The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has issued an urgent plea to people to leave washing up bowls outside – but it’s not to help plants. Find out why you should place a washing up bowl in your garden immediately
As the sun begins to shine, gardeners are being encouraged to leave out washing up bowls in their gardens, but not for the purpose of watering plants.
With many of us taking advantage of the good weather to cultivate strawberries, vegetables, and flowers, it’s easy to overlook the fact that our gardens are also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds that need our help. According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, leaving out bowls of water can be a big help in protecting bird populations.
Unfortunately, bird numbers have been declining in recent years, with UK government data showing a shocking 48% decrease in 48% of bird species between 2015 and 2020.
Destructive farming practices have played a significant role in this decline, destroying natural habitats and harming wildlife, as well as polluting rivers and impacting birds’ water supply.
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Katie Nethercoat, a member of the RSPB’s Wildlife Team, explained to HuffPost: “Lack of rain, hardened ground and rising temperatures can all bring in challenges for our birds.”
However, gardeners can make a positive difference. She added: “Providing fresh, clean bathing and drinking water is a simple but hugely effective way to help wildlife, as well as leaving areas of damp ground and soil.”
Creating a patch of wet mud in your garden can also be beneficial for birds, as it provides a prime feeding ground where they can forage for worms and insects. Katie suggests that leaving heaps of sticks and other debris can help to maintain damp mud, as they shield the ground from drying out too quickly.
This also offers birds a fantastic chance to reconstruct their nests. A variety of birds, including house martins, utilise wet mud to fortify their nests.
So, how can you reliably create this moist mud patch?
Katie proposes creating a sort of “mini pond” in your garden, which will be beneficial for birds. It can even be installed on a balcony.
She believes one of the most effective methods is to repurpose an old washing up bowl. This will produce even edges, allowing “more creatures to get in and out”.
If your old washing bowl protrudes above the ground, there’s no need to fret. A simple solution is to use logs, bricks or rocks to construct an easy-access ramp.
Another advantage of crafting your own small garden pond is that it will also benefit a wide range of other wildlife, including hedgehogs and frogs.
