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Project 3- Bird care
Birds really bring a garden to life and it's easy to attract them. They also
need our help, especially during the winter when natural food sources are
scarce but also throughout the year. When birds are caring for young in the
spring, for instance, providing food eases the pressure on the busy parents.
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It's
important to make sure that your feeding site is safe from preditors
such as cats. Siting bird tables away from bushes is a good idea. The
willow screen that we used is ideal as it sections off the area without
providing a platform for cats to sit on. Bird tables and feeders: Focus offers an excellent choice of bird tables, bird feeds and nesting boxes. The bird tables come partly assembled so all the tricky bits (such as the roof) are done for you. We used two bird tables, one of which has an integral mesh feeder. |
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Focus
offers a range of feeders for different types of birds. We used a mesh
ball peanut feeder and because we have squirrels in the area, we used
a ceramic feeder as well. |
Bird
feeding area: At the school we decided to dedicate a small area
to bird feeding. We used willow screen and tree stakes to section off
a small unused corner of the garden, which included a small tree. The
area is in view of the playground so the children can see the birds
feeding. 
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Don't forget that birds need a constant supply of clean water. Focus offers a Bird Bath [sku: 7850, £8.99], or you can make one from any shallow dish - a bin lid sunk into the ground is ideal. Again, take care to site the bird bath away from bushes and anywhere else that cats could hide. If you are making a pond, you could consider designing a shallow end for birds to bathe and drink. Adding a few large flat rocks will make it easier for them to use.
It's important to provide seed, peanuts and fat for birds but remember that you can provide natural food by planting shrubs that provide berries. Visit your local Focus garden centre for a wide range of suitable shrubs.
