web site updated
March 2006
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All original material is copyrighted to Alison Marsden, Gardening by Design 2003-6. It may be used by clients for the benefit of their own garden but for no other purpose

Wildlife

Encouraging bio-diversity without discouraging the people


	We used to talk about Wildlife, then The Ecology and now Bio-Diversity. Whatever it is called our gardens are enriched by (most of) the insects, birds and animals that inhabit and visit them. In every cottage garden day-dream, a bird sings or a butterfly floats by; no mediterranean memory is complete without the whirr of cicadas.

You do not have to turn your garden into a tatty wasteland nor allow pests to rampage unchecked in order to support the local wildlife community. Birds and animals range across a whole neighbourhood and however small your garden may seem, it is a vital link in a green corridor. The really good news is that many garden features are just as attractive to people as to animals: a long flowering season to provide food for insects, trees and shrubs with autumn berries for migrant birds, and of course a pond or water feature.

Just remember that the most diverse bio is the insect life at the bottom of the food chain, rediscover the fascination and importance of ‘creepy-crawlies’ and do not necessarily expect badgers to move into every garden.


	Download a Garden Wildlife Treasure Trail Game in Word 2000 (500kb file)


	Mouse over a picture for more information (you may need to unblock this if you receive a security message)


	Ponds provide homes for frogs and dragonflies that help control garden pests. They add another dimension to planting and supply birds and mammals with somewhere to bathe and drink.

		Trees and hedges encourage birds to nest. Colourful berries provide welcome food for both resident birds and migrants from late summer onwards. Birds help control pests by eating so many insects.


		Attract adult butterflies & moths by providing open, nectar-rich flowers from spring to autumn. Grow specific food plants for caterpillars to encourage butterflies to lay eggs. For example,many native butterflies lay eggs on Red Clover and Stinging Nettles.

	Provide habitats for beneficial insects such as ladybirds, beetles and lacewings that all eat insect pests. Old logs left in a wild area are ideal. Encourage bumble bees to overwinter and they will pollinate spring flowers and fruit blossom earlier than honeybees.


	Hedges and native trees provide a great habitat for insects, birds and small mammals and regular maintenance enhances both their appearance and wildlife value. If you have a larger area to make into a woodland garden we can help you with activities where specialist knowledge is required such as hedge-laying, coppicing and other woodland management techniques.