National Nestbox Week: How to give your garden birds a safe home!

I know February can feel a bit grim. The weather can’t quite make its mind up, the garden looks a little tired, and we’re all still pretending it’s not that long until spring but National Nestbox Week is one of those little reminders that brighter days are coming and that nature is already quietly getting itself organised. Every year, starting on the 14th of February, bird lovers across the UK are encouraged to put up nest boxes and help create safe spaces for birds to raise their chicks.

Spotting birds in the garden makes me happy. There’s something about watching a robin hopping about or a blue tit swinging off a feeder like it’s auditioning for a circus that just makes everything feel a bit better and when you realise they might actually raise a family right there in your garden, it's exciting but as lovely as it is to watch National Nestbox Week isn’t just about cute moments through the kitchen window. According to the RSPB around one in four bird species in the UK are under serious threat. That is not a small number and it means those simple things we do, like putting up a nest box or keeping a feeder topped up aren’t just nice little hobbies, they actually matter!

Why nest boxes matter!

Birds need safe, sheltered spaces to lay their eggs and raise their chicks and in many areas natural nesting sites are disappearing. Old trees with holes are cut down, hedgerows are ripped out and modern gardens often look very neat but don’t offer much cover. Nest boxes provide that safe space. They’re essentially a little home away from home for birds, a place where they can raise their young without the risk of predators or bad weather and it’s not just a handful of species that benefit. From robins, blue tits and great tits to sparrows, wrens and even starlings, many garden birds will happily make a new nest if you provide the right conditions.

You don’t need a huge garden!

One of the best things about National Nestbox Week is how accessible it is. You don’t need acres of land, fancy equipment or expert knowledge. A small garden, a bit of wall, a fence or even a sturdy tree is more than enough to get started. Birds really aren’t that fussy, as long as they feel safe.

How to take part in National Nestbox Week!

Taking part is really simple, you don’t need to be a professional birdwatcher. Here are a few easy ways to get involved:

Put up a nest box - You can buy nest boxes from garden centres, online shops or even supermarkets these days. There are loads of styles, from very basic wooden ones to fancy-looking designs. Birds don’t care how stylish it is, so simple is fine. If you’re handy, making one yourself can be a nice little project too. There are plenty of simple plans online and it doesn’t need to be perfect. A solid box with the right sized entrance hole is what matters. Placement is important though. Try to put the box somewhere quiet, away from busy paths and constant noise. It should be out of direct sunlight and sheltered from strong winds. Around 1.5 to 2 metres off the ground is ideal and helps keep it out of reach of cats and other predators.

Feed your birds - Even before nesting season really kicks off, birds need plenty of energy. Winter takes a lot out of them and breeding season is hard work. Keeping feeders topped up with seeds, nuts or suet makes a big difference. If you’re feeding birds, consistency is key. Once they know your garden is a good food stop, they’ll keep coming back.

Provide fresh water - A birdbath or shallow dish of water is perfect for drinking and bathing. Change the water regularly to keep it clean, especially in freezing weather.

Plant bird-friendly greenery - If you’re thinking longer term, planting shrubs, bushes and trees that birds love is a brilliant move. Dense plants give them shelter, places to hide and somewhere to rest. They also attract insects, which are an essential food source for chicks. You don’t need to overhaul your whole garden. Even one or two bird-friendly plants can make a difference.

Watching and Enjoying the Magic!

Once your nest box is up and your garden feels welcoming, it’s a bit of a waiting game. Birds might take a while to notice the box. They might inspect it, pop in and out and then disappear for a bit. This is all completely normal. It can be tempting to keep checking or peeking inside but it’s best to leave it alone. Too much disturbance can put birds off, especially early on. Trust that they know what they’re doing. If no one moves in this year, don’t be disheartened. Sometimes it takes time. Boxes often get used the following season once birds are familiar with them.

National Nestbox Week is a reminder that nature is right there, even in the middle of everyday life. You don’t need to go anywhere special to make a difference. You can do it from your own back garden and when you know that bird populations are struggling, it feels good to know you’re doing something practical.

Do you get many birds in your garden?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #43

I hope you are all having a good week. It's Wednesday, which means it's time to join in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce who blogs at From This Side of the Pond! Each week there are 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season?

I don’t really do Lent in a traditional sense. It’s just not something I’ve grown up marking in a big way but I do like the idea behind it. The whole pause and reflecting is a little reset for your habits and mindset. If I were going to do Lent properly, I don’t think I’d give something up. I’d probably add something in instead: a short walk on days when I’d normally stay glued to the sofa, add in doing something productive like a craft instead of endless scrolling and add more proper catch-ups with my favourite people instead of the "we must meet soon" messages that never quite turn into plans.

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week?

Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday here in the UK so of course we had pancakes! It would have been rude not to and not just one polite pancake either, we went all in. We are not fans of savoury pancakes, to do pancake day properly you need sugar involved! Hehehe Mine were the classic lemon juice and golden syrup. The girls, on the other hand had Nutella, bananas, strawberries, syrup, lemon and sugar and possibly everything at once. It was worth it! I love that Shrove Tuesday gives us an excuse to eat dessert for tea and we call it tradition!

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'.

I can’t pinpoint one exact moment but it’s usually when everything at home ramps up at once. The washing basket is overflowing, there are appointments to remember, everyone needs something, meals need planning, the house needs tidying, messages need replying to and suddenly I feel like I’m being pulled in about six different directions. Being a mum to two young adult daughters means I’m not running around after toddlers anymore but I’m still very much in the thick of it. I think the mental load is what does it. Keeping track of who needs to be where, who’s feeling what, what’s in the fridge and what’s coming up next week. It’s a lot sometimes. Right now, things feel calm and manageable and I’ve learned to recognise that spread too thin feeling earlier than I used to, so I can calm things down before it all gets too much!

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors?

I don’t think I have a favourite gemstone in the traditional sense. I can’t tell you the difference between half of them if I’m being asked to identify them in a line up but my favourite jewel is absolutely my engagement ring.

Stu proposed when the girls were little and it feels like a lifetime ago now. Over the years, my weight has gone up and down and after a while the original ring didn’t fit properly, so I stopped wearing it. A few years ago he replaced it, and the new one fits perfectly. It’s not about how big or flashy it is, it’s about what it represents and the fact that, after all these years, we’re still here.

When it comes to my wardrobe I have a lot of black items. It goes with everything and when I do branch out into colour, it’s usually darker shades. Deep greens, burgundy, navy, plum. I like rich tones that still feel safe. Pastels and bright colours are not really me. Even my PJs are dark.

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge?

Being the one who has to say no! Being a parent of two young adults means that I am mostly still in charge and I don't always get to be the fun one. Sometimes I'm the gatekeeper, the budget doesn’t stretch, the timing isn’t right and the idea isn’t workable. Even when I understand why one of my girls wants something, even when I’d love to say yes and be the fun one, sometimes I can’t and repeating no over and over can make me feel like the villain in my own house. Being in charge isn’t about being popular, it’s about making the decisions that keeps everything ticking along safely and sensibly.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We’re mid-way through the week and it has been one of those nice but busy ones where everyone is home at the same time. Stu has just about finished painting the dining room and I can’t tell you how good it feels to see it nearly done. Having everyone at home makes the days louder and busier but in a good way. There are random chats in the kitchen and the background noise of life ticking along. I might moan when I trip over someone’s shoes or when I can’t find my favourite mug but secretly I love that they’re all here. The house feels full. It’s funny because when they’re all out I enjoy the quiet but when we get these stretches of time together, I’m reminded that this is the bit I’ll miss one day.

Pancake Day is for memories, mess and eating pancakes all day long!

Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday is the one day of the year when it’s totally acceptable to eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner and nobody bats an eyelid! In fact it’s encouraged. If anything, people look at you oddly if you don’t join in. I love it and I always have. For me Pancake Day isn’t just about the pancakes, it’s about the memories, the smells and the flipping disasters.

Some of my earliest Pancake Day memories involve standing on a chair at the kitchen counter, watching my Grandad make our pancakes. I watched the pan like a hawk while he told me not to touch it. The smell of the batter hitting a hot pan is one of those smells that instantly takes me back, that and the lemon juice. Sharp, zingy and eye watering if you sniff it too closely! It was always so exciting with plates at the ready and my grandad cooking pancakes until we had our fill!

For a long time I bought ready-made pancakes, straight out of the packet, they had a quick blast in the microwave and that was it. It was easier when the kids were little. Then I levelled up to the pre-mixed pancake mix. Add milk, shake the bottle and pour it into the pan. I felt very fancy, there was still minimal effort involved but it felt closer to proper pancakes. Now, I make the batter from scratch with flour, eggs, milk and a bit of hope that it all works out. I don’t measure perfectly. I go by look and feel. If it pours nicely and doesn’t look like wallpaper paste, we’re good and if it does, I add more milk in and we pretend it was supposed to happen like that.

I think the only reason I can make pancakes as well as I do is because of the pan I use. I got it a few years ago from Iceland. (The shop not the country). They had an offer on in the run-up to pancake day with the pan, some toppings and ready mix for £5. The next year I bought another pan and they are the best frying pans I've ever had. They never stick and are the perfect size for pancakes!

Lemon juice and sugar is the classic topping for pancakes. Fresh lemon juice, a sprinkle of sugar rolled up while still warm. Sweet, sharp and simple. There’s something about that first bite where the sugar crunches slightly and the lemon makes your mouth water but pancakes with lemon juice and golden syrup are my favourite, they always feel a little indulgent. Sticky fingers, syrup dripping down the sides, plates that need a proper soak afterwards and it's totally worth it!

A simple pancake recipe!

This is my go-to recipe but I usually double it, so there's enough for the 4 of us.

You’ll need:

100g plain flour

2 large eggs

300ml milk

A pinch of salt

A little oil or butter for the pan

How I make them:

Pop the flour and salt into a bowl.

Crack in the eggs and add a splash of the milk.

Whisk until smooth, then gradually add the rest of the milk.

Keep whisking until you’ve got a thin batter, similar to single cream.

Let it rest for 10 to15 minutes in the fridge if you have time and remember.

Heat your pan, wipe with a bit of oil and pour in a ladle of batter.

Swirl the pan to spread it thin.

Cook for about a minute, flip, then cook the other side.

Repeat until you’re full or out of batter.

While lemon juice and golden syrup will always be my top topping Pancake Day is the perfect excuse to branch out a bit. Here are some of my families favourites:

Nutella - melted slightly so it spreads easily.

Fresh strawberries - especially with a dusting of sugar.

Bananas and honey - simple and sweet.

Biscoff spread - because it’s amazing.

Maple syrup - not traditional, but still delicious.

Chocolate chips - sprinkled onto the pancake while cooking.

I like doing a little toppings table so everyone can build their own. It gets messy but it is fun with everyone putting their own toppings on.

Pancake Day is a little moment in the year when we stop, gather in the kitchen and do something simple together. It doesn’t matter if the pancakes are misshapen or the first pancake I cook is rubbish because it always is. That’s all part of it. It’s the laughter, the shared plates and then I’ll just have one more that turns into three. Hehehe

Will you be having pancakes today?

Our weekly meal plan! 16th - 22nd February!! #MealPlanningMonday

Happy Monday and I mean that, I can feel this week is going to be a good week! Stu is off work, Ellie is off college for half term and Becky is home for a couple of days too. I love it when everyone is here, even if it does mean the kettle never gets a break and the snack cupboard gets raided every ten minutes. We’ve got a busy week ahead. It’s Pancake Day, Stu and I have a little treat planned, there are jobs around the house to do and we’re finally painting the dining room. I say finally because it's been on our to-do list for about six years! It's going to be a busy, busy week and I am happy about it!

Last weeks meal plan went well. I think we ate everything? Last Monday seems such a long time ago, all my days have felt pretty samey lately. I am blaming the rain and gloomy weather we've been having but just to add some fun to it we are forecast snowy/icy weather yesterday and today. I suppose it will make a change from the rain. I'm totally done with the weather, can it not be spring already? Spring showers are fine, at least the sun usually shines a little more.

This week, because we're all mostly at home I am still planning our meals but will be more relaxed about when we are eating them! The only certainty is that it will be pancakes on Tuesday!

On the menu this week we have:

Pancakes!

We’ll be having the thin, crepe-style pancakes. The kind you flip in the pan. Ours will be topped with the classics: golden syrup, lemon and sugar and Nutella. I’ve got a whole post about them coming tomorrow about pancake day!

Minced Beef Crispy Pancakes, chips and baked beans!

Now these are not to be confused with the sweet ones. These are savoury, breadcrumb coated beauties filled with minced beef and onion in gravy. They are a total blast from the past. I used to love them as a kid, they’re not fancy but with chips and baked beans they hit the spot!

Chicken Kiev's, mashed potato and veg.

The Kievs are coming straight out of the freezer, which is exactly why I bought them. You can’t beat having a few easy meals tucked away for busy weeks. Crispy on the outside, garlicky butter in the middle and mashed potato is a must with these to mop up any runaway garlic butter. I’ll probably do carrots and sweetcorn on the side.

Something from town!

This one is very much a see how I feel meal. I’m having my contraceptive implant changed and I already know I won’t feel like cooking afterwards. Last time I had at least one sore arm. It all depends where they put the new one. Same arm or the other arm? I'm going to be kind to myself and pick something up while I’m in town. Maybe sausage rolls from Greggs or Subway sandwiches.

Stu & I are out while the kids fend for themselves!

Stu and I are going on a little jaunt and treating ourselves to something nice. I’m keeping quiet about the details because it’s a surprise for him, but I’m really looking forward to it. The girls can fend for themselves which will probably end up with them ordering a take away!

Stu is cooking!

At least one evening this week, Stu has promised he’ll do the cooking. I don’t know what we’re having and I’m not asking. It will be a surprise.

A roast dinner!

It seems ages since we last had one. There will be meat of some sort, mashed potatoes, roast parsnips, carrots, peas, broccoli, Yorkshire puddings, stuffing and maybe cauliflower cheese.

What are you eating this week?