There’s a whole world of wildlife in your garden
THERE’S nothing better, at this time of year than getting on the open road and enjoying the colours and scents of the great outdoors, but even if you can’t get out on to the hill, your garden can be just as inviting.
Get the windows open, sling the doors aside, and breathe it all in.
At dusk you may notice moths visiting honeysuckle and other scented flowers, and if you’re really lucky, humming bird hawk moths may put in an appearance during the day.
Don’t phone me in panic, it’s a moth honest, as the nearest actual humming bird in the wild is many thousands of miles away. As evening begins to fall, yet more perfume is produced by annuals, such as nicotiana, night-scented stocks and evening primroses.
You’ll also spot bats swooping over scented flowers, snapping up insects. Once you have seen bats around you’re house you’re almost guaranteed regular sightings at the same time. They are creatures of habit and will hunt the same patch, at the same time and in the same pattern each night.
Competition for food among birds at this time can be intense with so many fledglings on the scene. It’s good to keep feeders topped up if you go away for any length of time – you could ask a neighbour to take over.
It was thought at one time that birds didn’t need feeding in the summer, and although that is true to a certain extent, and some birds spend more time in nearby woodland and parkland during the summer, all offerings will be gratefully received.
Even if you haven’t got a garden it’s possible to grow plants in pots on a sunny balcony or patio. Try petunias, convolvulus, phacelia, or pot marigolds, and dead-head them regularly to encourage fresh flowering.
You can also grow herbs such as thyme and marjoram.
However, you’ll need to water all pot plants regularly in the summer – daily if it doesn’t rain. Obviously, over the past few weeks, the watering has taken care of itself!
Don’t forget to feed the hungry hedgehogs in your garden to help them build the energy they need when raising hoglets, and their fat reserves for their long winter hibernation.
Once again a little plug for the Glossop Bird and Wildlife Facebook Page, as there have been some great shots and videos of hedgehogs recently.
My favourite hogpicture this year was given to me by my friends at the RSPB, a sunset with a difference.
With the UK population of hedgehogs declining alarmingly, it’s vital that we give our prickly friends a home in our gardens.
One way to do this is to build a feeding station in your garden with lots of hedgehog-friendly food and water.
For more information check out www.rspb.org and search for Giving Nature a Home.