Discovering Wildlife In An Urban Garden Environment
At any one time on any one day you can come to my garden and see wildlife. When you consider the fact I live in middle of a busy suburban community, that might come as a surprise, yet it is one of the key reasons I continue gardening. I no longer own a cat or a dog, however, as you can see there was a little guest in my garden this morning (photo above). I found her on the back step washing her face with sweet little paws; she ran away just after I shot this quick photo.
In suburbia there are tons of animals – some wilder than others – that visit the garden. My daughter and I have started documenting a list of wildlife that either lives in or comes to visit regularly. You should too – it has given us remarkable encouragement to continue growing the garden and spending time in nature when we know the efforts are appreciated by our wildlife friends.
In no particular order, here is the list:
- squirrels
- chipmunks
- robins
- cardinals
- woodpeckers
- wrens
- yellow finches
- finches
- cedar wax wings
- bumble bees
- honey bees
- flies
- ants
- ducks
- raccoons
- opossum
- grubs
- worms caterpillars
- wasps
- gnats
- spiders
- beetles
- hummingbirds
- mice
- rabbits
- hummingbird moths
- voles
- leaf bugs
- slugs
- aphids
- ladybugs
- rolly-pollys
- earwigs
- cats
- sweat bees
- deer flies
- dragon flies
- skunks
- monarch butterflies
- swallowtail butterflies
- cabbage moths
- wood white butterflies
- clouded yellow butterfly
- painted lady butterflies
- red admiral butterflies
- gypsy moths
- white plume moth
- cicadas
- mosquitoes
- geese
- boxelder bugs
- lightning bugs
- frogs
- toads
- june bugs
- dogs
- rats
- coyote
Tell me all about YOUR list of animals and wildlife in your garden and in your community. I want to know all about the nature that you find in your little part of the world.
Shawna, Quite an impressive list (and I love the gray kitty visitor). In Topanga Canyon, So Cal, I have: blue jays, finches, owls, hawks, hummingbirds, mourning doves, woodpeckers, bees, butterflies, racoons, gray squirrels, brown squirrels, coyotes, deer!, bobcats, opossums, lizards, rattlesnakes, frogs & love the crickets at night.. Happy wildlife gardening to you!
Love it Kathy! Keep on a keepin’ a garden!
Shawna
I love that list. Think this could be a good mindful game for children … and adults for that matter.
Would seven species of bumblebees count as one or seven animals? I have loads of bees in my garden.
LOL! I love bees!
Shawna
So glad you included the insects. I really started having a richer experience when I was challenged to find out the Latin name for each animal. You will find out there are many different kinds of ladybugs.
Awesome!
Shawna, Can I borrow your list? Would only have to edit out a few things and edit in a few. Not much different here except we have and have had creatures like Black Bear and White Tailed Deer to name a few.
All the creatures from the wild are treated as our quests. We love the wild life and others that visit our garden.
Have a wonderful Evening,
John
Absolutely. 🙂