Whether you’re an avid bird watcher or you just enjoy sitting out in the garden, one thing we can all agree on is that there’s nothing better than watching the fruits of all your hard work come together to create a beautiful space, especially when the local wildlife seems to enjoy and appreciate it just as much as you do.
At North Valley Composites, we’re all about creating gorgeous gardens with composite fencing and composite decking. Today, we’re looking at building upon these beautiful foundations to create a space where your local wildlife, especially birds, will visit you. So what can you do to make your garden bird-friendly this spring? As it turns out, quite a few things, and they’re all pretty easy to accomplish!
Why create a bird-friendly garden?
Aside from their cheery chirping and the fact they’re relaxing to watch, why should you endeavour to create a bird-friendly space? Well, there’s actually a few good reasons. If you’re a keen gardener when it comes to crops and flowers, these little visitors will help keep your plants safe from pests. Not only can they keep the bugs and slugs at bay, but also the weeds, believe it not. Seed-eating species like sparrows enjoy feeding on the seeds of the weeds before they get a chance to embed in the ground, stopping them from spreading. So, how do you go about getting them to frequent your garden?
Provide a reliable food source
Like any creature, birds are likely to go where they know they can get a good meal, and this is especially true during spring, which happens to be the nesting season for many birds. So, the first step to attracting birds is to put out tasty food. Bird food is easy to come by, with most garden shops stocking it ready to go on the shelves; things like mealworms, fat balls, bird seed and even peanuts all make a rich and hearty meal for our winged friends. These choices are fond favourites of robins, bluetits, siskins, goldfinches, blackbirds and starlings alike, so you’ll get a variety of visitors perching on your composite fencing. If you want to attract as many birds as possible, set up more than one feeding station. You can try laying some seed on a perch or hanging your suet balls in the trees; this will help you attract multiple different species to your garden.
A watering hole
Well, not literally, but if you have a pond in your garden, you’re already off to a good start! Just like us, birds need clean, fresh water to survive, so providing an appealing-looking source is a great way to attract them into your space. If you don’t have a pond, don’t worry; there are a couple of other ways to get the job done.
The most obvious and time-tested route is a bird bath, which can double up as a stunning stone feature for your garden. However, if you don’t want to take this route or you’re looking for a quicker fix, a shallow container filled with no more than two to three inches of clean, fresh water will do just the trick. Place the water in a shaded area, like under a tree, so the birds feel safer, and refresh it as often as you can to keep them coming back for more.
A place to nest
The final thing you need to help the birds feel welcome in your space is a place for them to nest. Every creature needs a safe space to make their home, so if you’re looking to maximise your chances of getting a couple of permanent garden residents, start by putting out a couple of bird boxes. There’s a couple of different kinds you can buy (or even build if you’re DIY Savvy), and they all tend to work well. However, it’s essential to place them correctly. You want them to be off the ground and away from any potential predators. Next, you want to ensure they’re not in the direct path of sunlight or anywhere where the wind is going to be particularly strong, so somewhere between north and east-facing is usually best.
And if you’re looking for a comfortable place from which to watch your new garden residents, then look no further than North Valley Composites. With stunning colour options from Chocolate to Teak to Black Ash, you can create the perfect outdoor space to enjoy birdwatching. If you need help selecting the right decking shade for your bird-watching area, our team is always available to provide you with expert guidance. Just give us a call at 01282 677300, and a member of our team will be happy to help you!
How to create a bird-friendly garden this Spring
Whether you’re an avid bird watcher or you just enjoy sitting out in the garden, one thing we can all agree on is that there’s nothing better than watching the fruits of all your hard work come together to create a beautiful space, especially when the local wildlife seems to enjoy and appreciate it just as much as you do.
At North Valley Composites, we’re all about creating gorgeous gardens with composite fencing and composite decking. Today, we’re looking at building upon these beautiful foundations to create a space where your local wildlife, especially birds, will visit you. So what can you do to make your garden bird-friendly this spring? As it turns out, quite a few things, and they’re all pretty easy to accomplish!
Why create a bird-friendly garden?
Aside from their cheery chirping and the fact they’re relaxing to watch, why should you endeavour to create a bird-friendly space? Well, there’s actually a few good reasons. If you’re a keen gardener when it comes to crops and flowers, these little visitors will help keep your plants safe from pests. Not only can they keep the bugs and slugs at bay, but also the weeds, believe it not. Seed-eating species like sparrows enjoy feeding on the seeds of the weeds before they get a chance to embed in the ground, stopping them from spreading. So, how do you go about getting them to frequent your garden?
Provide a reliable food source
Like any creature, birds are likely to go where they know they can get a good meal, and this is especially true during spring, which happens to be the nesting season for many birds. So, the first step to attracting birds is to put out tasty food. Bird food is easy to come by, with most garden shops stocking it ready to go on the shelves; things like mealworms, fat balls, bird seed and even peanuts all make a rich and hearty meal for our winged friends. These choices are fond favourites of robins, bluetits, siskins, goldfinches, blackbirds and starlings alike, so you’ll get a variety of visitors perching on your composite fencing. If you want to attract as many birds as possible, set up more than one feeding station. You can try laying some seed on a perch or hanging your suet balls in the trees; this will help you attract multiple different species to your garden.
A watering hole
Well, not literally, but if you have a pond in your garden, you’re already off to a good start! Just like us, birds need clean, fresh water to survive, so providing an appealing-looking source is a great way to attract them into your space. If you don’t have a pond, don’t worry; there are a couple of other ways to get the job done.
The most obvious and time-tested route is a bird bath, which can double up as a stunning stone feature for your garden. However, if you don’t want to take this route or you’re looking for a quicker fix, a shallow container filled with no more than two to three inches of clean, fresh water will do just the trick. Place the water in a shaded area, like under a tree, so the birds feel safer, and refresh it as often as you can to keep them coming back for more.
A place to nest
The final thing you need to help the birds feel welcome in your space is a place for them to nest. Every creature needs a safe space to make their home, so if you’re looking to maximise your chances of getting a couple of permanent garden residents, start by putting out a couple of bird boxes. There’s a couple of different kinds you can buy (or even build if you’re DIY Savvy), and they all tend to work well. However, it’s essential to place them correctly. You want them to be off the ground and away from any potential predators. Next, you want to ensure they’re not in the direct path of sunlight or anywhere where the wind is going to be particularly strong, so somewhere between north and east-facing is usually best.
And if you’re looking for a comfortable place from which to watch your new garden residents, then look no further than North Valley Composites. With stunning colour options from Chocolate to Teak to Black Ash, you can create the perfect outdoor space to enjoy birdwatching. If you need help selecting the right decking shade for your bird-watching area, our team is always available to provide you with expert guidance. Just give us a call at 01282 677300, and a member of our team will be happy to help you!