Any tips for attracting wildlife?

[nikki cooper]

Hi, I'm new to all this and i want to pick your brains! We moved into a brand new housing estate 2 years ago. The land was grazing land before the bulldozers moved in. They have kept alot of the natural hedgerows and a stream which passes through, which is great. However, for the first year we didnt hear a single bird song where we are and although this is changing now i'd like some tips on how to attract wildlife into my very suburban garden. Especially birds and butterflies please. Which breeds would come into my type of garden and how can you attract them? We are in Wiltshire. Thankyou!

[Mikeakabigman]

It will take a while to calm down, but from what you say it shouldn't be too long. Apart from the obvious bird feeders ,the first thing that comes to mind is a water feature, it doesn't have to be big, anything fom a shallow birdbath through to a pond will attract a variety of creatures. If you can provide movement in the form of a fountain all the better. I find the birds that visit mine love to stick there bodies into the flow!
Nectar rich flowering plants and shrubs will draw in a variety of insects and butterflies along with the birds that feed on them.
Things like Budleia are quite fast growing and can be cut back hard every year, this makes them flower more and of course keeps them from getting too large.
If you can erect a couple of nest boxes before the winter theres a good chance you'll have occupants in the spring.
Also bee, bat and ladybird homes/boxes are a good idea, you can get these from most good garden centres, or if you are handy with your hands have a look and then make them yourself.

Just a few ideas, there are loads more

[Queen bee]

Remember not to keep it too tidy-- a scruffy bush will make a great nesting place and a few nettles and a compost heap would keep your minibeasts happy. Even though worms and beetles and flies aren't as attractive as some of the larger animals you can find, they make a valuable food source: you won't find a tiger without an antelope. Good luck with your garden--- every little helps!

[galanthus]

I agree with all of the above. A pond is a must, as is a decent rotting log pile. Need some tall shrubs or small trees to shelter the birds, preferably berry bearing, a rowan or hawthorn wld be good small tree, while a pyrocantha (with red berries) or two wld make great food source and hedge but not growing too big. Any bare fences or walls I'd be tempted to plant a cotoneaster horizontalis, (fishbone shaped cotoneaster) bees and hovers love this as do aphids, ladybirds and the birds stuff the odd berry.

I'm sure the guys here have lots more suggestions. Good luck

[SweetRocket]

Hello, I'm new around here so bear with me.
When I first created my wildlife garden in London I particularly wanted to attract butterflies. I found the following website very helpful in finding nectar rich plants, it soon put me on the road to successful visits from not just butterflies but lots of other insects too.

A British butterfly garden by Linda Walls

[nikki cooper]

Thanks for the tips guys. I've been thinking about a pond anyway as we spotted a Dragonfly hovering in the garden last month. I didnt realise cotoneaster attracted so much wildlife. The garden is surrounded by walls so that will go nicely. I didnt think about bats so i'll try and find some boxes for them as we have seen some flying around lately.

[nightshade]

Do a search and browse previous queries all the replies so far have been spot on