DRY STONE WALLS AND BANKS
The Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain has produced useful guidance including books for purchase and free down load information leaflets on wall types and techniques plus an introduction to wildlife to be found in walls.
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation has much useful information on how to make and protect habitat including the particular importance of south facing drystone walls and banks as well as specific information on UK species. "Reptiles rely on conditions that allow them to maintain their body temperature - they need to be able to bask and avoid extremes of temperature.
- Access to direct sunlight.
- Shelter from the elements, such as wind and excessive heat.
- Sufficiently large populations of prey species.
- Cover to avoid predators.
- Suitable breeding sites for egg-laying species.
- Suitable hibernation sites."
"The need to control body temperature governs much of the day to day activity of reptiles.Typically, reptiles aim to maintain body temperatures between 20 and 30oC. Habitats need to provide a structure that allows reptiles to bask or otherwise warm up using the sun's energy, but also to avoid extremes of heat and cold."
Download their excellent Dragons in your Garden leaflet here https://www.arc-trust.org/dragons-in-your-garden
Build your own small garden retaining walls for steps in your garden which can help create level areas (as featured in the photograph above) and at the same time create wildlife corridors and places for smaller species to inhabit. This can be achieved using techniques shown on this useful leaflet by the Dry Stone Walling Asoc. of Great Britain. here: https://www.dswa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1-Retaining-Wall-specification-update-2012.pdf
We recommend not going above 3 foot height and using protective footwear when lifting or manoeuvring larger stones.
See also our Community Wildlife Diary for August 2016 where wildlife in walls was featured.