Wild City (encounters with urban wildlife)
Wild City (available on audio for blind readers) is a book that takes us on a fascinating journey into why we should learn to appreciate our fellow urban species, from the badgers of central Brighton to tunnel-dwelling Black Country bats. And even insects on the London Underground that are found nowhere else on earth.
The author shares what we might see (if we only take time to look). And how nature is adapting to human-engineered environments in unexpected and clever ways.
This a lyrical book that invites us to celebrate the natural world that surrounds us. And offers a clear glimpse into the challenges that our fellow species face (both animals and plants) as cities turn to urban sprawl.
The author then offers a compelling manifesto for city wildlife, suggesting how we may take action to protect the often over-looked residents that live alongside us.
Florence Wilkinson is a journalist and filmmaker, who has written for Telegraph Magazine. She is also cofounder of Warblr, an app that recognises any bird by its song.
How to help urban city wildlife
- Read how to how to help your wildlife rescue
- Learn how to make roads safer for wildlife.
- Pigeon Rescue (help by picking up and binning clumps of hair, string or thread-like materials to avoid them tangling around pigeons’ feet)
- Read how to help wild foxes. And how to protect chickens from predators (same advice can apply to rabbits and guinea pigs – foxes can survive on most other foods from fruit to earthworms).
- Out walking? Follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and other toxic plants/trees) and on leads during nesting season (and near barnyard friends and wild ponies).
Wildlife-friendly urban gardens
- Only cut and prune vegetation from September to February, outside of breeding periods (to help nesting birds – it’s a crime to harm them).
- Safe havens for garden birds (know what not to feed birds (and how to site feeders/houses/bird baths safely – clear look-outs for predators and keep cats indoors at dusk/dawn when birds are feeding – avoid ‘climbable’ poles)).
- Stop bird strike (switch off unused lights, avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens and place feeders less than 1.5 feet or more than 10 feet away).
- Read more tips on wildlife-friendly gardens
If you share your home with animal friends, learn about pet-friendly gardens (many plants and mulches are unsafe near animal friends). And use nontoxic humane slug and snail deterrents (organic gardens should take care of this by attracting birds, ladybirds, frogs and toads).
