Create your own nature reserve
The Field|March 2020
With a little effort and for minimal cost, we can all have more wildlife in our countryside and towns
DAVID TOMLINSON
Create your own nature reserve

Rare plants, exotic trees, stunning sculptures – money can purchase all these things but it can’t buy wildlife. This is what makes creating your own private wildlife reserve so special. You don’t need a fortune to do it, nor do you require countless acres. What you do need island (even a half-acre will do) and determination. Create the habitat and the right conditions and, eventually, the wildlife will come to you.

Birds will be the first to respond to any moves you make to encourage them. Providing food is the best way to start. Buy quality feeders that are not only built to last but are easy to clean, and resist the temptation to fill them with cheap seed that only pigeons and pheasants like. Sunflower hearts and peanuts are the classic foods but don’t hesitate to experiment with millet and rapeseed, or suet and mealworms.

Simple habitat management will work wonders. Many species, such as thrushes and green woodpeckers, like mown lawns but areas of rough (not overgrown) grass will harbor voles and mice, which in turn will attract owls and kestrels. Nectar-bearing plants such as lavenders and verbena are great for insects, while buddleia might not be native but butterflies love it. If you are going to plant trees, opt for natives such as rowan, bird cherry, and hawthorn, or if you have space, oak, and beech.

What your new reserve will almost certainly lack is sufficient nesting sites for the birds you are going to attract. This is an easy problem to solve, as in recent years the nest-box business has become increasingly high-tech, with dedicated boxes for particular species made from modern, durable materials. You can even install close-circuit television to see how the occupants are getting on.

SONGBIRD NEST BOXES

This story is from the March 2020 edition of The Field.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2020 edition of The Field.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE FIELDView All
The apple of your eye
The Field

The apple of your eye

With scores to choose from in the UK, there is a delicious apple variety for everyone - and now is the ideal time to start thinking about planting one

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2023
Art in the field
The Field

Art in the field

Being able to study her subjects as she races alongside them has informed Belinda Sillars work, as she explains to Janet Menzies

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2023
A silvered sword from the Saxon armoury
The Field

A silvered sword from the Saxon armoury

With weaponry from the electoral court, the more silver on show, the higher the rank of the owner

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2023
Nicole Moore
The Field

Nicole Moore

The Shooting Girl With An Afro blogger explains her passion for fieldsports and outlines the importance of sharing skills and knowledge with newcomers

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2023
'Probably the greatest detective in the world'
The Field

'Probably the greatest detective in the world'

For 100 years, on page and screen, Hercule Poirot has captivated audiences around the globe with his supreme intellect and peculiar eccentricities

time-read
8 mins  |
October 2023
View from a Bridgerton
The Field

View from a Bridgerton

They were the 18th-century version of a drinks trolley and now hunt tables are popular once again, partly due to Regency-period television dramas

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2023
A brush with history
The Field

A brush with history

Britain is world renowned for its contribution to hair care and grooming, and, as its oldest firms will testify, heirlooms come in many forms

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2023
Practically perfect
The Field

Practically perfect

From modest origins, the gilet has evolved into a sporting wardrobe staple, combining function and fashion to become a status symbol in its own right

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2023
Best laid plans
The Field

Best laid plans

The ancient craft of hedgelaying is playing a central role in efforts to restore the balance of nature on our farms

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2023
Under the spell of spaniels
The Field

Under the spell of spaniels

Our favourite working breed comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, all of which have successfully carved out their own special niche in British sport

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2023