Bird-Friendly Gardening

It is disappointing when all that money and hard work planting flowers or vegetables is rewarded with nothing because slugs have eaten your growing plants.  Plants and vegetable seedlings are vulnerable to attack by slugs, so you might use slug pellets to protect them because you want to ensure that you actually have something in flower or to eat in several months' time.

In recognition of the fact that the majority of British gardeners use slug pellets, the producer of the brand leading product has produced a code of wise use that has been welcomed by Europpe's largest conservation charity, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

The UK's largest selling slug pellets, Bio Slug Mini-Pellets, use metaldehyde as the active ingredient.  The company maintains that there is no evidence of damage to non-target species when slug pellets are used in accordance with the instructions on the pack.

"When problems do occur it is when gardeners have piled the pellets instead of sprinkling them thinly around the plants being protected," said Tommy Gill, managing director of the company that produces Bio.

While not advocating slug pellet use, the RSPB has approved the code of safe use.  Dr Mark Avery, conservation director of the RSPB, said, "The reality is that slug pellets are used extensively in Britain.  We welcome the opportunity to be part of a campaign that informs and encourages gardeners to use them wisely.  We are not recommending their use but recognising the fact that they are popular and wise use is the best opportunity."

"Independent research confirmed that 77% of UK gardeners who take control against slugs use pellets. Recognition by an internationally respected body like the RSPB confirms our view that wise use is the way forward," said Tommy Gill, who believes that educating gardeners to use pellets safely is key.

If you find dead birds in the garden, and suspect that they may have been poisoned by slug pellets they have picked up from somewhere, you can report the incident to the Poison Helpline, by telephoning 0800 321 600.  This is administered by the Government-run Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme.  Make sure that you state that you suspect slug pellets as the cause of death.

The RSPB is also warning gardeners to look out for nesting birds when they spring tidy their gardens.  While thousands of green fingers will start to trim, tidy and plant as the milder weather sets in, the feathered population is getting settled on nests as the breeding season steps up a gear.

Birds such as blackbirds, robins, and thrushes will all be setting up home in back gardens, looking for as much shelter as possible and building nests in places that are often difficult to see.  Gardeners are being urged to check hedges and shrubs before cutting them back to avoid disturbing any nests.

David Spencer, of the RSPB, said, "It's a difficult time of year for gardeners as they're itching to get out and tidy up, while lots of our common garden birds are nesting and fledging their chicks, so mustn't be disturbed."

"All people need to do is check shrubs and hedges before they start work and if there are birds nesting, leave that area alone to avoid disturbance."

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