Birds Focus

The return of the Red Kite is one of the great conservation success stories. This magnificent bird of prey with its distinctive rusty-red colouring and forked tail was persecuted almost to extinction, just about hanging on in the Welsh Border Country.

Now this large bird, similar in size to a buzzard with only the Golden and White-Tailed Sea Eagles, confined to wild Scotland, as larger native birds of prey, can be seen in many parts of the country.

The feeding station should prove an interesting visitor attraction even if it is not really needed as a conservation measure.

But the story of the swift is a rather different. These wonderful birds that twice a year make the long journey to and from Africa are in need of places to nest.

Traditionally nesting in barns and farm buildings and under eaves, the disappearance of farm buildings along with modern building techniques have resulted in the loss of traditional habitat and so hence the need to artificial nest-boxes.

Birds are lovely creatures whose ability to fly has caused the envy of men and women for as long as history.

Almost everyone can do their bit to help garden birds.

Bird tables, nest boxes and feeding stations all have a part to play.

In the winter, when days are short, temperatures low and food in short supply, the food that we put out really can make the difference between life and death.

Views about the merit of feeding birds in the summer are more mixed. There is an opinion that nature is the best provider and, with food plentiful, it is best to let them get on with it. Other people say that food in the summer months can provide an important helping hand when families are being raised.

However, there is universal agreement that once the decision has been made to feed birds it has to be done regularly because there is nothing worse than creating a dependency and then stopping.

What is less often appreciated is that just as important as food is clean water. This is not just for drinking but is vital to the health of birds to keep feathers in good condition and a very important part of this is regular bathing. Providing a source of shallow and clean water is one of the most important things that we can do for our feathered friends.

Birds and other wildlife do not appreciate carefully manicured gardens. Areas kept wild are best and old tree stumps and rotting wood are great for the grubs that provide important food for birds. A love of birds and wildlife is a great excuse for not spending too much time gardening.

On a note of caution, a number of years ago, doing a story about rats I was told by a pest controller that feeding birds is the biggest cause of attracting these highly intelligent and adaptable but largely unwelcome guests.

Food that drops from tables and feeders provide a superb feeding station for rats so, if possible, some way of clearing up dropped seeds and other food is a good idea.