goldfinch © Richard Burkmar

Features from Wildlife magazine Wildlife articles 2008 -- Spring 2008 -- ::Severn Barrage ::The Variety of life ::A year at Willsbridge ::Willsbridge comes of age ::Reaching out - Willsbridge ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2007 -- Autumn 2007 -- ::Thinking BIG ::Watery webs:the pond network ::Wildlife in the landscape ::Variety of life ::How to be a climate friend ::Seasonal stroll - Walborough ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2007 -- ::The Folly Farm appeal ::Weston Big Wood-biodiversity at its best ::The variety of life ::How to capture a butterfly ::How to get to know an orchid ::Seasonal stroll - WestonBigWood ::Reserves update -- Spring 2007 -- ::Folly Farm - a very special place ::Making a difference at Folly Farm ::How find the magic at Folly Farm ::Seasonal stroll at Folly Farm ::Magic spots at Folly Farm ::Batscapes ::Climate challenge ::Variety of Life - the Ponways project ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2006 -- Autumn 2006 -- ::The Severn Estuary ::Bird Watch results ::How to identify garden birds ::Making space for wildlife ::How does your garden grow? ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2006 -- ::Going for green ::Stand up and be counted ::Happy birthday NSLMP ::Holi day - a riot of spring colour ::Avon's species-rich grassland ::How to photograph dragonflies ::The Big Switch ::Round the reserves -- Spring 2006 -- ::How to identify winter water birds ::Make 2006 the year you... ::Invasive invasion ::Sowing the seeds: Willsbridge Mill ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2005 -- Autumn 2005 -- ::Indentify common funghi ::Build a hedgehog hideaway ::Big Bird Watch ::Champions for wildlife ::Round the reserves ::Seeds of the futre: Willsbridge Mill -- Summer 2005 -- ::Restoring Folly Farm ::How to become bee-friendly ::How to identify the butterflies of spring ::Save our seas ::The variety of life: hedgerows ::Round the reserves ::25 Ways to make a difference -- Spring 2005 -- ::The variety of life: water voles ::The Avon Biodiversity Action Plan ::How to take really good wildlife photos ::How to help your garden grow ::Round the reserves ::Seasonal strolls: Browns Folly ::Sowing the seeds: for wildlife for people ::Sowing the seeds: looking back

The variety of life - Garden guests

Aerial ease

It’s usually an alarm call and a bluster of feathers that alerts garden watchers to the presence of a sparrowhawk. Often an observer is rewarded with a glancing view of a fast-moving brown shape hugging the contours of the garden, rapidly passing over the bird table, only to disappear over a roof or hedge in a gravity-defying display of ease. Usually the lasting memory is of a staring yellow eye or the absolute silence as this magnificent aerial predator passes by.

The sparrowhawk is the top avian predator that regularly visits the garden. They are a sign of good garden health, indicating that there is enough food available for them to survive. They are not indiscriminate killers, but natural predators that have evolved over thousands of years. Their predatory habits ensure that only the fittest songbirds survive. They do not hoard their food, but only feed on what is needed and their meals are often days apart.
During crisp sunny mornings in February and March, another side of the sparrowhawk can be observed. In this period territorial displays are at their peak, and as they orbit above the garden both the male and the larger female will complete a heart-stopping rollercoaster flight, fluffing up their downy under-tail feathers, calling in a high-pitched squeak that secures the pair-bond.

So if you’re an avid fan of feeding songbirds, you’ll have to accept that sparrowhawks will also benefit from your endeavours. But rather than a bad sign, this fabulous bird is a sure indication that you’re doing the right thing – so well done (and keep putting out the food!)

Identification
The female is a good bit bigger than the male, and the birds’ plumages differ as well. Where the male has a steel-grey back and rust-red barring under the wings, the female has a browner back with grey barring below. Juveniles are browner still.

Song
A snapping kek kek kek call is used for alarm, while breeding birds communicate with each other using a thin whistling call.

Winter welcome
You can easily make your garden into a ‘service station’ for wild birds. In the winter this is very important, as food is not so easy to find in the wild, but remember that they may come to rely on you, particularly in very bad weather, so it’s best to make sure that there is a supply of food and water every day. It ‘s also much easier to watch birds if they are feeding close to your house.

If you put out different sorts of food, in different places, you’ll attract a wider range of wildlife. Nuts, seeds and old fruit are usually put out, but you can also put out cheese and baked potatoes. Some birds such as tits like to feed from a hanging feeder. Other birds prefer the top of the bird table, and shyer birds such as the wren, dunnock and blackbird prefer to feed on the ground.

There are many designs of bird table and feeder to choose from, and they can also be made quite cheaply from scrap / reusable materials. Feeders can be made from containers such as old milk cartons, and coconut shells. A simple bird table can be made from plywood or boarding, with a small rim around the edge. If you fix a twig into a hole in the table, many birds will like to perch there before feeding. Feeders can be hung from hooks around the edge.
It is important to provide a source of water too – try inserting a shallow bowl into a hole in the table.

Ideally, bird tables should be sited a few metres from shrubbery, but within a short flight of trees. If cats are a serious problem, try hanging a small table or feeder in a tree where they cannot reach it.

Bird watchers wanted

Bristol Bird Watch has now completed its seventh year and is still going strong. It was established in 2000 to establish the role played by gardens in sustaining bird life during the winter and to help to:

• monitor population changes

• raise awareness about garden birds

• get people involved in monitoring their local environment

Bird Watch is believed to be the most detailed survey of its kind in the country and involves around 2000 people recording the different species they see in their gardens between October and March. Highlights this year included recording a probable 75 breeding pairs of tawny owls.

You can help....

Whilst Bird Watch has recorders all over Avon, there are some areas where more recorders would be particularly helpful. If you live in the following postcodes please tell your friends and neighbours about Bird Watch: BA1, BA2, BA3, BS1, BS2, BS23, BS24, BS25, BS29, BS32, BS34, BS35, BS39 and BS41.

If you’d like to take part in Bird Watch this year we would really love to hear from you.

Please contact Matt Hamilton for a Bird Watch pack on 0117 917 7270 or at matthamilton@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk