Providing
‘natural’ food for the tits, sparrows or thrushes that visit
our gardens is something really positive that we can do during
the winter months. Although native is usually best if you are
planting a hedge, it is not always possible to change an
existing hedge of privet for example, but it is sometimes
possible to add other shrubs that are very wildlife friendly.
There are plenty of shrubs that have tasty berries to appeal
to birds and these , if chosen carefully, can also provide
thick shelter from the worst winter weather as well as
supplying natural nesting places in spring to supplement your
nest boxes.
Over the next couple of
months we can add to existing hedges if we have gaps or plant
new hedgerows to replace worn out fencing, or you could
create a ‘mini-woodland’ by planting a corner of your garden
with prickly, berried shrubs that provide food and shelter as
well as a colourful focal point for several months. If
you have space a rowan would be a great addition, proving
berries for thrushes including the mistle thrush (above). Include a
taller shrub such as a hazel or goat willow at the back and
add a bark mulch beneath to complete your tiny woodland
habitat. Try native shrubs such as blackthorn, hawthorn,
spindle, dogwood and guelder rose for a two-fold benefit.
These species provide not just berries for winter thrushes,
but will support a vast number of small invertebrates for
adult birds such as blue tits and great tits, wrens and robins
throughout the year, plus a plentiful supply for their chicks
in the nest in spring. Hawthorn and blackthorn also have
the added advantage of natural prickly protection from
predators, as does holly. Hazel will keep your local
nuthatches happy once it starts to bear nuts as well as grace
your garden with catkins in March and April, and goat willow
supports a huge number of invertebrates, second only to the
mighty oak. Both can be ‘coppiced’ or cut to the ground every
few years. Look for nurseries who supply these species as
bare-rooted shrubs. Planted over the next few months, they
will quickly overtake their pot grown counterparts and save
you money too.
If natives aren’t your
thing or lack of space means you can’t cope with fast growing
shrubs, there are still plenty of choices to enhance the
winter beauty of your garden and help your local birds.
Varieties of Berberis, Pyracantha and Cotoneaster supply tasty
berries, but look out for red-berried types rather than yellow
or orange. Pretty as these variations are, as a general
though not exclusive rule, the berries seem to be less
appealing to our native birds. As dense, prickly shrubs they
will also make excellent nest sites come breeding time. Pot
grown shrubs such as these can be established now to allow
them time to settle down and grow away well in the spring.
Whatever you decide to
plant, take a little care with your new shrub, whether native
or not. A decent sized planting hole, some compost in the
bottom and a mulch after firming in, will see it through the
winter. Water in dry weather and your efforts will be
rewarded with a long term solution to natural food and shelter
for your local birds. |
