1. Site 5
Kibo Garden
Bug Hotel
Wood piles
for bugs & small mammals
Why put up bird feeders?
The natural nest sites on which many of
our bird species depend, such as holes in
trees and buildings, are fast disappearing
as gardens and woods are ‘tidied’ and old
houses are repaired. A bird box can be a
real help to garden birds- an estimated 2
million fledglings are reared in nest boxes
each year. Since National Nest Box Week
was launched in 1997, thousands of
enthusiastic naturalists across the UK
have put up boxes to compensate for this
loss. It is estimated that there are now 5-6
million boxes in gardens across the UK. It
is a wonderful feeling to see a blue tit or
robin investigating a nest box you put up
yourself.
Why install nest boxes?
Since the 1930s almost half of
this natural habitat has been
lost to modern agriculture and
lifestyle practices. The good
news however, is that we do not
have to fill our gardens with logs
and trees to provide this habitat.
A small pile of logs can support
a multitude of insects, provide a
hunting ground for small
mammals, reptiles and
amphibians, and shelter for
hibernating wildlife. A small pile
of logs can quickly become a
flourishing habitat.
We can attract beneficial insects
and other creatures into our garden
and add garden biodiversity by
creating a bug hotel. Where to site
the site the hotel was important as
some insects like cool damp area
while others prefer the sun. To
cater for as many as possible it is
sited where some of it will catch the
sun and the rest is in shade.
Ricoh Eco Ninjas took up
NNBW challenge in Feb
2010 and put up 13 Robin
27 Blue tit boxes 3 Bug
hotels 1 Bat Box around
the site.
Providing food, nest boxes, nesting
materials, water and natural habitat can
attract birds to our backyards, giving us
much nicer views of them, and when done
properly, making life easier for the birds.
Attracting birds is also a great way to
introduce young people to nature, and it’s
something the whole family can share.
Having a bird-friendly garden has never
been more important- more and more
wildlife habitats in the UK are in private
hands and an average of 2.1 million acres
each year are converted for residential
use.
Supporting Amphibians
Amphibians play a vital role in
ecosystems as they serve as both
important predator and prey.
In the Kibo garden means of
supporting these amphibians has
been set up. A freshwater tadpole
pond containing large Lilly pads
and plant life has been set up in
order for frogs to spawn. In
addition to this, a newt hotel has
been set up to provide shelter
and warmth during the winter
months.
Ashlee Savage R1785