{"id":8525,"date":"2022-02-06T18:03:36","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T18:03:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theparentsocial.com\/?p=8525"},"modified":"2024-01-29T15:07:01","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T15:07:01","slug":"how-to-introduce-more-wildlife-and-birds-to-your-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theparentsocial.com\/how-to-introduce-more-wildlife-and-birds-to-your-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"How to introduce more wildlife and birds to your garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hot on the heels of us taking part in the RSPB\u2019s Big Garden Birdwatch<\/a>, comes a great guest post giving top tips for attracting more wildlife into your garden. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From hedgehog refuges to bird feeders and insect hangouts, here are seven ways you can tweak your outside space to welcome more creatures\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 easy ways to attract more birds and wildlife <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tip #1 \u2013 Feed and house the birds<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"wildlife\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"wildlife\"
A pair of blue tits at a nesting box<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s coming up to nesting season<\/a> for UK birds, so now is a good time to put up homes for our feathered friends and their offspring. Bird boxes are usually best put up in autumn, but it\u2019s never too early or too late to offer shelter.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same goes for feeders. They are most important in winter when natural food sources are scarce, but it never hurts to have a backup supply of protein-rich seeds, nuts and mealworms available for them in case the local reserves run low. Try to get squirrel-proof feeders<\/a> if you can. These generally have a metal cage around that only small birds can get through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the best show, you can position your feed near your birdhouse and watch them flying back and forth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #2 \u2013 Make an insect home<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

You can buy ready-made insect houses that are similar to bird boxes in shape and have loads of hidey-holes inside for little bugs to get into. However, you can also make one yourself. Garden refuse is a great, natural way to make an insect house – and it\u2019s generally natural material that they gravitate to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, get your sticks, old bits of wood, broken plant pots, bark and more, then pile it all up under a tree or at the base of a bush. They\u2019ll create a shady, damp area with plenty of spaces for the crawlies to creep into.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #3 \u2013 Make a rocky spot <\/strong>for wildlife <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stacks of rocks are another space where small creatures love to hide. They\u2019re cool and dark and often trap moisture underneath \u2013 the ideal environment for a lot of insects and mini beasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These kinds of spaces are simple to put together, just stack some rocks, bricks or stones up in a pile by a fence or near some quiet bushes and let the little creatures find their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #4 \u2013 Try wilding your garden<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"wildlife\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"wildlife\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wilding simply means letting the grass grow tall, leaving the weeds alone and planting wildflower seeds. Combined, these create a wild area where pollinators, insects, hedgehogs, and all manner of bugs will be able to hide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to let your whole garden go wild, you can just choose one border or a patch of grass. Similarly, you could also add more nature-friendly plants and shrubs to your space. Certain trees, like the crab apple<\/a>, are great for a wide variety of creatures and can provide year-round wildlife support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other plants that your new garden friends will like include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n