A garden close to nature helps more than many people think – and even small measures make a big difference to wild birds and hedgehogs.
When temperatures rise and longer dry spells shape the summer, life becomes considerably harder for many native wild animals. Wild birds find fewer insects, the ground dries out, and hedgehogs too increasingly struggle to find enough food and water. At the same time, sealed surfaces and tidied-up gardens mean more and more natural places of refuge are disappearing.
Yet it often takes very little to turn your own garden or balcony into a small paradise for native wildlife. A bowl of water, a few native plants or one wild corner can already make an important contribution to preserving biodiversity.
If you want to support wild birds and hedgehogs, you do not have to redesign your garden completely. Small changes are frequently enough to provide food, shelter and somewhere to drink. In the summer months in particular, these measures can make a decisive difference for many animals.
Here are five simple tips for making your garden more animal-friendly while making an important contribution to nature conservation.
1 Offer water
On hot summer days, fresh water is often worth more than extra food. A shallow dish of water helps wild birds drink and bathe, and gives hedgehogs an important source of drinking water too. Place it in the shade wherever possible and clean it regularly so that germs cannot build up.
2 Allow wild corners
Not every corner of the garden has to look tidy. Long grass, leaf piles or small areas of deadwood offer insects and small animals valuable places to retreat to. At the same time this creates a natural source of food for many wild birds.
3 Encourage native plants
Flowering wild plants attract bees, butterflies and other insects. Numerous bird species and hedgehogs, which depend on an intact ecosystem, benefit in turn. Native plants are therefore a valuable support for biodiversity.
4 Do without chemicals
Pesticides and insecticides do not only fight unwanted pests, they also destroy important food sources for wildlife. A garden close to nature manages without chemical agents wherever possible and encourages a healthy balance.
5 Supplement naturally
During long dry periods, or when few insects are about, supplementary feeding can make sense. High-quality insect food is close to the natural diet of many wild animals and provides valuable protein as well as important nutrients – especially for young or weakened animals.
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Conclusion
An animal-friendly garden does not have to look perfect. Far more important is that wild birds and hedgehogs find enough water, shelter and natural food. Just a few small steps are enough to help support native wildlife through the summer.
Because every garden – large or small – can become a valuable habitat.
