Page 20 - Town & Around - March 2025

20 Town & Around March 2025 Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net
Nature notes with Carrie Carey

ome years ago, I was given an old nest
box by a friend. It had certainly seen
Sbetter days, but being adverse as I am to
throwing things away, I decided it was a
project worthy of an upcycle. Spruced up with
a new paint job and necessary repairs, it found
its new home on the side of an outbuilding.
Satisfied that this ‘des res’ was ready for the
property market, I expected word to spread
faster than gossip at a family reunion. I
eagerly kept an eye on it all spring, then the
next and the next, but it appeared that this nest
box was more of a ghost town than a hot
property. One thing about nature is her
fondness for irony; the very year we chose to
repaint the cabin and remove the nest box was
the same season the tenants arrived. My
husband was thrilled at the thought of pushing deter nuisance callers such as House Sparrows as they add furnishings and raise a family.
back that chore and I was over the moon and Starlings. These birds prefer homes with Some species will have more than one brood,
because our patience had finally paid off. larger entrance holes while Robins and Wrens so keep an eye on your birdy estate throughout
Over the next few months, we excitedly choose an open-fronted design. If you've got the summer too.
watched the comings and goings of a pair of the space, try putting up boxes of different Last year, my husband kept hearing a
Blue Tits, first taking nesting material into the styles to attract a variety of birds. Just be sure drumming sound on the side of the cabin
box and then later, food for hungry chicks. to space them out—no one wants a bird brawl which serves as his home office. After some
Bird populations worldwide face in their backyard! time, we realised that the birds were pecking
exceptional challenges including habitat loss, When it comes to location, shelter from at the entrance hole. It’s thought that this may
air pollution and climate change. The impact strong winds, rain and sunlight is important be a form of display or perhaps the birds were
of these pressures includes a decrease in food and nest boxes should be high enough off the just checking the quality of the build!
availability and a reduction in natural nesting ground to deter mammalian predators. I've Popping up a nest box or two is one of the
locations. Cavity nesters are among the most strategically planted some prickly shrubs easiest ways to roll out the red carpet for
vulnerable because our gardens and parks are beneath a few of our nest boxes and nestled garden birds. While providing food is a crucial
rather short of natural openings. Mature, an open-fronted one on a fence draped with element to their survival, if they can’t find a
unruly trees are often replaced with young ivy. I regularly check this to make sure the safe spot to nest, then the next generation
saplings which don’t have the nooks and foliage doesn’t obscure the entrance hole and won’t take flight. And while they are primarily
crannies that wildlife craves. Considering that the birds have a clear escape route if used during breeding season, nest boxes also
nearly one fifth of birds cosy up in tree necessary. Steering clear of trees or walls near provide refuge during harsh, winter months.
hollows, maintaining these neighbourhoods is bird feeders is a clever move as high levels of And as you help birds thrive in your green
crucial to boost avian diversity. Many cavity activity could disturb courting couples. space, you enhance biodiversity. Their
nesting birds are insectivores and important One last tip on design features; avoid a box feeding habits disperse seeds which sprout
allies in biological pest control, so we need to that has a perch outside, it’s an unnecessary new plants and invite snack-loving
keep them around! fixture and only serves to encourage intruders. invertebrates and pollinators to pay a visit and
Popping up a surrogate nesting cavity Of course, it’s not just other birds that predate lays down the welcome mat for other wildlife
contributes to conservation, supports your on eggs and young chicks, squirrels, rats, mice looking for shelter.
local ecosystems and provides great and weasels are always on the hunt for an easy All this from one small box.
birdwatching entertainment. However, there’s ‘take away’. You can baffle would-be If you’re thinking about putting up a nest
a caveat here...nest box management comes predators by fixing a metal plate around the box, we can help with that. Pop into the shop
with responsibility. If you want to be a ‘birdy entrance hole or plant spiky vegetation below at RSPB Titchwell Marsh and have a chat
landlord’ then you need to consider several the box as a deterrent. with one of our friendly team. We’re open
factors including size, layout and location, After you’ve tucked the tools away and every day from 9:30am to 4:30pm and we
location, location. Smaller birds, like Blue your nest box is standing tall, it’s showtime. have a large range of bird care items in stock.
Tits need a box with a small entrance hole to Sit back and enjoy the antics of your residents