The UK has seen a startling 56% decrease in native UK species between 1970 and 2013[1]. There are several reasons for this dramatic reduction in numbers such as plastic pollution, climate change and agricultural intensification.
A sensible solution to this problem is the introduction of habitats to newly built houses or retrofitting current builds with easy-to-install and maintain brick habitats. Since acquiring FabSpeed, Michelmersh has endeavoured to showcase its Bricology range to the construction sector as an affordable and considerate approach to remedying issues caused by habitat loss. Each product in FabSpeed’s Bricology range has been designed to mimic traditional, natural habitats while embracing the typical durability and aesthetic values of clay brick, to perfectly match the surrounding façade.
Bricology Bird Starling Box
Since the 1980’s the Starling population in the UK has decreased dramatically and is a red-listed bird of high conservation concern. The FabSpeed Starling Box is therefore designed to provide a safe and secure site, with adequate space for nesting and an appropriately sized entrance aperture. As well as reducing destructive insect populations, Starlings are also a food source of larger, equally important UK native species and therefore it hopes to encourage further biodiversity into your environment.
Bricology Bat Box
Four of the UK’s seventeen bat species are red-listed and at risk of extinction, so incorporating a bat box into your home creates a safe, secure roosting space for bats. The positioning of the bat box is critical, and it is suggested an ecological specialist is contacted for advice on optimal locations.
Bricology Sparrow Box
Sparrows have seen a significant reduction in numbers since the mid-1970’s and have also been red listed as a species of concern. Sparrow boxes should be installed high up on the house wall to help ensure maximum safety for nesting birds. Ensuring safe population numbers of Sparrows will help to reduce the number of pests that can inhibit crop growth.
Bricology Bee Brick
Habitat fragmentation and a loss of flowering plants have seen bee and hoverfly populations reduced by a quarter in recent years[2]. FabSpeed’s carefully designed bee bricks are recommended to be installed between 1-5 meters on south-to-south easterly facing walls, near flowering plants to provide safe, seasonal homes for some of the UK’s most vital pollinators.
Ensuring safe, secure, and long-lasting habitats for small species like the ones catered for in the Bricology range will help to reduce the damage caused in recent decades. Recently, Brighton and Hove council required all new buildings higher than 5 meters to incorporate both bird boxes and bee boxes. Further efforts are required to help some species, with a reduction in pesticides being crucial for most pollinators but reassuring numbers have been seen where bird boxes have been introduced. The Duchy of Cornwall monitory programmes has confirmed that “50% showed signs of occupation after five years, so it is highly likely that they will all be used during the lifetime of the building(s) they are situated in”. FabSpeed can make the Bricology range from the majority of manufacturers clay products from across the country. If you would like to improve the biodiversity surrounding your home or for more information, contact sales@fabspeed.uk.
[1] https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/5-threats-uk-wildlife#:~:text=It’s%20the%20perfect%20time%20to,nature%20to%20its%20glorious%20best.
[2] https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/insects-pollination-bees-flies-uk-farming-agriculture-pesticides-climate-change-a8839306.html
