Spring has arrived and with this, so will all the hungry creatures great and small. Some emerging from hibernation or flying in from abroad. Very soon all the birds, mammals, amphibians and invertebrates will be busily foraging food, building nests and preparing for new arrivals. With all this happening, you can do plenty to help out our native wildlife. From simple 1-step activities to larger scale garden adventures, there is something for everybody to enjoy.
Here we have listed 10 easy spring projects you can do in your own garden!
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1. Build a log pile – it’s an ideal habitat for small mammals, amphibians and insect critters.
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2. Encourage bees and butterflies by planting pollen and nectar-rich plants such as rudbeckia, lavender and nepeta.
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3. If you have a fence, remove a small section at the bottom to allow hedgehogs and frogs into your garden.
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4. Create a pond – make sure it has shallow edges, to allow easy access for frogs and newts, and lots of pond plants for shelter.
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5. Tie a bundle of bamboo sticks together and place in the nook of a tree. This makes a great ladybird nest.
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6. Create a leaf pile in a damp, shady corner of the garden – frogs, toads and newts will thrive in it.
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7. Start a hedgerow. Plant hawthorn, blackthorn or hazel to replace a wooden fence. The hedge will provide nesting sites while the berries and nuts are essential for spring wildlife.
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8. Plant roses, honeysuckle or clematis against walls or fences. As well as scenting the air, these make ideal nesting habitats.
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9. Plant a fruit tree in your garden such as apple, pear or plum. These will make great sources of food for wildlife.
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10. Put up bird feeders. Birds will love the food and you will love watching them feed.
Most of these activities will take less than an hour so why not see what life you can grow in your garden!
For more information about the Ecology Services we can offer, call us on 029 2065 0331, contact us on info@acerecology.co.uk or click here for examples of our work.
