Water on the Green

Bathing feral pigeons ~ Colomba livia

Providing water on the Green is problematic and this is something that the Newington Green Action Group would like to change. NGAG has provided some small bird baths which are being used but we would like to see a more substantial water source on the Green. The lack of available water restricts many birds and other wildlife from using the Green as a habitat.

After some long weeks without much rain, these feral pigeons are making the most of some puddles that have formed on the pathways and are bathing, grooming their feathers and drinking the water there.

If you would like to attract wildlife to your own garden or balcony, a cheap way of doing so is to provide clean water for them to use. It can be fun to watch birds coming in to drink and to bathe in the water. You might even attract some of our local cockney house sparrows (Passer domesticus) who love to bathe together in small flocks. House sparrows are on the red list for conservation concern and you will be helping these struggling birds to survive.

It is important to keep all water and feeding containers cleaned regulary with a mild disinfectant - but please do not use a strong one that will poison the birds!

November 2009

Update

LBI Islington have listened to NGAG's requests and have kindly provided a water butt on Newington Green, which will collect and provide rain water for the bird baths and for watering some plants, which is great. The birds will far prefer to drink rain water rather than chlorinated tap water, so they will be very pleased and of course collecting rainwater helps us to be more sustainable in our water use.

September 2010