Did you know the once common starling has declined by over 60% since the mid-seventies? Or that the beautiful song thrush has seen an even greater decline in Britain?
Farmland birds and aerial specialists like the swift and swallow have also declined. But we can all help by taking action for birds in our local area.
What can I do to help?
Garden Birds
You can help by:
– Feeding birds in your garden Bird Feeding Advice (RSPB)
– Putting up a nestbox in your garden, see Build a Bird Box (RSPB) for instructions; or you can build one and we can help install it in a green space near you
– Plant an extra tree or large shrub for birds to nest in
– Creating a bird bath or small pond for birds to drink from and bathe in
Farmland Birds
Large land owners and farmers can help by:
– Looking after farmland birds: Helping Bird Species (RSPB)
– Leaving over wintered stubble, cover crops, unharvested headlands or putting out feed for birds in suitable locations can make a huge difference
– Putting up barn owl, kestrel or tawny owl boxes in suitable locations – contact us for advice and we might be able to make you a box
– Creating extra hedgerows or patches of scrub or woodland on your land so that farmland birds have cover and somewhere to nest and feed. If you already have hedges, cut them less often where possible to leave more food and shelter for wildlife
– If your land is suitable create skylark plots
Swift Project
We are working on mapping where swifts are presently nesting in Wantage and looking to provide extra nesting opportunities nearby. You can help us with this by:
– Letting us know if you have swifts nesting on your house or nearby.
– Contacting us if you think your house might be suitable for a swift box.
– Making swift boxes that can be put up in your neighbourhood Create a High Home for Swifts (RSPB)
– RSPB swift project: record your swift sightings
Wild Wantage images ©Mark Bradfield / Lucy Duerdoth