Page 15 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #02
P. 15
WILD FEBRUARY
Use a camera-trap to THE KIT
capture the behaviour
of mammals that
may visit your garden Easy access to a pair of be best spootted with
to forage in the cold binoculars is simply the deployment of
months, such as foxes. essential. A whole thesis could a camera-trap.
be written on which feeders While positioning the
t
e
are most effective and what to trap will necessitate
put in them. Sunflower hearts a brief spell in the
and fat blocks attract a good cold, checking the
k
range of bird species – your memory card can
a
avian visitors will also be be carried out
appreciative of a fresh water back in the e
s
e
tho
s
who
who
e
tho
Fo
o
F
.
r
r
omf
ort
c c
omf
o
of
ort
er
pr
e
pr
f
er
e
f
supply For those who prefer comfort off f f f
fur to feathers, mammals can your home!
e
CHOICE LOCATIONS
Feeders Camera-traps
Many feeders work effectively Camera-traps get the best
from the lower branches of trees results close to the ground, as
to give the birds somewhere to badgers and foxes keep a low
perch and provide cover from profile. The edges of habitats are
predators. In the absence of fruitful hunting grounds, such
suitable trees, poles placed close as along the line of a hedgerow.
to shrubbery will elevate the It’s also worth looking for any
feeders away from cats, while still obvious animal highways in your
providing access to cover. Moving garden, such as a hole under a
the feeders around every month fence. Don’t forget animals use
will also let the ground recover. our footpaths too!
KEY WILDLIFE
Blackcap hiding in amongst the
Traditionally a summer ‘chavs’. Standing out
m
mer
visitor to Britain, due to their orange-
ff
since the 1960s buff coloration and
blackcaps have white rump, most
been observed bramblings seen
with increasing in British gardens
frequency. Excitingly, in winter will be
ringing studies are from Fennoscandia.
showing that these birds
come from Germany and seem Siskin
genetically distinct from those Smaller and streakier than the
fair-weather blackcaps solely chunky greenfinch, the siskin
coming here to breed. (above) has seen an upturn in its
fortunes due to both the spread
Brambling of new conifer plantations and
‘Checking chaffinches’ should its ability to take advantage of
be a mantra for any garden garden feeders.
birdwatcher as you never know
when a brambling or two will be Fox
Active all winter, foxes should
Some blackcaps be coming to the end of their
choose to stay in breeding season in February,
the UK in winter.
meaning any pregnant vixens
will be eating for five or six. Their
cautious demeanour will slip a
touch as dawn and dusk become
productive feeding times – on the
COMING UP NEXT ISSUE:
dreariest day a glimpse of ginger is
O Mike is watching wildlife in a city
enough to cheer anyone up.
February 2018 BBC Wildlife 15
