Birds of Spring
Morning glory
Spills of gold
Birds of spring
Oh. Hear them sing
A joyous chorus
My spirits soar
Glory to their sacred calls
Mary Forrester
Hello
Welcome to our new format monthly newsletter! We have decided to change our newsletter platform to make it easier to produce and we hope that it retains much of the aesthetics that Zoe has brought to our newsletter over the last year. Thanks Zoe for all your valued work on past newsletters.
Spring to Summer
Spring might have felt it had a slow start this year but with the ancient festival of Beltane now passed (falling halfway between the spring and summer equinoxes, marking the returning summer light and considered by many as the first day of summer!), it feels like Spring is in full swing. Particularly welcoming is the beautiful dawn chorus each morning reminding us of the myriad birdlife we are lucky to experience living in this beautiful part of the world.
In this May edition of our newsletter, we are focusing on our feathered friends, what to look out for and how we can attract more birds into our gardens, balconies and common spaces.
Who is out there?
Taking time out to listen and watch birds is a wonderful mindful exercise offering us an increasing connection to nature and much joy. We have been enthusing over the Merlin Bird ID app which recognises birds from photos or from bird song, and is certainly helpful to identify that bird flying over or sitting atop the tree at sunrise.
Alongside our more common garden or woodland birds, LEG members have spotted some more unusual ones recently – including a Bittern at Leighton Moss RSPB Nature Reserve, and a large flock of Whimbrels on Beacon Fell. Other less common birds spotted include the Redwing and rare species such as Bohemium Waxwing, Common Reed Warbler, Osprey and surprisingly even a Rose-ringed Parakeet! (Yep - both an Osprey and Parakeets have been verified as being in the area recently) Download Merlin onto your phone to join in the fun.
Attracting birds to your garden, balcony or common areas
Not only are birds fascinating and relaxing to watch, they can also help rid your lawn of weeds, are brilliant at eating pests and can also help with flower pollination, helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Some things you can do include:
1. Set up a some bird feeders – different birds like different foods e.g. seeds, peanuts, suet balls and are attracted to different types of bird feeders.
2. Provide fresh water, either a bird bath or a bowl of water which birds can drink and bathe in.
3. Site a nesting box
4. Plant some bird friendly plants which provide both food in the form of berries and seeds and bird-friendly foliage. Ivy, Fire Thorn (Pyracantha), Honey Suckle, Cotoneaster, Hawthorn, Holly, Thistles and Sunflowers are some suggestions.
The Natural House Builder than brings us Joy
In a recent survey of how we notice nature, the number one bird that brings us joy is the Long Tailed Tit. Long-tailed tits are known for their intricate and elaborate nest building habits. They construct dome-shaped nests made of moss and spider webs, which are lined with feathers and soft materials, and often built in tree cavities or dense vegetation, and provide protection for the birds and their eggs. The construction of the nest is a cooperative effort, with several birds working together to build and maintain it. The long-tailed tit's nest building is considered to be an example of cooperative breeding behavior in birds
In addition to using spider webs for the internal structure of their nests, long-tailed tits also use lichens as an external cover. Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae, and they are often used by birds for nest building due to their soft, insulating and camouflaging properties. The lichens blend in with the surrounding vegetation and help to conceal the nest from predators. The use of lichens also adds an extra layer of insulation, helping to retain heat and protect the nest from the elements. This behavior highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between organisms in nature and the resources they use for survival.
We are starting to learn from nature – a science known as biomimicry - for example the behavior of long-tailed tits is inspiring business in the areas of cooperation, building facades, insulation and energy efficiency.
Nesting Season
The RSPB recommends avoiding hedge cutting and trimming during the main breeding season for nesting birds, which usually runs throughout March to August each year. This can be weather dependent and some birds may nest outside this period, so it is important to always check carefully for active nests prior to cutting.
From the RSPB website - if someone is cutting a hedge during this period, speak to them and politely mention the risk to birds’ nests, and the laws protecting nests. If they proceed, and you know there is an active nest at risk, contact the police on 101, and ask for a reference number. If you are unsure what to do, contact RSPB Wildlife Enquiries on: 01767 693690.
Vic Reeves Bird Artist
Some of us of a certain age will have fond memories of the crazy Reeves and Mortimer TV shows. We see Bob Mortimer has found a mindful and playful TV niche with Gone Fishing, but did you know that Vic Reeves (real name Jim Moir) is an accomplished bird artist? He currently has a TV show on Sky Arts (Freeview 11, Weds 9pm) where with his partner, he visits UK locations exploring the ecology, culture and art of a locally significant bird - whilst meeting local celebrities and painting the bird in question. Coming up in the series is Vic visiting Lancashire for the Bearded Tit.
May Events
Sunday 8th May is International Dawn Chorus Day and there are a number of organised events at local RSPB and Nature Reserves. Members of LEG will be taking an early morning, pre dawn walk on Beacon Fell if you are interested. Email LongridgeEG@gmail.com for meeting location and time.
Even if you don’t join a guided walk, open a window, step outside early and marvel at the chorus … and share.
Saturday Social at little Town Dairy - 13th May ay 10am. Just turn up for great environmental conversation!
Useful links
Top 10 plants for birds(Gardeners World)
Planting to attract birds into your garden (Saga)
Over to you…
What birds are you seeing, hearing or reading about, and how does that make you feel? Please do share in the comments and of course we would love to see any photos you may have captured.
And please let us know if there are topics or stories you would like to share or see in future newsletters.
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