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building a nature garden?

i live with my folks (due to lack of money, not out of want!) and they have quite a reasonable sized garden. however, they are planning to pave most of it, and what areas they don't pave are going to build sheds and pergolas etc on. i'm getting into nature photography quite heavily, and wanted to attract alot of UK wildlife into our garden, but i'm having trouble finding a way to do this seeing as they're going to be wiping out most of the nature from our garden!! does anyone have any tips on bringing animals into a garden such as this?

Thought you'd like this video from the BBC about planting flowers to attract birds, butterflies & wildlife. Most flowers that attract birds also attract butterflies & insects:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/gardening/tv_and_radio/gw2006_js_wildlifeborder?size=16x9&bgc=AFD8D0&nbram=1&bbram=1

Native wildflowers that birds are attracted to are berry-bearing plants in winter, such as cotoneasters, holly, pyracantha and skimmia. Also favourites with birds are natives like crab apples, hawthorn, honeysuckle, rowan, and sunflowers."
The BBC recommends : Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), Globe thistle (Echinops ritro), Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), Marigold (Calendula officinalis), Primrose (Primula vulgaris,) Ivy (Hedera helix) - which provides shelter for birds, nectar in winter and berries in spring.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/organic_wildgardens2.shtml

The daisy family contains many plants that are exceptionally good for wildlife, either attracting insects for nectar or birds and small mammals for seeds.
Ways to attract wildlife & Garden Habitats:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wildlifegarden/

Plant list (click on each name for more info):

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wildlifegarden/plants.asp

Besides providing native, colorful, nectar filled flowers & berry bushes & nut trees ... make certain that there is always fresh water available for drinking as well as for bathing. Wildlife like birds need sunnny areas and they especially need shady areas to perch as well as to build their nests.
Put bird-feeders or bird tables where cats can't reach. Provide nesting boxes for birds & even bats. These will substitutes for the holes in old trees. Let some of your plants go to seed. Other wildlife will also show up if they have a cozy place to nest along with greens, seeds, berries & water.

Good luck!!! Hope this helps.

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