Bird Friendly garden

[Marik]

Hiya all,

I was directed here for advice on creating a bird friendly garden. I love to take photos of the birds (www.dmh-photos.co.uk) and I really wants to design myself a new garden which is bird friendly and bring them in for ideal photo oppurtunities. The garden is about 100ft by 30ft.

So what are you top tips?

thanks in advance!

Dan

[birdpotter]

Not knowing the native plants in your area, I can't be specific, but for starters getting native berry producing bushes is a good idea.
If you want to get really intense, a nice water feature is always a fantastic way to attract birds. shallow trickling water, like a little stream is always nice for the birds and for your peace of mind.

Hopefully others will come along to give more specifics.

Best of luck,
Elizabeth

[joannec]

Hi Marik
The best advice is to plant as many native plants as you can or ornamental varieties of native plants. The number one tree I would plant is silver birch. It is fast growing and after the oak(your garden doesn't sound big enough for an oak and they are slow growing) supports more fauna species than any other tree in Britain. I have two in my garden and there are nearly always birds in it whatever the season. I would also go for berrying plants, hawthorn, blackthorn, rowan. Rown is particularly good, it is fairly fast growing and has loads of berries and there are some really pretty ones but it doesn't like clay soils. Crab apples are good too and will attract thrushes. Evergreen shrubs are good for nesting providing good dense cover from predators, I suggest viburnum tinus or lawsons cypress or something similar that has soft foliage. Roses are good, the tits will eat the aphids. Climbers are good on walls, ivy the house sparrows will take over, clematis montana I have known several species to nest in. If you are into flower borders anything that seeds is good but don't be too tidy and cut them away after flowering or the birds won't get them. Sunflowers are excellent and will attract the finches. Sedum is good. Also a pond or other water feature is very good and will attract other wildlife as well.

You have a big and fun project ahead of you. I have been wildlife gardening for over 20 years. Another bit of advice is don't be too tidy. Let the grass grow a bit longer than your tidy neighbour. Good luck.
Joanne

[joannec]

I should also have said, it is important to consider what you already have growing in your garden, particulary established trees and shrubs. Don't be in a hurry to pull things out because most established trees and shrubs will already be host to many species. Perhaps if you said what is already growing there it would help.

[Marik]

Thanks thats been a real help!

Well, I'm havn't got the garden yet, so still in the planning stages, so pretty much from scatch :P

[Isurus]

Perhaps if you said what is already growing there it would help.

Yes. Lets have some pictures once its yours - that might prove instructive as a trigger for more tailored advice.

[Cathy H]

Hi Marik,

We've had lots of chats about bird friendly gardening on this forum. I think you've been given some really good advice already. I think it would be best if you wait until you find out what you've already got in the garden before you can really start to plan ahead. If you don't already have one though, I would suggest a pond or a small water feature.

We've finished digging our new pond only about 6 weeks ago, and the insects are already making good use of it and we've been visited by a young grey heron and two grey wagtails already!

Good luck, and happy planning.

Cheers