Wildlife Corridors

Wildlife Blog

We aim to connect existing wildlife areas and help improve existing areas.

Here are some of the projects that we've been working on:

Hedge Laying

Follow the link to learn about Hedge Laying and for photos of the hedges we've laid.

Deadwood

Deadwood is essential for a healthy woodland.  The word "deadwood" is very misleading as it's essentially a living tree transformed into a home to multiple organisms eg. fungi and insects.

    Fallen ash tree used to edge a footpath along the riverside in Boston Spa.
    Deadwood pile at Jackdaw Crag in Boston Spa.
    Habitat hedge made from deadwood along the riverside in Boston Spa.
    Monolith along the riverside in Boston Spa.

An ash tree had fallen a little further up the river in 2025 and we used part of it to create a bench at Holgate Meadow (near Thorp Arch Bridge) in Boston Spa.  This bench incorporates sunken deadwood and a large section that can naturally be a host to insect larvae.

Footpath Repairs

    Footpath edging given away
    Footpath edging repaired
    Footpath getting wider and plants being damaged
    Footpath repaired and gravelled
    Tree roots were being damaged and footpath extensively widened
    Edging added in March 2025 to reduce footpaths being widened and to allow plants to regenerate

Soil Erosion

We created a series of zigzag steps in May 2025 to help stop valuable top soil erosion in beech woodland along the riverside in Boston Spa.   Top soil holds mycorrhizal fungi network essential to the running of an ancient woodland and its various lifeforms.  This ancient woodland is home to a rare species of orchid (bird's-nest orchid) and protecting valuable soil would help its longevity.

Wildlife Meadows

See our blog on the creation of this wildflower border at Ceres Road in Wetherby.

Wildlife

    Bird's-nest Orchid
    Hummingbird Hawk-moth
    Frogs (mating)
    Newt in a private garden in Boston Spa
    Ladybirds on a Log Pile
    Cowslips

What Can You Do?

  • Rewild your garden - see Keith's blog.
  • Make a nest box or have space for one - the RSPB has information on how to make your own bird box including information on starling boxes.  See also Sara's and Georgina's blogs about their bird box projects and photos below of the bird boxes that Adrian made.
  • Add a hole under/in your garden wall or fence for hedgehogs etc - see also our Hedgehog page and Mark's blog about rescuing a hedgehog.
  • Plant your garden with insect-friendly plants - The Pollinator Garden and Wildlife Trust are good links.
  • Create safe lodging for frogs, toads and newts in your garden - see the RSPB's how-to guide.
  • Provide a haven for insects in your garden - see the Wildlife Trust's Guide on Taking Action for Insects.
  • Stop using slug pellets, especially as they are now banned in the UK - see Country Living's guide to dealing with slugs.
  • Complain about peat-based compost - peat is a carbon store and should NOT be used.
  • Use your pen (or fingers) - don't underestimate the power of a simple complaint. See Pen Power for our campaigns.

Please check other groups to see what you can do.