In our fight against crop pests, we rely on the help of birds and bats. The diversity of plants provides them with sources of food. Despite the vast wooded area, finding a suitable shelter near our vineyards is not always easy for these animals.
Birds and bats contribute to the ecological balance and the health of the ecosystem while supporting agricultural production and the resilience of farms. We have enlisted the help of the company Agrinichoirs to address the lack of natural cavities. They not only install but also survey and maintain various shelters at the end of the season.
Which shelter for which species?
Titmouse Nesting Boxes
Among the voracious birds that feed on grape worms, caterpillars, bugs, or earwigs, there are the blue tit and the great tit. These songbirds do not stray more than 100 meters from their shelter. During nesting, between April and July, the tits occupy the nest box 24/7. Each pair brings back 18,000 insects for each chick (an average of 3 per year).
Bat Shelters
Bats can consume up to a third of their weight in insects, including grape worm moths. Shelters mainly serve them during the day to rest, individually or in groups, from May to mid-October. They are not attached to a particular shelter and move freely between them. The pipistrelle is the most common species among them.
Nesting Boxes for Little Owls and Kestrels
These raptors are significant consumers of small mammals such as voles, shrews, and field mice. By installing perches, we promote the presence of these predators and protect our crops from small harmful mammals.
Following the 2022 survey, we estimate that the tits consumed 207,000 insects, and the bats consumed 100,000 insects between March and August in this area.
Did you know? A nesting box should be installed in the autumn. For example, tits search for their breeding site very early. This adaptation time increases the chances that the nesting box will be occupied when the beautiful season comes. The League for the Protection of Birds offers self-assembly kits. An original gift that will serve nature!
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