Thank you to all who have filled in the survey so far, we have received a fantastic response. In order to assist those who are still in the process of filling it in we have produced this guide to garden birds.
The Wildlife Trust’s Cardiff Garden Wildlife Survey has been running for just over four weeks now and already we have received over 320 completed survey forms, recording wildlife from house sparrows and blue tits to hedgehogs and bats. We have been overwhelmed with the response to the survey and would like to thank all those who have taken part already. The survey does not come to an end for several months yet, so there is still plenty of time left to send us your survey forms. Thanks you once again for your continued support.
If you would like to improve your garden for wildlife, here are 5 helpful tips:
Grow a mixture of native and non-native plants to provide nectar and pollen for bees and other insects. Choose plants that flower at different times of year to ensure that pollen and nectar are available over a long period. Select trees and shrubs with berries for birds and other animals.
Create a water feature in your garden. A pond, ideally without fish, will enable amphibians and dragonflies to breed. If a pond is not practical, a simple bird bath or pebble fountain will provide a place for animals to drink.
Delay cutting back perennials until the spring. The seed heads that remain provide valuable food for birds and other animals through the winter, while the stems and foliage provide valuable shelter for hibernating insects.
Consider leaving part of your lawn uncut. Long grass is an excellent habitat for grasshoppers, beetles and young amphibians, and provides roosts for insects such as damselflies and catterpilars.
Help wildlife by providing additional features such as bird and bat boxes, solitary bee nests and bird feeders. Birds can be provided with food, either bought seed or food scraps, throughout the year.
At the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales we are keen to know about wildlife in our area that is not in our wildlife reserves. Because wildlife doesn't recognise geographic boundaries or where the edge of wildlife reserve is then why should we. It is important to provide for wildlife everywhere. It is for these reasons that we are now doing a wildlife survey in Cardiff. If you live in Cardiff you should have received a copy of our survey through the post. If you have not for some reason then you can now download it from here. We look forward to hearing about the creatures that live in your garden. Download Wildlife Survey
The Wildlife Trust has a local group in Cardiff that organises monthly talks, as well as field visits to sites of wildlife interest, mainly around the Cardiff area. You don't need to be an expert or even have to be a member of the Wildlife Trust to come along to these meetings, (although we hope you would eventually decide to join the Trust), all you need is an interest in wildlife and natural history. Details of the Cardiff local group and the current programme can be found at http://www.wtswwcardiff.org.uk Please email us at info@wtswwcardiff.org.uk if you would like any further information.