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Back gardens are full of incredible wildlife activity Back gardens are full of incredible wildlife activity
(4 months later)
Forget soap operas - your own doorstep is where the drama is really happening and the wild characters are far more exciting than any of those on TV.Forget soap operas - your own doorstep is where the drama is really happening and the wild characters are far more exciting than any of those on TV.
It doesn't matter how tiny your garden is – with minimum effort you can have an eclectic bunch of visitors and their daily business is an extraordinary affair. With a little effort we've managed to encourage a lot of species to my garden just outside Bristol.It doesn't matter how tiny your garden is – with minimum effort you can have an eclectic bunch of visitors and their daily business is an extraordinary affair. With a little effort we've managed to encourage a lot of species to my garden just outside Bristol.
I often take the side route to the vegetable patch, so I don't disturb the flurry of activity on the bird feeders. Some days we fill them up morning and night as the hungry parents refuel. Down by the vegetable patch, I can never resist the temptation to lift the old carpet. It was put there to stop the weeds coming in but is an ideal place for spotting slowworms and grass snakes.I often take the side route to the vegetable patch, so I don't disturb the flurry of activity on the bird feeders. Some days we fill them up morning and night as the hungry parents refuel. Down by the vegetable patch, I can never resist the temptation to lift the old carpet. It was put there to stop the weeds coming in but is an ideal place for spotting slowworms and grass snakes.
We put up a kestrel box a few years ago and I cannot tell you the excitement when we first saw a pair courting on the adjacent branch. Last year we had our first family and it was a joy to watch them hunting. Most days, I can also hear the haunting call of buzzards. They nest nearby and the sight of them soaring effortlessly overhead makes me want to join them up there.We put up a kestrel box a few years ago and I cannot tell you the excitement when we first saw a pair courting on the adjacent branch. Last year we had our first family and it was a joy to watch them hunting. Most days, I can also hear the haunting call of buzzards. They nest nearby and the sight of them soaring effortlessly overhead makes me want to join them up there.
I also have mallards nesting on our pond. After failed attempts last year, we're convinced it's the same female trying again, but this time with a bit more life experience and some diligent care from my two children, who chase away marauding magpies and foxes and feed the inquisitive balls of fluff with corn. The ducklings are a joy to watch and mealtime conversations revolve around their antics.I also have mallards nesting on our pond. After failed attempts last year, we're convinced it's the same female trying again, but this time with a bit more life experience and some diligent care from my two children, who chase away marauding magpies and foxes and feed the inquisitive balls of fluff with corn. The ducklings are a joy to watch and mealtime conversations revolve around their antics.
On warm evenings I gaze expectantly skywards for the pipistrelle bats that dance around at roof level. Over the pond we see Daubenton's bats feeding in the moonlight. We've had bats since we moved in but digging the pond and the abundance of insects has really brought them in.On warm evenings I gaze expectantly skywards for the pipistrelle bats that dance around at roof level. Over the pond we see Daubenton's bats feeding in the moonlight. We've had bats since we moved in but digging the pond and the abundance of insects has really brought them in.
When my garden is quiet, these longer summer evenings bring some of my shyer garden visitors out. The jays are spectacular with their stunning colours and we see green woodpeckers "anting" on the ground. My children now recognise the "yaffle" and distinctive flash of lime green.When my garden is quiet, these longer summer evenings bring some of my shyer garden visitors out. The jays are spectacular with their stunning colours and we see green woodpeckers "anting" on the ground. My children now recognise the "yaffle" and distinctive flash of lime green.
Evenings are when the unmistakable screams of swifts reach fever pitch too. They move so fast you fear that they'll collide with each other. It's like a well co-ordinated ballet at high speed. Just like us, each of these creatures needs a safe home. The nestboxes and bug boxes were easy – I just had to choose a suitable location, and get my husband to do some carpentry. The amount of bird seed we buy is more than compensated for by the myriad of species we get on the feeders all year round and the excitement as we see new species turn up.Evenings are when the unmistakable screams of swifts reach fever pitch too. They move so fast you fear that they'll collide with each other. It's like a well co-ordinated ballet at high speed. Just like us, each of these creatures needs a safe home. The nestboxes and bug boxes were easy – I just had to choose a suitable location, and get my husband to do some carpentry. The amount of bird seed we buy is more than compensated for by the myriad of species we get on the feeders all year round and the excitement as we see new species turn up.
Not doing things can give nature a home too. I'm far too busy to tend the garden too often so we leave some lawn growing wild and unkempt margins filled with brambles and nettles. The children ask why bits of the garden are so untidy and the answer is always that it's good for wildlife. Insects thrive in these rough areas, in turn feeding the birds and bats.Not doing things can give nature a home too. I'm far too busy to tend the garden too often so we leave some lawn growing wild and unkempt margins filled with brambles and nettles. The children ask why bits of the garden are so untidy and the answer is always that it's good for wildlife. Insects thrive in these rough areas, in turn feeding the birds and bats.
My children's love of collecting twigs, stones and other "treasure" results in random piles appearing around the garden. When they recreate a bird's nest, I bet they never think that they are actually making a bug hotel – every nook, cranny and crevice houses a different guest.My children's love of collecting twigs, stones and other "treasure" results in random piles appearing around the garden. When they recreate a bird's nest, I bet they never think that they are actually making a bug hotel – every nook, cranny and crevice houses a different guest.
The RSPB's Giving Nature a Home campaign launches on Thursday and by signing up and getting tips and advice on how to give wildlife creatures somewhere to stay in your garden or outside space, you could attract all sorts of slithering, crawling, flapping and snuffling guests too.The RSPB's Giving Nature a Home campaign launches on Thursday and by signing up and getting tips and advice on how to give wildlife creatures somewhere to stay in your garden or outside space, you could attract all sorts of slithering, crawling, flapping and snuffling guests too.
At this time of year gardens are full of activity and many of you will already have all kinds of incredible wildlife in your homes for nature, so please share your pictures here.At this time of year gardens are full of activity and many of you will already have all kinds of incredible wildlife in your homes for nature, so please share your pictures here.
• Miranda Krestovnikoff is a television and radio presenter specialising in natural history• Miranda Krestovnikoff is a television and radio presenter specialising in natural history
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