Why We Need Bird Box Boxes, Bee Shelters, and Hedgehog Runs

Hello, young nature enthusiasts! Today, we’re going on an adventure to discover why our gardens and parks need special homes for birds, bees, and hedgehogs.

Why Birds Need Box Boxes

• Safe Nests: Bird box boxes are like cosy little flats for birds to build their nests and raise their families. They protect them from rain, wind, and predators like cats and squirrels.
• More Baby Birds: By providing safe homes, we help birds raise more chicks, which is important because some bird populations are declining.
• Fun Bird watching: Bird boxes let us watch these feathered friends up close, learning about their different colours, songs, and behaviours.

Activity

Let’s decorate our own bird box boxes! We can use paint, markers, and natural materials like leaves and twigs to make them beautiful and inviting for our bird neighbours.

Why Bees Need Shelters

• Busy Pollinators: Bees are amazing little workers that help our flowers and plants grow. They do this by carrying pollen from one flower to another, which helps them make seeds and fruits.
• Declining Numbers: Sadly, bee numbers are going down because of things like habitat loss and pesticides. Bee shelters give them safe places to rest, lay eggs, and stay warm in the winter.
• Honey Makers: Some bees, like honeybees, live in hives and make delicious honey that we love to eat!

Activity

Let’s build a simple bee shelter using bamboo canes, hollow plant stems, and a bit of string. We can place it in a sunny spot in our garden to attract solitary bees.

Why Hedgehogs Need Runs

• Prickly Friends: Hedgehogs are cute, spiky creatures that help keep our gardens healthy by eating slugs and other pests.
• Habitat Loss: Hedgehogs have lost many of their homes due to urban development and tidy gardens. Hedgehog runs provide them with safe spaces to rest, nest, and hibernate.
• Helping Hedgehogs: We can all help hedgehogs by creating hedgehog highways, small gaps in our fences that allow them to move freely between gardens.

Activity

Let’s design a hedgehog-friendly garden with plenty of hiding places, log piles, and leaf litter. We can even leave out a shallow dish of water and some meaty cat or dog food for our prickly visitors.

Remember

By providing these special homes and habitats, we’re not just helping birds, bees, and hedgehogs. We’re also helping to protect the environment and ensure a healthy future for all living things!