How to provide bushes for nesting birds
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In the spring, birds choose the best locations to build nests, so why not offer them a safe place to settle?
Any pond can become a feeding ground for birds, hedgehogs and bats – the best natural garden pest controllers! Your pond needn’t be big. A washing-up bowl, a large plant pot, or a disused sink could all be repurposed as ponds, providing you make sure creatures can get in and out.
Think big, start small!
What to do
- Choose a spot. Your pond will want light, but not full sunlight all day. You can dig a hole and sink your container, or just have it sitting on top.
- If the container isn’t watertight, e.g. an old plant pot, then add a piece of pond liner.
- Add a layer of gravel and rocks. Use logs or stones to create a range of depths and a slope for creatures to climb in and out. If your container isn’t sunk in you’ll need a ramp from the ground outside the pond.
- Fill your pond. Use rainwater as tap water contains chemicals.
- Start planting! You only need one or two plants. Great plants for small ponds include:
- Miniature waterlily (Nymphaea "Pygmaea Helvola")
- Lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula)
- Starwort (Callitriche stagnalis)
- Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus)
- Now watch and wait! Wildlife will come to your pond of its own accord. Don’t introduce frogs, fish or even water from another pond as this can spread disease.
More ways you can help wildlife
How to make a bee hotel
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Solitary bees are important pollinators and a gardener’s friend. Help them by building a bee hotel for your home or garden and watch them buzz happily about their business.
How to make a shrub garden for wildlife
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Woody shrubs and climbers provide food for wildlife, including berries, fruits, seeds, nuts leaves and nectar-rich flowers. So why not plant a shrub garden and see who comes to visit?