Our June 2023 calendar entry is now on the website. Showing some of the new species recorded in the Garden. Plus highlighting the benefits of having uncut areas in terms of soil moisture rentention during prolonged hot dry spells.
https://wildlifegarden.org/june-2023/
If you’re considering starting a project to record wildlife in the garden and improve / increase the variety of the habitats you have available, now is not the time to begin making large wholesale changes as many species will be taking shelter from the heat and could be distrubed/displaced if you start moving things about or digging things up.
However you can do some simple things like provide water in small trays near any shrubs you have (ideally in partial/dappled shade so they don’t dry up to quickly). Simply add rocks to the tray until it is almost full and then fill with water to just below the top third of the stones so that creatures can rest and drink without actually entering the water. Place a few around the garden and fill with rain water if possible.
Spraying foliage with a hose set on mist will also help distribute water to those creatures that need it but are less mobile. Little and often is the best approach, just a very quick spray.
If you feed birds then remember to provide a little drinking station if possible, somewhere cats cannot get to of course.
Don’t turn compost heaps obviously. Top up ponds if needed. And don’t cut the grass. And remember, if things are dormant / sheltering from prolonged heat then after it rains the opposite will be true and you will find a visit to the garden a short while afterwards may yield some interesting wildlife finds.
DC: 03/07/2023
Wildlife Garden 