learned recently that they rarely travel more than 20m from their nesting site. With the human obsession of ripping up nature to pursue the acquisition of money from others .... Sorry... With the human drive for development, its hardly surprising they're dwindling. Sounds like if their homes go then there's little chance of them finding a new breeding ground.

 

[COYBL25]

Sparrows have been on a horrific decline. I learned recently that they rarely travel more than 20m from their nesting site. With the human obsession of ripping up nature to pursue the acquisition of money from others .... Sorry... With the human drive for development, its hardly surprising they're dwindling. Sounds like if their homes go then there's little chance of them finding a new breeding ground.

From what I`ve read it`s as much to do with the fact that in the Winter they " migrate " to nearby farm land, to feed on spilled seed and insects.

However, due to pesticides farm land has become super efficient and almost sterile.

Sky Larks have all but gone in certain parts of the country for much the same reason.

 

[WA Toffee]

Kookaburras in the back garden most mornings, and lots of cockatoos and galahs in the gum trees in the front garden. Driveway absolutely covered in gum nuts most days

 

[stony]

Our garden was a giant litter tray for the local cats until I bought an ultrasonic cat repellent. Unfortunate side effect is that it deters everything else too.

 

[Toast]

We now live in Bath and I volunteer for a hedgehog charity. I bought a trail cam to see what was going on in the lane behind my house. I left it there for 2 days and it captured cats, foxes, badgers, weasel (or stoat), a mouse, squirrels and muntjack deer and a rose deer! Could not believe it. Sadly no hedgehogs though.

Last year we were in Sri lanka and I left it out on the edge of the jungle for a night and captured absolutely NOTHING! There is more in my back lane than the sri lankan jungle!

I've had to put boards down to stop hedgehogs getting into my garden.

 

[The binman chronicles]

I'm in Slough and the garden is full of slags

What kind of landscaping have you done to promote the population of these wonderful creatures in your garden mate?

Asking for a friend like...

 

[Frang]

What kind of landscaping have you done to promote the population of these wonderful creatures in your garden mate?

Asking for a friend like...

A 10 metre path complete with kerbs and a traffic light

 

[Toast]

A 10 metre path complete with kerbs and a traffic light

You've been studying Peter Sutcliffe as part of your HGV course haven't you mate.

 

[Gwladysover]

Our garden was a giant litter tray for the local cats until I bought an ultrasonic cat repellent. Unfortunate side effect is that it deters everything else too.

Thought about buying one of those. Next doors' cat waits in our garden to ambush any birds on the feeders or bird table. Often find feathers scattered all over the lawn.

 

[bol-uk]

I've had to put boards down to stop hedgehogs getting into my garden.

What are you on about?

 

[Westend Blue]

Me sundiy morn after not making it inside

 

[Eggs]

I've had to put boards down to stop hedgehogs getting into my garden.

....can’t see the points.

 

[Rugby Toffee]

Live in Cumbria. Seaguls , Jackdaws , Starlings , Sparrows , Blackbirds , the odd tit and next doors dog at times.

 

[gonetomorrow]

The pied wagtail is a bit of a character. In fact, I'd say he's taken over from the robin as Britain's fave perky wee bird - certainly round our way.

 

[kev]

I've had to put boards down to stop hedgehogs getting into my garden.

Stopping hedgehogs from entering your garden is pretty spineless behaviour.

*(Resists making comment about pricks)