Brian's Wildlife Garden

[brian]

(Click to see recent posts)

BRIAN'S WILDLIFE GARDEN

How does YOUR garden grow?

Does it have plants that attract butterflies, or nooks and crannies that are little secret places for the little wildlife critters we often miss in our gardens?

In 2009, Brian started this wonderful topic where folks can talk about their wildlife gardens and it is now over 90 pages!  Join in and tell us and show us what you've seen in your garden be it little or small.



From Brian when this topic was opened:

"Due to some nice weather I've spent the last 2 days in my little garden getting ready for the new year.  I decided to make a small wildlife garden at the top with the intention of being able to use my shed as a photographic " hide ".

Here's a quick image of the bare bones, planting, etc. still to be done.

When completed it will have as well as feeding station for the birds a hedgehog house a bumble bee house, ladybird refuge and a butterfly area, and in times of stress I shall retreat to the shed with camera."






See recent posts here

[Julie]

Oh that looks exciting, I'm afraid my whole garden is a wildlife garden right now! that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

[pekster]

Will there be a battered Peks house too Brian

[brian]

er you see the dove-cote....   the rental is.... cheap

[Steve Randles]

How about a little pond brian? Toads frogs newts dragons etc could add to your manageree..and no wildlife garden is complete without one.

Interesting that your building a hedgehog house, I have that on my list for this year.

Steve...

[brian]

would love a pond, unfortunately my near neighbour goes into a paranoid frenzy at the mention of frogs!   Had one before for several years but in the end had to give in to her fears....and the wife's moaning about being a good neighbour....

[karenc]

Looks fab Brian cant wait to see finished area

[Sheratan]

How lovely Brian.

I leave a wild corner of my garden for beetles, mice, birds, or anything else that wants to live there. I'd love to move it all to see what's living there but I can't because I'd upset everything. Still, I'm sure lots of wildlife is benefitting from it.
Chris

[brian]

still pottering with setting the garden up, but took a few minutes to set the camera up inside the shed and check what views are available. Still need to work on moving things around in the backgrounds, here the rust on the old well bucket is a little too bright...

[brian]

eye contact

[JohnSingleton]

What great idea mate

[brian]

It seemed like only blackbirds wanted to play today, but I was continually working in the garden so other less bold birds were reluctant to pose.
The background plants are a bit bright here but they will be perfect for tits etc to climb and perch amongst, and I don't intend to take too many shots of birds as they sit on the table amongst the seed , so I'll let them remain for the time being.

[scoundrel1728]

A little image editing would also take care of that problem, but you already know that.

[Mikeakabigman]

I suspect Brian will be aiming to get it as right as possible in the camera, rather than editing Great to see the project Brian, its great fun and even more so when the birds and animals settle in and get used to the set up.
There's nothing like having your own wildlife studio, I look forward to watching its progress

[brian]

That's correct Mike, better to get it as right as possible outside the camera, as in all photography.
I am a little constrained in this project as a true " wildlife garden " is by nature a wild unkempt place, left to natures own devices, but as its part of my garden in full view I am under " orders " to keep it tidy !
Time will be the best friend and I understand that it will develop more naturally over the oncoming months.
Dunnocks Goldfinches greenfinches  a few tits, sparrows starlings pigeons doves robins wren even a pair of siskins are using the area at the moment.
An unexpected bonus is that a colony of buff tailed bumble bees have made a " nest" under an old railway sleeper used as a border at the back. I have provided a home for " solitary " bees to egg lay and am hopefully of that.
I have managed to incorporate a couple of little out of sight breeding stations for fruit flies etc to help with insect eating birds, but need the warmer weather to arrive.
Has anyone got any ideas how to attract pied wagtails ?  lots about in the area but am darned if I can get one into the garden !
 

[Julie]

Found this on the net brian This bird may be tempted to inhabit gardens by the provision of mealworms, peanut granules or even something as simple as grated cheese. but I'm wondering if they prefer to eat as solitary eaters etc. maybe resiting their food supply in accordance with their preferences?

[brian]

yep my birds get the gourmet offerings, costs me an arm and a leg !  I've found that no birds visit the old red onion tube of peanuts in my garden, they never have, I have to feed them loose. Cheese and sultana's is a big hit with many varieties of birds, and the wife drew the line at me putting a rabbit road kill out for the magpies...... spoil sport

[Julie]

 

Mine too don't seem to like the colour red-but I can understand why. I can't seem to find anything about feeding preferences in terms of location in the garden for wagtails though. I guessed you would already feed the best! I'm 'guilty' of that too! but it's frustrating watching a horde of starlings descend on it all and it's gone within minutes!

[Mikeakabigman]

I see you've a bird bath, but can you or have you any moving water feature in your set up ? I find the algae that grows on the  constantly wet areas will attract more insects, also your fruit fly culture should be attractive to Wagtails.

[brian]

apart from the bird bath I have an old tub and pump that has running water, but its far too deep and dangerous for birds, they tend to drown ! I will be replacing it in due course for some type of shallow water feature, possibly a " stream " type of set up. Not I hasten to add to encourage any type of frog or toad species...... ;-)