| Wildlife Habitats | |
| Residential gardens |  |
| Although
typified by grassland, ponds and woodlands a significant proportion of the
Loose Valley and adjacent land is part of somebody's back garden. The
valuable role residential gardens play in providing habitats and sources
of food for wildlife is often overlooked.
Garden ponds provide a valuable refuge for common amphibian species such frogs, toads and newts and in many instances where natural ponds have been filled in, the only refuge. If managed correctly, they can support a wide variety of invertebrate species including dragon and damsel flies. Many aquatic and marginal plants such as Flag Iris, Bitter Sweet and Marsh Marigold are good sources of nectar and provide cover for mammals and amphibians. Some non-native pond plants species, which are commonly sold by garden centres are extremely invasive and can damage some of our less competitive native species if they escape into the wild. |
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| With land management practices becoming increasingly intensive and the wide spread use of herbicide, many flowering plants have declined in the wild. Garden flowers are therefore extremely important to butterflies and other nectar feeding insects. Nectar rich plants that are both visually attractive and food sources for butterflies include Ice Plant, Buddleia, Lavender, Honesty, Thyme and Michaelmas Daisy. |  |
| Bird tables can be a vital source of winter food for many bird species that have dramatically declined in recent years such as tree sparrow, wren and starling. This decline has in part been attributed to changes in farming practices away from the winter stubbles that provided seed through out the winter. Fruit, seeds, some kitchen scraps, seeds and nuts all make excellent food that will attract birds and provide food at lean times of year. | |
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Mature trees and a wide variety of shrubs provide shelter and nesting sites for hundreds of species. Dead and decaying wood is an exceptionally valuable habitat for fungi and invertebrates. Dead and decaying leaves provide yet another habitat that could be used by hibernating hedgehogs. |