BIRDHOUSE

Birds, crucial to nature and human life, are currently facing declining populations. Destruction of natural habitats, pollution, and climate change pose threats to their existence. In this article, we will explore the challenges that birds are encountering, the reasons behind the decline in their populations, and provide tips on creating your own birdhouse to offer a safe haven for these avian creatures.

THREATS TO BIRDS IN THE MODERN WORLD

Ornithologists worldwide observe a trend of decreasing bird populations. The destruction and depletion of the environment, along with human overexploitation of resources, are the primary causes of bird disappearance. Additionally, climate change influences bird populations, leading to forest fires, floods, abnormal heat, and drought. Birds play a crucial role in nature and human life, spreading plant seeds, controlling insect pests that harm plants, animals, and humans, and serving as carriers of dangerous infections. The rapid decline in bird numbers contributes to an increase in insect populations, damaging trees and destroying crops. Furthermore, the reduction in seed dispersal by birds may potentially lead to future food shortages for humanity.

WHAT THE WORLD IS SAYING

The conservation organization BirdLife has compiled data collected by researchers, nature advocates, civilian scientists, and reached discouraging conclusions: 1,409 bird species worldwide are on the brink of extinction. According to the organization's data, population decline is observed in half of all bird species on the planet, and one in every eight species is at risk of disappearing. Over the past 500 years, more than 160 bird species have already become extinct, and the rates of extinction are increasing. According to representatives of BirdLife, human activity, including climate change, is to blame for it, affecting bird populations as well.

BIRDS DURING ARMED CONFLICT IN UKRAINE

Unfortunately, nature and its inhabitants also fall victim to war. Due to military actions, over two million square meters of land in the southern part of the country are contaminated with remnants of ammunition and hazardous substances. All of this enters the soil, accumulating in high concentrations.

Birds feeding on the surface of the land are affected. It also becomes dangerous for birds residing in water bodies to feed. Projectiles lying at the bottom begin to rust and oxidize, contaminating the aquatic environment actively, resulting in a high content of heavy metals. The negative toxic effect of heavy metals manifests in birds over the year and can lead to death, depending on the concentration of contamination.

Numerous destroyed natural resources have been eliminated and burned, including the construction of forest areas and trees. Forests played a crucial role in bird nesting, and their destruction represents significant losses for nesting groups. Discovering burned forests, birds will be forced to find another place without shelling. Choosing a new, unsuccessful nesting site can lead to significant losses among the young population.

DO IT YOURSELF BIRDHOUSE

You can help birds by making a birdhouse for them following our drawings, compliant with modern standards. You can hang the finished birdhouses in your city. You can also send us photos of the hung birdhouses by email, and we will add them to our social media.

DURING THE ASSEMBLY OF BIRDHOUSES, DO NOT NEGLECT SAFETY RULES!

CORRECTNESS OF MAKING BIRDHOUSES

When starting to make a birdhouse by hand, it's essential to prioritize the procurement of construction materials. Coniferous wood is not suitable for building birdhouses, and neither are Plywood, MDF, and HDF, as they release toxins harmful to birds. Suitable materials for making birdhouses include boards from deciduous trees such as aspen, maple, oak, birch, and alder. The inner surface of the wooden boards should be slightly rough. It is important to adhere to the dimensions of the birdhouses and feeders specified in our drawings. Incorrectly chosen sizes can only harm the future offspring.

Ornithologists do not recommend painting and decorating birdhouses, as it attracts predators.

DRAWINGS OF BIRDHOUSES AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Under no circumstances should you nail the birdhouse and feeder directly to a living tree!

Nesting Box

A nesting box helps birds create their nests and serves as shelter instead of a natural tree hollow. Birds don't always find suitable natural conditions, and wooded areas where they can find appropriate nesting places become less accessible. Therefore, homemade birdhouses can address this issue by providing birds with additional nesting spaces and shelter.

INSTALLATION OF SPARROW BOXES

The best time to install sparrow boxes is the end of March to early April. During this period, birds migrate back and search for nesting sites. However, practice has shown that sparrow boxes can also be installed in autumn and summer, as many birds raise chicks 2-3 times during the season. Even in winter, the sparrow box can serve as shelter from freezing temperatures.

It is recommended to place sparrow boxes at a height of at least 3 meters above the ground. If you plan to install a sparrow box in the city, it should be hung higher (8-10 meters). The tree should be strong and healthy. Consider placing the sparrow box away from direct sunlight, as birds may be disturbed by light, noise, and temperature fluctuations.

Carefully choose the location for the sparrow box. It is advisable to place them at a height of at least 3 meters above the ground; in urban areas, it should be hung higher (8-10 meters). Ensure that the sparrow box is not exposed to direct sunlight. Birds are also inevitably disturbed by light, noise, and temperature changes. The entrance of the sparrow box should face the side with less wind. The optimal direction is east and southeast, securely fastened with a slight forward tilt on a sturdy, healthy tree.

Do not nail the box to the tree with nails; it is best to attach the sparrow box to the tree with wire, placing wooden blocks under it with a thickness of 3-4 cm. Alternatively, you can attach a wire hook on the sides and fasten the sparrow box to a horizontal branch closer to the trunk.

The conditions mentioned above do not guarantee that the sparrow box will be occupied by birds. Numerous factors, not all of which are well-studied, influence the occupancy of the house.

BIRD FEEDER

A bird feeder will provide stable food sources for birds throughout the year. Many birds stay for the winter in our country. The birds that remain often struggle to find food during the winter frost, and many perish due to cold and hunger. However, each of us can help birds. To do this, all that is needed is to craft a bird feeder and ensure that it is stocked with food daily.

CORRECT INSTALLATION OF BIRD FEEDERS

Proper placement of bird feeders is one of the most crucial factors for attracting birds. It is recommended to position them on the southern side of a tree to protect them from wind and snow. Hang the feeder on parallel branches, at least 3 meters above the ground, and ensure that the thickness of the branch corresponds to the weight of the feeder.

Suspending the feeder from a branch is relatively simple. The most suitable method for most feeders is using a rope looped over the top for hanging. Pass the rope over the branch and adjust the height. It is important not to tie the rope around the tree but to loop it over the top. The branch will expand in size as the tree grows.

Also, make sure that when the feeder swings, the rope does not rub against the branch it hangs from. This method allows the feeder to be visible to birds, easy to maintain, and protects it from unwanted visitors.

After hanging the feeders, don't forget to regularly visit them to assess the results of your efforts!

The use of materials from the article, including images and texts, as well as automated copying of information from the article using any programs, is prohibited without the written permission of the "Key of Hope" Foundation.