Wildlife Gardening Pack

As the homes and habitats of many animals and plants are eroded, invaded, polluted and sometimes disappear altogether, back gardens are becoming increasingly important refuges for wildlife. With a bit of 'know how' every garden, however small, can be developed to provide a safe haven for wildlife and your own private nature reserve. 

Many garden plants are a vital source of nectar for bees and butterflies and provide cover and food for numerous bird species. Bird feeders on a balcony or hung outside a window can be a great way of helping to look after our feathered friends. Creating a wildlife area doesn’t have to be time consuming, expensive or difficult, but can be fun, with even the simplest things often making a big difference.

The Bigger Picture

Private gardens make up about 31,600 hectares of the London landscape. That’s the size of 31,600 football pitches! The mosaic of gardens across the capital acts as a massive ‘urban nature reserve’, widely recognised as providing one of the most valuable habitats for London’s wildlife. But these areas are disappearing fast. As people build, pave over and deck away, this urban oasis is rapidly disappearing.

How You Can Help

Even if you’re not green-fingered and you don’t know your hedgehog from your squirrel, there are many small things that you can do to make your back yard wildlife friendly. 

To help you in this Islington Council has produced an information pack in partnership with the London Wildlife Trust, which will give you advice and useful tips on how you can create your own wildlife oasis. The pack is full of helpful tips, advice and contacts to make being wildlife friendly as easy as possible.

To order or download the Wildlife Gardening Pack see details at the end of this page.

Helpful Hints

Put up a bird feeder: It’s important not just to feed birds in the winter but to feed them throughout the year. Get a feeder from your local DIY shop and fill it with seeds like peanuts, sunflowers seeds or use one of the prepared seed mixes. Nuts should be unsalted and bear the British Trust for Ornithology's 'safe' kite mark. This will ensure nuts have not been sprayed with chemicals that can kill birds. Most garden centres, large DIY stores and pet shops sell a variety of bird foods and feeders.

Create a wildflower area: Wildflowers can be grown at home, even by those without a garden in hanging baskets or window boxes. Not only are wildflowers pretty to look at, they are excellent for insects, birds and mammals. Try sowing seed mixes such as Field poppy, Cornflower, Corn marigold, Corncockle and Corn chamomile. Wildflower seeds can be easily bought from your local garden centre or by ordering online.

Grow nectar rich plants: Such as forget-me-not, lavender and marigolds; these will encourage insects and butterflies as well as providing a fragrant display. Nectar rich herbs such as Chives, Comfrey, Marjoram and Mint are also great for both wildlife and your cooking.

Provide a bird bath: A year round supply of fresh water is vital for birds to drink and will increase the variety of visiting birds. Watching them is also an enjoyable and entertaining pastime!

Install a nest box: Bird boxes provide shelter and a place for birds to nest. Try to position your bird box in a sheltered and shady location at least two metres above the ground. Also consider installing other wildlife boxes such as a lacewing hibernation box or a ladybird house as these can provide them with a safe roosting place during cold and frosty nights in early spring, and a safe place in which to hibernate in winter.

For a copy of the Wildlife Gardening Pack contact Islington Ecology Centre
E: ecologycentre@islington.gov.uk
T: 020 7354 5162