In late summer there are still plenty of things you can do in your garden to help wildlife. Even the smallest things can make a big difference to the wildlife in your garden.
Continue feeding and providing water for birds
The RSPB recommend feeding birds all year round. Ideally pick bird food for all ages and you might be lucky enough to have lots of baby birds tucking into the food you put out. Water is just as valuable for bathing and drinking so keep it topped up during the summer months.
Resist deadheading roses and plants with seedheads
Roses often have hips which provide much needed food for birds as the months get colder. Rosa canina (dog rose), Rosa filipes ‘Kiftsgate’ and Rosa Moyesii are just some of the roses that produce hips which not only feed the birds but look amazing too!
Seedheads on plants such as Verbena bonariensis, lavender and teasels also a valuable food source for birds and small animals.
Mud!
If you’ve been lucky enough to have swifts, swallows or house martins in your eaves, leave a dish of mud out and they can use it to repair their nests.
They are migratory birds and should be on their way to Africa by the middle of August. These birds are sadly on the decline so it’s worth doing everything we can to help them.
Avoid Trimming Hedges
Blackbirds and thrushes often nest well into August so check your hedges before trimming in case there are still baby birds around. Ideally use manual hedge cutters as they are easier to control and stop should you see any wildlife.
Caring for Your Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs and particularly hoglets need building up before they hibernate. Leave shallow water bowls out for them and cat food, ideally chicken flavour to help them put on weight for the winter.
There are some great hedgehog houses on the market or if you’re practical you could try making one. See https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-hedgehog-home for instructions. Pick a quite shady spot to situate it, ideally away from predators or a road.
Hedgehogs are known to wander far and wide, walking a mile or more a night in their quest for food or a mate. It’s a good idea to create hedgehog corridors/highways to help them move safely from one garden to another. You can find out how to create them here.
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