NATURE
Humble Habitats With Kate Humble
f you’re thinking about stepping up for nature in your west coast garden, there is no time like the present. The wild west coast weather will soon become brutal and our garden birds will be in a constant battle for surviv- al. Unlike some of our gar- den creatures, birds don’t hibernate, and they spend most daylight hours look- ing for food to stay alive. As the weather worsens, there simply won’t be much natural food avail- able as it gets locked in by frost, snow and ice. So that’s where we come in. Make sure your feeders are well stocked and use a mixture of food on bird tables and on the ground if possible too. Table mix, nyjer seed, peanuts and fat balls are just some of the food you can opt for, and will attract a variety of birds. Think whether birds will like any of your leftovers before you reach for the dustbin too; things like grated cheese, unsalted bacon, cooked potatoes, rice and pasta are great energy boosters. Although berries on tree and shrubs will be dwindling, you could mimic a traditional hedgerow in your garden by planting a fruiting hedge - mixing dog rose, elder and hawthorn will provide a wild foodstore. If you have room
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you could add a gooseberry or bramble and if you have a really large garden, try growing a hazel. Its nuts and attractive catkins make this a winner for both you and wildlife and covered in snow when the weather turns it looks quite enchanting.
Remember, remember, the 5th of November – as if you could forget with the bangs and whoops of delight from neighbouring gardens and parks! It’s an exciting time of year and there’s no reason why it can’t go without a hitch for wildlife too. The leaf pile you’ve been cultivating will be the perfect home for a hibernating hedgehog so make sure you check carefully before gathering them up and setting Finally, November is a great time to put up a nest box too. It’s perhaps not such an obvious time as the frenzy of the breeding season, but now is when birds start scoping out possible nesting sites and familiarising themselves. Until next time Kate
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