Feature: Wildlife


Backyard biodiversity: How families can


nurture nature at home Danielle Simpson, Sales Director atPye Homes in Oxfordshire, shares her ideas on how to create a fun environment to keep little ones busy and the family entertained outdoors, by utilising space, starting small projects, and new ways of learning.


B


y using natural resources and materials from around the garden, litle ones can create the


ultimate safe haven for bugs and other minibeasts; the perfect retreat for them to shelter, hide from predators, and raise their young. To create a bug hotel, old bricks, wooden


boxes and pallets serve as a great base. Stuff different areas of your base with dry leaves, twigs, hollow stems, dead grass, and bits of bark, to upgrade their accommodation to keep them warm and dry. Bug houses often attract ladybirds, bees, woodlice and spiders, with the possibility of attracting frogs and hedgehogs. Simple log piles made from decaying wood in a shady area of your garden will attract creepy crawlies such as centipedes, woodlice and beetles, with the chance to see birds, frogs and hedgehogs looking for a snack.


Growing produce Whether it’s growing colourful flowers or delicious fruit and vegetables for lunchtime snack plates, little ones can get their hands dirty too, with plenty of room for fun and learning along the way. For seeds that bloom into beautiful flowers,


dahlias, marigolds, hydrangeas, and lavender are popular choices for the summertime. With the nature of their rapid growth, why not have a sunflower growing race? Strawberries, thornless blackberries,


raspberries and gooseberries will help fuel the family’s fruit platters, whilst lettuce and other salad leaves, carrots, radishes and tomatoes will bulk up the BBQ’s side salads. Encourage children to design their own small patches and get creative with their plant markers through arts and crafts.


Wildlife water station Water is essential for wildlife, but it isn’t always used for drinking; it can be a haven for shelter


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Keep wildlife safe this winter


With the clocks going back and the nights drawing in, our gardens and green spaces take on a new importance becoming vital havens for wildlife preparing to settle down for the colder months ahead. From hedgehogs seeking a quiet corner


to hibernate, to frogs and toads burrowing beneath fallen leaves, many species depend on our outdoor spaces for shelter and survival during winter. However, while we tidy up our gardens


or get rid of seasonal waste, we might unknowingly put these animals at risk, disturbing their habitats or removing crucial shelter. Waste expert Steve Mallon, from


Fletchers Waste, says it’s all about balance: “Autumn and winter are some of the most


and breeding for amphibians such as newts, frogs and toads, while butterflies soak up vital minerals and salts, and birds bathe to remove parasites. Having a bird bath is common in many


gardens across the UK, but not many have shallow water sources for creatures such as butterflies who cannot land on open water. To create your own wildlife water puddle, a shallow dish or saucer is a great base which can then be filled with a mixture of gravel and small stones, sand and/or soil before adding the water, ensuring that not all the gravel and stones are submerged.


Seed balls We all know that flowers are the key to making sure Mother Nature’s creatures are healthy and well fed, therefore creating ‘seed balls’ is not only a super fun activity for children, but also an important step towards a healthier biodiversity in your garden. To create a batch of DIY seed balls, start by mixing one cup of your chosen seeds with five cups of compost and two cups of clay soil. Gradually add water until it begins to stick together. Once combined, roll the mixture into firm balls and place them in the sun to dry. Once they’re set your little ones can choose how they want to plant them, whether it be breaking them up and distributing them


critical times for wildlife. A little care and awareness when managing garden waste can make all the difference between helping wildlife thrive or accidentally harming it.” Here’s his advice on how you can help


protect your local wildlife this season: Create wild corners in your garden. Leave some leaf-litter, fallen branches or a small log pile undisturbed. This provides shelter and foraging opportunities for hedgehogs, insects and amphibians. Make sure any wood, or leaf-piles used


for shelter are not going to become bonfires without inspection. Animals may already have settled inside. For any garden pond, ensure there is a ramp or escape route at the edge so that small mammals (like hedgehogs) or amphibians which fall in can climb out safely. Provide fresh water (a shallow dish) and,


if you regularly feed wildlife, consider meat- based cat or dog food (not bread and milk) for hedgehogs in colder evenings. Check your garden boundaries: creating a small gap (often called a ‘hedgehog highway’) in fences or walls can allow hedgehogs safe access between gardens, increasing their chances of foraging and finding a nest.


around the garden’s grass or throwing them at the ground and waiting to see what grows and where! • www.pyehomes.co.uk


GCU Winter 2025


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