Water is essential to wildlife, so a water feature is a must-have for a wildlife garden. Many animals will make use of it, regardless of its size.
Not every garden can accommodate a large pond, but this is not a problem since even a balcony has space for a birdbath. And if you have a bigger area, why limit yourself to just one water feature? The greater the availability of water, the greater diversity of wildlife you can expect.
Go with the flow
Take advantage of wet, soggy soils by creating a bog garden stocked with kingcups (Caltha palustris), Butomus, Astilbe, purple loosestrife and meadowsweet. Muddy areas at the edge of a bog garden or pond will be welcomed by birds such as house martins, swallows, nuthatches and blackbirds seeking nest-building materials in summer.
Formal rills are attractive but are rather sterile for most aquatic wildlife. A cascading stream with dedicated planting pockets and drop pools will be much richer in biodiversity, but disturbed water evaporates much more quickly in hot weather than still water.
Barrels and troughs
Container water features are particularly suited for courtyard or patio gardens. A pebble fountain with only a thin film of water is a safer option than a pond where children are concerned. However, for most containers, a minimum water depth of 20-30cm (8-12in) is sensible. This reduces the frequency of topping up and allows a few plants to be added.
Wooden barrels should be thoroughly rinsed out and made watertight before planting up. Fill with water and keep topping up until the swelling of the wood seals any leaks. Plastic barrels also work but are not as attractive. Stone troughs, old sinks and large, glazed Oriental-style pots are more eye-catching, providing any drainage holes are well plugged. Old baths can be ‘shabby chic’ and a haven for newts.
Benefits of ponds
Having some water at ground level means that mammals as well as birds can come to drink. A pond with shallow edges, such as a beach of cobbles, is ideal. Other likely visitors include damselflies, dragonflies, amphibians, mayflies and an abundance of smaller creatures. Even grass snakes may be seen hunting their prey in garden ponds.
More information on wildlife ponds
Don't forget that steep-sided containers require wooden or chicken wire ramps to help hedgehogs and birds escape. Even frogs and other amphibians can drown if there’s no way out.