As August ushers in the transition from summer to autumn, your garden can become a haven for wildlife, especially for migrating species like house martins and the various birds that rely on seedheads for nourishment. This month presents a unique opportunity to create a garden that supports these creatures during a critical time in their life cycles. In this guide, we will explore how to make your garden a sanctuary for wildlife, focusing on the needs of migrating house martins and seed-eating birds.
Understanding the Importance of August for Wildlife
August is a pivotal month for many wildlife species. The abundance of summer begins to wane, and animals start preparing for the colder months ahead. For birds like house martins, this period is essential for building up energy reserves before their long migration to Africa. At the same time, resident birds begin to shift their diet from insects to seeds, making the seedheads in your garden an important food source.
The Role of House Martins in Your Garden
House martins are small migratory birds that spend the summer months in Europe, including the UK, before making the long journey to Africa for the winter. These birds are insectivores, feeding primarily on flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and aphids. By providing a supportive environment in August, you can help these birds thrive before they embark on their migration.
Identifying House Martins
House martins are easily recognizable by their glossy blue-black upper parts, white underparts, and distinctive forked tail. They are social birds, often seen in large flocks swooping over fields, rivers, and gardens in search of insects.
The Importance of August for House Martins
August is a critical time for house martins as they prepare for migration. During this month, they feed intensively to build up fat reserves that will sustain them during their journey. Additionally, house martins may be raising their final brood of the season, which means they need ample food to feed their young.
Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Garden for House Martins
Supporting house martins in your garden involves providing food, water, and suitable nesting sites. By making small adjustments to your garden, you can create an environment that meets their needs during this crucial time.
Providing Food Sources
House martins rely on flying insects for food, so maintaining an insect-friendly garden is key.
Planting for Insects
To attract a variety of insects, including those that house martins feed on, consider planting a diverse range of flowering plants. Native plants are particularly beneficial, as they are well-suited to local insects and provide the right type of nectar and pollen.
- Wildflowers: Plant wildflowers such as yarrow, oxeye daisy, and cornflowers to attract insects. These flowers are rich in nectar and provide habitat for various insects.
- Herb Garden: Herbs like lavender, mint, and fennel are excellent for attracting pollinators and other insects that house martins feed on.
- Water Features: Adding a small pond or water feature can attract insects, particularly flying insects like mosquitoes, which are a primary food source for house martins.
Avoiding Pesticides
Pesticides can significantly reduce the insect population in your garden, depriving house martins of their food source. Instead of using chemical controls, opt for organic methods to manage pests. Encouraging natural predators like ladybirds and lacewings can help keep pest populations in check without harming the beneficial insects that house martins depend on.
Ensuring Water Availability
In addition to food, house martins need access to fresh water for drinking and bathing. Providing a consistent water source in your garden can help support these birds during their stay.
Bird Baths and Shallow Water Features
Install a bird bath or shallow water feature in your garden to provide house martins and other birds with a reliable source of water. Ensure that the water is kept clean and refreshed regularly to prevent the spread of diseases.
Mud Puddles for Nesting
House martins build their nests from mud, and in dry conditions, it can be challenging for them to find enough. Creating a small, muddy area in your garden by regularly wetting a patch of soil can provide the necessary material for nest-building. This is particularly useful if the martins are raising a late brood in August.
Supporting Nesting Efforts
While house martins typically build their nests under the eaves of buildings, you can support their nesting efforts by providing suitable sites and materials.
Installing Nest Boxes
If you want to encourage house martins to nest in your garden, consider installing specially designed house martin nest boxes under the eaves of your house or shed. These boxes mimic the conditions that house martins prefer and can help increase the local population.
Leaving Existing Nests Intact
If house martins have already established nests on your property, avoid removing them until after the breeding season is completely over. These birds often return to the same nests year after year, so leaving the nests intact will encourage them to return.
Nourishing Birds with Seedheads
As the summer flowers begin to fade, many plants produce seedheads that are a vital food source for seed-eating birds. By allowing these seedheads to develop and remain in your garden, you can provide a valuable resource for birds preparing for winter.
The Importance of Seedheads in August
In August, birds start to transition their diet from insects to seeds. Seedheads from a variety of plants offer a high-energy food source that helps birds build fat reserves for the colder months. By leaving seedheads in your garden, you also contribute to the natural life cycle of the plants and provide shelter for insects that birds might feed on.
Common Garden Plants with Valuable Seedheads
Many common garden plants produce seedheads that are particularly attractive to birds. Here are some examples:
- Sunflowers: Sunflower heads are a favorite among birds, particularly finches and sparrows. Once the flowers have faded, the seeds become accessible, providing a rich source of nutrition.
- Teasel: Teasels produce tall, spiky seedheads that attract goldfinches. These plants are not only useful for feeding birds but also add architectural interest to your garden in late summer.
- Echinacea (Coneflower): The spiky seedheads of echinacea are a magnet for finches. As an added benefit, these plants are also excellent for attracting pollinators during their blooming period.
- Lavender: While lavender is known for its fragrant flowers, its seeds are also a food source for small birds. Leaving the seedheads on the plant provides both food and shelter.
- Thistle: Thistle seedheads are another favorite of finches, particularly goldfinches. These plants can be invasive, so consider managing their spread while allowing some to go to seed.
Managing Seedheads in Your Garden
To maximize the benefits of seedheads for birds, it’s important to manage them effectively in your garden.
Leaving Seedheads Intact
Rather than deadheading flowers as they fade, allow them to go to seed. This may mean your garden looks a little less tidy, but the benefits to wildlife far outweigh the aesthetic considerations. By leaving seedheads intact, you provide a continuous food source for birds throughout the late summer and into autumn.
Balancing Tidiness with Wildlife Support
If you prefer a neater garden, consider leaving seedheads in designated areas or at the back of borders where they are less noticeable. You can also cut and bundle seedheads to hang in different parts of your garden, making them more accessible to birds while keeping your beds tidy.
Collecting Seeds for Future Planting
While leaving some seedheads for the birds, you can also collect seeds from your garden plants for future sowing. This practice not only saves money on buying seeds but also ensures that your garden will continue to support wildlife year after year.
Creating a Bird-Friendly Habitat in August
In addition to providing food and water, there are other ways to make your garden more hospitable to birds during August.
Providing Shelter and Nesting Sites
Birds need safe places to rest, hide from predators, and nest. Creating diverse habitats in your garden can help meet these needs.
Dense Shrubs and Trees
Planting dense shrubs and trees provides birds with shelter and potential nesting sites. Evergreen species like holly and yew are particularly valuable as they offer year-round cover. Deciduous trees like hawthorn and birch also provide excellent habitat and food through berries and seeds.
Climbing Plants
Climbing plants such as ivy and honeysuckle offer additional nesting opportunities and food sources. Ivy, for example, provides late-season berries and shelter, while honeysuckle attracts insects and produces berries that birds can eat.
Offering Supplementary Food
While seedheads and insects can provide a significant portion of a bird’s diet, supplementary feeding can be especially helpful as natural food sources begin to dwindle towards the end of the month.
Bird Feeders
Installing bird feeders filled with seeds, suet, and nuts can attract a variety of species to your garden. Position feeders near cover to protect birds from predators, and keep them clean to prevent the spread of disease.
Ground Feeding
Some birds, like dunnocks and robins, prefer to feed on the ground. Scatter seeds or mealworms in a safe area of your garden to cater to these species.
Natural Food Sources
Planting berry-producing shrubs like cotoneaster, rowan, and pyracantha can provide a natural food source that will continue to feed birds well into winter.
Monitoring and Recording Wildlife
August is a great time to start monitoring the wildlife in your garden. Keeping records of the birds and other animals you see can help you understand the effectiveness of your wildlife gardening efforts and contribute to citizen science projects.
Setting Up a Birdwatching Station
Create a comfortable spot in your garden where you can watch birds undisturbed. Use binoculars or a camera to get a closer look at the different species visiting your garden.
Recording Sightings
Keep a journal or use a smartphone app to record the species you see and any notable behaviors. This can help you track changes in your garden’s wildlife over time and adjust your gardening practices accordingly.
Participating in Citizen Science
Consider participating in citizen science projects like the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch or similar programs in your area. Your observations can contribute valuable data to wildlife conservation efforts.
Reflecting on Your Garden’s Wildlife Impact
As August comes to a close, take some time to reflect on the impact your garden has had on local wildlife. Consider the following questions:
- Have you seen an increase in the number of house martins or other birds in your garden?
- Did the plants you selected successfully attract insects and provide food for birds?
- What changes can you make to further improve your garden’s wildlife support in the coming months?
Reflecting on these questions can help you plan future improvements and ensure that your garden continues to be a sanctuary for wildlife year-round.
Conclusion
August is a time of transition in the garden, not just for plants but for the wildlife that depends on them. By focusing on supporting migrating house martins and providing seedheads for birds, you can make a significant contribution to the well-being of these creatures during a critical period. Through thoughtful planting, habitat creation, and regular monitoring, your garden can become a vital part of the local ecosystem, helping to sustain wildlife through the changing seasons.
