IT’S FOR THE BIRDS

A blackbird feeding on a Rowan bush

Birds of a feather

Elly West looks at how to help our garden birds survive the cold winter months. This includes advice on what plants and trees, when established, will provide shelter as well as seeds and berries, and therefore food and refuge over future winters

One of the greatest pleasures of gardening is that feeling of oneness with nature, the moment when you spot a friendly, curious robin hopping nearby while digging on a cold day, edging closer to see if you’ve unearthed a treat. Watching birds from indoors when it’s too cold to go outside is another delight, a free live-show, and I’ll always encourage clients to hang bird feeders and put out bird baths to add another element to the garden, particularly in winter when there’s not as much else going on.

It’s a tough time for birds in the garden right now. They need extra energy to keep warm, but food supplies are scarce and short days mean fewer hours for foraging. Garden birds as a whole are in gradual decline, and many once common species are struggling, particularly greenfinches, swifts, house martins and sparrows. There are lots of ways we can help our garden birds, improving their chances of surviving the winter as well as increasing their breeding success, by boosting their food supplies during these long, dark days.

The most obvious way to help them is to put out food, and the right kind of food, not just in winter but all year round. A good range will encourage different bird varieties, so try to include a seed mix, some fat-based snacks, and protein-rich options such as mealworms. Scraps from the kitchen can also be put out, such as grated cheese, crumbled pastry and bits of unsalted meat fat. And there are various recipes online if you want to make your own suet or fat balls, loved by many birds including tits, robins, sparrows and woodpeckers, and vital for energy and insulation when it’s cold. Peanuts and sunflower seeds also have a high fat content, which is particularly important at this time of year.

Site your feeders in quiet places in the garden where birds won’t be disturbed, not too close to low bushes where predators can hide in wait, but where there is high cover from which they can flit to and fro, so they feel more safe. Don’t worry if nothing arrives for a week or two, it takes a while for birds to discover new feeders and to feel confident and safe using them. Choose somewhere a few metres away from the house, but where you can still see them from a window to enjoy the display.

Be sure to clear away uneaten food, and bits that have fallen on the ground that could encourage predators and rats. Good hygiene is vital. One of the main reasons finches are in sharp decline is because of a parasitic disease, trichomonosis, spread by contaminated food and drinking water. Try to clean and disinfect feeders every week, and remember to top up bird baths with fresh water, defrosting with warm water if it’s frozen.

As well as buying food, or giving them bits from your kitchen, you can also boost their natural food supply with the right kind of plants. Think seeds and berries – sunflowers are a popular treat, particularly for finches, blackbirds and thrushes. Other seedheads loved by garden birds include echinacea, globe thistles and rudbeckia, so don’t be too quick to clear away the dead and dying at the end of the season. Leaving seed heads on the plant will bring in more insects for birds to feed on, as well as the nutrition from the seeds themselves.

Berried plants bring autumn and winter colour to your borders and will also benefit your feathered friends. Good plants for berries include cotoneaster, rowan, pyracantha, holly, honeysuckle, ivy, and roses for their hips.

Planting hedges and trees will provide food, but also important shelter and nesting spots for birds. You can also help by installing

The Robin has a sweet tooth and is partial to fruit cake and uncooked pastry. Sunflower hearts and mealworms are another favourite

bird boxes ready for the breeding season ahead. Now is a great time to put them up, so they have time to find and investigate them before nesting time. You can buy them ready-made, or if you have a few DIY skills, have a go at building one yourself. Where to put the box will make a big difference to its success, so choose a sheltered site away from cold winds and direct sunlight and at least two metres from the ground, ensuring protection from predators, especially cats. Don’t put a nest box near your feeders, as this can lead to territorial disputes.

It’s nearly time for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, which takes place from 27–29 January. This annual event is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey and last year nearly 700,000 people took part. The more the merrier, so if you want to get involved and help the RSPB collect vital information about bird numbers and distribution, all you have to do is spend an hour watching birds in your garden or local park and noting what you see. Visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch to find out more. n

• ellyswellies.co.uk

Plant of the month: Ivy

I feel this familiar climber is somewhat misunderstood, and perhaps underrated despite its ability to grow and thrive in the darkest spots and rubbish soil. Admittedly it can be a thug, but it can also be an extremely valuable garden plant, brightening a shady spot and covering unattractive eyesores with greenery and wildlifefriendly, nectar-rich flowers followed by berries. It’s self-clinging, so won’t need support or tying in if you’re growing it vertically, and also makes excellent groundcover, stabilising soil, which is useful for sloping banks, and providing yearround greenery. It can even be used to create topiary shapes, if you choose a small-leaved variety and grow it around a wire frame.

There are lots of attractive variegated varieties available, with multi-toned foliage. ‘Sulphur Heart’ has large, dark-green leaves with a central splash of yellow and yellow-green. ‘Glacier’ is a pretty, more delicate small-leaved variety with grey-green and cream leaves.

When it comes to pruning, the ideal time to cut back excess growth is in mid-spring, although they are generally tough plants and can tolerate hard pruning at other times of the year as necessary. Wear long sleeves and gloves while pruning as it can irritate the skin.

Essential advice for condensation and ventilation in this cold snap

Nicola Wilkes. Lettings & Property Investment Manager

With snow falling and temperatures below freezing, millions of us are waking up to find condensation on our windows. Cold homes can be bad for our health in many ways, yet you are no doubt being more conscious than ever about when to heat your apartment and when to put on an extra layer instead. Being cold can cause a range of health problems, such as an increase in blood pressure, colds, flu, and pneumonia. But it isn’t just our physical health this cold weather affects but also the health of our homes, which is why at The Apartment Company we felt it was essential to put together some advice for condensation and ventilation.

Condensation

Put in simple terms, condensation is caused when the air temperature inside your apartment is different to that outside, such as now! Condensation is very common in the winter months when moist air contacts a cold surface, such as a wall or window, which results in moisture droplets. This in turn can lead to damp – no one wants to live in a damp home, as damp can cause mould, which as we know, looks like a sea of little black dots.

We have all heard about what a deadly hazard mould can be, since the shocking death of the toddler Awaab Ishak, where mould led to breathing conditions and a fatal cardiac arrest. Although this is an extreme case, mould is a common issue, so what can you do to minimise the effects of condensation and how can you ventilate your home when its freezing outside?

How to minimise condensation

Your central heating system has a vital role to play in controlling humidity and temperature in your apartment, it can help to stop your windows from steaming up and treat condensation on your walls. You should not ignore any build-up of condensation on your windows; as soon as you spot it, make sure you dry it with a towel as this will help to prevent your carpets and surfaces becoming water damaged.

If your apartment has double-glazed windows, you need to heat your home efficiently, raise the heat gradually and keep doors closed around your home. Even though the temperature is very cold you should try to avoid big fluctuations in temperature. Opening your windows every day for as little as twenty minutes is an easy way to help reduce condensation.

Mould seems to love walls and ceilings, which is why you need to stop condensation in these areas. We would advise:

•If you are drying clothes in your apartment, use a heated drying rack or a tumble dryer. •Always put your extractor fan on when cooking in your kitchen to avoid a build-up of steam on your windows. •Dehumidifiers are a good investment and can help stop condensation in rooms such as your bedroom. •We know it’s cold, but if you don’t have an extractor fan in the bathroom, to stop condensation forming open a window when you are having a bath or shower.

Ventilation

In this cold snap and during a cost of living crisis, there is a dilemma about how to keep your apartment ventilated without losing heat, especially in temperatures that are below zero. Here are some tips that our team have put together.

•It may seem counter-productive to open windows wide, but it is very effective if you do this briefly rather than opening them a tiny amount for longer. In these cold months, you just need around five minutes of fresh air to ventilate your room. •Draughts can be a nuisance but a good old-fashioned draught excluder can help to keep heat within a room. •You don’t want to waste energy when heating your home, which is why lowering your heating temperature and having it on for longer will help reduce your bills according to the Met Office. •It may seem simple, but just keeping all your internal doors closed whilst ventilating your apartment will help prevent condensation.

And, when not ventilating, it will help prevent draughts and stabilise the temperature in all your rooms.

Keep warm and healthy

At this cold and difficult time, I hope that our advice will help keep you and your apartment warm and healthy this winter. We are always working with our landlords to raise the standards of their rental properties. For more advice, contact our Lettings team on 01225 303870.

A superbly appointed newly built 6 bedroom detached property, set within this exclusive village development overlooking open fields. Cleverly designed landscaped gardens, a double garage and a stunning open plan kitchen, all enhance this very special property. Number 8 Longmeadow is the last property to be completed and sits comfortably within this superb development. It is built using conservation stone roof slates and sits behind a stone wall with gated entrance. It backs onto open fields with a westerly aspect and with far-reaching views visible from the hall as you enter. The house is laid out over three floors with an oak staircase rising to the first floor galleried landing and a superb specification with the involvement of interior designers providing a bespoke finish throughout. Designed to provide maximum light, the kitchen has two walls of floor to ceiling glazed doors meeting at a corner apex. This floods the large, open plan space with light and brings the outside in. It also has a separate living room and spacious sitting room for easy entertaining together with a study/TV room and 6 bedrooms. The elegantly and cleverly designed landscaped garden is laid out in three separate areas and extends towards the neighbouring field for an expansive, open feel but at the same time with a degree of privacy.

Viewing is strongly recommended by the sole agents Cobb Farr Residential

Longmeadow, Beckington

• Six bedrooms (two ensuites) • Open plan kitchen & family room • Large sitting room with wood burner • Separate living room • Generous study/tv room • 3928 sq ft • Landscape garden with terrace • Double garage with sedum roof

£1,950,000

Greenland Mills, Bradford-on-Avon

Guide Price £525,000

A light and airy 2 bedroom first floor apartment offering spacious accommodation and affording glorious views over the River Avon. The property benefits from lift facilities, 2 private parking spaces and use of the communal gardens. • 2 bedrooms • En suite • Views over River Avon • Well proportioned sitting/dining room • Communal gardens

London Road West, Bath

OIEO £1,000,000

A handsome, double fronted, recently built and well-appointed 4 bedroom detached family home with a pretty sun terrace and garden, plenty of parking and located within easy access of Bath city centre. • 4 large double bedrooms, 2 beautiful bathrooms • Well-appointed contemporary kitchen • Generous formal drawing room with wood burning stove • Open plan family and dining room • Plenty of off-street parking

How to prepare for selling your luxury home in 2023

There is an annual tradition when it comes to house hunting – every Boxing Day, the property portal Rightmove receives its highest volume of traffic, more than any other day of the year. Rightmove claimed last January that 2021’s Christmas period was the busiest ever, with ‘buyer demand’ up by 23% compared to the same time the previous year. This year, as we know, things are a little different. The economy is in a different place and the cost of living crisis is impacting buying and selling decisions. When it comes to the premium market, things often move in a different way, so if you are looking to sell your luxury home next year, here is how to prepare.

The forecast

The latest Rightmove House Price Index highlights that ‘2022 will end with new seller asking prices 5.6% higher than a year ago’. Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Science, states: “It’s understandable that some buyers are distracted, not only by the festive season, but also by the thought that they may get a better fixed-rate mortgage deal and a more stable outlook by waiting until the new year. Our data suggests that there are many ready-to-go movers out there waiting for what they feel to be the right time to enter the market in 2023. We’d usually see a jump in home-mover activity in January, but it takes a while at the start of the year for any significant price changes to feed through, so we’ll be waiting for a potential bounce back in prices in February, which will be a very important leading indicator for the spring moving season.”

According to research by Savills “Macroeconomic pressures will have a varying impact across prime regional markets,” said Frances McDonald, Savills research analyst. They conclude that the prime markets in the wider south will be more resilient, mainly due to the number of cash buyers.

When it comes to the prime country market, it has always danced to its own tune as sellers are often more considered. By this, we mean that they tend to not have moving timescales and would rather wait for the right offer from the right buyer. We often see this with homes that have historical importance, as the seller feels a responsibility to find the right next ‘custodian’ of their home.

How to sell

When it comes to the prime market in Bath, the majority of our sellers prefer to find a buyer privately; by this, we mean that they do not wish their home to be marketed by traditional methods. As a property broker, we can discreetly introduce a home to a carefully hand-picked selection of rigorously qualified potential buyers.

Should you wish to sell via this method, we do not rush your home to buyers; we take time to truly understand your home, its needs and your standing and wishes. Working with buyer agents across the UK, we know that the buyers we introduce completely understand and respect sellers’ privacy and also their responsibility as the potential future custodian of an exceptional unique home.

There are many dormant buyers in the luxury property market, by which we mean they are not actively looking for a home, but should the right one magically appear they will consider moving. This is where an online presence can be valuable in reaching those buyers and grabbing their attention. We never rush into a viewing, waiting until we are sure that any potential buyer is right for your home.

Before you decide if you wish to sell, it is worth considering all the selling options open to you. We are happy to discuss what each method entails and find the right mix to create a bespoke plan that you feel comfortable with and through which we are confident we can deliver.

Emotions

We are currently working with a high proportion of sellers who are seeking to downsize or move closer to family members. Emotions play a huge role in these sales, as often for the seller it is a decision being made based on a need rather than a want. Emotional sales require a delicate balance of honesty and support – at the end of the day, we want what is best for you and your property. These moves are not always about the sale but about the home and what it can offer for the future, and it is here where we can provide an extra layer of advice and support, often finding you that perfect future home.

When your move is the result of an emotional decision, things need to move at a speed you are comfortable with, so it is essential to be honest with us as your broker and raise any concerns in advance.

Preparation

We know it may take some time to find the right buyer for your property, but you need to play your part to ensure that your home draws them in. You want to present each room to look homely and elegant, which is why you may wish to consider employing the services of a home-staging expert. A survey of property professionals by the Home Staging Association UK & Ireland found that 100% of estate agents who were surveyed agreed “home staging makes it easier for a buyer to visualise the property as their future home” and 94% said that the number of viewings a property received increases when the home has been staged.

Many sellers decide to personally take on the home staging, as it helps them to have a sort out before the move and also undertake a little advance packing.

Moving in 2023

Even though the prime housing market is more stable, it does require that you make the right decisions to ensure you achieve the sale you are hoping for. If you would like to understand how we, as a property broker, holistically take care of your move, contact our team today.

Scan here and see what the market is like for your home

www.petergreatorex.co.uk

SOLD STC SOLD SOLD STC

Hope Place

O.I.E.O £750,000

Modern Build · Gated community · Two double bedrooms · Allocated underground parking · Lift access · Stunning communal gardens · Tennis court · Stunning panoramic views · EPC Rating B · Approx. 1058 Sq. Ft. Cavendish Crescent O.I.E.O £525,000

NEW INSTRUCTION COMINGSOON London Street O.I.E.O £185,000

Georgian · First Floor · Double bedroom · Central location · Close to local amenities · Opposite Hedgemead Park · EPC Rating D · Approx. 355 Sq. Ft.

NEW INSTRUCTION

Great Stanhope Street O.I.E.O £460,000

Listed · Georgian · Private front door · Maisonette · Three bedrooms · Unique property · Storage vaults · Short level walk to city centre · EPC Rating D · Approx. 835 Sq. Ft. Georgian Apartment · Crescent location · Large private tiered garden · Two double bedroom · Ground Floor · Period features · EPC Rating D · Approx. 882 Sq. Ft.

Portland Place

O.I.E.O £350,000

Georgian · Listed · Ground floor · Spacious double bedroom · Stunning restored period features · Breath-taking views over Bath · EPC Rating TBC

FORSALE FORSALE Spencers Belle Vue O.I.E.O £270,000

Listed · Georgian · Newly decorated · Newly carpeted · Top floor apartment · Double bedroom · Stunning views · Short walk to city centre · Excellent access to M4 · EPC Rating C · Approx. 586 Sq. Ft.

FORSALE

Great Stanhope St O.I.E.O £265,000 Great Pulteney Street O.I.E.O £550,000 Grosvenor Place O.I.E.O £400,000

Listed · Georgian · First floor apartment · Spacious double bedroom · Central location · Period features · Close to local amenities · EPC Rating C · Approx. 603 Sq. Ft. Grade l listed · Georgian · Second floor apartment · Two double bedrooms · City centre location · Stunning views · Communal garden · EPC Rating D · Approx. 1128 Sq. Ft. Georgian · Grade l listed · First floor apartment · Two bedrooms · Close to local amenities · Wealth of period features · EPC Rating E · Approx. 777 Sq. Ft.

TO LET TO LET TO LET

Combe Down £1,950 pcm

Raby Place, Bathwick £1,500 pcm

Duke Street £1,100 pcm Batheaston £1,750 pcm

Alexandra House £1,600 pcm

Green Park £1,400 pcm Henrietta Street £1,500 pcm

Lower Oldfield Park £1,400 pcm

Daniel Street

Available now · Three double bedrooms · Two bathrooms · Balcony over communal gardens · Unfurnished · Gas central heating · NO STUDENTS · Council Tax Band E · EPC Rating B

Available now · Courtyard garden · Own front door entrance · One double bedroom · Plenty of storage · Access to Raby Place private gardens · Contemporary kitchen · Council Tax Band B · EPC Rating C Available January 2023 · Two double bedrooms · Fully furnished to a high standard · Gas central heating · Upvc double glazing · Garage & allocated parking · Open plan living/kitchen space · Council Tax Band C · EPC Rating D Unfurnished · Available now · Total refurbishment incl kitchen & bathroom · 2 double bedrooms · Opposite Henrietta Gardens · New carpets and flooring throughout · Suitable Professionals · Council Tax Band C · EPC Rating E

LET AGREED LET AGREED LET AGREED

Available now · Open plan living space · Unfurnished · Two double bedrooms · Allocated parking · High specification · Suitable professionals · Council Tax Band C · EPC Rating B

Unfurnished · Available now · Two double bedrooms · Office/additional storage · Redecorated throughout · Pets may be considered · Top floor apartment · Council Tax Band C · EPC Rating C

TO LET LET AGREED Unfurnished · Available now · 880 sq ft · Two double bedrooms · Redecorated throughout · New kitchen & bathroom · Pets considered by negotiation · Council Tax Band C · EPC Rating D

TO LET

Furnished · Available mid January 2023 · Ground Floor One bedroom · No students - Post Grads considered · Period features · Central zone parking permit · Highly recommended · Council Tax Band B · EPC Rating E £975 pcm

Furnished · Available early January 2023 · Studio apartment with large kitchen · Close to city centre · Suit professional person or couple · Residents permit parking · No pets · Council Tax Band B · EPC Rating D