Tips for bird protection in the city and in the country

Birds need green spaces with food, hiding places and nesting opportunities. Whether in the city or in the country, we can all contribute to ensuring the survival of the animals. Many bird species find it difficult to find enough food in cultivated landscapes, especially in autumn.

Here are some suggestions on how everyone can make a contribution to species conservation:

• Fruits, berries and seeds As a food source for birds, hang them on bushes and trees as far as possible over the winter.
• Dear Wildflowers and wild trees plant or leave as exotic and highly cultivated ornamental plants. So-called weeds such as knapweed, chickweed, St. John's wort and various types of thistle help the local birds through the cold season.
• Regional deciduous shrubs are a popular habitat for insects, which are eaten by many birds. For example: elderberry, privet, rowanberry, ...
• Thorny bushes and shrubs offer the birds protection from predators. They are therefore often chosen for breeding. Suitable plants include wild roses, hawthorn and sloe.
• Old trees and piles of dead wood are irreplaceable as a shelter. Where that is not possible, so will nesting boxes gratefully accepted.
• The Greening of roofs, facades and balconies not only improves the microclimate, but also provides food and habitat for numerous insects and birds.
• Glass surfaces are only safe for birds if the spacing between the patterns is no greater than 15 cm. The usual Bird sticker are so useless. Instead, for example, other window decorations and stickers, but also visible blinds, window grilles or fly screens are suitable. Good news for everyone who would like to do without window cleaning: the glass panes are in the interests of bird protection the better the dirtier they are.
• Before cutting hedges, cutting down trees or starting construction work on the house, please check whether there are any birds nesting here and, if so, whether they are Coordinate measures with the breeding seasons.

All tips, further information and pictures for bird identification are available free of charge on Bird poster from DIE UMWELTBERATUNG.

Photo by Chris on Unsplash