Wildlife Gardening
When it comes to wildlife gardening, it's up to you. You can do a little or you can do a lot. But what's important is to realise that everyone can do something for the wildlife that shares our gardens. And if everyone does their bit to help it really can make a difference.
Much of the UK's wildlife is having a tough time of it in the so-called countryside. While conservationists work tirelessly to address conflicts and concerns, everybody can support their endeavours by trying to improve their own garden for as many other species as possible.
Gardens, linked by trees, hedges and such, may act as mini nature reserves in the maintenance of biodiversity whilst providing valuable corridors for wildlife to move and colonise new sites. Gardens are also very often first points of contact and interaction between people and wildlife so can be important for people on an emotional and mental well-being level.
In the UK we look after a staggering 3 million acres of garden - an area five times the size of greater London. Today every garden, however big or small, is a potential nature reserve. Over the past 50 years our countryside has suffered the destruction of much of its ancient woodlands, meadows and wetlands. We can't replace these losses, but in our gardens we can all do something for wildlife, and at the same time have some fun and create gardens that are beautiful and full of interest, all year round.
Stag Beetle
Lucanus cervus
This spectacular beetle is the largest terrestrial beetle in the UK. Sadly it is globally threatened, but there is plenty you can do to help in your own garden by providing log piles in which it can lay its eggs. Stag beetles spend the majority of their very long life cycle underground, feeding on decaying wood. This may vary from three to seven years depending on the weather.
Red-tailed & Buff-tailed Bumblebees
Bombus lapidarius & Bombus terrestris
Two of our more common bumblebees, but both still under threat through loss of habitat and a reduction in wildflower food plants. The picture above shows them taking full advantage of the nectar and pollen provided by the common architectural plant silver ragwort, but they can only do this if it is allowed to flower.
Peacock Butterfly
Aglais io
The adult butterflies drink nectar from a wide variety of flowering garden plants, including buddleia, willow, dandelion, wild marjoram, danewort, hemp agrimony and clover. Its caterpillar feeds mainly on common nettle although its eggs and larvae are occasionally reported on small nettle and hop.
Holly Blue Butterfly
Celastrina argiolus
Both sexes visit a variety of nectar sources such as bramble, holly and forget-me-not. However, they do seem to have a preference for honeydew rather than nectar. The males will also come down to the ground to take salts and minerals from damp mud and animal waste as shown in the picture above.
Large Red Damselfly
Pyrrhosoma nymphula
The large red damselfly is a medium-sized damselfly which lives around the edge of ponds, lakes, ditches and canals. The earliest damselfly to emerge in the UK, it is on the wing from early April through to August. Dragonflies and damselflies can be encouraged into your garden by having a wildlife friendly pond.