Wow, thanks so much Greg - I really appreciate that, it's so difficult to know what will keep people's interest but I try to give each video the time it needs and of course they don't disappear if you only watch half and then come back for the other half etc :) Best wishes, and thanks so much for the support, it's appreciated - Joel
Thanks Jamie - I am hoping to start doing the live videos so people can interact again too. I've got enough footage for about 400 hours at least... but I promise to space them out! ;) Best wishes, Joel
Hi Joel. I have had the swift box moved from the side of the house to the front. It had been up three years with no luck. I've also got another one put up as well. I'll send you a photo of what we found in the box. I think it had something to do with the house sparrow that sits on the corner of the roof singing his little heart out. Not sure he's had any luck. We don't get sparrows in our garden generally. I enjoy all your videos no matter what size they are 😊
I agree! Taking care of wildlife in my garden is such an enjoyable pastime. But the hardest thing to bear is seeing smaller birds, even mourning doves get trapped in the claws of hawks esp the cooper’s hawk. However, our priority is to help these song birds thrive in the face of food scarcity so we continue to provide them food year round. The suet is a real attraction to many birds including chipmunks and squirrels.
I think 20-30 minutes is a great video length. I have found all the videos of yours I’ve watched very informative and inspirational. I think a live stream would be pretty cool.
Yep, I agree, Finnerz: anything over 30 mins or so is a deliberate "sit-down and watch" (which is sometimes what I want); shorter ones feel like a "quick break", more easily slotted into anything else I'm up to.
Thank you @Finnerz - I think the one scheduled for upload tonight is around 30 minutes, so phew! ;) Thank you so much for letting me know and being part of this great community. I did do a few livestreams on Sundays when the channel first started, but I didn't want to promise anymore if I was working away etc. But I do plan to do more when the nights start drawing in again and we're all planning over again what to do the following year :) Thanks so much for your support, it's appreciated - Joel
@Mark Michalowski - thank you, this makes sense and I think this is the best way to go, thankfully with youtube any videos can always be returned to if they're too long for one sitting. Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel
There's another step I take to help birds in my garden & that's keeping it a cat free zone, it's horrific how many birds are killed by cats every year, after seeing 5 different cats last year trying to catch the birds I'd had enough & took steps to keep them out, the fact I'm home a lot & with all the ring cameras I have out in the garden to watch the visiting hedgehogs all help in my battle to keep cats away.
I empathise. My neighbours' cats know better than to come into the garden with the dogs about - prickle strips on the fence panels help and the fact that the neighbour's garden is barren of wildlife means that the birds hardly go there and head straight for mine. Best of luck with it - Joel
I agree, I live in Australia & cats are a huge problem here as they have gone feral & if you catch one in a trap they are one savage beast! They have contributed to the extinction of some of our native animals who have no natural defense against them.
I'd happily watch you talk for hours, I love your videos. 20-30 minutes does work well though - I watch when I'm cooking, ironing, doing the dishes etc. We moved in to our first home last summer, and the whole side wall is covered in bird boxes. We also have boxes built in to the rafters which I think is incredible. We get a lot of sparrows, starlings and last summer had swifts nest in the rafter boxes! It was wonderful watching the babies learning to fly - a loop above the gardens and back. It's also great seeing what you can do in a terrace (our situation too), showing you don't need acres of space. We're trying to re-build the garden and make it as wildlife, child and dog friendly as possible. Very pleased to say I'm doing most of what you've suggested already (just got to get the honeysuckle to start growing up the garage wall!). Off to check out the shrubs video! Keep up the good work.
So good to read this Samantha, thank you. Your garden sounds an absolute haven already and you're clearly being rewarded for all your efforts and thought :) Very well done and I'm so glad that you're enjoying the channel, we have a great little community here and I'm glad you're part of it. Best wishes, and thanks for all the support - Joel
I have 22 different birds visiting my garden. I took your previous advice about creating cover for them in the form of tree cuttings which I build up at the very back next to my hedge. The birds just love it.
We have 5 cats and our bird food stand was getting no visits in our backgarden so we moved it to the front garden and we've had blue tits, pigeons, sparrows and even starlings visit. It's absolutely lovely seeing the blue tits land on the feeder, grab a mouthful of peanut kibble and then dart over to our acer. Once our fushias come back they make great cover as well as our climbers out the back, our dog rose bush and our 2 trees. Very happy.
I love to tinker in the garden as the season change new ideas and landscapes pop into my head. My work life balance is certainly swayed to nature these day,so it's win win !
I have a decent size (for suburbia) yard. I already have a LOT of trees. My neighbors aren’t so bonkers about it, I suspect, but I always say cool, trim whatever is on your side or bugging you) but I have several little bird families that have hatched. I have a few birdhouses, and to my surprise, they have used them. Just simple little ones, I live in California. I put them in a sheltered place. I was charmed. They were just decorative, fun little projects for the the grandkids. Now, I want to let my lawn grow wild in the back, I put down wildflowers on one side. We’ll see what happens. I already saw something, some birds came and hung out in the right (unmowed) side while I was sprinkling. Now, I’m hooked. I want my whole yard to be a meadow. I do have a little terrier 🙈. But he he’s elderly, and my cat is STRICTLY indoors. My dog is not not so old to be able to keep out OTHER cats, (and actually, our neighbors are really good about keeping their cats in, no wanderers) but we always make sure the coast is clear before he goes out. I have been doing the pet hair since last year. I have a bird bath, but I noticed when I was sprinkling today😅 that the birds (doves) went and laid in the unmanicured side in the longer grass it was so dang sweet. I’m hooked. I do feed them, but I don’t want to attract huge flocks, (or make them TOO dependent) so I put out just some, maybe a bit more during nesting time. I put suet cakes, same, but in winter too. Different birds, but sounds like I’m on the right track. Oh. And we DO have an absolutely beautiful blue falcon, and occasionally a hawk, but I do agree they need to eat too, they’ve been squeezed out of natural habitat. our trees give a lot of cover, but they have babies to feed too! It’s sad when they eat one of the doves. But it’s part of nature. A cat? I’d cry. And be pissed off. Horrible. Keep your fat well fed cats in. But a falcon? Sad, but…I absolutely enjoyed this! Thank you. It was exactly what I was looking for! New Subscriber here! And the length was fine. There’s a lot to tell people!♥️ oh, if you read this, I’d like to know a good way to keep the squirrels from getting into the nests and killing the babies/eating the eggs. I have no problem with squirrels, that’s part of it, but….I don’t want to make a smorgasbord for them either.
Hi Joel, love the information we get from these videos. There’s always something new to learn, putting nesting material into a bird feeder I wouldn’t have thought of that in a million years. 30 to 45 minutes would probably be a good length for the videos with some feature length specials and interviews 🐝
Thank you Mark, I really appreciate this - it's so difficult to know what people prefer, but I think too that as long as the subject justifies it I'll keep doing as you suggest. The difficulty for me is that I'm usually out and about, travelling to and from, or working at a client's and I have no script prepared but can't resist taking the opportunity to share things. I know I can make improvements and I hope that the filming I do of both the front and back gardens will allow me to feature everything so that other people can take a few ideas, or all of them (!) and implement them in their own gardens/green spaces. It will be so much easier to do updates when I'm home in the garden too :) Best wishes, and thanks again for all your support - Joel
I have 11 different bird feeders and get on average 30 goldfinches, cardinals, robins and a yellow rumped warbler. Just started getting the planting beds going with wildflowers and will be putting in some type of water source, other than a bird bath which I currently have. Love all that you show us. Keep up the inspiration.
Hi Martha, way to make me envious! Yellow Rumped Warbler... wow :) You're clearly being rewarded for making your garden such an inviting habitat, and thank you for your support and encouragement, it really helps me keep going :) Best wishes, Joel
Great video Joel. You mentioned sparrowhawk. I had an amazing experience this morning on my plot. I think it was a female sparrow hawk caught a wood pigeon in mid air a couple of metres away from me. It landed by my shed and the crows were going mad. As I was so close the crows didn’t bother her. I was keeping still she could see me but carried on eating the pigeon. Amazing!
Yep - sounds like a female to me Amir, they're larger (you prob know that!) and would have no problem taking a wood pigeon. I've seen crows chasing and bombarding a heron over the garden before and watched a male sparrow hawk devour one of my garden blackbirds. It wasn't exactly nice to watch, but we have to remember that it's nature, and that must have been quite spectacular to see. Hope you had a fab weekend, best wishes - Joel
I watched this on Sunday night but forgot to make a comment. I’ve been collecting long hairs of mine from my different hairbrushes for the birds. I remember 30 odd years ago brushing the family’s German Shepherd & the birds just flocked down near me for Zekes hair. Starlings, blackbirds, house sparrows & magpies. Just great memories & a 👍🏻 video from Joel. Thanks
Wonderful memories Janie, thanks for sharing this. I really do appreciate your continued support and encouragement, comments like yours certainly keep me going :) Best wishes, as always - Joel
I live on a woodland edge. I've been feeding the birds for years. Our winters are long, cold and snowy so it's a real help for them. This winter our sharp shins didn't migrate, probably due to good Autumn/early winter weather and the buffet out back. I love hawks but It is heart breaking to see and hear the jays and starlings being grabbed. ( I prefer they take their catch far away. ) Sadly I witnessed quite a few this Winter. The birds have become wary so this season we haven't seen many song birds. They come in a flurry and leave as fast. I took down any window feeders so as not to make them more vulnerable. Right now I am looking at a female sharpie sitting above a feeder. Because of the lack of birds, a lot of food has been eaten up by squirrels. Our squirrels are the size of chipmunks. We now have 9 out back. Good food, good breeding. I am really hoping the female hawks move further into the forest for the summer. (the smaller males are only a nuisance to jays and starlings) BTW I go through huge amounts of home made suet. The starlings indeed LOVE it. They don't stick around long though. I always try and educate people on the size of food during nesting time. I buy large bags of dried dog food and moisten it with hot water to make it soft. It's what I feed our crows all year round.
So wonderful to read this Lola, thank you. It's so nice to hear what's going on in other parts of the world, and I'm very grateful for you being part of this great little community we have here :) Best wishes, Joel
Great idea to stuff straw, dog hair in a bird feeder for nest material..Will definitely give that a go Brilliant video, full of reminders for us all..Thank you! Nice to meet Siri, he's beautiful!😊🐾🐾
Thank you Phiona - he's featured in a few videos before, showing his age now but he's lost no enthusiasm :) PLEASE, as others have pointed out, and as I should have done too, ensure that there has been no flea treatment used on the dog or cat (!) within a few months as this can prove detrimental. We only ever add cooked garlic to the dog food (they love it) when summer (and fleas/ticks) approaches and it really does work :) I really appreciate your kind words and support - thank you and best wishes, Joel
Those eyes are remarkable , aren't they? Siri's I mean - although I'm sure yours are just as beautiful, Fiona :) Joel, does Siri have heterochromia (different coloured eyes) or was it just the camera angle?
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks, Joel! Glad I wasn't hallucinating. All you need now is a cat called "Alexa" and a rabbit called "Hey, Google!" and you'll have the complete set.
I put my hair and beard cuttings under my bird feeder and the birds always come and take it. Also the old coco coir hanging plant holders, pinestraw, balled up dried grasses, get shoved into suet feeders, and they pull from that, too.
Great video as always Joel! One thing I would add in regards to putting out pet hair - please only do this if your pet hasn't been prophylactically treated with flea treatment. This is an incredibly effective pesticide that has been proven to affect chicks as the chemicals can and will permeate through the eggshell into the fetal birds 😔
Absolutely yes, apologies for not mentioning this but NONE of my dogs have ever been treated with "conventional" (money-making) flea treatment. In the summer we feed cooked garlic in the food once a week, it seems to do the trick as none of them so far have suffered from fleas, this is alleged to also help prevent against ticks lurking about in long grass :) Thank you for pointing it out, it's VERY important - best wishes, Joel
He's a gentle giant, rescued from Romania many years ago now, ready on the "kill shelter" list and everyone was taking small cute dogs to rescue and I could NOT see him linger there. He was worth every effort and only around 2 when we got him. I've enjoyed every moment of his company (although the howling can get a bit much! ;) - thank you, and best wishes - Joel & Sirius
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton god bless you. Kill shelters are a dreadful Thing and hopefully a thing of the past in the near future. Our canine brethren need more love and consideration from us, much like you’ve demonstrated.
Ideal video length: approx 15-30 minutes works best for me. I'm not sure how many bird species still visit my garden now. When I first moved to my property 2 decades ago, I recorded 46 species over a 2 year period. (Then we had 2 wickedly cold winters at -20C, the Neonicotinoid era, and some thoughtless neighbours bought peacocks - which instantly went on the rampage and killed lots of small birds. Thank goodness for foxes with discerning tastes). I think we're down to about a dozen species of bird now. However, I help what birds I have left (including a regular nesting pair of song thrushes) by continuing to plant an increasing range of interesting berry and fruit trees and bushes (my garden is a combined permaculture and wildlife project). I'm lucky in that I was a professional gardener some years back and still a keen home gardener now, so I'd learned lots of propagating techniques, which enables me to add hundreds of new plants for free every year. Most birds seem to love feasting on the 'red' raspberries and red/white currants more than anything else in the garden. I find they only start eating other fruit once these particular plants run dry (and since I've now bought a wide range of raspberry hybrids that cover the entire summer right up to the first frost, they are rarely without their favourite food. I've planted the furthest corner of the garden with raspberries specifically for the birds and don't go near them when they ripen. There are also several brash heaps and a small section of brash hedge in that part of the garden, so plenty of cover. Not much 'permanent' water there, now I come to think of it. There's a spring, but it quickly dries up after rainfall. Going to have to work out a way of capturing some of the water in a permanent pool.
Thank you, I really do appreciate you taking the time, it means a lot and the encouragement really helps. Welcome to the channel, we have a great community here :) Best wishes, Joel
So glad I found you! Greetings from the fabulous state of Indiana, The Midwest, USA! Great video and by that I mean, not too slow, not too fast, no monotones, no wild gestering, no UMs, and you are relaxed without wasting time. Thanks! I am going to do all this stuff - ALL OF IT, and I am wondering how I can collect my tiny dogs' hairs.... Anyway I look forward to seeing your other videos and I hope dearly and fervently that when you give plant selections you tell people use those NATVE TO YOUR AREA. From your knowledge here, I bet you do know how important that it for everyone from bugs on up. Finally, it is shocking but strangely comforting to hear that somewhere on our great planet, Starlings and English sparrows are not wreaking absolute havok. Also Engilsh Ivy!!! Do NOT get me started on that awful stuff which should be outlawed here. Next you will say plant privet and autumn olive (but please not japanese honeysuckle-bain of my existence!!). Oh what a big planet we live on, yet too small for all us people. ANYWAY, GO BIRDS. That's why I love bugs. Thanks again for the video and for loving hawks too. And let's all drink a toast to bats! Wonderful mammal creatures, wonderful pollinators and bug-eaters. That's why I love bats. That and they are as cute as anyone else, including Eastern bluebirds.
Hello Joel, I'm new here. Last Autumn, I bought two Bird feeder's, one with a bottem tray feeder and one with open wire mesh for birds who like clinging on while feeding. Using a general mix of seed for most garden Birds, I was only able to hang them about 7 feet high , 8 ft apart , and 15 feet from my Kitchen window. Apart from one visitor, I've never seen ANY birds show interest. Not even when I was tucked up in bed at first light, because the seed levels have not changed. I later hung the feeders on the opposite ends of my Circular washing line, that is now redundant. It would hardly move because all the wires and arms are tied up. SO--I started to scatter the seed around the garden, and very soon many visitors came, mostly Pigeons, Magpies, and Blackbirds. OH--and Squirrels, followed by Rats. So I stopped the feeding. Your opinion and advice, Please . Phil Croft Somerset.
Just discovered your channel! Love it. I do all of your suggestions 😉. We are here in Southern California. Lots of sparrows and lots of starlings, among other birds. Thank you! ❤
I love that you are not averse to sparrows and starlings, I hear they're in greater numbers in the USA - ours are all but depleted, due to habitat loss, lack of insects, lack of nesting sites etc. So glad that you're enjoying the channel, welcome to our great little community here, that's growing by the day :) Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel
Thank you - I'm so glad the channel is helping people to create more and more habitat in their own gardens and green spaces. I really appreciate the support and kind words too, it does encourage me to do more :) Best wishes - Joel
I have robins that nest on the elbow of my gutter every year. It is fun to watch them raise there brood. Fortunate to live in the countryside with 2 acres of land lots of trees and shrubs( across the pond middle of the USA).
I love the American Robins, you lucky lady! You're obviously doing the right thing and being rewarded for how you manage those acres and trees. Thanks for doing your bit, you're making a difference :) Best wishes, Joel
You're so very welcome Lynda, I'm really pleased this was helpful - I hope you enjoy the channel, we have a wonderful community here and the message of considering wildlife when gardening is increasing each day :) Best wishes, and thank you for the support - Joel
Hi Joel. Great video (as always). I already collect nesting material in an old feeder. Have been doing it for years and it's great to see bird's using it. I've not had so much luck with nesting boxes, but I will try again. 🤞 I didn't know you had 3 dogs so seeing Siri is just fab. Such a handsome boy. 💙 Take care.
Thank you Rose, I really appreciate this. Yes, I've been doing this for a good few years now, after watching the birds come down after brushing Sirius in the garden. Sometimes it takes a little while for the birds to feel "safe" when discovering boxes and they will watch them from a distance before deciding. Don't give up yet, they'll be grateful for the nesting material in the meantime :) Best wishes, Joel
Loved the wild woodland area Joel. Also can’t wait for that video and the front garden project. Clearly more needs to be done in my garden. Number 1 being the pond.
Don't you strain your back - I have a plan. Hang in there because you're already on my list for a visit ;) You're doing so much already George and your garden has improved so much for wildlife. Prepare to be interviewed! ;) Catch up real soon, Joel
Simple and attainable tips, as I've not had luck getting the local birds to stick around my place. New subscriber now going for results, thanks for the vids!
I've only just found you on RUclips (I know - shame on me!) but I'm binge watching as many as I can and loving them. I only have a small garden (30' long and 10' wide) but I have managed to put in 5 trees (lilac, mountain ash, bramley apple, cherry, a 5' chrstmas tree that was just a twig 8 years ago and there's a cordyline which is about 20' and was in the garden when I moved in) The robins are actually nesting in the cordyline this year. You were talking about sparrowhawks taking smaller garden birds. A few weeks ago I was in the garden and a sparrowhawk came out of nowhere and took a collared dove. It landed in my neighbours garden and then flew off with it. It was amazing and horrifying in equal measure! On the subject of video length.......the longer the better as far as I'm concerned 🙂
Hi there Rosie :) Welcome to the channel - there is a wonderful community here and I'm glad you're part of it :) Not sure you will have seen more recent videos but do see my own front garden which I've made "formal" for neighbours and passersby to encourage them to think about wildlife in their own gardens. If the Robins like the Cordyline and it's keeping them safe, that's great. The buddleja in my back garden was allowed to do it's think due to the sparrow hawk dive-bombing the birds and ending up crashing into the french doors - a pergola was needed to support the buddleja as my neighbour kept hacking at it - but it keeps the sparrows safe. Have a great weekend, I'm going to be planting up my front garden pond, and I can't wait :) Best wishes, and thank you for the support and encouragement - Joel
Thank you for the educational pointers. I already have most in place where I live. As for video length half an hour is a good marker depending on what topic you are covering. Keep up the great work and love for natural surroundings.🌻🦋🍀
Hey there, so sorry for the delay - there's over 200 videos on the channel now and I have to ensure everyone's queries are answered and so that they know I'm not ignoring them :) Not complaining though, it just takes a little longer than it used to. Not sure if you are able to visit the Global Birdfair in Rutland in July but we have a stand and garden display there, I'm usually doing talks - would be good to see you there. Thanks ever so much for your encouragement. Best wishes - Joel
Hey Joel! Reckon you'll have to live to be at least 200 to get through you're to do list! Great video tonight, loads of info which no doubt we are all grateful for. Lovely to see your furry friend bet he's had the best life an no doubt still being spoiled by the family. Noticed a lot more birds in the garden since putting in the pond and getting some wild plants in. The finches have loved the teasel seeds throughout the winter. I don't really mind how long the videos. I often watch in two halves if they're long ones or I'm busy. Nice to go back and watch an old video if there's some info I want when planning to do something in the garden. Hope you had a great weekend! Best wishes.
Great advice as always. I think you have your videos just right Joel. I really enjoy them all, but I'm fascinated by learning all I can about wildlife gardening. The interviews being longer works as there's so much to discuss. I feel you have them just right as a mix. The sparrowhawk is still visiting my garden, it's stunning and we've managed to photograph it. We've witnessed it predating a sparrow and a starling. I have a robin nesting in ivy climbing my fence, a robin nesting in the ivy in my neighbour's pear tree and a wren has used a tit box but I think the female wasn't so impressed it looks like one of the ones rejected as wrens can do. We had a successful wren nest in a robin box last year. Lots of activity in the garden considering how awful the weather is at the moment, its certainly not putting the birds off. Can't wait to see your own garden development ideas. Take care.
Hi Tracey - getting through all the comments slowly, am determined no one is ignored! I also managed to grab 5 mins and see your latest upload from the shed, the amount of birds in your garden is testimony to you getting it right :) Had a Jay (one of a pair seen) visit the garden yesterday, can't wait to show you guys - one of the old broken oak branches I put in the woodland garden has splits, I jammed whole peanuts in as hard as I could so that the sparrows had to work to get them in pieces, but the jay turned up and was taking them - 14 in one go! He takes 13 into the crop and carries the 14th one off in his beak. Lots of subsequent burying no doubt :) Best wishes, as always - Joel
Your videos in your own garden were my very favorites which brought me to your channel, I've watched them multiple times! I was pretty sad that there was no follow up videos after the june tour haha! I so very much love seeing the same space progressing over time, different times of the year. Especially when it's a city garden like my own. Great to hear you'll be back in your own garden and curious to see how the front garden will turn out!
Thanks Mary, so much :) I'm really glad you enjoyed the tours - there won't be too many changes and of course it looks a little barren at this time of year, but I am determined to have a bigger pond and a few other changes. I'll be documenting/filming it all, including the front garden which is progressing nicely - shouldn't be too long before I can upload the videos of the front garden, just want it to establish a little more so I can show the "before and after" to everyone, with everything I've done in between to ensure it looks it's best - I want it as a showcase for passers by and the neighbours, it will look formal but be VERY beneficial for a lot of wildlife - lots of ideas for everyone, even if only one aspect/idea is able to be incorporated in their own :) I really appreciate the kind words and support, they do make a difference. Best wishes - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton It's all in the details... And it being a bit barren this time of year is both relatable and means the change every month will be noticeable and interesting! And about the front garden very understandable, we all love a good before and after :) Thanks for all the hard work keeping us entertained and best wishes
@@maryse6518 Thank you so much - I'll be sure to upload as soon as I can and will be showing a regular video of the garden, hoping to film it at least weekly or bi-weekly as things change and I have more info to share and advice for others :) Best wishes, Joel
Thank you Bob - I hope to feature your fantastic garden when I can get to see you, it's an absolute showcase and I know everyone would love to see how rewarded you are for your efforts :) I really appreciate the support, best wishes - Joel
Hey! Love the videos, and since you're asking for feedback, I'll say that I'm most likely to pop in for a 15-20 minute video. I choose these before or after work, when I've maybe got an hour to gather some new information. I'd love to watch videos for up to an hour, and I know on certain topics it's hard to crunch down, but I have to schedule time for videos when they are over 30 minutes. If they are under 30 minutes, you'll catch me impulsively watching several of them. Silly feedback, but probably relevant!
I live in Australia & a lot of our birds are nectar feeders so we grow native & some exotic plants that are rich in nectar & larger seed producing plants like banksia for the parrots & cockatoos.
Hi Merle, you've made my weekend 😁 Thanks ever so much, I hope you enjoy it - we have a great little community here that is growing by the day - best wishes, Joel
Sparrowhawks are the very strict fitness instructors in my garden, they provide the daily training for all the other birds. :-) They try to hunt on an almost daily basis here but succeed only a couple of times a year. They are very much needed in nature. I was surprised though when I saw the female attack 4 adult collar doves on the ground feeder, those are quite a good size prey especially in groups.
I love your videos, from the talks on various flora to the interviews, to the projects and advice, a video is as long as it needs to be, I don’t have an issue with this. Thanks for all the time you put in filming and editing them, much appreciated. Regards Keith
Thank you Keith, you've always been there supporting me and it really helps me to keep going. Knowing the videos are helping people create vital habitat of course makes it more than worthwhile. Best wishes, Joel
This is great Sam, so glad to know that you're also helping our much declining birds. You'll certainly be rewarded for your efforts - hope you've had a good weekend, best wishes - Joel
Really like these type of videos. Would love to see more of your own garden. In terms of video length it depends what the video is but around 15 minutes is best for me.
Thank you James, this is great. It's sometimes difficult as I never have scripts prepared and then when I'm out and about, or at a client's and see something I should share with you all I take the opportunity then. Hopefully now I have my own front and back garden to improve it'll be easier to do updates every few weeks on their progress and show how others can do the same. Really appreciate your support - best wishes, Joel
I've enjoyed all your videos so much. Thank you! I'm very excited to build my wildlife pond as soon as the ground thaws, which is still a few weeks away. I'm in Alberta, Canada and I'm trying to get all my supplies lined up in the meantime. The hardest one right now is the right dirt for the pond bottom. Clay? Play sand? Builder's Sand? Gravel? My searches for "substrate" to buy only yielded tiny bags for aquariums. Thank you!
Hello Joel, On the subject of video length, I would say 30 mins for most subjects, but in the case for the bigger projects such as your garden creations I don't mind 60 mins. For nesting material I go over my mums mossy lawn with a spring tined rake and leave the birds to it, but I also use a fat feeder with wool from rare breed sheep that I purchase. I've spotted our first nest of the year, a robin who has taken over an open fronted nestbox made from woodcrete.
Thank you Paul, so much. I have been filming the front garden as well as the back, and hope to bring a first episode on the creation of the new front garden. I am hoping to make it a "showcase" for the neighbours and people that pass by, to show that formal can still be wildlife friendly and hopefully encourage others to do the same :) The woodcrete boxes are excellent and that's fantastic news re the Robin. I've got two blue-tits in and out of one of the boxes in the garden, have noticed two great tits lurking about and am hoping they don't evict the blue-tits like they did last year. There's sufficient boxes for all ;) Thank you again, and best wishes - Joel
Good video Joel. Thank you for your dedication to the cause. I've had an allotment I've been slowly building more and more each year. This springs big building tasks is to attract as much wildlife as possible so with much of your tuition on past videos, I am about to build a wildlife pond, a honeycomb bug and bird box wall with hexagon boxes and a mix of bug wall materials, bird boxes and bee and butterfly flowering plants mixed in between, more pollinator plants in amongst the veg and many bird feeders spread all over the plot and if I get any more spare time I might even get some veg In the raised beds.
Thank you for your encouragement and support, it means a lot. It's also wonderful to read your comment and see how much you are doing already. You will be rewarded many times over for all this effort, do keep me updated on what visits. If you want any liner/fleece/pond plants and some free advice, then do see www.wildyourgarden.com or drop us a line at enquiries@wildyourgarden.com if you get stuck at all and I'll be happy to help/advise :) Hope you had a fab weekend - best wishes, and thanks again, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton perfect, I'll check it out and yeah I'll prob have a couple questions. Will definitely keep you updated. I'm in Dundee, the last couple years I've started seeing birds here I've never seen here before or recognise. I'll have to get studying what they are. Perhaps a result of the warming weather over the last few years.
Haha! That made me laugh Madeleine, the only time I seem to sit down is to edit and upload videos lately! But thank you, I really appreciate the support and am filming every aspect of both front and back gardens and hope to do updates every 2 weeks on how they develop and how others can implement in their own spaces :) Best wishes, Joel
Hi Nick, thanks so much for this - sorry for the delay in acknowledging you as so many comments over so many videos lately, but I want to ensure I answer everyone. I really appreciate the subscription and support - welcome to our wonderful community here, it's great to have you as part of it :) Very best wishes, Joel
Thank you Anna :) I am not sure if you have seen the recent video about my front garden and the plans, but I will ensure I speak about the climbers during the updates too, and will try to do a specific video on climbers very soon - best wishes, Joel
Hello, My favourite length of a video was between about 5 and 20 minutes, so that it could be put in a play list with other videos that fitted into a same or similar category. Videos of 1 hour or more, might be a science study but also might lose Someone’s attention, Kind regards, Philip B Johnson
We have sparrows nesting in next doors bushes, we also get a Sparrowhawk who just jumps into the bush for a help youself breakfast buffet. But the sparrows carry on nesting there and there are always plenty of them, so it seems to work for both predator and prey.
Fantastic Nicola, really pleased to hear this. One of the reasons I have a pergola "against" a buddleja is to thwart the sparrow hawk a little - he used to crash straight into the french doors to get to the sparrows hiding in there, so at least he has to slam on the "brakes" before he reaches the doors now! Thank you, and best wishes - Joel
A fantastic video ! We have a great array of birds in our garden and all your points are so important to follow .We also have a resident pair of sparrowhawks, we have actually seen them both catch starlings and we even saw the female catch a jackdaw and a pigeon , an incredible sight . Sparrowhawks are truly stunning . We love all our birds ,they all have different characters and food preferences.. Our starlings absolutely love homemade fat balls that have all the kitchen scraps in them ! The tits all love the nuts . Our crows enjoy the bits of meat we put out and the rooks love the ground seed. The sparrows love the feeders .And the boss of our garden is our robin, he is full of it and often throwing his weight around and loves mealworms!
I've just discovered your brilliant video & will definitely be watching more. I have a Bichon Frise so thanks to your great idea I can leave out her hair for the birds nests, she's small but very very hairy. Your dog is absolutely beautiful would never have guessed he's 15, you have him in beautiful condition. 👍 One year we were lucky enough to witness a robin we knew bring her 5 babies up to us on the patio, think she was looking for a babysitter. I'm a bit worried about the safety of a blackbird in my garden he's last year's baby & his parents also live in the garden. He seems to trust us he comes to the back door for food & isn't afraid of us, I assume/hope he's more suspicious around cats etc. Thanks again for your great video & sharing your lovely dog. 👋👍🐕
Hi there, thanks so much for your kind words, really appreciated. I work all over the UK creating vital habitat in gardens and larger acre sites but I try to upload at least once a week and do hope you enjoy the rest of the videos - it's best go to to the "videos" section on the homepage where you can see the whole library and what may interest you. Yes, Siri is still with us now, not as spritely but pretty determined to go on, thankfully. Do ensure that there has been no flea-treatment on your dog before you distribute the hair as this can have a detrimental effect on any chicks. The blackbird will trust you but all birds remain wary of cats and other predators, so encouraging him to join you will do no harm :) Really glad you found the video, we have a great little community here and it's good to have you as a vital part of it. Very best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks so much for the advice Joel I never use flea treatment on her it makes her very depressed and nauseous I just check her coat everyday so the chicks will be safe. Glad the lovely Siri is still here a fantastic age for a big dog. 👋🐕 I'm in Ireland & for the first time ever I've seen a fire crest or gold crest in my olive tree the last few months it's smaller than a wren absolute beauty. I'm delighted that something in the garden is attracting the wildlife, every summer we have bats feeding over our heads they look like pipistrelles they're tiny. My neighbour has a hedgehog who snores very loudly. It's an urban area but the countryside is very close, I saw a kingfisher by the Boyne river, we're so lucky to see & have all these busy little lives bustling all around us. Thanks again for the advice Joel keep up the great work, love to Siri & Luna. 👋 👍 🐕
Everyone says not to put the nest boxes too close, but we put up as many as we can. The birds are less fussy than one might think. Often, one box is used, then when that nest fledges, the next box gets used. So, more boxes have been better for us. If nothing else, the nest boxes are decorative.
Great advice, here the larger birds will sometimes evict the smaller ones mid-nest build so I try to also provide as many as possible so there is at least a choice :) Best wishes, Joel
Great video, I think about the 20 to 30 mins is good. I have started a gardening club here in the west of Ireland and the next one is making bird boxes after being inspired by your other video. So thank you and hopefully I can spread the word too, you deserve a million subscribers
Oh that's fantastic, I'm so pleased that the video on the boxes will be helpful and more importantly add even more habitat for our declining birds :) I really do appreciate the support and encouragement, it means a lot. Best wishes, Joel
Joel your video's are great!! you make them as long as you can,it's an important subject,one thing I would like to see and forgive me if you have already made a video on this but one on compost heaps and the benefits, I have one but get really confused on what to put in it,and how to maintain it. Looking forward to all your new content.
Hi there Jackson, thanks so much for the encouragement and support, I really do appreciate it. No, I've not made a video on compost heaps yet but they are vital, when I am filming the regular updates on the back garden I will include this. In fact, I've just made a note on my phone to do this so I don't forget! Thank you again and best wishes, Joel
i have seen people with multiple feeders in their gardens, and to be honest I can't see how this is helping the overall eco system of those areas... birds perform a very important role in keeping things in balance... such as feeding on insects, invertebrates etc. to keep them under control. then there's the fantastic work they do in seed spreading. I only feed the birds in winter and stop during summer and Autumn as there is plenty for them to eat and at the same time they do the above mentioned vital work..... just wondered what peoples thoughts were on this.
Hi, whilst I agree, I do know that with declining habitat this is the reason that most birds were drawn to gardens, originally with food scraps thrown out, chickens being kept on domestic properties etc. Habitat is vital and this is why most of my videos are about creating this, so much has been lost, so many years of garden pesticides used etc. I currently have a meeting scheduled with the RHS about their promotion of weed killers, slug-pellets, referring to wildflowers as weeds etc and how damaging this is of course. I have mentioned in other videos that the best way for any birds to take back vital moisture to their chicks is via insects/caterpillars and without habitat there won't be this "larder" available in gardens. I hope one day that we will only have to provide additional food during winter, but the ready supply of the right food by us certainly helps the parents to keep up energy and strength during the testing breeding and raising young stages :) I really appreciate your valid input - thank you, and best wishes, Joel
There's a relatively small evergreen clematis (Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens aka 'Freckles'), which flowers in winter and produces a ton of seed heads come the spring. Starlings and sparrows are especially keen on it for nesting material.
Thank you - I'm not too au fait with Clematis, apart from Old Man's Beard of course :) However, I've just read a bit about it and it does indeed do what you say, I may have to include one of these in the back garden - thanks so much for letting me know about this one, this community on here is brilliant :) Best wishes, Joel
All good tips Joel, think we do all of those apart from the height stuff, and we certainly get the birds through (including the Sprawk) Starlings we usually get dropping in going from/to the roost at each end of the day, with a few nests nearby we also get the chaos of them feeding their young after fledging 15-20 mins is a good video length for me.
Your garden sounds perfect, as they're so rare in gardens now (compared to 10 years ago) I love to see the Starling youngsters and even find their raucous behaviour amusing. One that visited our garden last year was constantly mimicking chickens, to the point I thought for a few days that my neighbour had some - but after going for a walk locally I saw lots of them making the most of someone's chicken run and the feed, so I guessed he'd also visited! Thanks for making so much habitat, you're clearly being rewarded :) Best wishes - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton They really are good mimics; a local Jay mimics Buzzard calls. We are happy a pair of blackcaps have started too appear (She is the bossy red-head and has a go at almost any other species like your kick-boxing blackbird); they are feeding on apple either peeled and whole (placed on a tree) or diced (they are well catered for) in a ground feeder.
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton sure I will am new to feeding birds in my garden hope you do more videos bout them that can help me choose what foods best and cleaning the feeders ect and more trying to work out what birds they are at the moment thanks
Fantastic - thank you, they're (if you haven't guessed!) my favourite bird :) Thanks for thinking of them and providing vital water for the other birds too. Best wishes, Joel
Thank you David, I really appreciate you shopping with us and all the support and encouragement you've shown me over these last 2 years. Hopefully soon there will be an uploaded video of your garden too :) Best wishes, as always - Joel
@@davidcobb8422 I'm waiting on those precious pond plants to wake up from their dormancy! ;) A fair few ponds created already this year and I need to go back and get plants in. Not long to go. Speak soon, Joel
Could you do some more videos for beginners on birds, pitching that we don’t know birds and have zero clue what we are doing, I know we have blackbirds and about five or six different small things (birds!) so we can learn how to know what bird boxes would be best for each bird, we have just built some boxes from your videos but there is lots we don’t understand at a real basic level Like how important different sizes holes are, we couldn’t get them the correct size. Swift / swallow boxes? Which are good and where they need to go. How many, what even is a swift! 😂 Both lengths is good, a deep dive lesson is great which would be longer and also the smaller videos. They are all amazing ❤ Oh a 101 of how to build cover and food quickly would be a great video too, like we’ve planted trees etc but starting from grass we will be waiting another fair few years until they cover anything. If there are ideas to help while you are waiting for the plants to grow that would be great
Morning Joel Love your videos . I have fed birds in my garden for years but have an increasing problem with rats digging tunnels and feasting on the fallen bird food. Any suggestions? Maybe I should increase natural resources like shrubs with berries.
Joel, I'm just wondering whereabouts you live? we are just about to move house to a rural place near Bath, and thinking maybe I should put up a good selection of Bird houses..... Loving your work man. thank you.
Hi there, I'm in Essex but it doesn't affect me working all over the country. We actually have specialist bird boxes, proven to work and to last a lifetime. If you wanted to drop me an email to enquiries@wildyourgarden.com with a few photos of the garden etc once you're settled I'm more than happy to help advise. Best wishes, and thanks so much for the support and encouragement - Joel
Wild Your Garden with Joel Ashton -- So pleased you mentioned the decline in the birds in U.K., (not pleased that it's happening, just info I needed). I'm in Canada and I am horrified at how quiet the skies are. I desperately want to get my own home in the mountains and start helping birds with boxes and seed feeders and water baths on my land. Do say that your dog doesn't show his years. Would you give him a good hug from me?
I’ve put up micro bat boxes and a bird box. We have heaps of birds in the garden, but none have used the bird box yet 😢. It is on against a fence with plants all around. Perhaps I should move the box?🇦🇺. Thanks for your videos. Love watching.
Any suggestion for bird feeders that can't be chewed by squirrels? They do such dammage that birds can't access the food. I have tried several types without success. Love your videos. Greetings from Québec (Canada).
Good Morning Joel Just came across your video. Brilliant stuff! I live in a built up area. I have a birdfeeder that I put out a few months ago but haven't attracted any birds. Do you have any suggestions please? Thank you Janice
Hi Joel. I've had the swift box moved from the side of the house and put round the front. It's been up for three years with no luck. I've sent you a photo of what we found in the box when it was taken down. I think it might have had something to do with the house sparrow that sits on the corner of the roof and sings his little heart out. Not sure he has been successful as we don't get sparrows in the garden generally. We also had a second swift box put up. A couple of weeks ago we found part of garden covered in pigeon feathers. Our local sparrowhawk I think the culprits was. I think the fox would have just taken it away whole.
Hi Karen, I've been working away but I will have a look at the email asap, and respond, thank you. You're right re the sparrow hawk, a fox will certainly leave nothing behind. House sparrows can indeed be a problem for swifts when they "turf them out" - I had this with my house martins unfortunately. Don't give up, your garden is an absolute haven for so much wildlife, and I hope you're rewarded further :) Best wishes, as always - Joel
Would love to see a future video on growing ivy up trees Joel, I have a magnolia tree that was damaged in the snow, with branches lost. Before I cut it down and replace I'd be interested in growing ivy up it.
This would be perfect! Try to leave it as a tall stump if you can, it will make so much additional habitat :) I am filming the back and front gardens so will definitely include this when working my way down the garden and do a piece on that for you - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks Joel, I look forward to any such future video. Love your videos by the way, I'm about to install a 2nd wildlife pond in my garden this summer after watching your videos, thank you.
@@843thebear Fantastic! Don't forget to send some photos to me when the second pond is done - I have a feeling I am going to be doing regular videos about all these ponds created. I'm absolutely thrilled that the videos are helping people create more vital habitat - don't forget we have all the materials/plants etc that you need on www.wildyourgarden.com - if you're in the UK of course :) Best wishes, and thanks for the support and encouragement, it means a lot.
Hi I have bird box but some time I get black bird a robin but they perfect next door plus have cat he old one 18 this year , and got brush like which hazel Ace brush all together and pond
Hi Caroline, cats can indeed be a problem but hopefully too much effort for an 18 year old ;) Great that you have a pond, a vital habitat for so many creatures. Best wishes, Joel
Hi Joel thanks for all the tips. Silly question, you mentioned climbers as cover along fence panels, I only really get the sun at the end of my garden where there is some hawthorn or the like growing behind and so my plan to put trees there for bird cover means blocking out what little sunlight I have in the garden. If I were to grow a climber against the fence panel to give cover, would this eventually weaken an already flimsy wood panel? It’s a new build garden with very little space and is really exposed to a lot of salty coastal wind. Any recommendations would be much appreciated 👍🏻
Hello there - you're very welcome, it might be best to send a few photos to me so I can see what will "hold" and the fence panels - mine are against fence panels and do fine, but I'd rather see before I advise :) You can reach me on enquiries@wildyourgarden.com - best wishes, Joel
Personally, Joel, I could listen to you talk for hours -- all day, in fact. Make them as long as is needed for the subject 👍😀
Agreed. Some 4 hour podcasts could be in order?
Wow, thanks so much Greg - I really appreciate that, it's so difficult to know what will keep people's interest but I try to give each video the time it needs and of course they don't disappear if you only watch half and then come back for the other half etc :) Best wishes, and thanks so much for the support, it's appreciated - Joel
Thanks Jamie - I am hoping to start doing the live videos so people can interact again too. I've got enough footage for about 400 hours at least... but I promise to space them out! ;) Best wishes, Joel
Hi Joel. I have had the swift box moved from the side of the house to the front. It had been up three years with no luck. I've also got another one put up as well. I'll send you a photo of what we found in the box. I think it had something to do with the house sparrow that sits on the corner of the roof singing his little heart out. Not sure he's had any luck. We don't get sparrows in our garden generally.
I enjoy all your videos no matter what size they are 😊
I agree! Taking care of wildlife in my garden is such an enjoyable pastime. But the hardest thing to bear is seeing smaller birds, even mourning doves get trapped in the claws of hawks esp the cooper’s hawk. However, our priority is to help these song birds thrive in the face of food scarcity so we continue to provide them food year round. The suet is a real attraction to many birds including chipmunks and squirrels.
I think 20-30 minutes is a great video length. I have found all the videos of yours I’ve watched very informative and inspirational.
I think a live stream would be pretty cool.
Yep, I agree, Finnerz: anything over 30 mins or so is a deliberate "sit-down and watch" (which is sometimes what I want); shorter ones feel like a "quick break", more easily slotted into anything else I'm up to.
Thank you @Finnerz - I think the one scheduled for upload tonight is around 30 minutes, so phew! ;) Thank you so much for letting me know and being part of this great community. I did do a few livestreams on Sundays when the channel first started, but I didn't want to promise anymore if I was working away etc. But I do plan to do more when the nights start drawing in again and we're all planning over again what to do the following year :) Thanks so much for your support, it's appreciated - Joel
@Mark Michalowski - thank you, this makes sense and I think this is the best way to go, thankfully with youtube any videos can always be returned to if they're too long for one sitting. Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel
Live stream camping! 🙏
I mean.... hedgerows
There's another step I take to help birds in my garden & that's keeping it a cat free zone, it's horrific how many birds are killed by cats every year, after seeing 5 different cats last year trying to catch the birds I'd had enough & took steps to keep them out, the fact I'm home a lot & with all the ring cameras I have out in the garden to watch the visiting hedgehogs all help in my battle to keep cats away.
I empathise. My neighbours' cats know better than to come into the garden with the dogs about - prickle strips on the fence panels help and the fact that the neighbour's garden is barren of wildlife means that the birds hardly go there and head straight for mine. Best of luck with it - Joel
I agree, I live in Australia & cats are a huge problem here as they have gone feral & if you catch one in a trap they are one savage beast! They have contributed to the extinction of some of our native animals who have no natural defense against them.
I'd happily watch you talk for hours, I love your videos. 20-30 minutes does work well though - I watch when I'm cooking, ironing, doing the dishes etc.
We moved in to our first home last summer, and the whole side wall is covered in bird boxes. We also have boxes built in to the rafters which I think is incredible. We get a lot of sparrows, starlings and last summer had swifts nest in the rafter boxes! It was wonderful watching the babies learning to fly - a loop above the gardens and back.
It's also great seeing what you can do in a terrace (our situation too), showing you don't need acres of space.
We're trying to re-build the garden and make it as wildlife, child and dog friendly as possible. Very pleased to say I'm doing most of what you've suggested already (just got to get the honeysuckle to start growing up the garage wall!). Off to check out the shrubs video! Keep up the good work.
So good to read this Samantha, thank you. Your garden sounds an absolute haven already and you're clearly being rewarded for all your efforts and thought :) Very well done and I'm so glad that you're enjoying the channel, we have a great little community here and I'm glad you're part of it. Best wishes, and thanks for all the support - Joel
I have 22 different birds visiting my garden. I took your previous advice about creating cover for them in the form of tree cuttings which I build up at the very back next to my hedge. The birds just love it.
That sounds good. I'm about to do some very late pruning of an apple and a pear tree, and that would put the cuttings to good use! Cheers Fiona!
We have 5 cats and our bird food stand was getting no visits in our backgarden so we moved it to the front garden and we've had blue tits, pigeons, sparrows and even starlings visit. It's absolutely lovely seeing the blue tits land on the feeder, grab a mouthful of peanut kibble and then dart over to our acer. Once our fushias come back they make great cover as well as our climbers out the back, our dog rose bush and our 2 trees. Very happy.
I love to tinker in the garden as the season change new ideas and landscapes pop into my head. My work life balance is certainly swayed to nature these day,so it's win win !
Absolutely! It's so therapeutic. Keep winning :) Best wishes, Joel
Yep. When the birds go suddenly silent .... my gaze goes immediately skyward! Keep up the awesome work!
I just love how in tune with nature and noticed the quiet.
I have a decent size (for suburbia) yard. I already have a LOT of trees. My neighbors aren’t so bonkers about it, I suspect, but I always say cool, trim whatever is on your side or bugging you) but I have several little bird families that have hatched. I have a few birdhouses, and to my surprise, they have used them. Just simple little ones, I live in California. I put them in a sheltered place. I was charmed. They were just decorative, fun little projects for the the grandkids. Now, I want to let my lawn grow wild in the back, I put down wildflowers on one side. We’ll see what happens. I already saw something, some birds came and hung out in the right (unmowed) side while I was sprinkling. Now, I’m hooked. I want my whole yard to be a meadow. I do have a little terrier 🙈. But he he’s elderly, and my cat is STRICTLY indoors. My dog is not not so old to be able to keep out OTHER cats, (and actually, our neighbors are really good about keeping their cats in, no wanderers) but we always make sure the coast is clear before he goes out. I have been doing the pet hair since last year. I have a bird bath, but I noticed when I was sprinkling today😅 that the birds (doves) went and laid in the unmanicured side in the longer grass it was so dang sweet. I’m hooked. I do feed them, but I don’t want to attract huge flocks, (or make them TOO dependent) so I put out just some, maybe a bit more during nesting time. I put suet cakes, same, but in winter too. Different birds, but sounds like I’m on the right track. Oh. And we DO have an absolutely beautiful blue falcon, and occasionally a hawk, but I do agree they need to eat too, they’ve been squeezed out of natural habitat. our trees give a lot of cover, but they have babies to feed too! It’s sad when they eat one of the doves. But it’s part of nature. A cat? I’d cry. And be pissed off. Horrible. Keep your fat well fed cats in. But a falcon? Sad, but…I absolutely enjoyed this! Thank you. It was exactly what I was looking for! New Subscriber here! And the length was fine. There’s a lot to tell people!♥️ oh, if you read this, I’d like to know a good way to keep the squirrels from getting into the nests and killing the babies/eating the eggs. I have no problem with squirrels, that’s part of it, but….I don’t want to make a smorgasbord for them either.
Hi Joel, love the information we get from these videos. There’s always something new to learn, putting nesting material into a bird feeder I wouldn’t have thought of that in a million years. 30 to 45 minutes would probably be a good length for the videos with some feature length specials and interviews 🐝
Thank you Mark, I really appreciate this - it's so difficult to know what people prefer, but I think too that as long as the subject justifies it I'll keep doing as you suggest. The difficulty for me is that I'm usually out and about, travelling to and from, or working at a client's and I have no script prepared but can't resist taking the opportunity to share things. I know I can make improvements and I hope that the filming I do of both the front and back gardens will allow me to feature everything so that other people can take a few ideas, or all of them (!) and implement them in their own gardens/green spaces. It will be so much easier to do updates when I'm home in the garden too :) Best wishes, and thanks again for all your support - Joel
I have 11 different bird feeders and get on average 30 goldfinches, cardinals, robins and a yellow rumped warbler. Just started getting the planting beds going with wildflowers and will be putting in some type of water source, other than a bird bath which I currently have. Love all that you show us. Keep up the inspiration.
Hi Martha, way to make me envious! Yellow Rumped Warbler... wow :) You're clearly being rewarded for making your garden such an inviting habitat, and thank you for your support and encouragement, it really helps me keep going :) Best wishes, Joel
I am a first time listener from NJ, USA. I have had success with Eastern Bluebirds nest boxes and my own wildlife pond. Hours of fun!
Hour long videos are great, especially for a nice late evening in bed.
Great video Joel. You mentioned sparrowhawk. I had an amazing experience this morning on my plot. I think it was a female sparrow hawk caught a wood pigeon in mid air a couple of metres away from me. It landed by my shed and the crows were going mad. As I was so close the crows didn’t bother her. I was keeping still she could see me but carried on eating the pigeon. Amazing!
Yep - sounds like a female to me Amir, they're larger (you prob know that!) and would have no problem taking a wood pigeon. I've seen crows chasing and bombarding a heron over the garden before and watched a male sparrow hawk devour one of my garden blackbirds. It wasn't exactly nice to watch, but we have to remember that it's nature, and that must have been quite spectacular to see. Hope you had a fab weekend, best wishes - Joel
I watched this on Sunday night but forgot to make a comment. I’ve been collecting long hairs of mine from my different hairbrushes for the birds. I remember 30 odd years ago brushing the family’s German Shepherd & the birds just flocked down near me for Zekes hair. Starlings, blackbirds, house sparrows & magpies. Just great memories & a 👍🏻 video from Joel. Thanks
Wonderful memories Janie, thanks for sharing this. I really do appreciate your continued support and encouragement, comments like yours certainly keep me going :) Best wishes, as always - Joel
I live on a woodland edge. I've been feeding the birds for years. Our winters are long, cold and snowy so it's a real help for them. This winter our sharp shins didn't migrate, probably due to good Autumn/early winter weather and the buffet out back. I love hawks but It is heart breaking to see and hear the jays and starlings being grabbed. ( I prefer they take their catch far away. ) Sadly I witnessed quite a few this Winter. The birds have become wary so this season we haven't seen many song birds. They come in a flurry and leave as fast. I took down any window feeders so as not to make them more vulnerable. Right now I am looking at a female sharpie sitting above a feeder. Because of the lack of birds, a lot of food has been eaten up by squirrels. Our squirrels are the size of chipmunks. We now have 9 out back. Good food, good breeding. I am really hoping the female hawks move further into the forest for the summer. (the smaller males are only a nuisance to jays and starlings) BTW I go through huge amounts of home made suet. The starlings indeed LOVE it. They don't stick around long though. I always try and educate people on the size of food during nesting time. I buy large bags of dried dog food and moisten it with hot water to make it soft. It's what I feed our crows all year round.
So wonderful to read this Lola, thank you. It's so nice to hear what's going on in other parts of the world, and I'm very grateful for you being part of this great little community we have here :) Best wishes, Joel
Great idea to stuff straw, dog hair in a bird feeder for nest material..Will definitely give that a go
Brilliant video, full of reminders for us all..Thank you!
Nice to meet Siri, he's beautiful!😊🐾🐾
Thank you Phiona - he's featured in a few videos before, showing his age now but he's lost no enthusiasm :) PLEASE, as others have pointed out, and as I should have done too, ensure that there has been no flea treatment used on the dog or cat (!) within a few months as this can prove detrimental. We only ever add cooked garlic to the dog food (they love it) when summer (and fleas/ticks) approaches and it really does work :) I really appreciate your kind words and support - thank you and best wishes, Joel
Those eyes are remarkable , aren't they? Siri's I mean - although I'm sure yours are just as beautiful, Fiona :) Joel, does Siri have heterochromia (different coloured eyes) or was it just the camera angle?
@@MarkMichalowski Hey Mark, Sirius has one blue and one brown, that'll be the Malamute in him no doubt :)
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks, Joel! Glad I wasn't hallucinating.
All you need now is a cat called "Alexa" and a rabbit called "Hey, Google!" and you'll have the complete set.
I put my hair and beard cuttings under my bird feeder and the birds always come and take it. Also the old coco coir hanging plant holders, pinestraw, balled up dried grasses, get shoved into suet feeders, and they pull from that, too.
Great video as always Joel!
One thing I would add in regards to putting out pet hair - please only do this if your pet hasn't been prophylactically treated with flea treatment. This is an incredibly effective pesticide that has been proven to affect chicks as the chemicals can and will permeate through the eggshell into the fetal birds 😔
Absolutely yes, apologies for not mentioning this but NONE of my dogs have ever been treated with "conventional" (money-making) flea treatment. In the summer we feed cooked garlic in the food once a week, it seems to do the trick as none of them so far have suffered from fleas, this is alleged to also help prevent against ticks lurking about in long grass :) Thank you for pointing it out, it's VERY important - best wishes, Joel
Thank you for pointing this out
I also don't use chemical flea treatments on my dog..too many side effects
That is one gorgeous canine. What a set of eyes!
He's a gentle giant, rescued from Romania many years ago now, ready on the "kill shelter" list and everyone was taking small cute dogs to rescue and I could NOT see him linger there. He was worth every effort and only around 2 when we got him. I've enjoyed every moment of his company (although the howling can get a bit much! ;) - thank you, and best wishes - Joel & Sirius
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton god bless you. Kill shelters are a dreadful
Thing and hopefully a thing of the past in the near future. Our canine brethren need more love and consideration from us, much like you’ve demonstrated.
Ideal video length: approx 15-30 minutes works best for me.
I'm not sure how many bird species still visit my garden now. When I first moved to my property 2 decades ago, I recorded 46 species over a 2 year period.
(Then we had 2 wickedly cold winters at -20C, the Neonicotinoid era, and some thoughtless neighbours bought peacocks - which instantly went on the rampage and killed lots of small birds. Thank goodness for foxes with discerning tastes).
I think we're down to about a dozen species of bird now.
However, I help what birds I have left (including a regular nesting pair of song thrushes) by continuing to plant an increasing range of interesting berry and fruit trees and bushes (my garden is a combined permaculture and wildlife project).
I'm lucky in that I was a professional gardener some years back and still a keen home gardener now, so I'd learned lots of propagating techniques, which enables me to add hundreds of new plants for free every year.
Most birds seem to love feasting on the 'red' raspberries and red/white currants more than anything else in the garden.
I find they only start eating other fruit once these particular plants run dry (and since I've now bought a wide range of raspberry hybrids that cover the entire summer right up to the first frost, they are rarely without their favourite food.
I've planted the furthest corner of the garden with raspberries specifically for the birds and don't go near them when they ripen. There are also several brash heaps and a small section of brash hedge in that part of the garden, so plenty of cover. Not much 'permanent' water there, now I come to think of it. There's a spring, but it quickly dries up after rainfall. Going to have to work out a way of capturing some of the water in a permanent pool.
Very good video.Very interesting and informative and I like your style,nice bloke.Thankyou.
Thank you, I really do appreciate you taking the time, it means a lot and the encouragement really helps. Welcome to the channel, we have a great community here :) Best wishes, Joel
So glad I found you! Greetings from the fabulous state of Indiana, The Midwest, USA! Great video and by that I mean, not too slow, not too fast, no monotones, no wild gestering, no UMs, and you are relaxed without wasting time. Thanks! I am going to do all this stuff - ALL OF IT, and I am wondering how I can collect my tiny dogs' hairs.... Anyway I look forward to seeing your other videos and I hope dearly and fervently that when you give plant selections you tell people use those NATVE TO YOUR AREA. From your knowledge here, I bet you do know how important that it for everyone from bugs on up. Finally, it is shocking but strangely comforting to hear that somewhere on our great planet, Starlings and English sparrows are not wreaking absolute havok. Also Engilsh Ivy!!! Do NOT get me started on that awful stuff which should be outlawed here. Next you will say plant privet and autumn olive (but please not japanese honeysuckle-bain of my existence!!). Oh what a big planet we live on, yet too small for all us people. ANYWAY, GO BIRDS. That's why I love bugs. Thanks again for the video and for loving hawks too. And let's all drink a toast to bats! Wonderful mammal creatures, wonderful pollinators and bug-eaters. That's why I love bats. That and they are as cute as anyone else, including Eastern bluebirds.
Great video. Videos about 20-25mins are fine with me!
Thank you - noted :) Glad you enjoyed it :) Best wishes, Joel
Hello Joel, I'm new here. Last Autumn, I bought two Bird feeder's, one with a bottem tray feeder and one with open wire mesh for birds who like clinging on while feeding. Using a general mix of seed for most garden Birds, I was only able to hang them about 7 feet high , 8 ft apart , and 15 feet from my Kitchen window. Apart from one visitor, I've never seen ANY birds show interest. Not even when I was tucked up in bed at first light, because the seed levels have not changed. I later hung the feeders on the opposite ends of my Circular washing line, that is now redundant. It would hardly move because all the wires and arms are tied up. SO--I started to scatter the seed around the garden, and very soon many visitors came, mostly Pigeons, Magpies, and Blackbirds.
OH--and Squirrels, followed by Rats. So I stopped the feeding. Your opinion and advice, Please . Phil Croft Somerset.
Cute ng birds
Just discovered your channel! Love it. I do all of your suggestions 😉. We are here in Southern California. Lots of sparrows and lots of starlings, among other birds. Thank you! ❤
I love that you are not averse to sparrows and starlings, I hear they're in greater numbers in the USA - ours are all but depleted, due to habitat loss, lack of insects, lack of nesting sites etc. So glad that you're enjoying the channel, welcome to our great little community here, that's growing by the day :) Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel
Love the videos, 20 mins is a idea video length I think. Taken so many tips for my own garden
Thank you - I'm so glad the channel is helping people to create more and more habitat in their own gardens and green spaces. I really appreciate the support and kind words too, it does encourage me to do more :) Best wishes - Joel
I have robins that nest on the elbow of my gutter every year. It is fun to watch them raise there brood. Fortunate to live in the countryside with 2 acres of land lots of trees and shrubs( across the pond middle of the USA).
I love the American Robins, you lucky lady! You're obviously doing the right thing and being rewarded for how you manage those acres and trees. Thanks for doing your bit, you're making a difference :) Best wishes, Joel
Beautiful dog
Thank you Ellena :)
Longer the better!
20 to 30 min is great,longer is nice too. Great info
Thank you Mitzi, I really appreciate this :) Best wishes, Joel
Bonjour excellent top lles maisonnettes merci pour eux les Oiseaux 🙏🙏🙏
A pleasure to see you and to hear your wise words of advice Joel . Thanks 😊
Great to hear from you too :) Glad you enjoyed this, I've been in France again in the latest video! Hope you and yours are well, best wishes - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I am sitting in bed now, snuggled up, just about to watch you tackle your French garden 😉 best regards deb 😀
@@deborahflello2316 🤣don't fall asleep! Enjoy the video and don't be too envious about what I'm faced with - take good care, Joel
Love all this information,thank you and well done👋🥰👋
You're so very welcome Lynda, I'm really pleased this was helpful - I hope you enjoy the channel, we have a wonderful community here and the message of considering wildlife when gardening is increasing each day :) Best wishes, and thank you for the support - Joel
Hi Joel. Great video (as always). I already collect nesting material in an old feeder. Have been doing it for years and it's great to see bird's using it. I've not had so much luck with nesting boxes, but I will try again. 🤞
I didn't know you had 3 dogs so seeing Siri is just fab. Such a handsome boy. 💙
Take care.
Thank you Rose, I really appreciate this. Yes, I've been doing this for a good few years now, after watching the birds come down after brushing Sirius in the garden. Sometimes it takes a little while for the birds to feel "safe" when discovering boxes and they will watch them from a distance before deciding. Don't give up yet, they'll be grateful for the nesting material in the meantime :) Best wishes, Joel
Loved the wild woodland area Joel. Also can’t wait for that video and the front garden project. Clearly more needs to be done in my garden. Number 1 being the pond.
Don't you strain your back - I have a plan. Hang in there because you're already on my list for a visit ;) You're doing so much already George and your garden has improved so much for wildlife. Prepare to be interviewed! ;) Catch up real soon, Joel
Simple and attainable tips, as I've not had luck getting the local birds to stick around my place. New subscriber now going for results, thanks for the vids!
This is so helpful.
I am going to spend my morning taking care of the birds
Really good video. Very sensible, very clear.
Thank you Jane, I really appreciate you taking the time to leave such an encouraging comment, best wishes - Joel
Informational and building video I like 20+/- min video :)
Thank you - I really appreciate you letting me know :) Best wishes to you and yours - Joel
I've only just found you on RUclips (I know - shame on me!) but I'm binge watching as many as I can and loving them. I only have a small garden (30' long and 10' wide) but I have managed to put in 5 trees (lilac, mountain ash, bramley apple, cherry, a 5' chrstmas tree that was just a twig 8 years ago and there's a cordyline which is about 20' and was in the garden when I moved in) The robins are actually nesting in the cordyline this year. You were talking about sparrowhawks taking smaller garden birds. A few weeks ago I was in the garden and a sparrowhawk came out of nowhere and took a collared dove. It landed in my neighbours garden and then flew off with it. It was amazing and horrifying in equal measure!
On the subject of video length.......the longer the better as far as I'm concerned 🙂
Hi there Rosie :) Welcome to the channel - there is a wonderful community here and I'm glad you're part of it :) Not sure you will have seen more recent videos but do see my own front garden which I've made "formal" for neighbours and passersby to encourage them to think about wildlife in their own gardens. If the Robins like the Cordyline and it's keeping them safe, that's great. The buddleja in my back garden was allowed to do it's think due to the sparrow hawk dive-bombing the birds and ending up crashing into the french doors - a pergola was needed to support the buddleja as my neighbour kept hacking at it - but it keeps the sparrows safe. Have a great weekend, I'm going to be planting up my front garden pond, and I can't wait :) Best wishes, and thank you for the support and encouragement - Joel
Thank you for the educational pointers. I already have most in place where I live. As for video length half an hour is a good marker depending on what topic you are covering. Keep up the great work and love for natural surroundings.🌻🦋🍀
Joel, I love you and could watch and listen to you tall about nature and wildlife all day long. I'd love to meet you one day. 🙂
Hey there, so sorry for the delay - there's over 200 videos on the channel now and I have to ensure everyone's queries are answered and so that they know I'm not ignoring them :) Not complaining though, it just takes a little longer than it used to. Not sure if you are able to visit the Global Birdfair in Rutland in July but we have a stand and garden display there, I'm usually doing talks - would be good to see you there. Thanks ever so much for your encouragement. Best wishes - Joel
Hey Joel! Reckon you'll have to live to be at least 200 to get through you're to do list! Great video tonight, loads of info which no doubt we are all grateful for. Lovely to see your furry friend bet he's had the best life an no doubt still being spoiled by the family. Noticed a lot more birds in the garden since putting in the pond and getting some wild plants in. The finches have loved the teasel seeds throughout the winter. I don't really mind how long the videos. I often watch in two halves if they're long ones or I'm busy. Nice to go back and watch an old video if there's some info I want when planning to do something in the garden. Hope you had a great weekend! Best wishes.
Great advice as always. I think you have your videos just right Joel. I really enjoy them all, but I'm fascinated by learning all I can about wildlife gardening. The interviews being longer works as there's so much to discuss. I feel you have them just right as a mix. The sparrowhawk is still visiting my garden, it's stunning and we've managed to photograph it. We've witnessed it predating a sparrow and a starling. I have a robin nesting in ivy climbing my fence, a robin nesting in the ivy in my neighbour's pear tree and a wren has used a tit box but I think the female wasn't so impressed it looks like one of the ones rejected as wrens can do. We had a successful wren nest in a robin box last year. Lots of activity in the garden considering how awful the weather is at the moment, its certainly not putting the birds off. Can't wait to see your own garden development ideas. Take care.
Hi Tracey - getting through all the comments slowly, am determined no one is ignored! I also managed to grab 5 mins and see your latest upload from the shed, the amount of birds in your garden is testimony to you getting it right :) Had a Jay (one of a pair seen) visit the garden yesterday, can't wait to show you guys - one of the old broken oak branches I put in the woodland garden has splits, I jammed whole peanuts in as hard as I could so that the sparrows had to work to get them in pieces, but the jay turned up and was taking them - 14 in one go! He takes 13 into the crop and carries the 14th one off in his beak. Lots of subsequent burying no doubt :) Best wishes, as always - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Fabulous Joel. You take care.
Your videos in your own garden were my very favorites which brought me to your channel, I've watched them multiple times! I was pretty sad that there was no follow up videos after the june tour haha! I so very much love seeing the same space progressing over time, different times of the year. Especially when it's a city garden like my own. Great to hear you'll be back in your own garden and curious to see how the front garden will turn out!
Thanks Mary, so much :) I'm really glad you enjoyed the tours - there won't be too many changes and of course it looks a little barren at this time of year, but I am determined to have a bigger pond and a few other changes. I'll be documenting/filming it all, including the front garden which is progressing nicely - shouldn't be too long before I can upload the videos of the front garden, just want it to establish a little more so I can show the "before and after" to everyone, with everything I've done in between to ensure it looks it's best - I want it as a showcase for passers by and the neighbours, it will look formal but be VERY beneficial for a lot of wildlife - lots of ideas for everyone, even if only one aspect/idea is able to be incorporated in their own :) I really appreciate the kind words and support, they do make a difference. Best wishes - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton It's all in the details... And it being a bit barren this time of year is both relatable and means the change every month will be noticeable and interesting! And about the front garden very understandable, we all love a good before and after :) Thanks for all the hard work keeping us entertained and best wishes
@@maryse6518 Thank you so much - I'll be sure to upload as soon as I can and will be showing a regular video of the garden, hoping to film it at least weekly or bi-weekly as things change and I have more info to share and advice for others :) Best wishes, Joel
Great vid as always…..always humble, always informative.
Keep it simple. Keep it sweet.
Well done.
Thank you Bob - I hope to feature your fantastic garden when I can get to see you, it's an absolute showcase and I know everyone would love to see how rewarded you are for your efforts :) I really appreciate the support, best wishes - Joel
Hey! Love the videos, and since you're asking for feedback, I'll say that I'm most likely to pop in for a 15-20 minute video. I choose these before or after work, when I've maybe got an hour to gather some new information. I'd love to watch videos for up to an hour, and I know on certain topics it's hard to crunch down, but I have to schedule time for videos when they are over 30 minutes. If they are under 30 minutes, you'll catch me impulsively watching several of them. Silly feedback, but probably relevant!
I live in Australia & a lot of our birds are nectar feeders so we grow native & some exotic plants that are rich in nectar & larger seed producing plants like banksia for the parrots & cockatoos.
Hi just found your channel. I'm going to really enjoy your videos 🙂 so I'll have a binge watch.
Hi Merle, you've made my weekend 😁 Thanks ever so much, I hope you enjoy it - we have a great little community here that is growing by the day - best wishes, Joel
Sparrowhawks are the very strict fitness instructors in my garden, they provide the daily training for all the other birds. :-) They try to hunt on an almost daily basis here but succeed only a couple of times a year. They are very much needed in nature. I was surprised though when I saw the female attack 4 adult collar doves on the ground feeder, those are quite a good size prey especially in groups.
I love your videos, from the talks on various flora to the interviews, to the projects and advice, a video is as long as it needs to be, I don’t have an issue with this. Thanks for all the time you put in filming and editing them, much appreciated. Regards Keith
Thank you Keith, you've always been there supporting me and it really helps me to keep going. Knowing the videos are helping people create vital habitat of course makes it more than worthwhile. Best wishes, Joel
Thanks for the video Joel, I’ve started doing this ready for spring as it’s a fun little task to get done!
This is great Sam, so glad to know that you're also helping our much declining birds. You'll certainly be rewarded for your efforts - hope you've had a good weekend, best wishes - Joel
Really like these type of videos. Would love to see more of your own garden. In terms of video length it depends what the video is but around 15 minutes is best for me.
Thank you James, this is great. It's sometimes difficult as I never have scripts prepared and then when I'm out and about, or at a client's and see something I should share with you all I take the opportunity then. Hopefully now I have my own front and back garden to improve it'll be easier to do updates every few weeks on their progress and show how others can do the same. Really appreciate your support - best wishes, Joel
I've enjoyed all your videos so much. Thank you! I'm very excited to build my wildlife pond as soon as the ground thaws, which is still a few weeks away. I'm in Alberta, Canada and I'm trying to get all my supplies lined up in the meantime. The hardest one right now is the right dirt for the pond bottom. Clay? Play sand? Builder's Sand? Gravel? My searches for "substrate" to buy only yielded tiny bags for aquariums. Thank you!
Hello Joel,
On the subject of video length, I would say 30 mins for most subjects, but in the case for the bigger projects such as your garden creations I don't mind 60 mins.
For nesting material I go over my mums mossy lawn with a spring tined rake and leave the birds to it, but I also use a fat feeder with wool from rare breed sheep that I purchase.
I've spotted our first nest of the year, a robin who has taken over an open fronted nestbox made from woodcrete.
Thank you Paul, so much. I have been filming the front garden as well as the back, and hope to bring a first episode on the creation of the new front garden. I am hoping to make it a "showcase" for the neighbours and people that pass by, to show that formal can still be wildlife friendly and hopefully encourage others to do the same :) The woodcrete boxes are excellent and that's fantastic news re the Robin. I've got two blue-tits in and out of one of the boxes in the garden, have noticed two great tits lurking about and am hoping they don't evict the blue-tits like they did last year. There's sufficient boxes for all ;) Thank you again, and best wishes - Joel
Brilliant information as usual joel thanks so much for sharing 🐸💚🐸
Thank you - you've always been there, and I won't forget the support you've given me. Best wishes, Joel
Good video Joel. Thank you for your dedication to the cause. I've had an allotment I've been slowly building more and more each year. This springs big building tasks is to attract as much wildlife as possible so with much of your tuition on past videos, I am about to build a wildlife pond, a honeycomb bug and bird box wall with hexagon boxes and a mix of bug wall materials, bird boxes and bee and butterfly flowering plants mixed in between, more pollinator plants in amongst the veg and many bird feeders spread all over the plot and if I get any more spare time I might even get some veg In the raised beds.
Thank you for your encouragement and support, it means a lot. It's also wonderful to read your comment and see how much you are doing already. You will be rewarded many times over for all this effort, do keep me updated on what visits. If you want any liner/fleece/pond plants and some free advice, then do see www.wildyourgarden.com or drop us a line at enquiries@wildyourgarden.com if you get stuck at all and I'll be happy to help/advise :) Hope you had a fab weekend - best wishes, and thanks again, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton perfect, I'll check it out and yeah I'll prob have a couple questions. Will definitely keep you updated. I'm in Dundee, the last couple years I've started seeing birds here I've never seen here before or recognise. I'll have to get studying what they are. Perhaps a result of the warming weather over the last few years.
Great sharing 👌👌👌👌👌
Thank you Zoha, I really appreciate that :) Best wishes, Joel
Eagerly waiting for the update on your garden - front and back! 😚 For me, videos around 20 minutes are best, it’s the longest I ever get to sit down 😂
Haha! That made me laugh Madeleine, the only time I seem to sit down is to edit and upload videos lately! But thank you, I really appreciate the support and am filming every aspect of both front and back gardens and hope to do updates every 2 weeks on how they develop and how others can implement in their own spaces :) Best wishes, Joel
just subscribed, awsome videos 20 mins would be just nice bite sized vids.
Hi Nick, thanks so much for this - sorry for the delay in acknowledging you as so many comments over so many videos lately, but I want to ensure I answer everyone. I really appreciate the subscription and support - welcome to our wonderful community here, it's great to have you as part of it :) Very best wishes, Joel
I can watch any length video, and look forward to your fence climbers etc video
Thank you Anna :) I am not sure if you have seen the recent video about my front garden and the plans, but I will ensure I speak about the climbers during the updates too, and will try to do a specific video on climbers very soon - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton yes I watched it, its coming along nicely, and I love the insect hotel. 😍
Hello,
My favourite length of a video was between about 5 and 20 minutes, so that it could be put in a play list with other videos that fitted into a same or similar category.
Videos of 1 hour or more, might be a science study but also might lose Someone’s attention,
Kind regards,
Philip B Johnson
We have sparrows nesting in next doors bushes, we also get a Sparrowhawk who just jumps into the bush for a help youself breakfast buffet. But the sparrows carry on nesting there and there are always plenty of them, so it seems to work for both predator and prey.
Fantastic Nicola, really pleased to hear this. One of the reasons I have a pergola "against" a buddleja is to thwart the sparrow hawk a little - he used to crash straight into the french doors to get to the sparrows hiding in there, so at least he has to slam on the "brakes" before he reaches the doors now! Thank you, and best wishes - Joel
20-30 mins I reckon is ideal !!
Thank you Lisa :) Hope you're enjoying the channel - best wishes, Joel
A fantastic video ! We have a great array of birds in our garden and all your points are so important to follow .We also have a resident pair of sparrowhawks, we have actually seen them both catch starlings and we even saw the female catch a jackdaw and a pigeon , an incredible sight . Sparrowhawks are truly stunning . We love all our birds ,they all have different characters and food preferences.. Our starlings absolutely love homemade fat balls that have all the kitchen scraps in them ! The tits all love the nuts . Our crows enjoy the bits of meat we put out and the rooks love the ground seed. The sparrows love the feeders .And the boss of our garden is our robin, he is full of it and often throwing his weight around and loves mealworms!
Really enjoyed this video thanks Joel!
I’m happy to like and subscribe, thank you for the advice
I've just discovered your brilliant video & will definitely be watching more. I have a Bichon Frise so thanks to your great idea I can leave out her hair for the birds nests, she's small but very very hairy. Your dog is absolutely beautiful would never have guessed he's 15, you have him in beautiful condition. 👍 One year we were lucky enough to witness a robin we knew bring her 5 babies up to us on the patio, think she was looking for a babysitter. I'm a bit worried about the safety of a blackbird in my garden he's last year's baby & his parents also live in the garden. He seems to trust us he comes to the back door for food & isn't afraid of us, I assume/hope he's more suspicious around cats etc. Thanks again for your great video & sharing your lovely dog. 👋👍🐕
Hi there, thanks so much for your kind words, really appreciated. I work all over the UK creating vital habitat in gardens and larger acre sites but I try to upload at least once a week and do hope you enjoy the rest of the videos - it's best go to to the "videos" section on the homepage where you can see the whole library and what may interest you. Yes, Siri is still with us now, not as spritely but pretty determined to go on, thankfully. Do ensure that there has been no flea-treatment on your dog before you distribute the hair as this can have a detrimental effect on any chicks. The blackbird will trust you but all birds remain wary of cats and other predators, so encouraging him to join you will do no harm :) Really glad you found the video, we have a great little community here and it's good to have you as a vital part of it. Very best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks so much for the advice Joel I never use flea treatment on her it makes her very depressed and nauseous I just check her coat everyday so the chicks will be safe. Glad the lovely Siri is still here a fantastic age for a big dog. 👋🐕 I'm in Ireland & for the first time ever I've seen a fire crest or gold crest in my olive tree the last few months it's smaller than a wren absolute beauty. I'm delighted that something in the garden is attracting the wildlife, every summer we have bats feeding over our heads they look like pipistrelles they're tiny. My neighbour has a hedgehog who snores very loudly. It's an urban area but the countryside is very close, I saw a kingfisher by the Boyne river, we're so lucky to see & have all these busy little lives bustling all around us. Thanks again for the advice Joel keep up the great work, love to Siri & Luna. 👋 👍 🐕
Everyone says not to put the nest boxes too close, but we put up as many as we can. The birds are less fussy than one might think. Often, one box is used, then when that nest fledges, the next box gets used. So, more boxes have been better for us. If nothing else, the nest boxes are decorative.
Great advice, here the larger birds will sometimes evict the smaller ones mid-nest build so I try to also provide as many as possible so there is at least a choice :) Best wishes, Joel
Great video, I think about the 20 to 30 mins is good. I have started a gardening club here in the west of Ireland and the next one is making bird boxes after being inspired by your other video. So thank you and hopefully I can spread the word too, you deserve a million subscribers
Oh that's fantastic, I'm so pleased that the video on the boxes will be helpful and more importantly add even more habitat for our declining birds :) I really do appreciate the support and encouragement, it means a lot. Best wishes, Joel
Joel your video's are great!! you make them as long as you can,it's an important subject,one thing I would like to see and forgive me if you have already made a video on this but one on compost heaps and the benefits, I have one but get really confused on what to put in it,and how to maintain it. Looking forward to all your new content.
Hi there Jackson, thanks so much for the encouragement and support, I really do appreciate it. No, I've not made a video on compost heaps yet but they are vital, when I am filming the regular updates on the back garden I will include this. In fact, I've just made a note on my phone to do this so I don't forget! Thank you again and best wishes, Joel
i have seen people with multiple feeders in their gardens, and to be honest I can't see how this is helping the overall eco system of those areas... birds perform a very important role in keeping things in balance... such as feeding on insects, invertebrates etc. to keep them under control. then there's the fantastic work they do in seed spreading. I only feed the birds in winter and stop during summer and Autumn as there is plenty for them to eat and at the same time they do the above mentioned vital work..... just wondered what peoples thoughts were on this.
Hi, whilst I agree, I do know that with declining habitat this is the reason that most birds were drawn to gardens, originally with food scraps thrown out, chickens being kept on domestic properties etc. Habitat is vital and this is why most of my videos are about creating this, so much has been lost, so many years of garden pesticides used etc. I currently have a meeting scheduled with the RHS about their promotion of weed killers, slug-pellets, referring to wildflowers as weeds etc and how damaging this is of course. I have mentioned in other videos that the best way for any birds to take back vital moisture to their chicks is via insects/caterpillars and without habitat there won't be this "larder" available in gardens. I hope one day that we will only have to provide additional food during winter, but the ready supply of the right food by us certainly helps the parents to keep up energy and strength during the testing breeding and raising young stages :) I really appreciate your valid input - thank you, and best wishes, Joel
There's a relatively small evergreen clematis (Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens aka 'Freckles'), which flowers in winter and produces a ton of seed heads come the spring. Starlings and sparrows are especially keen on it for nesting material.
Thank you - I'm not too au fait with Clematis, apart from Old Man's Beard of course :) However, I've just read a bit about it and it does indeed do what you say, I may have to include one of these in the back garden - thanks so much for letting me know about this one, this community on here is brilliant :) Best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I can vouch for it - I have one scrambling through a red may in my back garden!
All good tips Joel, think we do all of those apart from the height stuff, and we certainly get the birds through (including the Sprawk) Starlings we usually get dropping in going from/to the roost at each end of the day, with a few nests nearby we also get the chaos of them feeding their young after fledging
15-20 mins is a good video length for me.
Your garden sounds perfect, as they're so rare in gardens now (compared to 10 years ago) I love to see the Starling youngsters and even find their raucous behaviour amusing. One that visited our garden last year was constantly mimicking chickens, to the point I thought for a few days that my neighbour had some - but after going for a walk locally I saw lots of them making the most of someone's chicken run and the feed, so I guessed he'd also visited! Thanks for making so much habitat, you're clearly being rewarded :) Best wishes - Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton They really are good mimics; a local Jay mimics Buzzard calls. We are happy a pair of blackcaps have started too appear (She is the bossy red-head and has a go at almost any other species like your kick-boxing blackbird); they are feeding on apple either peeled and whole (placed on a tree) or diced (they are well catered for) in a ground feeder.
Wonderful video, as always.
Thank you, so much. I really appreciate it. Best wishes, Joel
Am new to your channel I like the wild bird stuff
Hi Danny, welcome to the channel :) I hope you find other videos of interest, we have a great little community here - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton sure I will am new to feeding birds in my garden hope you do more videos bout them that can help me choose what foods best and cleaning the feeders ect and more trying to work out what birds they are at the moment thanks
I've just ordered a double bird nest box for house Martins and a more shallow bird bath than I already have.
Fantastic - thank you, they're (if you haven't guessed!) my favourite bird :) Thanks for thinking of them and providing vital water for the other birds too. Best wishes, Joel
Gat advice Joel thanks Joel, and love Siri.
Thank you so much. Yes, I am not sure how he's nearly 15 and as long as he wants to keep on going, I'll be right behind him :) Best wishes - Joel
Hi Joel another great information video must amit the Bird's love your bird seed mix & fat balls highly recommended....
Thank you David, I really appreciate you shopping with us and all the support and encouragement you've shown me over these last 2 years. Hopefully soon there will be an uploaded video of your garden too :) Best wishes, as always - Joel
No problem Joel just waiting for my yellow rattle to be delivered now.
@@davidcobb8422 I'm waiting on those precious pond plants to wake up from their dormancy! ;) A fair few ponds created already this year and I need to go back and get plants in. Not long to go. Speak soon, Joel
Could you do some more videos for beginners on birds, pitching that we don’t know birds and have zero clue what we are doing, I know we have blackbirds and about five or six different small things (birds!) so we can learn how to know what bird boxes would be best for each bird, we have just built some boxes from your videos but there is lots we don’t understand at a real basic level
Like how important different sizes holes are, we couldn’t get them the correct size.
Swift / swallow boxes? Which are good and where they need to go. How many, what even is a swift! 😂
Both lengths is good, a deep dive lesson is great which would be longer and also the smaller videos. They are all amazing ❤
Oh a 101 of how to build cover and food quickly would be a great video too, like we’ve planted trees etc but starting from grass we will be waiting another fair few years until they cover anything. If there are ideas to help while you are waiting for the plants to grow that would be great
Morning Joel
Love your videos . I have fed birds in my garden for years but have an increasing problem with rats digging tunnels and feasting on the fallen bird food.
Any suggestions?
Maybe I should increase natural resources like shrubs with berries.
Joel, I'm just wondering whereabouts you live? we are just about to move house to a rural place near Bath, and thinking maybe I should put up a good selection of Bird houses..... Loving your work man. thank you.
Hi there, I'm in Essex but it doesn't affect me working all over the country. We actually have specialist bird boxes, proven to work and to last a lifetime. If you wanted to drop me an email to enquiries@wildyourgarden.com with a few photos of the garden etc once you're settled I'm more than happy to help advise. Best wishes, and thanks so much for the support and encouragement - Joel
Hi Joel
Only just found your channel but love it! Any chance you could do a video asap about where and how to site nest boxes?
Thanks, Mandy
Wild Your Garden with Joel Ashton -- So pleased you mentioned the decline in the birds in U.K., (not pleased that it's happening, just info I needed). I'm in Canada and I am horrified at how quiet the skies are. I desperately want to get my own home in the mountains and start helping birds with boxes and seed feeders and water baths on my land. Do say that your dog doesn't show his years. Would you give him a good hug from me?
I’ve put up micro bat boxes and a bird box. We have heaps of birds in the garden, but none have used the bird box yet 😢. It is on against a fence with plants all around. Perhaps I should move the box?🇦🇺. Thanks for your videos. Love watching.
Video starts at 1:38
Any suggestion for bird feeders that can't be chewed by squirrels? They do such dammage that birds can't access the food. I have tried several types without success. Love your videos. Greetings from Québec (Canada).
Good Morning Joel
Just came across your video. Brilliant stuff!
I live in a built up area. I have a birdfeeder that I put out a few months ago but haven't attracted any birds. Do you have any suggestions please?
Thank you
Janice
Hi Joel. I've had the swift box moved from the side of the house and put round the front. It's been up for three years with no luck. I've sent you a photo of what we found in the box when it was taken down. I think it might have had something to do with the house sparrow that sits on the corner of the roof and sings his little heart out. Not sure he has been successful as we don't get sparrows in the garden generally. We also had a second swift box put up.
A couple of weeks ago we found part of garden covered in pigeon feathers. Our local sparrowhawk I think the culprits was. I think the fox would have just taken it away whole.
Hi Karen, I've been working away but I will have a look at the email asap, and respond, thank you. You're right re the sparrow hawk, a fox will certainly leave nothing behind. House sparrows can indeed be a problem for swifts when they "turf them out" - I had this with my house martins unfortunately. Don't give up, your garden is an absolute haven for so much wildlife, and I hope you're rewarded further :) Best wishes, as always - Joel
Would love to see a future video on growing ivy up trees Joel, I have a magnolia tree that was damaged in the snow, with branches lost. Before I cut it down and replace I'd be interested in growing ivy up it.
This would be perfect! Try to leave it as a tall stump if you can, it will make so much additional habitat :) I am filming the back and front gardens so will definitely include this when working my way down the garden and do a piece on that for you - best wishes, Joel
@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks Joel, I look forward to any such future video. Love your videos by the way, I'm about to install a 2nd wildlife pond in my garden this summer after watching your videos, thank you.
@@843thebear Fantastic! Don't forget to send some photos to me when the second pond is done - I have a feeling I am going to be doing regular videos about all these ponds created. I'm absolutely thrilled that the videos are helping people create more vital habitat - don't forget we have all the materials/plants etc that you need on www.wildyourgarden.com - if you're in the UK of course :) Best wishes, and thanks for the support and encouragement, it means a lot.
As one of the bird nest material, I use lint from my dryer.
Hi I have bird box but some time I get black bird a robin but they perfect next door plus have cat he old one 18 this year , and got brush like which hazel Ace brush all together and pond
Hi Caroline, cats can indeed be a problem but hopefully too much effort for an 18 year old ;) Great that you have a pond, a vital habitat for so many creatures. Best wishes, Joel
Hi Joel thanks for all the tips.
Silly question, you mentioned climbers as cover along fence panels, I only really get the sun at the end of my garden where there is some hawthorn or the like growing behind and so my plan to put trees there for bird cover means blocking out what little sunlight I have in the garden. If I were to grow a climber against the fence panel to give cover, would this eventually weaken an already flimsy wood panel?
It’s a new build garden with very little space and is really exposed to a lot of salty coastal wind.
Any recommendations would be much appreciated 👍🏻
Hello there - you're very welcome, it might be best to send a few photos to me so I can see what will "hold" and the fence panels - mine are against fence panels and do fine, but I'd rather see before I advise :) You can reach me on enquiries@wildyourgarden.com - best wishes, Joel
Je m’abonne
My four Great Pyrenees contribute barrels full of nest material to all the birds.
I can imagine that Emily :) The Patou as they're known in France, and what magnificent dogs they are. Best wishes, Joel
What birds where I live really love is live mealworms, fledglings need live food dont they
Our cat drops a lot of fur clumps. Would that be a good idea or would the cat smell put the birds off?
Half an hour is good