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Habitats

Wildlife Gardening in August: A Guide to Attracting Birds, Bees, and Other Beneficial Creatures

by Gregory June 4, 2024

written by Gregory 2 minutes read

Wildlife Gardening in August

Making Your Garden a Wildlife Magnet

August is a great time to make your garden a haven for wildlife. Many birds, bees, and butterflies are actively looking for food and shelter. By providing them with what they need, you can create a beautiful and vibrant outdoor space that’s also good for the environment.

Plants for Wildlife

Some of the best plants for attracting wildlife in August are those that bloom late in the summer, such as sunflowers, dahlias, and honeysuckle. These flowers provide nectar and pollen for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

You can also plant wildflowers, such as zinnias and cosmos, to attract hummingbirds and other small birds.

Creating Habitats

In addition to planting flowers, you can also create other habitats for wildlife in your garden. For example, you can build a birdhouse or bat box, or create a pile of logs or rocks for insects and reptiles to hide in.

You can also leave some areas of your lawn uncut to provide shelter for small mammals and insects.

Feeding Wildlife

During the late summer, many birds are preparing for their annual migration. Providing them with high-protein foods, such as sunflower seeds and mealworms, can help them build up their energy reserves.

You can also put out water dishes for birds and other animals to drink and bathe in.

Attracting Beetles

Beetles are often overlooked, but they are important pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem. You can attract beetles to your garden by creating mini-habitats, such as dead log piles, and avoiding the use of pesticides.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can create a wildlife-friendly garden that is both beautiful and beneficial for the environment. So get started today and enjoy the rewards of sharing your garden with nature!

Gardening

June Wildlife Gardening: How to Attract Wildlife to Your Garden with Plants, Habitats, and More

by Gregory May 28, 2024

written by Gregory 4 minutes read

June Wildlife Gardening: A Guide to Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden

Introduction

June is a great time to enjoy the beauty of nature and attract wildlife to your garden. With the long days and warm weather, there are plenty of opportunities to see and hear wildlife, from buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies to singing birds and graceful dragonflies.

Plants for Wildlife

One of the best ways to attract wildlife to your garden is to plant a variety of plants that provide food and shelter. Some great choices for June include:

Cosmos: These cheerful flowers are a favorite of bees and butterflies, providing nectar and pollen.
Zinnias: Zinnias are another popular choice for pollinators, and they come in a wide range of colors.
Snapdragons: Snapdragons are a good choice for attracting long-tongued bumblebees.
Roses: Many types of roses are excellent for pollinators, providing easily accessible nectar and pollen.
Herbs: Herbs such as marjoram, mint, sage, and thyme are all attractive to pollinators and other wildlife.

Feeding Wildlife

In addition to planting the right plants, you can also provide food for wildlife in other ways.

Supplementary foods: Mealworms and sunflower seeds are good sources of energy for busy parent birds.
Water: Make sure birds and other animals have access to clean, fresh water.

Creating and Maintaining Habitats

Providing wildlife with a variety of habitats is essential for attracting and supporting a diverse range of species.

Wildlife ponds: Ponds are a great resource for many aquatic and land animals.
Long grass: Allowing grass to grow long around the edges of your pond or in other areas of your garden provides shelter for young animals.
Rock piles: Rock piles provide shelter for amphibians and other small animals.
Dense shrubs: Dense shrubs give birds cover when they come down to drink or bathe.

Look Out For… Dragonflies

Dragonflies are one of the highlights of a wildlife pond. To attract these graceful aerial hunters, create a pond with a variety of features, including:

Floating plants: Floating plants provide shelter for dragonfly larvae.
Emergent vegetation: Emergent vegetation gives dragonfly nymphs something to climb up before shedding their skins.
Stones and plants: Stones and plants around the edge of the pond provide places for adult dragonflies to bask.

Growing Greener

When planning your garden, consider the environmental impact of your choices.

Permeable surfaces: Permeable surfaces, such as gravel or grass sown through a reinforcement grid system, allow water to drain through, reducing the risk of flooding and creating a more sustainable landscape.
Planting through gravel or permeable paving: You can plant through gravel or in spaces between permeable paving with low-growing plants such as thyme and chamomile.
Hedges and climbers: Adding hedges and planting climbers up fences adds texture and color to your garden, while also providing valuable habitats for wildlife.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can create a garden that is a haven for wildlife. From providing food and shelter to creating a variety of habitats, there are many ways to attract and support wildlife in your own backyard.

Wildlife Gardening

Emperor Dragonflies: A Beginner’s Guide to Identifying and Attracting These Amazing Insects

by Gregory April 12, 2024

written by Gregory 2 minutes read

Emperor Dragonflies: A Guide for Young Nature Enthusiasts

Introduction

Have you ever seen a large, blue and green insect hovering over your pond or lake? That’s likely an emperor dragonfly! These fascinating creatures are the largest dragonflies in the UK, and they’re a joy to beobachten.

Identifying Emperor Dragonflies

Emperor dragonflies are easy to identify by their distinctive appearance. Males have pale blue bodies with a greenish thorax (chest), while females are green. Both males and females have green-blue eyes and a black stripe running along the top of their bodies.

Habitat and Behavior

Emperor dragonflies are found near large bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, and canals. They can also be found in gardens with ponds. These dragonflies are skilled fliers and can often be seen catching prey such as butterflies and smaller dragonflies in mid-air.

Life Cycle

Female emperor dragonflies lay their eggs in pond weed. Unlike other dragonfly species, the male does not clasp onto the female while she lays her eggs. The nymphs (baby dragonflies) spend up to two years in the pond, eating tadpoles and other aquatic larvae. When they’re ready, they climb up tall stems and transform into adult dragonflies.

How to Attract Emperor Dragonflies to Your Garden

If you want to attract emperor dragonflies to your garden, the best thing you can do is create a pond. Emperors need large bodies of water to lay their eggs in. You can also plant blanket weed in your pond, as this is what emperor dragonflies prefer to lay their eggs in.

In addition, you can create a habitat for other aquatic species, such as tadpoles, newts, and frogs. This will provide food for adult emperor dragonflies. You can also plant long grass and wildflowers around your pond to attract butterflies and other insects that emperor dragonflies eat.

Conclusion

Emperor dragonflies are beautiful and fascinating creatures that can add a touch of magic to your garden. By creating a habitat that meets their needs, you can attract these amazing insects to your backyard and enjoy their presence for years to come.