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Garden ponds and boggy areas: havens for wildlife
Why have a garden pond? As well as providing a refuge for many freshwater plants and animals, a well-designed garden pond can be valuable for other wildlife too. Birds drink and bathe in the shallow margins, or eat the autumn seed heads of reeds. Ponds will attract insect life which, in turn,...
Why have a garden pond? As well as providing a refuge for many freshwater plants and animals, a well-designed garden pond can be valuable for other wildlife too. Birds drink and bathe in the shallow margins, or eat the autumn seed heads of reeds. Ponds will attract insect life which, in turn,...
Dragonflies and damselflies in your garden
Dragonflies are usually larger than damselflies. They are stronger fliers and can often be found well away from water. When at rest, they hold their wings open, rather like an aeroplane. The hindwings are usually shorter and wider than the forewings. They have large eyes – occupying most of the head – that are very close to one another, often...
Dragonflies are usually larger than damselflies. They are stronger fliers and can often be found well away from water. When at rest, they hold their wings open, rather like an aeroplane. The hindwings are usually shorter and wider than the forewings. They have large eyes – occupying most of the head – that are very close to one another, often...
Enjoying moths and butterflies in your garden
Enjoying moths and butterflies in your garden Anyone with a garden, no matter what its size, can help our butterflies and moths. In doing so, we also help ourselves. These species are among our most beautiful insects. All butterflies and many moths fly by day and visit gardens in search of flower nectar, and also warmth and shelter. Some...
Enjoying moths and butterflies in your garden Anyone with a garden, no matter what its size, can help our butterflies and moths. In doing so, we also help ourselves. These species are among our most beautiful insects. All butterflies and many moths fly by day and visit gardens in search of flower nectar, and also warmth and shelter. Some...
Mammals in your garden
Mammals in your garden Far more people are now gardening with wildlife in mind and mammal visitors are often seen as a real bonus. The most common garden visitors are mice, grey squirrels, hedgehogs, foxes and bats. However, shrews and voles are often present and some gardens are visited by badgers,...
Mammals in your garden Far more people are now gardening with wildlife in mind and mammal visitors are often seen as a real bonus. The most common garden visitors are mice, grey squirrels, hedgehogs, foxes and bats. However, shrews and voles are often present and some gardens are visited by badgers,...
Minibeasts in your garden
Creating a minibeast friendly garden By far the most numerous and diverse of animals in the garden are the minibeasts - invertebrates. They include spiders, snails, woodlice, worms, millepedes, centipedes, false scorpions, mites, earthworms and of course the ever abundant insects. Gardens are ideal for minibeasts, often full of useful microhabitats...
Creating a minibeast friendly garden By far the most numerous and diverse of animals in the garden are the minibeasts - invertebrates. They include spiders, snails, woodlice, worms, millepedes, centipedes, false scorpions, mites, earthworms and of course the ever abundant insects. Gardens are ideal for minibeasts, often full of useful microhabitats...
Birds and your garden
Creating a bird friendly garden Birds come to gardens to feed, breed, nest and rest. If water is provided they will also visit to drink, bathe and preen their feathers. There are broadly two types of bird: insect eaters and seed eaters.The ideal garden for birds should be able to supply...
Creating a bird friendly garden Birds come to gardens to feed, breed, nest and rest. If water is provided they will also visit to drink, bathe and preen their feathers. There are broadly two types of bird: insect eaters and seed eaters.The ideal garden for birds should be able to supply...
Reptiles in your garden: your questions answered
Reptiles in England England is home to three species of snake (grass snake, adder and smooth snake) and three species of lizard (common lizard, slow-worm and sand lizard). Reptiles are an important part of our wildlife heritage and play a key role in natural ecosystems. Unfortunately all English reptiles have declined...
Reptiles in England England is home to three species of snake (grass snake, adder and smooth snake) and three species of lizard (common lizard, slow-worm and sand lizard). Reptiles are an important part of our wildlife heritage and play a key role in natural ecosystems. Unfortunately all English reptiles have declined...
How to encourage wildlife on allotments
Why have an allotment? Allotments are an increasingly important resource for wildlife. Many of the plants and animals that struggle to survive on intensively managed farmland find a refuge on allotment sites. If you'd like to take on an allotment contact your local council in the first instance. In some cases...
Why have an allotment? Allotments are an increasingly important resource for wildlife. Many of the plants and animals that struggle to survive on intensively managed farmland find a refuge on allotment sites. If you'd like to take on an allotment contact your local council in the first instance. In some cases...
Why garden ponds are important for Amphibians
Why dig a garden pond? Many more people are digging a pond to create a feature for their garden. As well as being a great way to make your garden more attractive, a pond can also play an important role in conservation. As well as providing a wonderful habitat for wetland...
Why dig a garden pond? Many more people are digging a pond to create a feature for their garden. As well as being a great way to make your garden more attractive, a pond can also play an important role in conservation. As well as providing a wonderful habitat for wetland...
Strawberry pavlova
Showcase your strawberry harvest with this irresistible summer dessert. A perfect accompaniment to Wimbledon! Ingredients - serves 6-8 4 egg whites 250g caster sugar 1 tsp white wine vinegar 1 tsp cornflour 1 tsp vanilla extract 500g strawberries, hulled and halved 350ml double cream Preparation method Prep: 25 minutes / Cook: 1 hour 1. Heat oven to 150c/130c fan/gas...
Showcase your strawberry harvest with this irresistible summer dessert. A perfect accompaniment to Wimbledon! Ingredients - serves 6-8 4 egg whites 250g caster sugar 1 tsp white wine vinegar 1 tsp cornflour 1 tsp vanilla extract 500g strawberries, hulled and halved 350ml double cream Preparation method Prep: 25 minutes / Cook: 1 hour 1. Heat oven to 150c/130c fan/gas...
