Prepare your garden for spring wildlife

Now’s the perfect time to have a look at your garden and think about how to prepare it for our wonderful wildlife. Here are a few simple tips that can easily be forgotten:

Put out some food at night –Hedgehogs relish meat-based meals such as cat and dog food, so putting a little bit out for them every night will attract them into your garden.

Think about bird boxes –With birds returning to the mainland they will be keen to find places to nest in order to lay eggs. Bird boxes provide a safe option and allow you to watch the baby birds emerge. Just remember not to interfere once they are occupied.

Make holes in the bottom of your fence –Accessible entry and exit points allow small animals to come and go as they choose and stops them digging up unwanted holes in your garden.

Build a small shaded area –This will provide animals with a place to hide and an area to keep cool if the sun gets too much.

Water, water and more water –All living things need water to survive. Don’t underestimate the difference a bowl of fresh water or even a small accessible bird bath can make.