Birds Archives - Kitchen Garden Magazine

Blue tits taking a bath. Fresh water is essential for garden birds in summer

Birds of a feather get hot in this weather

23rd June 2020 Steve Ott News

With temperatures set to soar above 30C in parts of the UK over the next few days, the RSPB is asking people to give birds a helping hand in the hot conditions by leaving out a supply of fresh water in their gardens or outdoor space. Birds need water for two reasons; drinking and bathing. Unlike mammals, birds don’t have…

Lockdown SOS (Save our swans)

20th May 2020 Steve Ott News

Lockdown leaves the UK’s ducks and swans at risk of starvation – here’s how you can help. Without intervention, many animals are being left without the food they rely on. Ark Wildlife has donated five tons of feed to charities, and is asking the public to do their bit. Why are duck and swan populations at risk? As we have…

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results

2nd April 2020 Steve Ott News

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results show milder winter helps small garden birds The latest results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch have revealed smaller birds such as long-tailed tits, wrens and coal tits were seen in greater numbers in gardens across the country than in 2019 thanks to the milder winter. Now in its 41st year, the Big Garden Birdwatch…

Big Garden Birdwatch 2020

30th December 2019 Steve Ott News

Watch the birdie! Count the birds that land in your garden or local park and you could help the RSPB’s annual survey. The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is scheduled for January 25-27, 2020, with up to half a million people expected to watch and count their garden birds. To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2020 all you need…

RSPB’S Birdsong Initiative to Act on Climate Change

16th October 2019 Steve Ott News

Birdsong is set to sweep the country as the UK calls for politicians to act on climate change and the environment On Thursday 17 October over five million people will hear soothing birdsong in over 5,000 unexpected locations including Westfield Shopping Centre, National Assembly for Wales, Murrayfield Stadium, Co-op stores across the UK and transport hubs including London Underground stations.…

Podcast 54: Alternatives to slug pellets

7th May 2019 Steve Ott Podcast

The Kitchen Garden Magazine Podcast – packed full of hints, tips and advice from the team. Is there an alternative to slug pellets? – We talk about controlling slugs naturally using Nemaslug Slug Killer, which contains natural nematodes that are effective at controlling slugs, but unlike chemical controls, are safe for children, pets, birds and wildlife. The nematodes in Nemaslug…

Share your patch with wildlife and you’ll both reap the benefits

1st May 2019 Steve Ott Advertising Features, Reviews, Tips and Advice

We are all aware of the increasing need to incorporate areas for wildlife in our gardens and green spaces for the greater good and this needn’t be a choice between having a wild, nettle laden area or maintained lawns and borders. You can provide for wildlife in all ways including vegetable patches as the benefit gardeners can gain from sharing…

Poultry palaces: exactly what makes ideal housing for hens and ducks?

30th April 2019 Steve Ott Advertising Features, Reviews, Tips and Advice

Exactly what makes ideal housing for hens and ducks? Choosing the wrong poultry house can prove to be a costly mistake, not to mention perilous for your flocks’ health, whereas getting it right can provide your birds with a lifelong home. Jim Vyse, of Jim Vyse Arks, producer of high quality poultry housing for nearly two decades, offers this advice;…

CHRISTMAS LEFTOVERS: WHICH ARE SUITABLE FOR BIRDS?

28th December 2018 Steve Ott Blog

We have lots of festive leftovers at this time of year, but not all should be given to the birds, wildlife specialists CJ Wildlife explain Birds delight us with year-round visits and fun antics, plus their own wild food supplies are likely to be dwindling as the winter stretches on. However, tempting as it is to go out with a…

Birds of a feather get hot in this weather…

2nd July 2018 Steve Ott News

… so look after our garden friends with some liquid refreshment to keep them happy and healthy! With the heatwave continuing across the UK and little sign of significant rainfall for many areas, the RSPB is asking people to give birds a helping hand in the hot conditions by leaving out a supply of fresh water in their gardens or…

Our swift guide to migrating birds!

26th April 2018 Steve Ott News

Birds are flying to our shores to enjoy what we all hope will be a glorious summer. The RSPB has handy tips to help identify our visitors. Migrant birds who have spent the winter in Africa are arriving on our shores. Much-loved favourites like swifts, swallows and house martins will be seen and heard around houses, gardens and the countryside…

The birds, the bees… and the trees!

21st December 2017 Steve Ott News

Latest news from the gardening and growing spectrum, exclusively for Subs Club members, sees Garden Organic leaving Ryton, and much more… Give birds a home for Christmas Posh lodge: a starling pops from a nest box. Picture: RSPB Nesting season may seem a long way off, but this is actually the perfect time to think about your nestbox provision, says…

Boxes for birds

10th February 2017 Steve Ott News

National Nest Box Week lets you contribute to conservation efforts whilst gaining the pleasure of observing any breeding birds. For bird-lovers, Valentine’s Day marks the start of National Nest Box Week. The aim of the week, which runs from February 14 to 21 each year, is to encourage people to buy (or make) and put up a nest box, ready…

Mild Winter Boosts Smaller Birds

4th April 2016 Steve Ott News

Over half a million people took part this year, counting over eight million birds. The results of the 37th RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, which took place over the last weekend of January, are just in. Over half a million people took part this year, counting over eight million birds. The long-tailed tit has entered the Birdwatch top 10 for the…