Kate Bradbury

Talkback: How to clean bird feeders

JAG - I don't think we're worrying too much. By feeding the birds we are attracting large numbers of them to our gardens - very small spaces compared to woodland, for example. If they're all concentrated in a small space, interacting with each other, spitting food on to each other and - in some cases - defecating on each other, then we need to make sure our bird feeding stations are clean, as diseases can quickly build up.

kater1 - that sounds good, can you post a photo?

Kate

Frogspawn

there's no sign of frogspawn in my pond yet and I'm very pleased, as it's suddenly very cold in London!

Has anyone else seen frogspawn in their ponds yet? Do let us know when you do - I'd be very interested to know!

Kate

Hedgehogs

Hi all, you can help the experts monitor hedgehog populations by taking part in their hiberntion survey. find our more here.

Kate

Bees Are Already Buzzing!!

Hi all, sightings of bees (particularly bumblebees) in winter are becoming more common, so try to have something in flower for any that visit your garden. They won't find much sustenance in winter pansies, I'm afraid! Try winter-flowering clematis and honeysuckle, daphne, mahonia, heather. And if you find any bumblebees that look like they're struggling to fly, you could make them a solution of sugar and water (equal prts of each) to give them the energy to fly.

Looking to spring and summer, make sure you have plants in flower all year long. Favourites include red clover and viper's bugloss, but a more comprehensive list is available from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust here

Kate

Talkback: How to clean bird feeders

kater1 -  I'm having problems getting to the bottom of my plastic feeder too, and have just resolved to buy a new one that dismantles better so I can clean it more easily. If I find a cheap one I'll let you know!

full-time-mum - diluted bleach is fine, but make sure you rinse it well afterwards. Otherwise veterinary disinfectant is available from the RSPB shop

Birdie2 - if you have seen birds looking ill, it would be better to remove all the debris beneath your feeding station to avoid contamination of healthy birds.

Kate

Brown Ooze on Ornamental Cherry

Hi Jay, I'd wait for the cyclamen to finish flowering and then lay a thick mulch, so you don't ruin your dislay.

Kate

Talkback: Moss

Ooh when you're done you can come and do mine!

Kate

Talkback: Moss

Talkback: Moss

The Prettiness of Moss

That looks like a moss wall, Marion!

Kate x

Talkback: Queen wasp

Talkback: Leaf-cutter bees

Potted ponds in Thailand

Frogspawn

Bumblebees?

Ladybirds

Favourite tools

Redesign of garden

Seed buying

Plants still in flower?