Invite in the wildlife and make your garden an even better place to be

With the warm weather set to continue, now is the perfect time to get busy in the garden. And the RSPB, has teamed up with a national homebuilder to share some tips on how to create the very best garden for UK wildlife. Charlotte Ambrose, RSPB wildlife advisor, said: “Gardens and the wildlife they attract can be a source of joy and comfort even in the most difficult times. The RSPB has compiled the following easy tips to utilise your garden space. Get to know your garden birds Providing feeders or a source of fresh, clean water will help you get to know your garden birds much more. Only feed selected foods at this time of year, such as sunflower seeds, pinhead oatmeal or special mixes for birds that feed mainly on insects. Sow some seeds for bees It’s not too late to start growing flowering plants from seeds that will help provide bees, butterflies and otherpollinating insects with a much needed food source – and your garden with an extra splash of colour. Let it grow Of course we like our gardens to look beautiful, but if you can leave bits undisturbed and wild, you will be rewarded with wildlife that might not otherwise find a place to stay. That unkempt hedge could well have birds nesting in it by now, and the pile of leaves in the corner is perfect for visiting hedgehogs. Breathe Whether you just have a window box planted with lavender or a garden full of trees, shrubs and flowers, take some time to breathe it in. Sit back, relax, watch and listen to the wildlife you have invited to share your little patch of greenery with you. Jan Ruston, sales director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Midlands, who have partnered with the RSPB, said: “Making small adjustments to gardens creates extremely valuable wild spaces. “Our properties often have versatile gardens that can host more friendly residents than meets the eye.