BARRATT Homes and David Wilson Homes Scotland have teamed up with the RSPB to provide tips to homeowners to help keep wildlife safe during the colder months.
When the weather takes a turn, birds need shelter to keep warm and dry. Nest boxes are the perfect option for small birds and a popular spot during colder nights, with space to cosy up together for communal warmth. For woodland creatures, creating a deadwood or leaf pile in your garden can be used for shelter and to keep warm.
Across Scotland, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes properties has planted over 5,000 new trees in development gardens and installed over 4,000 hedgehog highways in show home gardens. With longer nights and poorer weather conditions, the options for finding food are limited for wildlife, meaning they often venture outside of their usual sources.
Homeowners can help garden birds by providing food when natural resources such as berries and seeds are running low or hard to access because. Find safe places for hanging bird feeders offering seed mixes, peanuts and suet balls. Move these feeders around, to prevent predators from getting used to their location and ensure all feeders are cleaned at least weekly.
Homeowners are also being encouraged to consider the plants grown in the garden, as they can provide a sanctuary for birds. Planting trees and shrubs can provide a larger nesting space for birds to take cover and keep warm during winter, and also act as a cooling space to retreat to in summer. Shrubs – such as native holly – provide birds with berries over winter. Creating flower beds can also provide cover for birds of different sizes.
To help minimise food waste over the festive period, consider building a compost heap to recycle organic household waste, including peelings and uneaten vegetables.
Douglas McLeod, regional MD for Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes Scotland, said, “Creating a habitat fit for wildlife can help invite a variety of birds and woodland creatures into your space. This not only makes for an interesting period of birdwatching and wildlife spotting during the colder months but also contributes to the conservation of these species.
“At Barratt, 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.”
Barratt Homes’ commitment to creating wildlife-friendly areas across its Scotland developments include:
North Scotland:
- 3,578 new trees planted throughout developments
- 2,883 hedgehog highways installed in development gardens
- 77,722 new sapling hedgerows planted across developments
West Scotland:
- 1,749 new trees planted throughout developments
- 1,218 hedgehog highways installed in development gardens
East Scotland:
- 18 nest boxes in show home gardens
- 61 swift nesting bricks implemented throughout developments
For more tips to encourage wildlife into your garden, visit Nature on Your Doorstep here.
