Our Coast, Our Sea - Creature comforts

18 November 2010

Autumn is not the time to hide from the world outside – wake up to some of the Region’s wonderful wildlife says Northumberland Wildlife Trust.
Think of autumn and images of robins, frost and misty mornings are bound to spring to mind.

There’s great news for those who can’t face the cold; if you take on board the wildlife charity’s tips on how to attract wildlife to your garden, you can watch many of them through the window.

It is easy to attract wildlife to your garden in autumn as it is mostly about what not to do and Northumberland Wildlife Trust is offering its top five ‘don’ts’ for winter gardening:

Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow

If your grass keeps on growing, let it! Leave it to provide shelter for insects through the colder months which, in turn, will feed the birds. If you don’t want to leave the entire lawn, adjust your mower to cut the grass to at least 3.5 – 5cm and consider leaving a patch to grow, which can provide a haven for creatures such as frogs and mice.

Don’t clear away rotting wood.

Rotting wood is a valuable part of the ecosystem. If you leave it, it could become home to beetles, fungi, centipedes and more.

Don’t burn or discard all the dead leaves in your garden.
Some creatures use dry leaves to line their nests or burrows. If you
make a pile in the corner of your garden, something is bound to
Move in. The mulch left over from dead leaves is full of nutrients
which is good for worms and other mini-beasts.

Don’t cut back your ivy.
The flowers can provide nectar to insects like queen wasps through the
autumn/winter months and it offers a safe warm hideaway for butterflies and small mammals. The berries will ripen through winter and provide food for birds.

Don’t cut back hedges when they are producing berries.
All sorts of berries are a valuable food source for birds and mammals, when there is nothing else around for them to eat.

Kevin O’Hara, Conservation Officer at Northumberland Wildlife Trust said: “Gardens are a vital source of shelter and food for wildlife, especially in autumn/winter when many species need warm, dry spaces to bed down in.”

He continued: “When you are out in your garden, please bear in mind how holding back on some projects can help wildlife, and you will be rewarded with visits from some wonderful species, as well as the knowledge you are making a positive contribution to wildlife and the environment.”