Hi, this is Jane from the Wild Bunch.
After the wettest January on record, most of us are looking forward to getting out into the open air – whether to plant up a backdoor flowerpot or window box, visit one of Frome’s community gardens or open spaces, or to start work on our own garden or allotment. As we face a major biodiversity crisis, said by some to be so serious as to threaten our national security, every step – large or small – that we take as individuals to support wildlife is important.
This is the time of year when birds are busy setting up home, having traditionally paired up by Valentine’s Day. Do you have a bird box in your garden or local community space? If so, now is the time to give it a quick clean, so long as no-one has already moved in! If you have not yet got a nest box, this is a good time to buy one – or even make it yourself. The bird charity RSPB has instructions on its website, including advice on the size of box and shape of entry hole for different breeds. Alternatively, the Wild Bunch runs bird box building workshops from time to time – look out for forthcoming sessions on Facebook or email us (address at the end).
Meanwhile, whether you have a box or not, there are many things we can all do to encourage birds to set up home in our open spaces. If you have the space, planting a tree or shrub that will attract insects to the blossom in the spring and provide berries in the autumn will help. The planting of seeds of flowering annuals this spring is also important, to attract insects and provide further food for birds. This will be the topic of our next quarterly Wild Bunch Gathering, so do come along on Thursday 16th April, at 1.30pm in Frome Town Hall; we look forward to seeing you.
Contact the Frome Wild Bunch at frome wildbunch@gmail.com.
Pictured: A common Blackbird
