The housebuilders have partnered with the RSPB to offer Milton Keynes residents a list of wildlife-friendly features to incorporate into their gardens for when temperatures plunge.
Combined, UK gardens and balconies cover 4,000km2, over 44 times the size of Milton Keynes – space that with a little care and attention could make a big difference for nature. This could be as simple as introducing nest boxes and bird feeders, to planting wildlife-friendly flowers.
Provide shelter for a rainy day
When the weather takes a turn, birds need shelter to keep warm and dry. Nest boxes are the perfect option for small birds and are a popular spot for them during colder nights, with space to cosy up together for communal warmth.
For woodland creatures, create a deadwood feature or leaf pile in the garden, both of which can be used for shelter and to keep warm.
Open an outdoor kitchen
Just like us, birds need extra energy during the colder seasons to keep warm. The smaller the bird, the more likely it is to be affected by long periods of cold weather.
With longer nights and poorer weather conditions, the options for finding food are limited for wildlife and they often venture outside of their usual sources in the quest to find food. Without food sources, birds are at risk of starvation, which often kills many birds during winter.
Residents can help garden birds by providing some food when natural resources such as berries and seeds are running low, or hard to access because of the cold weather. Find safe places for hanging bird feeders offering calorie-rich seed mixes, good quality peanuts and suet balls. Move these feeders around to prevent predators getting used to their location and ensure all feeders are cleaned at least weekly.
Bird landscaping
Consider the plants you grow in the garden, as they can provide a year-round sanctuary for birds. Planting trees and shrubs for garden birds will not only provide a larger nesting space for birds to take cover and keep warm during winter, but also creates a cooling space to retreat to in summer. Shrubs - such as native holly - provide birds with berries over the winter period, which are particularly popular among blackbirds, bullfinches, sparrows and winter thrushes.
Creating flower beds of varying heights can also provide cover for birds of different sizes. For instance, allowing perennials to remain standing through the winter can offer additional shelter.
Compost leftovers and greenery
To help minimise food waste over the festive period, consider building a compost heap to recycle organic household waste, including peelings and any uneaten vegetables. Our gardens also have a wealth of greenery that are perfect for compost piles, including dead trees, shrubs and grass cuttings. Not only will it provide compost to fertilise the garden, but it also diversifies the wildlife in the garden, and you may see some robins and blackbirds nesting there come spring.
“At Barratt and David Wilson Homes, we have a nationwide commitment to creating nature-friendly outdoor spaces of all sizes in our developments. These spaces range from gardens and balconies to communal areas, all of which are now flourishing with life.”
Adrian Thomas, RSPB’s wildlife gardening expert, said: “Whatever size your garden or outdoor space is, it can offer shelter and food to a huge variety of wildlife which is especially important in the coldest months. Winter gardens are also beneficial for people! Getting outside, breathing some fresh air and being closer to nature is likely to give your wellbeing a boost at a time of year when it may really need it. As does the chance to watch some of the wildlife that is making the most of your garden.
“Big Garden Birdwatch is a great example of this, showing how taking note of what birds are around us - even just for an hour - can be really valuable, helping us to relax, reflect and feel more connected.”
The UK is home to spectacular wildlife and internationally important habitats, and yet it is in the bottom 10% of countries globally for protecting nature.
Sadly, nature in the UK is in trouble and in need of a helping hand, having lost 38 million birds over the last 50 years, with house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes all considered birds of conservation concern.
For more tips to encourage wildlife into your garden this winter and beyond, visit Nature on Your Doorstep here.
For more information about developments in the county, visit the website at Barratt Homes in Milton Keynes and David Wilson Homes in Milton Keynes.
