The 'Pets' In Your Garden
The type of garden you have will influence what kind of wildlife chooses to come and pay a visit - or even set up home...
If you want to encourage more wildlife into your garden then you will need to take some simple measures and set aside an area for your 'visitors' to live, in peace and out of harms way.
The majority of wildlife will not be attracted to a garden where there is little or no grass and plants - or where insecticides are commonly used.
Wildlife needs trees, hedges and flowering plants for food and shelter.
Since they are nocturnal, hedgehogs will be attracted to compost heaps as they can provide shelter for when they are inactive throughout the day. By night they like to hunt for food such as slugs, earthworms and beetles. People often put out a saucer of milk and bread for hedgehogs but this can make them ill and it would be a better option to leave a saucer of water and a plate of hedgehog food (yes you can buy it!) or even cat food - as it is far more digestible for them.
Hedgehogs usually hibernate between November and March and will take shelter in a pile of leaves or a compost heap. They could also take a shine to the bonfire you are building and may just have settled down when you want to celebrate in November - so please, always make sure your visitors have left before you start your fire!
If you have a compost heap it will also attract insects - and these in turn will have the birds flocking to your garden; while ponds will provide some extra benefits by attracting a variety of aquatic insects, frogs and possibly newts, as well as providing water for other wildlife.
You can find many ways of keeping out unwanted pests - or invite in a whole host of fascinating 'pets' into your garden all year round. You just have to know what you are looking at and looking for - and bear in mind a few simple rules of nature.
With 'orphan season' well under way, Simon Cowell from Wildlife Aid has issued a few helpful "Dos and Don'ts" to make sure you know when to step in - and when to step away:
If you see an apparently orphaned creature, DON'T touch it unless it is obviously in dire danger. Instead, call the WAF helpline on 09061 800132.
If you find a fledgling bird on the ground that looks as if it has fallen out of its nest, if it is practical please DO try to put it back in its nest.
If you need to move your shed, please DON'T do it at this time of year if you think you may have a resident fox living behind it as it may have young, which need to be left undisturbed.
If you find a young fawn in a clump of grass or hedgerow, DON'T touch it. Stay clear - but DO ring us and we will advise on what to do.
If clearing out garages or sheds, please DO check for hedgehog nests (often made from paper or plastic bags).
We only take in young animals if we are certain they have been left alone. If you see baby animals and are in any doubt, please call the Wildlife Aid Foundation.
Simon Cowell
The Wildlife Aid Foundation - Donate Online
For more information please visit www.wildlifeaid.org.uk
Emergency Helpline 09061 800132
Donations Line 01372 377332
admin@wildlifeaid.org.uk
For further information on encouraging wildlife into your garden visit the DircetGov website where you will find a wealth of tips and ideas, including what plants to grow and how to feed your wildlife 'pets'.
Natural England also have a large selection of interesting fact sheets that will help you create the perfect environment for any visitors coming your (garden) way...