Kids special: Autumn means new wildlife - here's how to build a wildlife friendly farm for visiting creatures

Farmers Guardian's new monthly children's special is here, and it is all about nature this season

clock • 1 min read
Hedgehogs are in decline. Make your garden and farm creature friendly this autumn
Image:

Hedgehogs are in decline. Make your garden and farm creature friendly this autumn

Autumn has arrived, and with a new season comes new wildlife. Get outside and make your garden and farm as wildlife friendly as possible with these top tips.

In autumn watch out for:

  • Hedgehogs
  • Barn owls
  • Dormouse

Make yourself a checklist and let us know what you see.

See also: Growing vegetables with children - how to start and what to grow

Have a wildlife friendly farm

Create a haven for wildlife in your garden or farm by making homemade birdfeeders and hedgehog houses.

Birdfeeder

You will need:

  • Peanut butter
  • An apple
  • Birdseed mix
  • Twine or string
  • To make:

Halve the apple and scoop the core out

Make a small hole in the top of each so you can add the string through

Fill the each half with a mixture of peanut butter and birdseed

Hang outside

Hedgehog house

You can make a very simple hedgehog house by getting a large plastic container and cutting out a large entrance space. Cover in plastic sheeting and camouflage in leaves, soil and grass cuttings. Make the inside hedgehog friendly too, by adding leaves and soil inside.

TOP TIP: leave a stick by the entrance, and if it moves you will know you have had a prickly visitor!

Please send you pictures of your wildlife creations to [email protected]

BROMLEYMARSH PEDIGREE ANGUS

BROMLEYMARSH PEDIGREE ANGUS

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

Limousin and Charolais Bulls

Limousin and Charolais Bulls

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

ABERDEEN ANGUS BULLS SEAFIELD PEDIGREES

ABERDEEN ANGUS BULLS SEAFIELD PEDIGREES

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

More on Farm Life

Farmers urged to back 'Day of Unity' ahead of Autumn Budget

Farmers urged to back 'Day of Unity' ahead of Autumn Budget

England, Wales and Northern Ireland to stage tractor go-slows in attempt to stave off IHT reform

clock 16 October 2025 • 1 min read
King Charles says farmers deserve our 'utmost admiration and gratitude'

King Charles says farmers deserve our 'utmost admiration and gratitude'

Some 2,000 people join Queen Camilla at the annual National Harvest service at Westminster Abbey which offers thanks to 'custodians of our land'

clock 16 October 2025 • 2 min read
Sharp commercial focus for regenerative farming brothers

Sharp commercial focus for regenerative farming brothers

A regenerative approach to pork and beef production has seen Oxfordshire brothers Nick and Jon Francis secure lucrative markets for their products

clock 16 October 2025 • 11 min read