Wildlife Hotel (well, mini log shed)

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by Bilbo675, Aug 14, 2012.

  1. Bilbo675

    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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    I've mentioned this in another thread as I've been building it, but it is now complete and awaiting its first inhabitants. I built one of these many years ago in my mum's garden and hedgehogs took up residence almost straight away, even having young, I also had wrens nest in it twice and a pair of robins. Mice were also seen flitting in and out and a multitude of insect life also took advantage of it.

    The bottom bit is the hedgehog house part, which is filled with hay and dry leaves, I have also put a bit of hay and some leaves amongst the logs.

    Can't wait to see what uses this one :dancy: :biggrin:

    Plants 287.jpg

    Entrance at the back for robins or wrens, maybe even dunnocks; this hole is large at 64mm
    Plants 286.jpg
     
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    • chitting kaz

      chitting kaz Total Gardener

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      i like this too i think i will copy yet another idea and make one for up the plot !
       
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      • Phil A

        Phil A Guest

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        Excelent Biloba:dbgrtmb:

        I've stayed in worse hostels than that.
         
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        • Bilbo675

          Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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          Today I have made use of a dead space in the back garden to knock together another wildlife lodge using a pallet and some old turf and a LOT of rotting leaves to create a woodland floor feel. As there are currently dozens and dozens of frogs in the garden I'm hoping some will take a liking to it :)

          Plants 387.jpg

          Plants 386.jpg
           
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          • Phil A

            Phil A Guest

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            If I were a Hedgepig, i'd be in there like a shot:dbgrtmb:
             
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            • miraflores

              miraflores Total Gardener

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              bees and wasps will like the wood section.
               
            • Bilbo675

              Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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              I was watering the grass on top of it this morning and there are; as hoped, already frogs in residence within 24hrs, there were 3 'cuddled' together in the left hand tube :dancy:
               
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              • "M"

                "M" Total Gardener

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                Very inspirational, Bilbo :yay:

                :scratch: I've got a pallet .... some pipe ... logs ... and some slats from an old fence panel .... might have to give these ideas a go! I'm not very handy (and Mr Mum less so) but I think I might be able to knock something up.
                 
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                • Bilbo675

                  Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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                  Thanks Mum :) , go for it, I'm sure the wildlife aren't too fussy on what it looks like; I've a simple pile of small logs and pieces of bark in another corner behind my perennial bed and yesterday I gently lifted a piece of bark and there were 15 young frogs all huddled together and under another a huge toad :dbgrtmb:
                   
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                  • "M"

                    "M" Total Gardener

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                    Think I shall, Bilbo.

                    Trouble is, much of my garden is naturally a wildlife attraction :heehee: For example, last year, I had bees nesting in my compost heap.
                    When I moved in two years ago, I had a number of wasps nests in my loft.

                    Today, a seagull was trying to blend in with my chooks and ducks when I gave them some kitchen scraps.

                    While watering the garden, a few frogs leapt out of nowhere (didn't arf make me jump!); a squirrel ran across my trellis at the rear and I noticed that some of my stump 'seats' have bore holes in them (could be wasps/bees/beetles - :dunno: - best I don't sit on them for a little while :heehee: )

                    But I do fancy a "dedicated" area; even if they continue to use the whole garden, at their leisure.
                     
                  • Bilbo675

                    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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                    Sounds similar to mine Mum; no chooks here though :snork:, I've had bees nesting in a bird box last year and there are literally hundreds of them visiting the garden at the moment and the frogs are everywhere, including the greenhouse. I just like the idea of giving the visiting wildlife somewhere to seek shelter, refuge, even set up home if I'm lucky. The mini logshed was knocked together because I know I have hedgehogs visiting but I would love them to set up home in my patch at some point with a bit of luck :biggrin: :dbgrtmb:
                     
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                    • Bilbo675

                      Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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                      I know I have frogs in residence in the above wildlife hotel but yesterday I spotted a wood mouse popping in and out of one of the tunnels just before dark :dancy::dbgrtmb:
                       
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