Page 51 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

GARDENS, PARKS,AND TOWNS

PRIVATE GARDENS
Ordinary suburban and rural
gardens are becoming increasingly
important wildlife havens. If there
are thick shrubberies, flowerbeds
with freshly turned earth, patches
of lawn, and perhaps a few garden
ponds, a suburban area can be
almost as rich as a piece of natural
woodland.These small habitats offer
a range of feeding opportunities for
all kinds of birds, some of which live
permanently in the gardens while others
just visit from nearby woods and streams.
Even the shy Kingfisher and Grey Heron
may make an early morning raid on a goldfish
pond. Gardens are far poorer for birds, however,
if they are too regimented and over-tidy. GARDEN FEEDER
Robins are among many woodland birds that have become garden
inhabitants. They like thick hedges and shrubs, close to pieces of bare
ground and short grass where they can forage for worms and insects.

BERRY EATERS
Many birds eat berries, especially in autumn
when they provide much needed energy.
To attract birds like the Song Thrush, plant
shrubs such as elderberry and cotoneaster. BIRD-TABLES
By placing food on a
bird-table each day we
EXPLOITING THE GARDENER are giving birds regular
Blackbirds and Robins are well known for their meals when natural
bold and fearless behaviour, especially when a food may be lacking. As
gardener is turning over soil and they get a an added bonus, we can
good chance of grabbing a worm. watch them as they eat.

ADAPTATIONS Old buildings provide all kinds of holes and cavities
The most successful urban birds are species that for birds to nest in, and Kestrels through to House
can find habitats and food that resemble their Sparrows and Starlings exploit these. Swifts are now
more natural requirements out of town. almost entirely reliant on buildings. However, as old
Starlings have strong muscles that can open their buildings are being knocked down and new houses
bills when they probe into a lawn for a leatherjacket. and office blocks go up that offer no nest sites, such
Their eyes are able to swivel backwards, so that birds may find life more difficult.
they can watch for predators without having to Woodpigeons and
stop searching for food. town pigeons can
House Martins see a broader range WOODPIGEON
naturally nest on cliff of light than humans
faces, but long ago can. Grains and seeds,
learned to come into which we find difficult
town and nest under the to find on gravel, stand
eaves of buildings.They out to their eyes as
do have problems when different colours and
dry weather makes are quickly pecked up
finding mud difficult. HOUSE MARTIN with great precision.

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