The countryside on our doorstep in Kent is home to some amazing animals, precious habitats and endangered species.
There’s so much that we can learn about and do to support our local wildlife, whether you’re 3 or 103. Here are some great ideas to get you started!
Learn & DO
Help a Hedgehog
Hedgehog populations are in decline due to several factors, from pesticides reducing the invertebrates available to eat to garden fencing and walls limiting their movements and ability to find food.
If you think you have a visiting hog, then putting out a bit of sustenance during winter allows them to top up their reserves and gives them a helping hand through the colder months.
The best time to put out fresh food and water is at dusk. Check out this handy list of what to feed them and what to avoid!
Hedgehogs need homes, just like us, so consider creating a hedgehog home in your garden. Check out this simple guide.
If you come across a hedgehog that you think is injured or unwell, contact Thorne Hedgehog Rescue.
Support the Swifts
According to the latest Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report, swift populations have dropped by 40% or more in the past decade. The decline of insects means there is less food available, and due to house renovations, there are fewer gaps in roofs and eaves for nests.
Here are some things that you can do to support Tenterden swifts:
In the garden
Swifts only eat insects, so anything you can do to encourage insects really helps. Build a pond to attract insects. Plant native wildflowers. Don’t be too tidy - leaves and log piles provide important homes for insects. Avoid using pesticides and insecticides.
Outside your house
Encourage your friends, family and neighbours to put up a swift box. Here are some that are recommended by local swift experts.
On your phone
Help build up a picture of where swifts are nesting locally by getting on to Swift Mapper! It’s a free website and mobile phone app which you can log any breeding swifts you’ve spotted. This helps identify active nest sites that need protection and areas where new nesting opportunities would be helpful. Get the App in your app store or visit the website.
Activity Sheets
Get to know local trees and flowers with these fun spotting sheets. Download and print them or fill them out on your tablet or phone with the image editor tool in Photos.
Colouring Sheets
Share your creations
We’d love to see what you create. Our email address is on the bottom of the colouring sheets if you’d like to email it to us. Or share it on our friendly Facebook group. Thank you Masi and Amari for sending us your beautiful butterlies.
Gardening for Wildlife
In Kent, flying insects alone have declined by more than 70% in less than 20 years. These are the bees, butterflies, and other insects that are essential for the pollination of crops and as a food source for birds and animals such as hedgehogs.
Gardens have become increasingly important havens for wildlife. You can make a big difference by making small changes to the way you garden.
Here are 5 things you can do in your garden today.
For more wildlife gardening ideas check out this free guide from the Wildlife Trust.
If you’d like to take more action, why not join us?
Become a volunteer and help support our local wildlife projects. Get in touch today to find out more.