Scientific research is showing that once commonly seen species of birds, mammals and amphibians (plus many of the things that aren’t so easily seen such as insects) have suffered serious declines in number and distribution over the last twenty-five years.

For example, the skylark declined 54% nationally between 1969-1991. The song thrush has declined 50% over the last thirty years. Brown hare populations have declined significantly in this period, as have some bat species. We are now hearing reports of a dramatic decline in the nation’s house sparrow population.

There is no single answer to why this is happening, but one of the main contributors to the declines is the loss of habitat seen over the last thirty years. Most species have complex life-cycles which depend on a mosaic of habitat within their home range. With the loss of many habitats, on the large and small scale, the amount of food, shelter and breeding habitat for all species has been reduced.

Habitat creation is one of the more important ways in which biodiversity can be helped. By providing feeding, sheltering and breeding habitat for any number of species you can contribute to conserving your local wildlife. Particular species can be targeted when designing habitats, so you can make sure that what you like or what particularly needs help in your area is included.

Habitat creation is something that everyone can do, whether it is on a large or small scale. At Northumberland Wildflowers we believe that whether you are creating a 10 acre meadow or a micro-meadow in a window box, each can contribute to the conservation of local wildlife.

The key to habitat creation is the selection or encouragement of the right suite of plant species. When buying seed or plant stock it is important to use stock that is of local origin. This will ensure that the plants you grow are most suited to the local climate, will be suitable for the local wildlife and will not endanger the local flora. Northumberland Wildflowers can help with the selection of species for your habitat creation scheme, click here to view our services.

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Gardeners
Current research is indicating an increasingly significant role for urban and sub-urban gardens and green spaces in supporting populations of some of our declining species. The patchwork of intertwining neighbouring gardens found in residential areas provide a mosaic of habitat that creates an environment rich in food and shelter for many species, particularly birds, small mammals, butterflies, insects and amphibians. If you can, try to introduce or improve the way in which your garden functions for wildlife.

You do not have to include every type of habitat (basically grassland, wetland and woodland) within your garden. Your neighbour is possibly providing what you are not. You might include an area of wild flowers in the herbaceous border, or interweave wild flowers with your cultivated ones. You might manage a patch of garden for wildlife, create a pond, or create a mini-meadow area in the lawn, a patio pot or a window box. Areas of shade are important too.

There are many combinations of habitat creation which will work for you and your wildlife. It is not the aim of this website to provide a comprehensive guide to designing and creating habitats. That information is widely available in many good publications, some of which you will find in our ‘Store’ . However, if you do wish to have some further personal help, we offer an advisory service on wildlife gardening on our ‘Services’ page.

Farmers
If you are creating habitats on your land either within an Agri-Envirnoment Scheme, or to achieve cross-compliance or for any other reason, you will be needing some plant stock. Northumberland Wildflowers produces seed of a wide range of species suited to farm habitat creation schemes, covering the three main habitats of grassland, woodland and wetland. We have experience in advising farmers on habitat creation schemes and understand many of the problems of combining economic farming practices with wildlife management. If you would like any assistance with your project, please refer to our Services department.

Developers
Many developments are conditioned by Planning Departments to either create wildlife habitat or rehabilitate the land around a development in the interests of nature conservation. At Northumberland Wildflowers we have experience of the planning system and habitat creation in the urban environment. We can offer advice on the most suitable habitat for your scheme and it’s maintenance requirements. It is often desirable when creating landscapes to have some ‘overnight greening’ which can be achieved through the use of plug plants within a grass mix. If you would like to know more about our services, please either ’phone or email us to discuss your project further.

Community groups, Schools and Churches
The creation of new habitats within the community is an exciting project which has the potential to draw in many different parts of the population. Planning, designing, choosing, learning and creating are all important parts of the project. Northumberland Wildflowers would be happy to be involved at any stage of your project to provide advice on the suitability of potential schemes, maintenance requirements, management plans and of course, the choice of species. Where our advisory service is used, careful consideration is given to your funding issues. Please contact us for further information, either by ’phone of by email.