Attenborough Nature Reserve: Wildlife Garden Transformation

Since the Autumn of 2022 we have been busy working alongside the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust in transforming the 'garden' area at the back of the Attenborough Nature Reserve Visitor Centre into a haven for wildlife.

We were keen to bring the existing garden back to life and make it a more friendly and welcoming place for visitors to walk round and be inspired to see what can be done in their own gardens with ideas to attract more wildlife.

The exisiting pond was dug out and a new pond with a viewing area and dipping platform has been planted with native marginal plants and pond plants. We have attracted about 20 Smooth Newts already. We have had Hairy Dragonfly flying over and lots of Common Blue Damselflies have also arrived. 

An extensive wildlife meadow has been installed and visitors will see a huge variety of wildflowers throughout the spring and summer. Presently, Ragged Robin, Oxeye Daisy and Yellow Rattle are out in profusion. The wild flowers will attract many species of insect as the meadow establishes.

A pebble labyrinth that joins the existing willow tunnel and a mud kitchen are proving very popular with young children.

Wheelchair-friendly picnic benches and have been added and all the paths are all on one level. 

There are insect hotels - piles of rotting logs drilled with holes to attract insects like ladybirds, solitary wasps, lacewings and bees, wood boring insects and many over wintering species will seek out nooks and crannies. 

Two new shelters have been built - a round one that seats about 15 people and one with comfortable chairs and a table - a perfect place for an ice-cream or a coffee.

We have an on-going programme of planting and we are labelling plants to explain their value for wildlife. 

The 'garden' is continually 'buzzed' with Sand Martins as their artificial nesting holes are at the bottom of the site. There are excellent views of the reserve from the garden as it is surrounded by water. Easily visible during Sprint and Summer is the Common Tern nesting platform which has at least ten sitting birds.

We welcome visitors to come and look round and we are keen to answer questions about gardening and wildlife.

Click here to view a snapshot of the transformation with some before and after photos.

View the story on the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website here.