Here's the latest blog from our Wildlife Garden team
Hi everyone! Its time for an update on our lovely wildlife garden here at rspb Fairburn Ings. One of the keys to wildlife gardening is creating a variety of habitats and making best use of the available space - no matter how small or awkward. Thats why we have recently installed a fabulous new green roof on the shelter. We've used sedums as they are evergreen, easy to grow and have good wildlife value. It looks pretty good already but will be even better next year when it's more established. We've also been busy recruiting more wildlife garden volunteers. Matt and Andy have started and there may be a couple more too. Between us we want to make the garden the best it can be for both wildlife and our visitors.
So, what can we be doing in our own gardens at this time of year? The crucial thing is not to over tidy - all that dead vegetation provides a safe haven for countless creatures, particularly invertebrates, which in turn are food for other wildlife. Believe me, a dead stalk to us is a des res to many others. Seed heads left through the winter not only provide food for birds but can also be a striking feature. If you feel you really can't leave things then why not create a leaf and twig pile in a quiet corner of the garden - who knows, you may even be lucky enough to get a certain prickly visitor hibernating in there - and we all know how much hedgehogs need our help these days.
(Log pile image by Andy Hay rspb-images).
Similarly, log piles can provide a place for amphibians and a whole host of other creatures to overwinter. Deciduous trees and shrubs can also be planted or moved now and, if you have the space, planting a wildlife hedge is a fantastic thing to do. Just as important as all the tasks, now is also a great time to plan your garden for next year. Is there anything else you can do to attract and support wildlife? Remember the 3 staple requirements of a wildlife garden - food, water and shelter - can you improve what your garden offers in terms of these things?
As always we will happily answer any questions and give advice where we can. We also love to hear your ideas and comments so next time you see us in the garden come and have a chat. Now is a really wonderful time to visit Fairburn Ings with that lovely crisp air and the leaves crunching underfoot. However, one of the very best things is that the birds are so much easier to see because all the leaves have fallen. Also, because natural food is becoming more scarce many species are more likely to visit the feeder areas which are dotted around the reserve. This provides some great views and also a bit of exercise to work off all those mince pies!
I'll sign off there but on behalf of the wildlife garden team may I wish you and yours a happy and healthy festive season and we hope to see you very soon.
Louise