Wildlife Habitats
The Wildlife Meadow
Old meadows provide a home for many colourful wild flowers. They are the natural homes of butterflies, bees and grass hoppers. If you want to turn a grassy area into a wildflower meadow you need to know what is already growing there. Let it grow during the summer to see what comes up. The result can be spectacular, even rare orchids have been known to appear. Meadow flowers can be sown or planted to produce spring or summer displays - but how and when you mow will dictate which species you should plant. However, if they are not properly looked after dead plants will build up and bramble, thistles and scrub will take over.For best results:
- Order small quantities of the different types of seeds you have chosen. Sow them in patches into an area which has been lightly seeded with a native grass mix (for advice on local sources of native seeds contact Durham Wildlife Trust).
- The sowing rate should be low to avoid overcrowding. 0.5g of wildflower seeds and 1.0 - 1.5g of grass mix per square metre is best.
- To get an even spread of seed, mix it with sand saw dust.
- Immediately after sowing, rake the surface lightly and roll it with a small roller.
The Woodland
Woodlands are among our most beautiful wildlife features, but Britain is one of the countries with the least woodland cover in Europe. In the last 40 years almost half of our remaining ancient semi-natural woodlands have been destroyed.
Simple changes can transform the habitats around mature trees in parks and gardens alike, into new mini woodlands for wildlife. Why not:
- Allow the grass to grow around the base of mature trees, encouraging wild flowers to grow.
- Plant shrubs which enjoy shade beneath the trees e.g. hazel, holly, ferns or woodland flowers e.g. bluebell.
- Plant some replacements for existing trees. Make sure that they are of the same species before you plant seedlings amongst the shrubs/ trees.
- Try to ensure that the newly planted trees and shrubs are well watered in - conditions could be hostile to start with.
- Remember to position your trees carefully to avoid damage to foundations.
Useful trees: alder, ash, aspen, beech, silver birch, wild cherry, crab apple, holly, oak, rowan, yew, willow, wych elm.
Useful shrubs: blackthorn, broom, dog-rose, elder, guelder-rose, hawthorn, spindle
Tips
The best time of year to plant deciduous trees or shrubs is between November and March. This is the period when trees are dormant, between leaf-fall and bud-burst, and so can be moved without harming them. Holly and other evergreens are best planted in Spring or Summer.
Although it is tempting to plant larger 'standard' trees or shrubs, you will have the greatest success if you plant 60 - 90 cm high 'whips'. These will grow much faster and often overtake taller trees planted at the same time. They are also much cheaper to buy.
The Hedgerow
Hedgerows are a very valuable wildlife habitat, but over 150,000 miles have been dug up in the last 50 years. They are excellent for nesting birds and are often a haven for many insects, small mammals and wild flowers. Hedgerows provide corridors along which wildlife can travel. They can also be useful in providing boundaries and natural screens to buildings.
The best hedgerows for wildlife are those with a good mix of native trees and shrubs. In the countryside, these are often the oldest hedgerows. Native trees and shrubs are best for wildlife, especially those which provide flowers and berries for insects and birds. Hawthorn, blackthorn and hazel are good for making a thick hedge. In addition, berberis, cotoneaster and pyracantha produce lots of berries for birds in formal landscaped areas. Even a small hedge can make a useful contribution.
The Wildlife Pond
Creating a wildlife pond is one of the easiest things that you can do for nature and the results can be apparent in a matter of weeks.
Dig your pond to at least 75 cm deep in the centre to prevent freezing in the winter months. A saucer shape is a good design with gently sloping edges to provide easy access for animals, and an irregular shore line with 'bays' to provide secluded areas for wildlife. Shelves and ledges add variation in depth. Before lining the pond, line the hole with sand and old carpet to avoid damage to the liner. Then line the hole with a butyl rubber lining. Turn the liner under at the edges and cover with turf.
To calculate the size of the liner, use this formula:
length of finished pond x twice depth x twice width of pond.
Leave your pond for about a week for the soil to settle before planting. The best time to plant is between April and September. Never take plants from the wild and always try to use plants local to your area. Local suppliers may be able to help, but ask a friend for donations of spare plants. Various types of wildlife may colonise the pond without needing to be introduced, especially if there is a pond nearby. However, if there are not many ponds in the local area, frog or toad spawn could be introduced from a garden pond with excess spawn (but beware of cross contamination from disease or fungi).
Pollution often affects ponds. Signs of pollution include oil films, scum, algal blooms or an unpleasant smell. The cause may be a build-up of dead plant materials or contamination by pesticides, fertilisers or run-off from roads. A pond suffering from a build-up of dead plant material can usually be improved by clearing the material at an appropriate time of year.
