Finding a place to call home is important to everyone - somewhere to feel safe, secure and to escape the stresses of modern life. Desirable for us, but vital for our wildlife. 

An estate agent’s advert for a “well-presented family home (FREEHOLD) within a short walking distance of good local amenities” would be as attractive to humans looking to start a new family, as to hedgehogs, toads or robins - although perhaps “flying distance” would be more appropriate for garden birds! 

There’s no place like home. Perhaps some dense scrub for nesting birds such as wrens, or a log pile for beetles and centipedes, or the soft, warm soil beneath a compost bin for a bumblebee nest, or (if you are very lucky) your roof space might be used as a bat maternity roost. 

Places to ‘raise’ the next generation are obviously important, but wildlife needs shelter at other times too: safe roosting spots for migrating birds, marginal planting around ponds to help froglets safely disperse, seed heads for hibernating ladybirds, long grass for grass snakes to hunt, or hedges and shrubs for our beloved hedgehogs to forage and avoid danger. 

Providing shelter connects green spaces and helps wildlife move safely through the landscape. Bats, for example, prefer not to cross open land, so rows of trees, shrubs and hedgerows are important as ‘flyways’, guiding them to feeding grounds and hibernation sites. Similarly, ponds act as stepping stones for aquatic creatures, enabling populations of amphibians and dragonflies to spread and disperse. All life needs water to survive, so ponds will also benefit any creature searching for somewhere to drink or bathe.  

When it comes to finding food, the plethora of supermarkets, convenience stores, markets and take aways, mean we are spoilt for choice. Even on a long trip we can pull into a service station to rest or refuel. Food and drink can be found safely and with ease, there is rarely any need to waste time or energy travelling huge distances for a meal. Wouldn’t it be great if it was the same for wildlife? 

The good news is that every green space has the potential to become a café for nature. It doesn’t matter whether the space is big or small, supplying a ‘smorgasbord’ for lots of species, or a ‘buffet’ for just a few – both are equally important. Log piles dotted through the landscape provide protein packed insect cafes for birds and hedgehogs. Pots of nectar rich flowers on balconies and patios attract pollinating insects, while shallow saucers of water will be refreshment for passing foxes and thirsty insects. 

Increasing the availability and distribution of shelter, food and water not only creates more wildlife-friendly spaces but also helps connect them. The survival of migrating redwing visiting our shores during winter, depends on being able to find a plentiful supply of berry bearing  trees and shrubs . After feasting on one tree, redwing soon move on eagerly searching for more food. 

Rowan, viburnum, honeysuckle, ivy, mistletoe and rosehips will all help winter visitors as well as resident birds and small mammals. Rowan make excellent street trees, and supermarket carparks can be a surprising oasis for ‘eruptions’ of stunning waxwings dropping in to ‘click and collect’ the nutritious berries.  

It’s not just about making spatial connections, imagine the wildlife benefits one simple action may have over the seasons: Someone plants a rowan tree in autumn - a few insects rock up in spring to sip nectar from the blossom, by summer house martins swoop down to feed on tiny flying moths and in autumn the aforementioned redwing drop in to refuel on the berries. Another person decides to plant honeysuckle up a shady wall – the leaves may support white admiral caterpillars, while the flowers provide nectar for stunning hawk moths, these in turn are hunted by bats. Finally, on a small patio someone decides to stop using garden chemicals and sows a pot of wildflower seeds – they notice more bees and caterpillars, some of which are being collected by blue tits to take back to their chicks. Every action we take can have multiple benefits. 

By taking steps to create, maintain and connect wildlife friendly spaces, we are not only helping to reverse the biodiversity crisis, but we are also taking steps to improve our own mental health. Just 2 hours per week in a natural green space has been shown to have huge benefits to our wellbeing. Imagine how much healthier and happier our communities could be if we had the opportunity to regularly see wildlife on our walk to school, on our commute to work or during our lunchtime break.  

Connecting wildlife friendly spaces creates more space for nature. It enables species to expand their range, increase abundance and, in the face of climate change, can improve population resilience. It may also improve opportunities for us to encounter wildlife and reconnect with nature. Maybe, just maybe, these connections will help us build a happier, healthier society.  

The work of the Wilder Communities team has been supported by South Western Railway's Customer Community Improvement Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.