Biodiversity has become a topical issue; we are experiencing huge global biodiversity losses and yet it is vital to our species.
“Without biodiversity there is no future for humanity”, says Professor David MacDonald of Oxford University.
This nest box immediately attracted interest from long-tailed tits.
However, whilst the scale of this loss might seem overwhelming it is important to recognise that small, local actions add up.
We at Denmans consider a natural ecosystem important and desirable in our garden. Consequently, this year we are introducing a Biodiversity Programme.
There are a number of ways to increase the wildlife and therefore biodiversity to a garden; build a log or rock pile, add water, introduce specific plants, attract birds. We are starting with the latter. This involves the introduction of nest boxes and bird feeders.
This robin box, which has a very large opening, is well sheltered to protect the nest from being raided by predators.
Bird species can be quite particular in terms of nest box type and sites. With this in mind, we have installed three nest boxes intended to attract tits and finches near the Tea Rooms, in the area known as the Dairy. They have been placed four meters high with a clear entrance to the box. Within twenty minutes of installation five long-tailed tits were expressing interest in the boxes; fluttering and landing, exploring their potential new home.
Robins prefer their nest boxes at 2m and in a sheltered position; one of these has been sited within the Dairy and the other near Clock House.
This woodpecker box is protected from full sun and wind.
The woodpecker is very demanding species. They prefer to excavate their own entrance hole and, to encourage inhabitants, the floor of the box had to be lined with wood chippings. We have installed two potential homes for woodpeckers at the bottom of the garden on either side of the pond.
Robins are frequent and welcome visitors all through the gardens at Denmans.
So, now we watch and wait (and hope!). It is fascinating observing the activities of the birds around the feeders. To date, we have observed Long tailed Tits, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Starling, Wren, House Sparrow and of course the adorable Robin.
Karen Quinn
Assistant Gardener, Head of Biodiversity
