A once ordinary patch of lawn is being transformed into a haven for wildflowers, insects and native birds as part of a new rewilding project at the UK’s largest bird park.
Birdworld is working with Basingstoke wildflower specialists Wildflower Co. to introduce 75m² of native wildflower turf into its Wildlife Garden, creating a richer habitat for wildlife to thrive and a more natural area for visitors to enjoy.
The turf features Wildflower Co.’s Landscape 34 mix, made up of native wildflower species including oxeye daisy, cowslip and common knapweed, and has already been laid in the Wildlife Garden in the middle of the Park, ready to establish over the coming months.
By spring, the area is expected to be alive with colourful native blooms and grasses, attracting pollinating insects including bees and butterflies while providing food and shelter for other invertebrates and small mammals.
And where there are bugs, there are birds.
The new habitat will also provide additional feeding opportunities for native birds, such as greenfinches, starlings and house sparrows, all of which have suffered significant declines in the UK.
Helen Simmen, Research Officer at Wildflower Co. which has been creating UK-native wildflower solutions for more than 20 years, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Birdworld with their rewilding plans. The use of our Wildflower Turf system in this instance will enable them to establish a resilient wildflower meadow quickly and certainly in time for their peak visitor periods.
“The turf is grown using science-led, soil-free methods that make establishing biodiverse landscapes simple, reliable and long-lasting – so perfect for public spaces like this. Designed to thrive in a wide range of soil conditions, each turf is grown with intact root systems, UK-native species and controlled nursery conditions for fast establishment and proven performance.”
The partnership supports Birdworld’s wider commitment to native species conservation. One of its seven conservation goals is to enhance its role in UK native species conservation by creating wildlife-friendly areas around the Park, including pollinator-friendly planting, ponds and natural habitats.
Mandy Glass, Conservation Education Team Lead at Birdworld, said: “The turf is already really well established, which puts us months, if not years, ahead of trying to create an area like this from scratch. Our Conservation Education and Grounds teams are incredibly grateful and excited to see it come to life in the spring.
“The lawn that was there before offered very little for wildlife, with few opportunities for insects and other species to find food or shelter. Replacing it with native wildflowers and grasses will create a much richer habitat and we’re extremely excited to see which new visitors make their home at Birdworld once it comes into bloom.”
The new wildflower area will continue to establish over the winter months, with visitors expected to see it come into its own from spring 2027.
