One of the strongest messages that comes across from the enthusiasm of the presenters is that nature is not just something that you have to travel into the wilds to experience. Nature and wildlife can be experienced right in your own back garden.
We’re sure that many of you would like to encourage wildlife into your own gardens.
There are plenty of things that you can do in your Allison Homes garden to bring birds, small mammals and insects into your gardens. Here are a few of them:
- Create a refuge for declining species like hedgehogs, bats, sparrows and song thrushes. Plant borders with plants rich in berries. These will benefit wildlife and bring rich autumn colour to your garden.
- Introduce a water feature if you have room. This will encourage newts, frogs, dragonflies and pond skaters. It will also provide water for birds. Plant the edges with marsh marigold and purple loose strife to give colour and nectar for insects.
- Consider planting a hedge which can provide food and shelter for wildlife. Incorporate flowering ivy to provide food and shelter for over-wintering insects.
- Create your own compost heap. The decaying vegetable matter will provide a home for a myriad of invertebrates which will in turn encourage hedgehogs, slow worms, toads and centipedes which all feed on them.
- Make a mammal table. This is just like a bird table but it is for feeding small creatures like mice, voles and shrews. You could also create a mouse house or a hedgehog box. Find out more on how to create your own boxes and tables here.
- Provide an overwintering shelter for insects and small mammals. The Wildlife Trust has some handy hints on what to do here .
- Feed the birds. Put out a variety of foods on the ground, in feeders and on bird tables. Avoid rats by removing old and rotting food daily. You can put out cheese, porridge oats, raisins, stale cake, meal worms and sunflower seeds. When choosing a seed mix use one with a variety of seeds including black sunflower seeds. Nuts should be unsalted. Make sure they have the British Trust for Ornithology’s ‘safe’ kite mark. In winter, birds will also benefit from fat balls.
There are lots of things you can do to encourage wildlife into your garden and provide a home for a variety of birds and animals all year around. You don’t have to do everything. Pick from a menu of things and have fun watching what creatures come to your home.
