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Writer's pictureJohn Grundy

Wildlife Habitats in Your Garden

There are many simple things you can do in your garden to help wildlife.

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Ponds are an obvious choice if you have the space. But even a small container in the corner of a #garden can offer a place for small #amphibians and aquatic invertebrates to thrive. A #pond also increases the choice of interesting #plants you can grow.

One of my own garden ponds

A log pile in a sheltered corner will offer safety and foraging opportunities for small #mammals, #amphibians and #reptiles as well as #invertebrates. Even small #birds like wren, robin and hedge sparrow will nest in a good compact log or brash pile.

Log pile in a nature reserve

A dead hedge will provide nesting and shelter for birds as well as other creatures.


​A #bug box or #insect hotels like this one will be useful for attracting predator insects

and solitary #bees. It doesn't need to be elaborate. A simple bundle of small twigs stuck into a hedge or attached to a fence will suit many insects. They aren't fussy!

Bug hotel in Germany

​Children will be fascinated by the wealth of #animals that come to make use of the facilities you provide.


Planting #wildflowers will encourage lots of pollinating insects like #bees, #hoverflies

and #butterflies as well as #moths

A small front garden filled with Summer colour from native plants.
Annuals and Perennials in my own front garden.

#Dragonfly and #damselflies will swoop by during the summer months laying eggs in the water and catching smaller insects on the wing.


Native hedging plants and trees will also offer much more opportunities for wildlife. As well as places for birds to hide and roost in overnight, they can forage for berries in Autumn and Winter. Many native hedging plants produce flowers in Spring and Summer for insects.

Dogwood has an abundance of Summer flowers, for insects. Great Autumn leaf colour for us to enjoy and masses of berries for birds and small mammals to feed on.
Cornus sanguinium. Native Dogwood

A dry stone wall is an incredible feature to have in your garden. Not only do they look amazing, but there are masses of opportunities for small animals to take shelter in a dry stone wall.


I hope you have found this useful and are inspired to add something to your own garden to help wildlife. Let's be honest, before our houses were here, there was probably a thriving community of plants and animals. Giving them something back is the least we can do.

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