Caring For Our Cornish Wildlife This Summer

When the sound of bees can be heard on the breeze, the hedgerows are overflowing with colour and the smell of elderflower is in the air, we know that summer has arrived in Cornwall. 

The UK is home to over 70,000 native plant and animal species and at The Pets Larder we know how important it is to look after our local environments as well as our beloved pets. Caring for wildlife and preserving native biodiversity is paramount in an age where we are all fully aware of the risks that can occur from a lack of care for the natural world and the environment at large. At The Pets Larder we are dedicated to making our processes as environmentally friendly as possible with recyclable packaging for all our own brand treats, as well as the best responsibly and ethically sourced ingredients we can find, making for healthier pets and a greener planet. 

Not only can caring for your local wildlife be good for the fight against global warming but it can be a great learning tool for those with families and even those who just want to see more of magnificent mother nature in action. Whether it's following the life cycle of a frog, from tadpole to fully grown adult amphibian, or watching the brambles in your hedge turning from pale pink flowers into beautiful plump blackberries ripe for a crumble, watching nature at work is always a sight to behold. At The Pets Larder we are always committed to providing the best for your pets to ensure they stay happy and healthy but we also love to look after our native Cornish wildlife too, and after gaining more than a few handy tips picked up over our extensive animal welfare journey, we think we know a thing or two about doing so. So, this summer, to help you provide for all the wildlife out there, we've compiled a short list of our favourite tips so you too can happily lay at the bosom of mother nature and sing in harmony with the natural world.

Water For Summer Wildlife

All living things need water, so it should go as no surprise that our top tip for caring for garden wildlife is to provide a fresh water source. Whether it's a small dish filled with pebbles acting as a bee oasis or a large pond filled with a veritable plethora of life, adding water to your garden or outside space will always benefit our native wildlife. Now you may think a pond would be a huge project but an old sink or even a washing up bowl filled with rainwater could act as a mini pond for any size garden, simply garnish with a few stones, some aquatic plants and a safe way to enter and exit for those animals less ‘au fait’ with swimming, and voila your very own garden watering hole. For the birds a classic birdbath is a great choice, giving them a safe place to drink without the risk of predation, but something as simple as a shallow dish with a stone in the centre on a windowsill can be very effective too. If you're brave and fancy a DIY project then digging a shallow dish shaped hole and then filling with concrete and letting it dry is a simple and cost effective way of making your very own birdbath, just add plinth or stand and water! For more information on ways to add water to your garden this summer, why not try having a browse of the Springwatch area of the BBC website which has some great recommendations and is a goldmine of amazing science too.

Feed The Birds

The easiest wild species to cater for are, of course, our British bird species and a bird feeder or bird table is an excellent and simple way to help local birds in the summer. Even if you don't have an outside space suction cup bird feeders can be attached to windows alongside a dish of water on a sill, making a handy rest stop for our avian friends. Nearly all bird species need a high protein diet during summer months and the moulting season, when they shed and then regrow feathers.

Shelter Our Cornish Critters

If you have a garden, one of the easiest things to do to make your green space a haven for nature is…..nothing! Leaving lawns, compost heaps, underneath hedging and around trees or shrubs to grow wild can provide a safe place for all sorts of wildlife to eat, sleep and breed. This simple method will not only provide a home and safe passage for a variety of critters but you will also be growing your very own patch of wild flowers and plants, some of which can be very useful too. Edible plants like nettles and dandelions are common as well as the possibility for rarer delicacies like wild garlic and strawberries to pop up in your unmown lawn too. Other ways you could provide with shelter for wildlife in your garden are, nest boxes which are cheap and fun DIY project and can provide a safe place for birds to raise their chicks, compost heaps which can give shelter for slow worms, field mice and shrews, and insect hotels which can be made from a range of the simplest of materials, for more information check out this page from the RSPBs brilliantly informative website. 

So, this summer when you're treating your pooch or puss to some delicious treats from The Pets Larder, spare a thought for the animals outside your house too and help them thrive in a world where nature is our greatest asset.