wildlife gardening

We are in the depths of winter, and whatever the weather may - or may not - have in store for us in this traditionally chilly month, Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul turn their thoughts to the year ahead. Often mistaken for a quieter season, there are plenty of winter tasks to complete and projects to initiate. Winter pruning, leaf clearing, renovations and new plantings will all be discussed (we can't promise that conversations about biscuits and lists won't also appear...). Whatever the topic, the duo hope to prime us all for the unfolding gardening seasons.

Lucy has been at the cutting edge of journalism this week at the Garden Press Event, so Saul takes you on a solo journey down the Dawlish Water at Stonelands to look at what wildlife greets him on a beautiful February morning. Gardening for Wildlife is a big topic for discussion in the garden media at the moment, with many gardeners specifically creating elements of the garden with wildlife in mind - so Saul discusses his view on encouraging wildlife and why its necessary to think about our animal cousins as an essential part of the garden makeup.

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul
Lucy @HeadGardenerLC

Intro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io
"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 

Dan Rouse is a famed ornithologist, wildlife presenter and author. We encouraged her away from the South Wales Coast, and her binoculars, to talk to us all about how to attract birds to our own gardens.

We learn the secrets of her daily wildlife-friendly gardening routine, what she's noticed most about lockdown and birdlife in Wales, and how and why she's helping farmers to encourage owls onto their farmland.

Find out more about our Wildlife Community podcast on our website. 

S2E13 Remember seeing bats over your garden years ago and suddenly realised that they've vanished over time? Wildlife garden landscaper Joel Ashton reveals how you can help attract bats to your greenspace by greening up a fence and planting certain species to increase insect diversity which in turn will provide your local bats with a buffet! At the Bat Conservation Trust we have a vision of a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together and Joel is helping achieve that vision, one garden at a time. So tune in and discover how to get bats reappearing against the evening skies of your home.

• Joel's book 'Wild Your Garden': https://www.hazelwoodlandscapes.com/ is available from your local bookseller.
• Follow Joel on social media: @_joelashton and @Butterfly_bros
• Videos available on his YouTube site

Join the conversation on social media using #BatChat:
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BatConservationTrust/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_BCT_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/batconservationtrust/

For more bat news, head to our website https://www.bats.org.uk/

Producer: Steve Roe

Thank you to Wildlife Acoustics and Wildcare for sponsoring series 5 of BatChat.
Visit wildlifeacoustics.com to learn more.
Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes.

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👕We now have our own Merch!👚 Get your hands on the brand new range of BatChat clothing and tote bags at our tee mill store and tag us on social media with you wearing your purchases.
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All apps that BatChat is available on are here.

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Bats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!

Have a Heart - Have a Hedgehog Hole!

Every animal, insect, plant species on earth link together. Just like the film Avatar, all life is connected (even us). If we break one link, it affects thousands of other links.

Hedgehogs are an apex predator in our garden, having a hedgehog is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Have you seen a hedgehog recently ( that was actually alive!)

Go and build that hedgehog hole today. :)

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