I have spent a happy hour this morning, with my daughter, taking part in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch. Highlights included long-tailed tits, treecreepers and a moorhen (who was scrumping fallen apples!).
It got me thinking; for me having birds in the garden is as important as having plants in the garden. In particular I love the song of the blackbird (so much so that I plant Amelanchier lamarckii, whose berries the blackbirds will not allow to ripen).
The added benefit is that by attracting as many birds as possible into my garden, I also get free pest control for my plants with robins, song thrushes and blue tits (to name but a few) eating the unwanted caterpillars and other bugs, keeping the planting looking good. Therefore I always try to suggest bird-friendly planting, and incorporate bird boxes and feeders where clients want them, in every design I deliver.
It is not just birds though that people want to encourage into their garden. Mammals are usually very welcome visitors - although they may not respect all of the planting; for example grey squirrels divide opinion (especially, in my experience, those with a penchant for stealing digestives from the table!), as do badgers, who may dig holes in the lawn to search for juicy morsels! But most people I meet will gladly encourage both. However there is one other garden visitor who should be encouraged where ever possible. I try to do this, where practicable, by leaving gaps at places at the bottom of fencing. Why? No, it is not to allow in the neighbour's cat (who will get in anyway), but to give hedgehogs (hopefully hordes of them) access to the garden, to munch through as many slugs and snails as possible! In my opinion hedgehogs are preferable to pellets.
Wildlife is as integral to gardens as the plants are - in whatever form it takes; from butterflies to badgers - and both the planting and the wildlife can bring equal pleasure to people enjoying their own patch of outdoors. I like to encourage both wherever I can.
If you have a spare hour this weekend, why not take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch? More details can be found at:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/
Matt Haddon - garden designer based in East Yorkshire
http://www.matthaddongardens.co.uk
Comments
Have just completed the Big Garden Birdwatch this morning. All the usual visitors. Chaffinches, blackbird, great tit, blue tit, gold finch, sparrows and a couple of dunnocks. I could hear a woodpecker but he wouldn't make an appearance so couldn't include him unfortunately.
I agree entirely with your sentiments re: wildlife in the garden also.