Balcombe, 2017

Birdhaven 

The rear garden perched on a steep narrow incline and consisted of a small balcony with overgrown shrubs to encourage birds to nest and feed close to the rear windows. The paths and the wooden steps were slimy and dangerous due to the deep shade. 

The initial photo shows the site already cleared of the mass of branches that reached over the balcony, here clipped back to establish a tall hedge boundary with relaxed pruning. The steps were cleared of brambles and refuse.

The challenge was to open the site and make it safe and easy to use, while still keeping the habitat complex and attractive to birds, small mammals and insects. With a minimal budget and a light touch, a fresh, vibrant space was created, where nature can “just get on with it”.