And, because every location is different, we're talking about making it a truly local haven. So, grab your gardening gloves, and let's get cracking on how to create a bird paradise right outside your back door. I'll walk you through the key principles and provide specific, step-by-step advice tailored to your local area.
Why Attract Birds? More than Just a Pretty Song
Why should you bother attracting birds to your garden? Well, apart from the sheer joy of watching them flit about, they offer a whole host of benefits:
- Pest Control: Many birds are voracious eaters of insects, caterpillars, snails, and other garden pests.
- Pollination: Some birds, like hummingbirds (in certain regions) and sunbirds (in others), are important pollinators.
- Seed Dispersal: Birds help to spread seeds, contributing to the diversity of your garden.
- Nutrient Cycling: Bird droppings provide valuable nutrients to the soil.
- Aesthetic Value: Birds add beauty, movement, and interest to your garden.
- Educational Opportunities: Watching birds can be a rewarding and educational experience for children and adults alike.
Creating a Bird-Friendly Habitat: The Four Pillars
To attract a variety of birds to your garden, you need to provide them with the four essential elements of a suitable habitat: food, water, shelter, and nesting sites.
- Food: A reliable source of food is essential to attract and sustain birds.
- Water: Drinking water and water for bathing is essential.
- Shelter: Shrubs, trees, and dense vegetation provide birds with shelter from predators and the elements.
- Safe Nests: Birds need sites that are protected from predators and weather.
Building a Bird-Friendly Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide
Right, let's get down to business. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a bird-friendly garden in your local area:
1. Research Local Bird Species: The first step is to find out which bird species are native to your area. Contact local birdwatching groups, nature reserves, or wildlife organisations for information. This will help you determine the types of food, shelter, and nesting sites to provide.
2. Provide a Variety of Food Sources:
- Plant Berry-Bearing Trees and Shrubs: Choose native berry-bearing trees and shrubs that provide a natural food source for birds. Again, research suitable local species.
- Plant Seed-Producing Flowers: Plant seed-producing flowers like sunflowers, coneflowers, and asters. Allow the seed heads to remain on the plants over winter to provide food for birds.
- Install Bird Feeders: Install a variety of bird feeders, such as:
- Seed Feeders: For sunflower seeds, mixed birdseed, and nyjer seeds.
- Peanut Feeders: For peanuts (ensure they are unsalted and aflatoxin-free).
- Suet Feeders: For suet cakes, which are a high-energy food source, especially in winter.
- Nectar Feeders: For nectar (only suitable if hummingbirds or similar nectar-feeding birds are present in your region). Use a commercially prepared nectar mix or make your own (recipe below).
- Make Your Own Nectar (if applicable):
- Mix 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water.
- Boil the mixture for 1-2 minutes to dissolve the sugar and kill any bacteria.
- Cool completely before filling the feeder.
- Clean the feeder regularly to prevent mould growth.
3. Provide a Reliable Water Source:
- Install a Bird Bath: Choose a bird bath that is shallow and has a rough surface for birds to grip.
- Clean Regularly: Clean the bird bath regularly to prevent the spread of disease.
- Provide a Dripper or Fountain: A dripper or fountain will attract more birds, as they are drawn to the sound of moving water.
- Consider a Pond: If you have space, consider creating a small pond. This will provide a valuable water source for birds and other wildlife.
4. Create Shelter and Nesting Sites:
- Plant Trees and Shrubs: Plant a variety of trees and shrubs, both deciduous and evergreen, to provide birds with shelter from predators and the elements.
- Create Dense Thickets: Allow some areas of your garden to become dense thickets, providing birds with secluded nesting sites.
- Install Nesting Boxes: Install nesting boxes of various sizes to attract different bird species. Research appropriate box sizes and placement for local birds.
- Provide Nesting Materials: Leave out piles of twigs, dry grass, leaves, and other natural materials that birds can use to build their nests.
5. Manage Your Garden Organically:
- Avoid Pesticides: Avoid using pesticides, which can harm birds and other wildlife.
- Use Organic Pest Control Methods: Use organic pest control methods, such as handpicking, attracting beneficial insects, and using organic sprays.
- Leave Leaf Litter: Leave leaf litter on the ground in some areas of your garden to provide shelter for insects and other invertebrates, which are an important food source for birds.
6. Provide a Safe Environment:
- Protect from Cats: If you have cats, take steps to protect birds from them. Keep cats indoors, especially during nesting season, or provide them with a bell to warn birds of their approach.
- Avoid Window Strikes: Reduce the risk of window strikes by applying decals or stickers to your windows, or by hanging wind chimes or other objects in front of them.
7. Be Patient and Observant:
- It Takes Time: It may take time for birds to discover your garden and start using it regularly.
- Observe Bird Activity: Observe the types of birds that visit your garden, and adjust your offerings accordingly.
- Keep a Record: Keep a record of the birds you see in your garden, and the changes you make to attract them. This will help you learn what works best for your garden.
Adapting for Your Locality: Key Considerations
Remember, attracting birds is all about creating a habitat that's suited to your specific location. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Climate: Choose plants that are adapted to your local climate, including temperature, rainfall, and humidity.
- Soil Type: Select plants that are suited to your soil type (sandy, clay, loamy, etc.).
- Indigenous plants: Focus on planting native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses, as these will provide the most familiar and beneficial food and shelter for local birds.
- Altitude: If you live at a high altitude, choose plants that are adapted to the harsh conditions.
- Coastal Environments: If you live near the coast, select salt-tolerant plants.
- Urban vs. Rural: Urban gardens may need to provide more shelter and protection from predators than rural gardens.
- Migratory Patterns: Be aware of the migratory patterns of birds in your area, and provide food and shelter during migration seasons.
So there you have it - a good recipe for attracting birds. Creating a bird-friendly garden is a rewarding and enjoyable experience. By providing food, water, shelter, and nesting sites, you can transform your garden into a haven for our feathered friends.
Get researching your local birdlife, plan your garden with them in mind, and get ready to enjoy the sights and sounds of a thriving bird population right outside your window! And remember, it will take time for the birds to become fully familiar, so just keep at it and be patient. It'll be well worth the effort.
Questions after the interview:
At the end of an interview there is usually an opportunity where you can ask any questions you might have. This is a great opportunity to show the interviewer that you are interested in the position as well as the company. It is a good idea to prepare a few questions before the interview – this can be done while you are doing research on the company.
Your questions should show the interviewer that you are a good candidate for the position. Try and avoid questions that are based on your personal needs and preferences, for instance:
- How much leave will I get in a year?
- Will I be considered for promotion in my first year?
- When will I get an increase?
- What time can I leave in the afternoon?
These questions are inappropriate at this stage and will probably raise concerns on the side of the interviewer. Should you be the successful candidate then all these questions will be answered in your letter of appointment so don’t waste this opportunity by asking these basic questions.
If the position is an entry level job or very junior then you are welcome to ask questions in line with the position, for instance:
- Why did the previous person leave the position?
- What would the successful person be tasked to do in a typical day?
- How does this position fit into the department and / or company?
- Could you explain the company structure to me?
- Is there any further education assistance or support?
If the position is more senior then you can prepare question around the following themes:
- current issues that will face the successful candidate;
- inter-personal challenges in the department;
- any process, technology or people challenges that needs to be attended to urgently;
- key result areas that need urgent attention in the first few months;
The above information should get you started. Prepare a few questions so that you can show your worth. Good luck with your interview!
