Even if you live in the middle of a busy city, there are ways you can attract a surprising variety of wildlife to your outdoor space. Here’s how to create your very own wildlife sanctuary in the middle of a bustling metropolis.
1. Feed the bees and the butterflies
Plant flowers, trees and plants that are high in pollen and nectar as they will produce seeds and fruit which are a great source of food for wildlife such as bees, moths or butterflies. A good starting point is to look at shrubs and climbers such as Hebe, Honeysuckle, Lavender or Ivy and flowering plants such as Bluebells, Violets or Foxglove. If you’re stuck for space, or don’t have a soiled area, then all you need to do is buy a planter, which lets you grow plants with a minimum amount of mess.
2. Don't forget the birds
Bird tables and feeders are great way to attract avian life into your garden and can be a critical source of food for birds in the winter months. Fill with pre-made seed mixes and protect the wood from splintering and rotting by using a water-based wood preserver. Alternatively, turn it into a focal point by coating it with a coloured woodstain such as Ronseal’s Woodland Trust Colours range, which are inspired by the UK woodland. And even if you’ve not got any suitable outdoor space at all, then you can get mini bird feeders that stick onto the outside of windows with suckers, so there’s really no excuse!
3. Water
All creatures need water to exist, and building a pond will benefit countless species, not to mention produce a really calming effect in your garden (due to the negative ions that occur around water, apparently). If space restricts, a small water feature will give birds and other wildlife something to drink from and bathe in - even just a straightforward bird bath will do the trick and is great if positioned in view of a window.
4. Shelter
Compost heaps and hedges are essential sources of shelter for many insects, invertebrates and hedgehogs, and they also act as a vital food source for these creatures. You don’t need lots of space for a compost area or hedge, just make sure you avoid placing compost heaps on decking as this may stain the wood and choose non vigorous hedging plants that are a mixture of evergreen and deciduous species. For birds, nesting boxes and bird tables provide the ideal shelter. Make sure that you build them at least a couple of meters above the ground so that the birds are safe from predators such as cats and foxes and position nest boxes away from the wind, rain and strong light.
For more information visit www.ronseal.co.uk or www.WoodlandTrust.org.uk/Ronseal.
