We are always looking for opportunities to encourage and benefit wildlife within the Silsden district. The planting we do always focusses on pollinator & other wildlife-friendly plants, and we actively look for ways to encourage birds and mammals (such as hedgehogs and bats) into our gardens and shared spaces.

There are many things that you can do in your outside space to  be gardening for wildlife.

Firstly it must be said that biodiversity isn’t always tidy! It’s about letting species find their niche and there are fewer niches in a tidy garden. Some people think wildlife gardens are not as attractive as ornamental gardens but this doesn’t need to be the case –  it’s possible to have a traditional flower border that attracts bees, butterflies and insects if you know what to plant. The RHS have a very useful guide

Here are a few other wildlife gardening tips:

• Have some seed and fruit bearing plants that you can leave to over winter to provide food for birds.
• If you have space plant a native species hedge with species such as hawthorn, maple, dogwood, blackthorn, hazel. It will provide shelter for a variety of birds and wildlife as well as food in the winter.
• Plant flowers that help pollinating insects and don’t forget night scented flowers to attract night flying insects and the bats that feed on them.
• The wildlife area doesn’t have to be the whole garden. Try to find a corner where you can let things go a bit. Perhaps a log pile to shelter beetles, frogs and toads etc or leave a leaf pile for hibernating hedgehogs.
• Try leaving the grass to grow and the flowers amongst the grass to flourish. Bees and other pollinators will love it. It doesn’t have to be the whole lawn- perhaps just a secluded corner. Plantlife’s No Mow May and Let it Bloom in June campaigns are now very popular; you might even decide not to get the mower out in July!
• Water is important in a wildlife garden. Try to find space for a pond; it doesn’t have to be huge – an old sink or washing-up bowl would do. In no time, frogs and insect larvae will appear, birds will drink and bathe in it, hatching insects will provide food for bats. But don’t make it too tidy – steep or overhanging sides make it difficult for wildlife to get in and out; a board placed in the pond with its top end on the bank can overcome this. More on creating a wildlife pond here.
• Get into composting. The compost heap is a haven for all sorts of wildlife and the compost you produce is good for the garden. Composting food and garden waste saves it going to landfill and therefore results in fewer carbon emissions.
• Another composting method is a wormery, which takes up less space but is less productive.
• If you have a suitable location, put up bird and bat boxes. Different birds need different boxes find out more here. Find out about bat boxes here.
• Avoid using pesticides and herbicides as these will kill the goodies as well as the baddies.
• Join Climate Action Silsden or other conservation organisations and take an active part in their work.