WILDLIFE GARDEN GADGETS
Wildlife gardening is an exciting approach to gardening which has seen a surge in popularity in recent times. Greater ecological awareness combined with a love for wild creatures has led to wildlife gardening becoming a popular hobby for the nature lover.
Wildlife gardening usually involves providing three fundamentals for the local ecosystem; food, shelter and water. The main objective for the wildlife gardener is to create a garden which is beautiful for people with function as well as allowing nature to thrive. This can often be a delicate balance as traditional forms of gardening encourage neat lines and general tidiness. It is the tidiness of modern gardens which has made many places become a desert to wildlife.
Busy working families have on the whole moved away from horticultural endeavours gardens can host. Extensive mown lawns, artificial grass and garden paving have resulted in a huge loss of wild garden species within the last thirty years. The reduction of naturalistic landscapes within urban places has also led to flooding, poor air quality, poor thermal regulation, poor acoustic absorption and even greater levels of deteriorating mental health.
Busy working families have on the whole moved away from horticultural endeavours gardens can host. Extensive mown lawns, artificial grass and garden paving have resulted in a huge loss of wild garden species within the last thirty years. The reduction of naturalistic landscapes within urban places has also led to flooding, poor air quality, poor thermal regulation, poor acoustic absorption and even greater levels of deteriorating mental health.
Many modern studies have measured dramatic reductions in stress and anxiety on patients who are exposed to natural environments and wildlife. These do not have to be dramatic in nature to be effective!
A simple walk in the local park or even watching a butterfly sunbathing in the morning sun can have a therapeutic effect. The reflection of knowing there are life forms living around us unaffected by our artificial man made stresses brings joyful contentment to our souls.
This is why wildlife gardening is such a valuable way to manage you outside spaces. The process of creating ideal habitat watching wildlife slowly colonise and eventually thriving is a very rewarding process. Wildlife gardens enable us to reduce stress and help protect biodiversity. There are many wildlife garden gadgets available that help you make the perfect wildlife garden. We have broken down the best wildlife garden gadget categories below.
A simple walk in the local park or even watching a butterfly sunbathing in the morning sun can have a therapeutic effect. The reflection of knowing there are life forms living around us unaffected by our artificial man made stresses brings joyful contentment to our souls.
This is why wildlife gardening is such a valuable way to manage you outside spaces. The process of creating ideal habitat watching wildlife slowly colonise and eventually thriving is a very rewarding process. Wildlife gardens enable us to reduce stress and help protect biodiversity. There are many wildlife garden gadgets available that help you make the perfect wildlife garden. We have broken down the best wildlife garden gadget categories below.
Bird Boxes
One of the best things you can do for local birds is providing them with decent nesting opportunities to raise their young. In nature birds would rely on dense thickets and standing dead tree stands for places to nest and raise chicks.
Today our intensive management of gardens, agricultural and even woodland environments means places for birds to nest safely are few and far between. Magpies and other predatory birds all prey on smaller birds nesting sites. Providing robust and sturdy bird boxes can ensure birds like sparrows and tits reproduce safely. We have put links to some great bird boxes below.
Today our intensive management of gardens, agricultural and even woodland environments means places for birds to nest safely are few and far between. Magpies and other predatory birds all prey on smaller birds nesting sites. Providing robust and sturdy bird boxes can ensure birds like sparrows and tits reproduce safely. We have put links to some great bird boxes below.
Bat Boxes
Bats are truly unique flying mammals they are often feared for their prominence in Hollywood movies as blood sucking monsters. The truth is the majority of bats do not feed on blood preferring flying insects especially moths. They use sophisticated eco location methods to locate their prey catching them acrobatically in mid air.
Bats require specific roosting conditions to live and raise their young requiring cool, dark places during the day. Features such as standing dead trees and caves are natural roosting sites of bats but these have become increasing rare in recent times.
Bat boxes can provide the perfect places for bats to roost successfully encouraging this magnificent creature. We have put together some of the best bat boxes here.
Bats require specific roosting conditions to live and raise their young requiring cool, dark places during the day. Features such as standing dead trees and caves are natural roosting sites of bats but these have become increasing rare in recent times.
Bat boxes can provide the perfect places for bats to roost successfully encouraging this magnificent creature. We have put together some of the best bat boxes here.
Hedgehog Homes
Hedgehogs are the gardener’s friend eating many of the garden pests which eat our garden plants.
Hedgehogs can devour many slugs and snails in one night of foraging. Habitat loss and being run over by cars has resulted in a dramatic decline in the hedgehog population.
We have lost a very large percentage of our garden hedgehogs in the last two decades. One of the best things you can do for your garden hedgehogs is providing them with a place to nest and hibernate. There are many types of artificial hedgehog homes on the market. We have put together some of the best here.
Hedgehogs can devour many slugs and snails in one night of foraging. Habitat loss and being run over by cars has resulted in a dramatic decline in the hedgehog population.
We have lost a very large percentage of our garden hedgehogs in the last two decades. One of the best things you can do for your garden hedgehogs is providing them with a place to nest and hibernate. There are many types of artificial hedgehog homes on the market. We have put together some of the best here.
Insect Hotels
Insect hotels come in a large array of shapes, colours and materials. They are basically a compilation of various materials providing nesting opportunities for insects. These habitat boosters usually are focused at encouraging beneficial insect species such as solitary wasps and bees. These will feed on many of the pests which eat tender garden plants. Much attention has been given to these predatory insects which when in healthy number reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
Beneficial insects usually need dark tunnel like caves replicated perfectly by hollow plant stems and bamboo sticks to nest. The fine textures of these horizontally stacked openings are quite pleasing to the eye. This has led to some insect hotels being put together as garden ornaments and works of art.
hese great wildlife garden gadgets make great gifts; we have displayed some good examples of these below.
hese great wildlife garden gadgets make great gifts; we have displayed some good examples of these below.
Lady Bird Towers
Ladybirds are a truly beautiful little garden insect. The striking dark red body with black spots make them so distinguishable and easy to recognise. These small flying beetles are hugely beneficial for the gardener eating vast amounts of aphids such as greenfly. This reduces aphid numbers reducing plant damage in the garden.
Lady birds are particularly good at eating garden pests when they are in the young larval stage. This makes ladybird’s formidable pest control in the garden.
In the last thirty years we have seen a rapid growth in the number of North American Harlequin Ladybird which is driving out our native species. There are now special ladybird towers to give native ladybirds a safe place to nest in the garden. We have displayed some of these here.
Lady birds are particularly good at eating garden pests when they are in the young larval stage. This makes ladybird’s formidable pest control in the garden.
In the last thirty years we have seen a rapid growth in the number of North American Harlequin Ladybird which is driving out our native species. There are now special ladybird towers to give native ladybirds a safe place to nest in the garden. We have displayed some of these here.
Solitary Bee Towers
The reduction in bee numbers across the world is of huge concern to ecologists around the world. Bees are an important part of the ecosystem pollinating plants and helping them to complete their lifecycles. Very little is known about the many solitary bees of the world but we do know they pay an important role in the garden.
Depending on which species of solitary bee some of their main behaviours are eating smaller pest insects and pollinating plants. Solitary bees like to nest in dead wood especially cave like holes and tubular openings. Solitary Bee Towers replicate this habitat; we have grouped some great solitary bee towers here.
Depending on which species of solitary bee some of their main behaviours are eating smaller pest insects and pollinating plants. Solitary bees like to nest in dead wood especially cave like holes and tubular openings. Solitary Bee Towers replicate this habitat; we have grouped some great solitary bee towers here.
Bird Feeders
Getting local birds to visit a particular place in good view of an inside viewing area is easily accomplished with a bird feeder. You can go as far as installing a raised garden feeing platform or just simply hang feeders from tree branches. If you install bird feeders try to be mindful of garden predators such as cats. Try avoiding ambush opportunities for cats by having the ground clear of vegetation underneath the feeders.
Bird feeders come in all shapes and sizes there are even window mountable feeders for an up close view of your garden birds. See cool garden gadgets favourite bird feeders here.
Bird feeders come in all shapes and sizes there are even window mountable feeders for an up close view of your garden birds. See cool garden gadgets favourite bird feeders here.
Wildlife Camera Traps
Camera traps used to be the unique tools of wildlife documentary film makers and cameramen. In the past a compressible air pump would need to be stepped on to trigger a camera on a mounted stand. Rare images of wild tigers and elephants were captured this way. In today’s modern digital world camera traps have become more and more sophisticated enabling to capture anything that lurks in our absence.
Modern game cameras rely on a motion sensor which triggers the camera to take either video or images. Modern digital game cameras can give you a great way to monitor garden wildlife. This is especially useful if you are not sure what species you have living in your garden. Check out our favourite selection of wildlife camera traps here.
Modern game cameras rely on a motion sensor which triggers the camera to take either video or images. Modern digital game cameras can give you a great way to monitor garden wildlife. This is especially useful if you are not sure what species you have living in your garden. Check out our favourite selection of wildlife camera traps here.
Wildlife Live Video Systems
Live video systems which are commonly used in security and surveillance have been adapted to create wildlife viewing cameras. This means you can constantly monitor that badger set at the bottom of the garden on your living room television.
One of the most exciting uses of this technology is bird box cams which allow you to live film the rearing of young chicks. Wildlife systems can give you hours of wildlife enjoyment and some even come with night vision. See some of these live wildlife video systems below.
One of the most exciting uses of this technology is bird box cams which allow you to live film the rearing of young chicks. Wildlife systems can give you hours of wildlife enjoyment and some even come with night vision. See some of these live wildlife video systems below.
Wildflower Meadows
Wildflower meadows were once common across the countryside giving a landscape rich in colour, shelter for mammals and nectar for insects. Meadows were grown for the production of hay producing winter fodder for grazing animals such as cows and sheep. Modern commercial animal feeds have reduced the need for haying.
Consequently wildflower meadows have disappeared from our landscape dramatically within the last 100 years. This has meant the majority of wildlife that relied on them for food and shelter has also nearly vanished.
Creating your own wildflower meadow can be a great way to encourage wildlife to your garden. There are many seed mixes and meadow packs available. We have grouped together a selection of these here.
Consequently wildflower meadows have disappeared from our landscape dramatically within the last 100 years. This has meant the majority of wildlife that relied on them for food and shelter has also nearly vanished.
Creating your own wildflower meadow can be a great way to encourage wildlife to your garden. There are many seed mixes and meadow packs available. We have grouped together a selection of these here.
Wildlife Ponds
In the last one hundred years it is estimated we have lost ninety percent of our ponds.
The countryside used to be peppered with ponds dug to provide livestock with drinking water. Modern commercial agriculture as well as land drainage practices reduced the need for water in the landscape. This led to a crash in wild wetland species which are essential for a health ecosystem.
The countryside used to be peppered with ponds dug to provide livestock with drinking water. Modern commercial agriculture as well as land drainage practices reduced the need for water in the landscape. This led to a crash in wild wetland species which are essential for a health ecosystem.
Small Starter Wildlife Pond
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Wildlife ponds are a fantastic way to encourage wildlife to your garden. If there is one thing you can do to boost wildlife in an area a wildlife pond is paramount. There are a few ways of installing a wildlife pond one way is to dig out the shape and lay a butyl rubber pond liner. Alternatively you can buy a pond moulded to shape where you simply dig the whole and back fill around the pond.
Once your pond is filled just wait and watch wildlife to colonise. We have put together a selection of wildlife garden pond selections below.
Once your pond is filled just wait and watch wildlife to colonise. We have put together a selection of wildlife garden pond selections below.
Wildlife Garden Books
If there is one thing wildlife gardeners like to do it is plan their wildlife garden. Either an existing garden that needs developing or planning a whole new wildlife scheme wildlife gardens always evolve. Wildlife gardeners are always researching learning about new species and how to encourage them.
This is why wildlife gardening books are great for the wildlife gardener. They can educate people new to wildlife gardening and give fresh inspiration to more experienced wildlife gardeners.
This is why wildlife gardening books are great for the wildlife gardener. They can educate people new to wildlife gardening and give fresh inspiration to more experienced wildlife gardeners.
Wildlife Viewing Dens
Wildlife viewing dens are a great way for people to experience wildlife while remaining hidden in the landscape. There are some tent like wildlife viewing dens you can easily set up in your garden, nature reserves or wild places.
More permanent wildlife viewing dens are extremely beneficial as wildlife becomes accustomed to their presence and feel secure around them.This can enable the wildlife gardener to get close access to some intimate wildlife moments.
Specialist ecological landscaping companies such as Ecospaces specialise in building wildlife viewing dens. Check out the links below to some of these wildlife viewing dens.
More permanent wildlife viewing dens are extremely beneficial as wildlife becomes accustomed to their presence and feel secure around them.This can enable the wildlife gardener to get close access to some intimate wildlife moments.
Specialist ecological landscaping companies such as Ecospaces specialise in building wildlife viewing dens. Check out the links below to some of these wildlife viewing dens.
Wildlife Garden Design
Wildlife garden design has become a much specialised landscape design discipline. The balance of creating gardens which are beautiful and usable for people as creating great places for wildlife is a delicate balance. If you are looking to create a wildlife garden but need assistance in the specialised design and construction process you will need professional help.
Ecospaces is an ecological and sustainable landscaping company which specialises in wildlife garden design. You can check out the link below to view there project examples and contact details.
http://www.eco-spaces.co.uk/
Ecospaces is an ecological and sustainable landscaping company which specialises in wildlife garden design. You can check out the link below to view there project examples and contact details.
http://www.eco-spaces.co.uk/
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Bonus Wildlife Garden Gadgets
  Conservation Sparrow Nest Box. Encourage our native sparrows to make a comeback! Once a common bird now rapidly in decline. This 3 chambered bird box is very modern looking and very inoffensive attached to a shed or house. A very useful garden wildlife gadget to encourage birds into you garden.   Bird, Hedgehog nest 25 metre cable camera kit with night vision for wildlife watching and surveillance. A fantastic little gadget and a great gift for the nature enthusiast. Great for bird boxes or wildlife feeders. |
  Vivid Arts D-Letterbox Birdhouse - Red. A funky bird box and visually exciting garden gadget your family will love. The box is designed with the correct hole size for tit families which reduce pests in your garden.   Crystal clear bird feeder, one of the best ways to watch birds at close quarters from your living room. This fantastic wildlife gadget usually takes birds about 4 weeks to get used to it. Be careful where you place it in your garden if you have cats.   |
  Ladybird Gift Box-great gardening gift. A fantastic gift and gadget set complete with everything you need to encourage ladybirds to your garden helping to control pests such as green fly. This set comes with a lady bird tower, information seat and lady bird food.   Wildlife World Original Hedgehog House. A great way to encourage hedgehogs into your garden, let them eat all those pesty slugs and snails that eat your garden plants. This box will give your local hedgehog somewhere to rest, hide and raise their young. Click on this gadget for more information.
  Bushnell 12MP Trophy Cam HD Essential Low Glow Trail Camera, Brown. A brilliant gadget for wildlife and security surveillance. Bushnell cameras are some of the best camera traps on the market being used by conservation bodies for wildlife research across the world.
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