GARDEN: Encouraging Wildlife

 

Spare a thought for wildlife and make space for nature in your garden. A large area isn’t essential, in just a metre square a small wildlife sanctuary can be created.

 

 

Simply providing a feeding station and birdbath, or planting a tree or shrub will supply garden birds with food and water, nesting areas and a safe haven free from predators, such as the neighbour’s cat!

 

 

Woodpiles left in a quiet area will attract beetles and many other insects that will explore the nooks and crannies that appear once the wood starts to decompose. Frogs, toads and hedgehogs will search out  the warm, dry spaces underneath, to hibernate until warmer weather arrives. Encourage a small patch of stinging nettles, it maybe nothing more than a weed to us, but it provides a great source of food for ladybirds and butterflies. The latter will lay eggs on the leaves, which in turn provides food for any lodging hedgehogs.

 

 

An old branch left amongst ivy makes a great perch for wrens. This species loves to bustle through the leaves looking for insects, and robins will also make use of it. Ivy produces berries, which provide food for hungry birds such as blackbirds and thrushes.

 

 

It’s simple and easy to implement these small things, and by going wild, you can help conserve the wonderful wildlife surrounding us.”