We all grow up, and somehow I took for granted wildlife a lot. I met my husband, we had children, and there was just never enough "time" to notice anything other than what goes on inside the family. To top that, I had a daughter who was terrified of the outdoors. She would scream hysterically at any insect or bug, even in the house, let alone outside. It was a living nightmare.
That's life I guess, it's been pretty tough at times, and for the past 15 years, maybe more, I had drifted in and out of depression for one reason or another. Five years ago, it was serious with massive weight gain and anxiety, and for the most part, I've never spoken about it, but it totally consumed my life and I didn't step foot outside the door unless I had to.
One day, for no particular reason, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and I was drawn to it. I fought depression myself, and I began to beat it. I lost weight, I felt great, and suddenly I began to notice and enjoy what I loved the most. The great outdoors and wildlife. It made me smile, and encouraged me to fight my demons.
I went cycling, walking, joined the RSPB and fell in love with Wildlife again. I learned so much, and it was totally and completely an essential part of my life, and I felt happier than I think I have ever felt. In addition, sharing a passion for wildlife with my daughter, and slowly she began to love wildlife like I do, and she wasn't afraid any more. It's become a real connection between us.
A year ago, disaster struck and my dog become unwell. I was unable to get out the house for weeks, and I was terrified of slipping back into depression, but wildlife kept me going at home.
In my garden I have a large family of House Sparrows. I put some seed out for them, and they visited me in thanks. Seeing them gave me a spark of happiness every day when days were dark. I have a pond, and I could sit there for a while, and watch Damsels and Dragons visiting, laying eggs and eating all the biting pests. Every now and again, frogs popped up to say hello and Newts too, sharing the reeds. Suddenly I appreciated what I already had, and how I should not take it for granted.
Sadly I lost my dog after weeks of attempting rehabilitation with him, but it made me realise I could never take for granted what I have here to enjoy, ever again. When I couldn't get out, wildlife was right here, and lifted my spirits, so I made a promise. That this year, I would focus on what I have, and making it more Wildlife friendly.
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So onto the improvements. First things first, the Pond. We inherited this pond when we moved in here. Strangely enough, the house wasn't perfect, but the pond sold it for me. It was set up for Goldfish, not wildlife.
We first built a raised decking area with plants, logs and rocks for sheltering Newts and Frogs, and to encourage insects such as Bees. Then we built the Waterfall with slow running water, and we placed rocks to make a ramp, to make it easier for animals to climb in and out, and to help, for example Hedgehogs who might accidentally fall into the pond. The slow running Waterfall makes a good, safe Bird Bath also.
We have also made some changes to the plants in the pond. We have added some floating plants, a basket of additional marginals, and oxygenating plants on the bottom. The Marginals help to absorb excess nutrients in the water when blanket weed is a problem (it was). The floating plants help to create shelter for Dragon/Damsel/Mayflies on the wing laying eggs, and their Nymphs under water, also Frogs and Newts and their young, and to block out some of the sunlight which feeds blanket weed. The oxygenating plants provide under water shelter, as well as oxygenating the water. We have added a solar fountain to help circulate and cool the water further, especially in hot and dry weather like we have been having.
We researched wildlife friendly plants, and have put some planters and sown some Field Poppies, Cornflower Blue, and various other Seed Bearing, flowering plants to attract Butterflies, Bees, and Birds too, along with a separate bird bath and various feeders. We also added a Honeysuckle climbing plant for roosting birds that also encourages nectar drinking insects. In addition, some aromatic herbs for the kitchen! After just six days, my plants are showing signs of life. I am over-joyed.
Of course, the garden fairies are important, so those have been looked after also ;) They don't like noise ;) And to our joy, the many feeders we have put in place, have begun to feed our beloved House Sparrows, as well as attracting Blue Tits, Magpies and Pigeons so far. We have a mixture of fat balls, high protein snacks, nut's and seeds, both on the ground, and in feeders, which the birds are starting to enjoy.
It's cost us our Summer holiday this year, but every penny worth it. Wildlife was a haven for us all when things were tough. It's helped us all in so many ways, and we all love it. My daughter, who is Autistic has come on leaps and bounds. Her knowledge of Wildlife is astonishing both to us and professionals, and has become a real passion of hers, which we hope she will follow into adulthood. My youngest son is partly in charge of a little corner at school, for which he is developing a garden, growing plants. So it's really the least we could do. We shouldn't take these gorgeous creatures for granted. They all help us in their own way, even if we don't realise it. Every plant, bird, mammal, amphibian, insect and arachnid is helping us every day in their survival. They take care of us, it's a wonderful world of bio-diversity that has become an ugly word to some. But man could NOT survive if it wasn't for every species of life out there.
