Birds and their protection

In town the smallest of gardens attracts a variety of birds. For this reason I put out a feeder, then two then another. I even placed a large seed dispenser in front of a window where I can watch them. It's an instant pleasure to see them. The whole family benefits from it. Often someone calls: "Quick, come and see, a Robin on the feeder."

I have managed to attract several species such as Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Siskin, robin, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Dunnock...

I have tried to arrange my small garden with trees and bushes to provide cover and nesting sites where they are able to find food.

I have even sown Sunflowers in my in-laws' garden in preparation for the winter season.

When the feeders are placed out in the autumn, they're all there, the word is passed around. Free food and the level of seeds quickly drops.

It was with regret that I left the Society Ornithologique d'Armor, the first association that introduced me to the protection of birds. I take advantage of this opportunity to thank some of the members: Jacky Rio, Gilles Pontus and Nelly Mercier who have worked hard for the protection of birds. You will see their considerable work on the pages of the website. I thank you all for the assistance you have given me. In this association we are concerned with protection. Along with others we have installed sixteen nest boxes on a site at St Barthelemy on the outskirts of St Brieuc. They are practically all occupied by Blue Tits and Great Tits and for a few years now a pair of Nuthatches.

I have learned to listen to and to love birds and nature. With the help of my friends from the protection, Gilles, Jacky, Nelly and others, we have attempted to keep the public informed, in particular the children, by presenting educational days in schools. The children place feeders in trees. They learn identify the principal bird species of our region. The children make nest boxes to hang in the trees during their recreational studies. What a program! At the present moment of time there are two classes, one at Plerin and the other at Tregueux, being introduced to the discovery of birds. Myself I am unable to help very much, owing to the hours I work at the hospital.

I love to film the children when they discover a true wonder of nature. I remember when, about four years ago, about the building of nest boxes at the Balzac Elementary school, St Brieuc. What images! To see those children apply themselves to assembly of these pieces of wood.For the next lesson, with the help of some adults, they hung the nestboxes in the trees. What a joy it was a few weeks later to see them climb the ladder to admire the chicks that squeaked at their approach thinking that it was mealtime.

Wild birds live for only a very short time. We can certainly attempt to improve the condition of their lives by feeding them in the winter and providing nest boxes for the breeding season.

A garden offers numerous opportunities to study bird behaviour, but it is necessary to attract them by providing food and nest boxes, by planting trees and shrubs, by allowing the vegetation to seed off and by closing the eyes to certain insects. All these measures will facilitate the existence of birds in a world which is more and more hostile to them and will permit you to benefit from their company. You pleasure will increase if you try to discover what they do and how they behave. No bird can live very long without nourishment ; this is essential for growth, maintenance of body temperature, and normal bodily functions. As well his own needs, the bird must find that which is necessary for his young. Males exert a lot of energy singing and defending their territory, the females for producing and covering their eggs.

What wood to use?
Use an untreated wood such as Pine, Alder, or use marine plywood. Above all, not chipboard...

Is it necessary to paint the nest box?
Use a neutral tint which is non toxic to animals (best colour "camouflage"), avoid fluorescent disco-yellow.

Hanging the nest box
Hang the nest box up high (at least 3 or 4 meters) in a tree which is sound and healthy, or on a wall. On a tree, hang the nest box with the help of a solid fixing or steel wire. Never screw a nest box to a tree. There should be a distance of 20 meters between two nest boxes. Face the nest box towards the east in order not to expose the entrance to prevailing winds or to rain.

What to put in the nest box?
No need to furnish the nest, leave that to the little acrobats: the Tits will construct the nest themselves with moss or dog's hair...

And don't forget:
- to follow the nesting of the birds (what's more, it's fascinating)
- to clean out the nest box in winter (to get rid of any parasites living in the nest) and check the fixings.

The Societe Ornithologique d'Armour has invested in the purchase of a minature camera that can be slid into the hole as can be seen in the photographs opposite. This trnasmits images onto a T.V. screen The children can follow the development of these little Tits live.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Nestboxes.
Every autumn a cleanout is essential. This permit's the evacuation of the remains of used nests - thus avoiding the proliferation of parasites (ticks, flees) - and the opportunity to carry out any repairs. Do not hesitate to clear out the remains of the nests, as the birds simply do not re-use them ; they build a new nest each spring. If the nest box is not emptied every year, it will rapidly fill up and thus become unusable. Furthermore, the accumulation of moss and other materials in the box holds the damp and thus risks rotting.

Blackcap passing through

This Great Tit was taken in and cared for until it was able to be set free again.

We cared for this Swift for several days until it was able to fly again.

We are going to return to Jacky's home where he has installed a small night vision camera in a nest box in order to permit round the clock observation of the behaviour and movements of the Blue Tit family.

An amazing life is disclosed on the living room television screen, though only in black and white.

The final stunning picture, There remains just one last to fly out into a world unknown to them.

Birds and their Protection