Fauna

Illustrative species profile · UK native resident, with winter visitors

Illustrative species profile · UK native resident, active spring to autumn

Hedgehog

Erinaceus europaeus

Hedgehogs are small, spiny mammals, grey-brown in colour, that forage mostly at night. They snuffle through grass and undergrowth in search of insects, slugs and worms, and curl into a tight ball when they feel threatened.

A garden they can move through

Hedgehogs roam across several gardens each night, so a small gap at the base of a fence or wall can make a real difference. Log piles, compost heaps and quiet shrubby corners offer shelter and feeding grounds along the way.

Beneficial connections

By eating slugs, beetles and other invertebrates, hedgehogs help keep garden pest populations in balance, reducing the need for chemical controls and supporting a healthier soil food web.

Care without interference

Check long grass before strimming, keep netting and litter cleared away, and avoid slug pellets where possible. If a hedgehog is active by day or seems unwell, contact a local wildlife rescue rather than handling it yourself.

Illustrative species profile · UK native, on the wing spring to late summer

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

One of the UK's most familiar bumblebees, with a black and gold-banded body and a white tail. Queens emerge early in spring to found new nests, while workers forage steadily through the warmer months.

Flowers through the seasons

Bumblebees need a steady supply of nectar and pollen from early spring to autumn. Planting a mix of single-flowered, pollinator-friendly plants that bloom at different times keeps gardens useful all season long.

Beneficial connections

As they move between flowers, bumblebees pollinate fruit, vegetables and wildflowers, supporting seed and fruit production for both gardeners and the wider web of local wildlife.

Care without interference

Avoid pesticides, leave patches of bare or undisturbed ground for nesting queens, and let a few quiet corners grow a little wild. Watch bumblebees at work rather than disturbing nests or hives you come across.

Robin

Erithacus rubecula

Adult robins have an orange-red face and breast, brown upperparts and a pale belly. Young birds are mottled brown and do not yet have the familiar red breast.

A garden with layers

Robins use gardens, hedges and woodland. Dense vegetation provides cover, while leaf litter and open patches offer places to find insects, spiders and other small invertebrates.

Beneficial connections

Established ivy can provide shelter and berries. Birds that eat the fruit can, in turn, disperse ivy seeds. A varied garden offers more than any single plant can provide.

Care without interference

Retain sheltered corners and avoid pesticides. Watch from a distance and leave active nests undisturbed. Habitat care is more helpful than trying to handle or tame wild birds.