I turned my garden into a wildlife haven and the animals that moved in are now like old friends.
Creating a wildlife garden
I've spent years creating a garden for wildlife. I've built drystone walls for stoats to hide in, complete with secret tunnels leading to nesting chambers and ponds for them to play in, dug an underground sett for badgers and even planted a woodland for birds, hares, deer and more. Throughout the garden I've placed custom made nest boxes, designed and strategically placed to attract kestrels and owls. I've also put up feeding stations, to help the birds through hard times. And even with all these habitats, it never seems enough. The wildlife have taken over my family's section of the garden, including the climbing frame, the vegetable patch, and even the car park.
Watching the animals
I've dotted hides right through the plot, to give me a front row seat on all the action and placed cameras throughout so I can follow their wild lives 24/7, capturing their stories through the highs and lows, from courtships, to egg-laying, hatching and then fledging - and even lending a hand when needed.
Following their individual stories
Among the individuals I've got to know are tawny owls Luna & Bomber who adopted two foster chicks one year after their own eggs failed and have fostered wild rescues ever since and Gylfie the barn owl who's daughter once stole a chick from her second brood. And then there's Mr Kes who learned to feed his chicks when his mate disappeared.
