BARRATT Developments Scotland is looking to inspire homeowners to create their own nature-friendly gardens.
The housebuilder has transformed a showhome garden at one of its developments into a ‘festival for wildlife’, highlighting playful features that can help animals thrive whilst also allowing for a fun environment for kids.
Estelle Sykes, sales director for Barratt Developments West Scotland, said,“We work really closely with a team of landscapers and professionals to develop nature-friendly outdoor spaces of all sizes in our developments, including gardens, balconies and communal spaces that are now blooming and buzzing with life.
“The warmer weather is the perfect opportunity to put the UK’s abundant, diverse and beautiful native species centre stage. After the sad demise of Tree in the Park, we’re expecting wildlife with varying tastes to flock to our garden festival, from rocking robins and swifties in the sky to the ‘beatles’ in the grass. And like all good parties, we’re sure there will be someone doing the worm.”
It comes amidst issues for UK nature, with 38 million birds having been lost over the last 50 years – with house sparrows, starlings, and song thrushes all considered birds of conservation concern. There has also been a 76% decline in butterflies and the loss of a third of urban hedgehogs since 2000.
Simple tips for making gardens or balconies nature friendly spaces include:
- Building a bee hotel for solitary bees
- Adding a wide, shallow bird bath
- Growing a wildflower meadow – a long, luscious lawn is good for nature, so ditch the mower
- Installing nestboxes to help nature in your area
- Creating a simple hedgehog feeding station
