May is a vibrant and bustling month in the wildlife garden. As spring unfolds into early summer, the garden becomes a haven for a variety of birds, pollinators, and small mammals, all of which are actively breeding, feeding, and preparing for the season ahead. This is an ideal time to observe and support these creatures, ensuring that your garden environment fosters their activities and contributes to the overall health of your local ecosystem.
The Importance of May for Wildlife
May is a critical month for wildlife, with many species entering their peak breeding and feeding periods. The longer days and warmer temperatures create an abundance of resources, but they also bring challenges, such as the need for adequate food and safe nesting sites. By making a few thoughtful adjustments to your garden, you can provide vital support to the birds, pollinators, and mammals that visit your space.
Key Activities in the Wildlife Garden During May
- Birds Feeding Their Young: Many garden birds are busy feeding their chicks, which means they need plenty of high-protein food sources.
- Pollinator Activity: Pollinators like bumblebees, butterflies, and hoverflies are at their most active, making the most of the flowering plants.
- Mammals Mating and Foraging: Hedgehogs and other small mammals are entering their breeding season, with males often competing for mates.
Nurturing Birds: Ensuring a Productive Breeding Season
Birds are among the most visible and active wildlife in the garden during May. They are often seen gathering food, building nests, and feeding their young. Providing the right resources and protection can make a significant difference in the success of their breeding season.
1. Providing Food for Breeding Birds
Birds require a rich source of food during the breeding season to sustain themselves and feed their chicks. The increased demand for high-protein food makes it essential to ensure your garden is stocked with appropriate feeding options.
A. High-Protein Foods
Insects are a primary source of protein for many birds during the breeding season. You can support this natural diet by offering additional food sources.
- Mealworms: Live or dried mealworms are an excellent high-protein food that birds like robins, blue tits, and blackbirds will eagerly consume. They can be placed in feeders or on the ground.
- Soaked Dog Biscuits: Soaked in water, dog biscuits can provide a protein-rich snack for birds. This is particularly useful during dry spells when natural insect populations might be lower.
- Peanuts and Suet: High-energy foods like peanuts and suet cakes are also beneficial. Ensure that peanuts are unsalted and crushed for easier consumption by smaller birds.
B. Natural Food Sources
Encouraging a diverse range of insects in your garden will naturally boost the food supply for breeding birds.
- Planting Native Flora: Native plants attract a wide variety of insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Consider planting species that bloom in May, such as hawthorn, to support insect populations.
- Avoiding Pesticides: Refrain from using pesticides in your garden, as these can reduce the insect population and inadvertently harm the birds that feed on them.
2. Supporting Nesting and Raising Young
Safe, accessible nesting sites are crucial for the success of bird breeding. Different bird species have different nesting preferences, so it’s important to cater to a variety of needs.
A. Nesting Boxes
Installing nesting boxes in your garden can provide safe, predator-free environments for birds to raise their young.
- Types of Nesting Boxes: Depending on the species you wish to attract, you can choose boxes with different entrance hole sizes. For example, a 25mm entrance is ideal for blue tits, while a 32mm entrance is better for house sparrows.
- Placement: Position nesting boxes in a sheltered area, ideally facing north or east to avoid direct sunlight and strong winds. Ensure they are placed high enough to be out of reach of predators like cats and squirrels.
- Maintenance: Clean out nesting boxes before the breeding season begins to remove any old nesting material and reduce the risk of parasites.
B. Natural Nesting Sites
While nesting boxes are helpful, providing natural nesting opportunities is equally important.
- Hedges and Shrubs: Dense hedges and shrubs offer excellent cover for birds like robins, wrens, and sparrows. Native plants such as hawthorn, holly, and ivy are particularly valuable.
- Climbing Plants: Ivy, honeysuckle, and clematis provide additional nesting opportunities, particularly for species that prefer to nest within dense foliage.
3. Protecting Birds from Predators
During the breeding season, birds and their young are particularly vulnerable to predators. Taking steps to protect them can help ensure a successful nesting period.
A. Deterring Domestic Cats
Cats are one of the biggest threats to garden birds. By deterring cats from your garden, you can help protect nesting birds and fledglings.
- Cat Deterrents: Install motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic cat deterrents to keep cats away from sensitive areas. These devices are harmless but effective.
- Cat-Friendly Zones: If you own a cat, consider creating a designated area in your garden where the cat can roam without disturbing wildlife. This could be a fenced-off section with plenty of toys and climbing opportunities.
B. Protecting Ground-Nesting Birds
Some birds, like robins and blackbirds, nest close to or on the ground, making them particularly vulnerable to predators.
- Protective Cover: Plant dense ground cover, such as ferns or ornamental grasses, around nesting sites to provide extra protection. You can also create small brush piles that offer hiding spots for ground-nesting birds.
- Netting and Fencing: Use fine netting or low fencing to protect areas where ground-nesting birds are known to frequent. Ensure the netting is taut and well-secured to prevent birds from becoming entangled.
Encouraging Pollinators: Creating a Garden Buzzing with Life
Pollinators are essential to the health of your garden and the wider ecosystem. In May, bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other pollinators are at their most active, taking advantage of the abundance of flowering plants. By providing the right plants and habitats, you can support these vital creatures.
1. Planting for Pollinators
The key to attracting and supporting pollinators is planting a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the season. In May, early-flowering plants are crucial for providing the nectar and pollen that pollinators need.
A. Nectar-Rich Flowers
Nectar-rich flowers are a primary food source for many pollinators, providing the energy they need to thrive.
- Buddleia: Known as the “butterfly bush,” buddleia is highly attractive to butterflies and bees. It produces large, fragrant clusters of flowers that bloom from May through the summer.
- Lavender: Lavender is a favorite among bees and butterflies. Its aromatic flowers are rich in nectar and bloom profusely in late spring and early summer.
- Foxgloves: Foxgloves are tall, striking plants with bell-shaped flowers that are perfect for bumblebees. They thrive in partial shade and are ideal for woodland gardens.
B. Native Wildflowers
Native wildflowers are particularly valuable for pollinators, as they are well-suited to the local ecosystem and provide the right nutrients.
- Hawthorn: Hawthorn blossoms in May and is a magnet for bees. It also provides shelter and nesting opportunities for birds and other wildlife.
- Cow Parsley: Cow parsley is a common wildflower that blooms in May. Its delicate white flowers are loved by hoverflies, bees, and butterflies.
- Dandelions: While often considered a weed, dandelions are one of the earliest sources of nectar for bees in the spring. Allowing a few dandelions to bloom in your garden can provide an essential food source.
2. Creating Habitats for Pollinators
In addition to planting the right flowers, creating suitable habitats for pollinators is essential. This includes providing shelter, nesting sites, and water sources.
A. Insect Hotels
Insect hotels are structures designed to provide nesting and overwintering sites for solitary bees, ladybirds, and other beneficial insects.
- Building an Insect Hotel: Use materials such as bamboo canes, hollow stems, straw, and wood with drilled holes to create different compartments within the insect hotel. Place it in a sunny, sheltered spot to attract a wide range of species.
- Maintenance: Clean and replenish the materials in your insect hotel annually to keep it attractive to insects. Remove any debris and check for signs of disease or infestation.
B. Wildflower Meadows
A wildflower meadow is one of the best habitats you can create for pollinators. It provides a continuous source of food and shelter throughout the growing season.
- Creating a Wildflower Meadow: Choose a sunny spot in your garden and sow a mix of native wildflower seeds. Include a variety of species that bloom at different times to ensure a steady supply of nectar and pollen. Avoid mowing the meadow until late summer to allow the flowers to set seed.
- Maintenance: Once established, a wildflower meadow requires minimal maintenance. Remove invasive weeds and reseed any bare patches in the autumn to maintain its health.
C. Water Sources
Pollinators need access to clean water to drink and to use in nest-building. Providing a shallow water source in your garden can help meet this need.
- Creating a Pollinator Water Source: Place a shallow dish or birdbath filled with water in a sunny spot. Add stones or pebbles for insects to perch on while they drink. Keep the water clean and refill it regularly.
- Bird Baths: Bird baths can also serve as water sources for pollinators. Ensure they are shallow enough for small insects to access and maintain them as you would any other water feature.
Supporting Hedgehogs: Helping These Nocturnal Garden Visitors
Hedgehogs are beloved garden visitors that play a crucial role in controlling pests like slugs and snails. May marks the beginning of their breeding season, making it an important time to ensure your garden is hedgehog-friendly.
1. Creating Hedgehog Habitats
Hedgehogs require safe, sheltered areas where they can nest, hibernate, and forage for food. By creating suitable habitats, you can encourage them to take up residence in your garden.
A. Hedgehog Houses
A hedgehog house provides a safe, dry place for hedgehogs to nest and hibernate.
- Building or Buying a Hedgehog House: Hedgehog houses can be purchased or easily constructed from wood. Ensure the entrance is small enough to keep out predators and place the house in a quiet, sheltered area of the garden, such as under a hedge or among dense shrubs.
- Location: Position the hedgehog house away from busy areas of the garden and in a shaded spot to keep it cool in the summer and insulated in the winter.
B. Log Piles and Leaf Litter
Log piles and leaf litter are natural shelters that hedgehogs use for nesting and foraging.
- Creating a Log Pile: Stack logs of varying sizes in a quiet corner of the garden. Leave gaps between the logs for hedgehogs to crawl into. Over time, the pile will also attract insects, providing a food source.
- Maintaining Leaf Litter: Allow fallen leaves to accumulate in garden beds or under trees. This provides a natural mulch and habitat for hedgehogs and other wildlife.
2. Providing Food and Water for Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs need a reliable food and water supply, particularly during the breeding season when they are most active.
A. Feeding Hedgehogs
Providing supplementary food can help support hedgehogs, especially during periods of dry weather when their natural prey may be less abundant.
- What to Feed: Offer hedgehogs a mix of wet cat or dog food (not fish-based), dry cat biscuits, or specialized hedgehog food. Avoid giving them milk or bread, which can cause digestive issues.
- Feeding Stations: Create a feeding station by placing food inside a wooden or plastic box with a small entrance hole. This helps keep the food dry and prevents larger animals from accessing it.
B. Water Sources
Hedgehogs need access to fresh water, particularly during warm weather. Ensure they can safely access a water source in your garden.
- Providing Water: Place shallow dishes of water around the garden, particularly near feeding stations and sheltered areas. Refill the dishes regularly and ensure they are kept clean.
- Avoiding Hazards: If you have a pond, make sure it has sloping sides or a ramp to allow hedgehogs and other wildlife to climb out if they fall in.
3. Protecting Hedgehogs from Hazards
Hedgehogs face numerous hazards in gardens, from pesticides to strimmers. By being mindful of these dangers, you can help keep them safe.
A. Avoiding Pesticides
Pesticides can harm hedgehogs directly or indirectly by reducing their food supply. Opt for organic or natural pest control methods to protect them.
- Alternatives to Pesticides: Encourage natural predators like birds and amphibians, or use non-toxic methods such as beer traps for slugs. Companion planting can also help deter pests without harming wildlife.
B. Checking for Hedgehogs Before Garden Work
Before carrying out garden maintenance tasks like mowing, strimming, or bonfires, always check for hedgehogs.
- Strimming and Mowing: Hedgehogs often hide in long grass or under shrubs, so thoroughly check these areas before using strimmers or mowers. Raise the cutting height if possible.
- Bonfires: Hedgehogs may seek shelter in bonfire piles. Always build bonfires on the day they are to be lit, or carefully check existing piles before lighting.
Conclusion
May is a busy and vital month in the wildlife garden. By focusing on nurturing birds, pollinators, and hedgehogs, you can create a thriving environment that supports the breeding and feeding activities of these important creatures. With thoughtful planting, habitat creation, and protective measures, your garden can become a sanctuary for wildlife, contributing to the health and diversity of your local ecosystem. The efforts you make in May will not only enhance your garden’s vibrancy but also ensure that it remains a welcoming haven for wildlife throughout the year.
