Our gardens can be places which offers a mixture of these habitats. Maybe not in a grand scale like these habitats, but, we certainly can mimick natural habitats to help species in our gardens.
When we put in the effort to create gardens which are as natural, and authentic as possible, you don't have to worry about going out to find wild animals, the wild animals will come to you - it always works.
So, here, we are going to look at the ways that you can creat a mini-habitat, a natural and authentic garden which helps wildlife in your area!
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One of the modern things to do is either pave over grass, or, to have fake carpet like grass. This has a knock on effect for many species. For example, it makes it more difficult for species such as Hedgehogs to find insects, or slugs to eat - no grass, means no slugs or insects. This has the same effect with birds to, if there is no grass, then birds cannot find natural food such as worms, or small insects.
Grass is important for many species, and taking it away has a detremental effect to species such as Hedgehogs, and birds.
2. Chemicals
A lot of people today will use all sorts of chemicals in their gardens, these sorts of chemicals can, and do kill animals.
Using slug repelent, for example, can harm, or kill Hedgehogs. it also takes away their food. The Hedgehog is a natural creature which helps your garden, by eating them.
Using pesticides on plants, and flowers, can also have an effect on other wild animals, such as; bees, wasps, and birds.
Also, if you live near a water system, like a river, then the chemicals can wash into them, and have a harmful effect on that ecosystem, and posion fish.
Plants, trees, shurbs, and flowers, are essential to all life surviving, including our own.
Trees: Trees can help species of birds build a natural home.
Hedges: Hedges give a places for smaller mammals, like mice, and Hedgehogs a place to make home.
Shrubs and flowers: Are great for all species of wildlife, particuarly bees.
4) Shelter
Wild species of animals need a place to sleep at night, and a place to raise their young, or a place to hibernate.
These days you don't just get bird houses, you can get Frog houses, and Hedgehog houses.
Getting a Frog house, hedgehog house, or bird house, makes it easier for your wild friends to set up home!
5) Insect hotel
Create, or buy your own insect hotel. This is a substitute for places that insects will normally inhabit, such as; under fallen trees, rocks, etc.
This will help make your mini-habitat healthy, and thrive. Insects play the most important part in creating a healthy biodiversity.
You can easily create a bug hotel with anything, such as old juice bottles, old plant pots, and so on.
Food is available for all types of garden wildlife. Bird food seems the most obvious. To help your local birds, put up a feeder or two. Make sure that your feeders are high up, or, in a safe place out of reach from predators. If you have a cat, put a collor with a bell on it, that way the birds have a chance of escaping, without being killed.
You can also buy wild Hedgehog food.
if you are lucky enough to get Badgers, and Foxes in your garden, there is especially made food for them too:
Create, or put a water source in your garden. This will help every wild animal which comes into your garden. For birds, you can buy a bird bath - which acts as a bird bath, and a place where they can drink.
If you want to get a little more creative, and help more species, then why not build a pond? Ponds help a lot of species, from Dragonflies, Frogs, Toads, birds, Hedgehogs, and more. The only thing about a pond is make sure that it is safe, both for humans, and animals. Make a slope so that wild animals have a way of getting out. And, if there is young children about, make sure that there is a fence, or something around the pond.