Welcome to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s free wildlife information service. WildLine is aimed at answering wildlife queries from the public and providing help with naming plants and animals that you may have seen.

• Why do hedgehogs hibernate?
• What is this ladybird I’ve seen in my garden?
• How can I improve my pond to encourage frogs?

These are all questions that WildLine could answer for you!

You can submit a query to Wild Line 24/7. We will then conduct research on the given topic, before contacting you with an answer to your question. To increase the awareness and advertise the WildLine service, why not print our poster and put it up in your workplace or somewhere in your village?

01489 - 774446

wildline@hwt.org.uk

Wildlife in your garden? . . .

To keep an accurate record of the wildlife found throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight we need to collect data from around the counties. You can help our species groups collect this information by letting the us know what wildlife is in your garden. We have designed some easy to use guides to identify common mammals, reptiles and amphibians that you may find in your gardens and local area.

Wildlife in your garden?...Mammals pdf
Wildlife in your garden?...Amphibians & Reptiles pdf
Wildlife in your garden? …How to help pdf

We need your wildlife records, so please use the guides and let us know what you see!

Species Information & Fact Sheets

WildLine has access to a wide range of resources, including specially designed fact sheets, a selection of which are available to download below. Please contact us for information and advice on subjects or species not listed.

Species factsheet - Hazel Dormouse
An identification guide for snakes in your garden - What reptile is it?
Your guide to nest boxes
Your guide to insect hotels
Getting involved - a guide to Hampshire based species & conservation groups

WildLine Question of the Month

The first step to attracting birds to your garden is to provide the three basic resources; shelter, food and water.

Putting up a nest box is a simple way of encouraging wildlife into your garden. Natural nest sites such as hollow trees or cavities of old buildings are fast disappearing. By putting up a nest box you can provide nesting birds with a suitable home. It is estimated that over 2 million chicks are reared in nest boxes each year, so please help by putting a nest box in your garden, school or workplace. Find out more by downloading the Trust's factsheet 'Your guide to nest boxes'.

Hanging bird feeders and providing bird seed and suet balls is a common way to encourage birds to your garden. However, adding some interesting plants to your garden can also provide natural food sources for birds including berries, seeds or insects which will be attracted to the plants. Plants such as spindle, fruit trees, holly and bramble are good sources for berries, clematis, sunflower and teasel are good for seeds, and buddleia, honeysuckle and herbs will attract insects which the birds will feed on.

As well as drinking the water, birds need to bathe to keep their feathers clean and in good condition. By putting in a bird bath or creating a pond you will be providing a body of water that the birds can use for these purposes. A pond also has the added bonus of providing breeding sites for many species of amphibians and invertebrates.

Find out more

If you are interested in learning more about how to encourage birds to your garden and getting help to identify the birds you see, the new book written by Royal Horticultural Society and The Wildlife Trusts may be able to help. Birds in Your Garden shows you how to turn your garden into a haven for birds and is packed with advice from experts. It focuses on garden bird species, and has accounts of 60 birds with key facts and identifying features along with lots of amazing images. Copies are available from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust at a cost of £12.99.

View previous WildLine questions of the month by clicking here