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Attracting wildlife makes the garden a far more interesting place. Wildlife provides an ever changing palette of animals and plants growing, feeding, reproducing and provides the best natural education possible. It is easier to attract wildlife to the garden if you consider what wildlife creatures need.

Animals require the necessities of food, shelter, quiet and protection from predators.

This means providing areas within your garden which firstly offer food - this can be relatively easy with the correct choice of plants. Those offering nectar (for insects like butterflies), pollen (beetles), fruit and berries( birds, bats and small mammals), nuts (birds, squirrels and other small mammals) or seeds (birds, mice, small mammals). Obviously, some of the creatures you attract will become prey for others (like insects for birds and so on) but the advantage with this is that eventually, the ecosystem in your garden will become so well established that levels of pests are controlled by animals you attract. For example, amphibians, birds and small mammals like hedgehogs will control slugs, snails and harmful beetles.
Shelter is important too - animals will not come into areas where they feel exposed and vulnerable. They rely on vegetation or crevices to hide from predators and will follow shelter belts to find water and food. So, provide shelter down to the pool's edge, leave plants to overhang paths to provide shelter and provide special houses which you can buy for amphibians, hedgehogs, birds, insects and mice.
Areas for wildlife should be relatively quiet so make sure everyone in the household knows where the wildlife is and leaves those areas relatively untouched. Of course, you can go through them but do not dig or disturb the areas too much. Digging can destroy the ecosystem of the soil as beneficial organisms drag organic material down and improve soil structure. Avoid the use of chemicals too which can interfere with the life cycles.
Protection from predators can be given by providing habitats into which animals can disappear. Meadows and ponds are good examples where animals can reach relative safety.

Ponds are probably the best single way to increase the number of creatures visiting your garden. Water offers a place to breed (amphibians) wash (birds) drink (small mammals) and shelter (water plants). It also provides a place to lay eggs and where larvae can grow and overwinter (dragonflies and mayflies).
Provided good plant coverage and also a beach where animals

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