This art print of four long-tailed tits (nestled among rowan blossom and bramble) is designed to bring a little woodland wildlife to your walls. Sold unframed, the print is available in A3 or A4 size, by artist Claire Tuxworth.
Long-tailed tits are tiny birds that live in England’s gardens, parks, woodlands and hedgerows. They build domed nests out of moss, and line them with feathers, to make it soft for eggs to lay on. They mostly eat insects and spiders. These tiny birds have long black-and-white tails that are bigger than the birds themselves, with pretty pink bellies and black eyestripes. In winter, flocks of 20 or more birds cluster together at night, to keep warm.
How to Help Our Garden Birds
- To help stop birds flying into windows, turn off unnecessary lights (use blinds & task lights). Avoid facing indoor plants to outdoor gardens (can confuse birds).
- Buy plain wood birdboxes suited to each species (not tin/coloured ones that could overheat and attract predators). Site between north and northeast (to protect from strong sun) with a clear flight path near trees and shrubs, so parents can easily land and check the coast is clear. At end of breeding season, remove nesting materials (place in garden, so spiders can escape). Clean with boiling water, then leave to dry naturally.
- Create natural habitats, so birds have natural food and nesting places. Avoid wooden bird tables (cats can claw up them – keep feline friends indoors at dawn and dusk, when bird are likely feeding). Don’t feed whole nuts (nor fat balls in summer, which can melt and choke). Use brand name feeders for bird food (not mesh bags, that tear tiny beaks & feet).
