Dont fence me in! or wildlife out!

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Since fences dont stop birds, invertebrates or small mammals, the only real issue is amphibians and reptiles. Great crested newts, common and natterjack toads, adders tend not to use gardens anyway. So smooth newts, palmate newts, grass snakes, common lizards, slow worms and common frogs can usually get under gaps within the fencing. The type of habitats (suburban) you describe are often heavily fragmented from other suitable habitats anyway. Garden fencing is unlikely to be having serious issues on our wildlife in comparison to habitat loss etc.

Agreed, larger animals almost invariably create a gap for passage beneath fences (I've even seen Muntjac do this in a Suburban Surrey Garden). Hedges are better for the nest sites and food they provide but for small gardens they take up a lot of room.

I am in military owned rental so can't change the fences which are low wire mesh with concrete posts and a single panel by the house and I hate it no privacy....

[nightshade]

The last Badger visit here removed the gravel board and dug a huge pit under the fence just behind the black bamboo it then went on into next door and tore a fence panel to pieces in its panic. If they want to go there they will.
I was asked for advice about a Badger in a church yard, it was only digging for worms so I said leave it alone, they put up fences, it started going into a new development of housing tearing the gardens up entering from the river side through panels