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Gardeners have appreciated
the value of encouraging birds to their plots, probably since gardening
began. We only have to watch as a robin repeatedly visits newly turned
ground, or spend a little time observing a small flock of blue and great
tits foraging amongst to our roses, to appreciate the huge numbers of
invertebrates that these birds take, reducing, or even eliminating, the need
for some other form of pest control. Add to these benefits the pleasure of
getting to know your local birds and the joy that many people feel when
observing wildlife, and there is every reason to invite birds into our
gardens and allotments. We may have to cover soft fruit or tolerate a
little pilfering by blackbird or starling, but to my mind the benefits of a
bird friendly garden far outweigh any disadvantages. A well-designed and
effective wildlife garden will always make provision for its wildlife
visitors by incorporating plants with natural food. Feeding the birds with
seed mixes and peanuts, which more than fifty percent of us do in one form
or another, is a very important aspect of wildlife-friendly gardening and
nowadays contributes to the conservation and survival of many species.
However, there will always be times when what nature provides is best. In
springtime young birds in the nest need the protein-rich diet supplied by
insects and other invertebrates, and at the beginning of winter seeds fruits and
berries provide the nutrients birds need to see them through the cold
weather ahead. There was a time when this natural harvest in the
countryside, together with spilt grain and weed seeds from fields of
stubble, provided good pickings and a vital food supply for all manner of
bird species. Sadly this is no longer the case. More and more birds need
to rely on our gardens as a source of food at all times of year. This
month, as well as visiting our feeders, some birds will be seeking a supply
of fruits and berries. |
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What to plant Thick shrubs, both native and non native, will
always provide a good habitat for birds, not just to shelter and possibly
find a nesting site, but also to search for insect food. Choosing flowering
shrubs that set edible fruit is the best of all possible worlds. A native
such as hawthorn will attract many insects to its nectar and pollen, protect
a vulnerable nest with its thorns and dense foliage, and provide nutritious
berries from September through the winter. But if we would like more
variety in the garden, how can we be sure that a non-native shrub will have
edible berries? One very general guide is that as a rule, red or orange
berries attract more birds than yellow or white. Many shrubs, including
holly, Pyracantha and Berberis have been bred with berries of paler colours
to please the gardener rather than garden wildlife. These berries are
often left completely untouched. The breeding and selection process
singles out plants with berries that ripen slowly or not at all, so many
never develop their final berry colour, and stay hard and inedible.
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Cotoneaster horizontalis |
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Shrubs like these will provide colour in the garden
throughout the winter but are best planted with a selection that will also
provide food for birds. Those than ripen only slowly may be useful if
they do get a chance to ripen, as berries left until the very end of the
cold weather will be welcomed by a large number of species, especially
thrushes and blackbirds, and over-wintering warblers such as blackcaps. So
where non-natives are concerned, red is best, but some shrubs have black or
dark purple berries. By and large these seem to be palatable but it
can be a rather hit and miss affair. It is not uncommon to find that a
berried shrub that attracts masses of birds one year will be devoid of avian
visitors the next winter. This can be the result of weather conditions
which may affect the palatability of berries, or there may be a surplus of
food elsewhere. The key is to plant as large a variety of berried
shrubs and climbers as you can and hedge your bets. |
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Fieldfare eating windfall apples |
Which birds can you expect
A wide range of species will feed on berries and fruits when the weather is
harsh but winter migrants are especially vulnerable to lack of food.
Having made the long journey from colder climates, especially the
Scandinavian countries, they have expended large amounts of energy to get
here and of course have the long journey back to contend with. In
recent times their primary food sources - berries from hawthorn hedges and
excess fruit from our once abundant apple orchards have dwindled, and even
shy migrants such as redwings and fieldfares have now resorted to visiting
gardens and staking a claim on a Cotoneaster or Pyracantha. Here they
may have the local song or mistle thrush to contend with, the latter being
particularly territorial! A good food source is worth fighting
for though, and energy spent chasing off a rival is energy well spent.
Many birds have their favourite food sources, although when the weather gets
really cold, they will take whatever is available.
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Robins are especially fond of spindle berries and if
you are fortunate enough to have a mistletoe plant in an old apple tree,
you may well be graced with an over-wintering blackcap. This species is
also fond of ivy berries, and will share these with thrushes and wood
pigeons. All the thrush species are partial to apples and bramblings
and some other finches will eat the pips.
In winter our birds have to take their chances
and find food wherever they can. By planting some good berry bearing
shrubs for them, you could be supplying that vital ingredient that keeps
them alive until springtime. |
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Add to your bird friendly
shrubs this month This is a good month to add to your bird
friendly shrubs, trees and climbers. Prepare the ground well, add plenty of
compost to the planting hole and stake trees where necessary. The new
plants should be kept well watered throughout their first year. As well as
the best bird-attracting berries and fruits shown below you could also try
elder, yew, bird cherry and blackberry, all of which will attract thrushes,
blackbirds, starlings, finches, and possibly even the odd waxwing in a good
year. Mistletoe can be planted by pushing berries into crevices on an
apple bough. Of the non-natives, snowberry, honeysuckle, and
roses that bear hips will all provide food, and soft fruits such as
raspberries and gooseberries will attract some birds earlier in the year.
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Top Five Natives for Berries
and Fruits
Hawthorn The best
native hedging shrub. Attracts thrushes, including redwings and
fieldfares, waxwings and finches.
Rowan An excellent
small native tree for a garden. Attracts blackbirds and thrushes.
Elder A good shrub if
you have space but it can become invasive. Attracts many species
especially starlings, finches and thrushes.
Holly A good general
wildlife shrub for food and nesting for many species.
Spindle Provides a
very late food supply. Loved by robins.
Ivy A brilliant all
round wildlife plant. The berries set very late and provide a vital food
source for pigeons, doves, thrushes and blackbirds and warblers. |
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Top Five Non-Natives for
Berries and Fruits
Pyracantha - A good food
source and nesting shrub for many species.
Berberis Red berried
varieties are best for redwings, fieldfares and blackbirds.
Viburnum The
black-berried Viburnum tinus attracts smaller birds to its fruit,
especially finches and robins.
Cotoneaster The
Herringbone Cotoneaster (C. horizontalis) is a must, but other red berried
forms are also good.
Apple Leave windfalls
for thrushes, blackbirds, starlings, finches and many other species. |
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©
Text and Photographs Jenny Steel 2012 |
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