I moved with my family from South London to Horndean in 1969, on the northern boundary of the urban spread of Waterlooville and Cowplain. This is an area dotted with patches of the original countryside that still contains fragments of ancient woodland, native trees, lanes and hedgerows. Still rich in wildlife but gradually being squeezed out by development. Gardens managed for wildlife can and do collectively offer a haven for wildlife, often providing better habitats than the neglected or overworked farmland that it replaces.

A 60 ft. wide strip of 'scrubland' at the bottom of our garden, scheduled for housing and part of long gardens extending from Catherington Lane, was purchased in December 1986 (at a price!) together with neighbours. This extension formed a buffer zone from the new houses completed 2004.

Our piece is being managed as an oasis for wildlife. In 1986 it contained some oak trees and a lot of brambles.

One of the first tasks was to clear some scrub and dig a pond.

This page is about the History and Wildlife of our garden which now contains a mix of mini-habitats including a large pond with boggy areas and a wetland joined by a stream (on the site of an old stream), Oak coppice, grass and wildflower meadow and scrub.

The area became a magnet for wildlife giving us great enjoyment in being able to study, identify and record the large number of species at close quarters. Every season there is something new or different to observe.

I would be glad to hear from other wildlife gardeners and exchange news.

The ponds are the centrepiece, being home to a large number of frogs and newts, dragonflies and other aquatic invertebrates - a good feeding area for bats and many bird species.

For more details click on The Pond Page and Horndean Biodiversity and click here to see some pictures taken by my son Paul in the Wild Garden on the 15th July 2007 - one picture shows me trying to catch on camera Carder Bees feeding on our large clump of Marsh Woundwort.

Making a start in 1986!

Early days with pond dug and filled, a wattle fence installed and some scrub cleared.

nature soon took over by the following spring, April 1990

Many species of dragonflies soon visited the garden once the pond was established.

The wild garden under snow on 29th January 2004, fast becoming a rare sight.

A young Roe deer born in the garden near the pond in June 1996 with mother looking on.