Builders Considering The Birds And The Bees
Councils and developers are starting to be mindful when it comes to urban wildlife. Some UK councils are working to develop houses that accommodate wildlife within them.
Nesting bricks
One leader in this regard is Brighton and Hove who have made it law for new developments to have specially designed bricks that allow for bees and swifts. The hollow bricks have either an entrance hole for birds or lots of small holes for solitary nesting bees. Similarly Hackney council have a requirement for new builds to include bird bricks.
The bricks designed for birds aren’t just used by swifts. Other species also use them for nesting and sometimes even bats too. Bee bricks allow lone bees to nest. These bees are not part of a colony so won’t be aggressive when protecting their home.
Good intention
The use of these bricks is still being tested out. They may not be a perfect solution, as having nests made from man made materials may provide breeding grounds for parasites. However the intention to consider wildlife is certainly a welcome move, and one that we can only hope is adopted by all councils and building developments.
The hope is that solitary bees will nest in bee bricks that are placed in sunny spots. Swifts are not quite so easy to provide nest spots too but other species such as starlings and great tits may use the nesting bricks if the swifts don’t take to them, so it isn’t a waste of time putting them in.
Why focus on swifts and bees?
Although swifts spend the UK winter in Africa, they migrate back to Europe for the summer months. Swifts nest at the same site each year, meeting the same mate there before they start breeding. If renovation work has been carried out on or near that site then often their nests are no longer there. Their numbers have plummeted by more than 50% in the past 20 years. That decline isn’t totally to do with nesting issues but is a factor.
Like swifts, bees are also in steady decline, as are many of our pollinators. Therefore we need to do everything we can to encourage bees to live alongside us.
Many species in decline
Many of the UK’s best loved species are in decline, including some that share our gardens and local parks. Species such as the house sparrow are now at risk of extinction. Similarly hedgehogs and toads are slowly disappearing. So it is vitally important that we think of everything we can do to provide suitable habitats for these animals when we are developing land for housing.
In addition to providing places for these species to live we should look at what other measures will have positive effects. This could be as simple as ensuring that trees and hedgerows are maintained and that native planting is used in gardens and green spaces. Planting plants that are a food source for birds and bees will encourage nature to be present within our gardens
Step in the right direction
The use of nesting bricks is a step in the right direction, but councils can do more to encourage developers to build sustainably and in nature-friendly ways. Making space for wildlife is just as important for our own health and wellbeing. Spending time in nature can improve our physical and mental health and reduce stress.
Until recently, developers did not have to consider nature in their plans for new housing. But the government has set proposals to ensure that new developments have more natural spaces. This may start to change the way developments are designed. Hopefully more councils will adopt policies that encourage and support wildlife.
