Friday 28 January 2011

Tree Planting at Bashfordsland Wood

Carrickfergus pupils from Oakfield Primary School planted trees in support of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers today.

The tree planting event took place at Bashfordsland Wood (Red Fort Drive off Marshallstown Road) on 28 January 2011 as part of the launch of Carbon Army in Northern Ireland.

Carbon Army is the climate change campaign organised by BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) - it’s all about taking local action on a global problem. The Carbon Army campaign is providing opportunities for positive action to help tackle climate change.

Monday 24 January 2011

Carbon Army Tree Planting Event

On Friday 28th January 2011 (11am to 12.30pm) at Bashfordsland Wood (Red Fort Drive off Marshallstown Road). Help pupils from Oakfield Primary School in a morning of tree planting. Carbon Army is the climate change campaign organised by BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) - it’s all about taking local action on a global problem. The Carbon Army campaign is providing opportunities for positive action to help tackle climate change.  BTCV will provide: Fully trained leader - training and a safety briefing - first aid provision - an introduction to the work on site - tools, protective clothing, hot drinks and water - transport to the project site MAY be available from a specific pick up point - contact the office for details. Age group: Adults and children of any age; Registration: Required. Further info: Wrap up well with suitable winter footwear. Everyone is welcome. More details available from: Helen Tomb. Email: h.tomb@btcv.org.uk or tel: 028 9064 5169

See Bashfordsland Wood Map

Thursday 20 January 2011

Exercising Outside is Priceless

Exercising outside is priceless, even at this time of year when many of us just want to stay inside and hibernate. Exercising in one of our many parks can lead to an immediate improvement in mood and self esteem, as well as physical fitness.
To help with this the National Trust has devised a 31 day plan in association with outdoor exercise specialists Eco Fitness. It has been designed to give you a real sense of the enjoyment, freedom and refreshment you can experience from exercising outside, so you can kick start the New Year feeling energised and invigorated.
Download the entire 31 Day Plan here.
Watch the video here.

Monday 10 January 2011

Bird feeding this Winter

Providing food is one of the most helpful things you can do for your garden birds, so long as you are thoughtful with your feeding.

The RSPB and the British Trust for Ornithology both suggest feeding birds all year round, but if we're talking survival, some times are more important than others. Garden birds can go hungry during the winter when food and water supplies are scarce, and parents will be in desperate need of food in spring when they have to provide for their young as well as themselves.

The RSPB advises that supper and breakfast are the most important meals for birds as they need an energy boost before and after a night's rest, especially in the colder months.

Invariably, the best thing you can do to provide food for your garden visitors is nothing. Birds love garden insects and other invertebrates so if you can bear it, let them in!

Fruit is a brilliant food source for birds and is most likely to be bountiful later in the summer and through the autumn. Leave your windfall apples and pears for the robins and blackbirds, thrushes and robins to enjoy, or store them somewhere dry and cool and put them out on the bird table or ground feeders in the colder months - they definitely won't mind the presence of the odd grub!

Holly and ivy are great for winter berries, and woodpigeons, thrushes and blackcaps love them. Stop robins going hungry over the winter by planting some spindle - their berries are a vital source of energy. You could also delay your annual pruning of herbaceous and berry-bearing plants until late winter to allow the seed-loving birds their fill.

A happy ecosystem brings happy birds, so let go of the perception of what's a weed and think in terms of what your wildlife wants. Nettles are insect attractants and insects attract birds. Brambles might be troublesome but they provide wonderful fruit and excellent cover for tits and other small birds.

Fat feeders

In the colder months all our wildlife is busy fattening up to survive the winter, so fat balls will be popular additions to your feeding stations. Only make these in the winter though as warmer temperatures will melt the fat causing it to go off.

You can buy ready-made fat balls in various shops but as a cheaper option try making your own. Pop seeds or dry mealworms into your fat feeder mix to add protein and carbohydrate. Never use polyunsaturated fat or butter as these can cling onto birds' feathers.

If you do buy fat balls they may come in a nylon mesh bag. Always remove them from the bags as otherwise birds may get their claws caught in the mesh and hurt themselves or even starve if not found soon enough.

If you don't want to make feeders you could also put out some finely chopped unsalted bacon rinds or grated hard cheese.

Peanuts

Peanuts are high in fats and protein and are really popular with tits, finches, nuthatches, woodpeckers and sparrows; but it's important to make sure you supply the right kind to avoid harming your garden birds.

Avoid leaving out whole peanuts unless they are in a wire mesh feeder as whole nuts may choke young birds in the spring. Crushed peanuts will attract robins and dunnocks too.

If you are buying peanuts be sure to get them from a reputable supplier and check that they don't contain aflatoxins which are poisonous to birds. Also avoid salted peanuts as most birds can't process the salt and so may die from ingesting too much.

Push some peanuts into holes drilled into old logs or branches to set a challenge for your nuthatches and woodpeckers.

Mealworms

In spring, live, protein-rich food such as mealworms will be a godsend for busy parents deperately foraging to support their growing chicks. Robins and thrushes particularly love these wriggly treats and live or soaked feed is best to give them the moisture they need.

You can buy mealworms from suppliers, and these are especially important during spring and early summer. A blue tit will feed hundreds of caterpillars and insects to its chicks during the breeding season. Put mealworms out on tray or ground feeders.

If you can, put out live mealworms or soak dry mealworms first to provide birds with the moisture that they deperately need through the winter or when in the nest. Avoid using discoloured worms which may carry diseases such as salmonella.

Nyjer seeds

Nyjer (niger) seeds are a big favourite of finches and siskins and are rich in fat. They are tiny and will fall straight through most feeders. Mix them with other seeds in a plastic feeder, stir them into your fat ball mix or put them on a tray.

Sunflower seeds

Many birds adore sunflower seeds and they are rich in protein and unsaturated fats. Whole seeds require substantial effort for birds to remove the husks, using energy that they can't afford to waste. Put out sunflower hearts or kibbled (crushed) seeds in the autumn to save them the effort, and to save you from having to tidy up scattered husks!

Coconut

Cut a fresh coconut in half, drain and hang it up for tits. Once the coconut has all been eaten the remaining shell can make a great container for home-made fat balls or other seeds. Avoid putting out desiccated coconut as this can swell up in birds' stomachs making them very ill.

Leftovers

Dried fruit, bacon rinds, cooked rice, spare dog or cat food, leftover grated cheese and the remnants from the bottom of your cereal packet can all be left out for birds so long as they are finely chopped. Avoid fat from cooking as this smears in a way which is not good for birds' feathers. Biscuits should be crushed and soaked where possible to avoid choking birds and to add moisture.
Never give birds milk as they cannot digest it. Avoid cooked oats but uncooked are fine.
For more bird feeding advice visit the RSPB website.