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Up date 06.03.10:
Instead of writing a few notes for March you may find it more rewarding to read the advice and ideas on the " Wildabout Wildlife " web site run by the Wildlife Trusts and the Royal Horticultural Society.
Here is the web address: http://www.wildaboutgardens.org
“The RHS and The Wildlife Trusts – encouraging wildlife into your garden”
It’s good to see so many major conservation organisations urging us to “Garden for Wildlife”. Including not only the Wildlife Trust but also the RSPB, Natural England, the Royal Horticultural Society and the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.
Here is what the Somerset Wildlife Trust has to say.
“Garden with wildlife in mind. No matter what size your garden is, creating a haven that is kinder to wildlife will help native species thrive.. Plant a variety of flowers and shrubs which flower at different times of the year and encourage insects and butterflies. Create a pond for frogs, toads and newts or make a bog area. Build small log piles for insects to shelter in”
Perhaps you have other good ideas you can share with us. January is a good time to put some of these suggestions into action.
“In January, start a garden journal, using notes and photos. It will help you notice what is going on in the garden and give you a wonderful record to look back on. Pile up chunky dead wood as a shelter for mini beasts and their larvae. If you can, part bury some of the pieces, as a few species prefer this. Check the range of plant sizes and shapes. Variety matters, and trees, shrubs, climbers, perennials and annuals all contribute to a wildlife garden.”
At last, wildlife is clearly glad the last lot of snow has gone. It must have been tough for birds and mammals alike trying to find food and water. Keeping the bird feeders topped up has attracted as many as 6 Gold Finches in our garden all at the same time, which led to a few squabbles! I took some photos of tracks in the snow which included a badger! If you have any winter pictures we would be pleased to see them.
The more I learn about Starlings the more I notice how they gather into large groups to fly over to Catcott and Westhay to roost an hour or so before dusk. It’s also curious to see them all come back again in the morning and this time flying in smaller less organised flocks. They seem almost to be relaxed after a good nights sleep.
The talk on British Owls was a great success and drew a record audience to the Huish School last week. Chris Sperring is a very good and lively speaker but even so the real live Barn Owl he brought with him stole the show. Barn Owls can sometimes be heard around the village, often in the small hours of the night.
Birds are busy stripping berries from the hedges and it wont be long before they can use the two year old hedge planted in a near by field. The new hedge, 200m long and with seven species of hedge plants contains: field maple, wild privet, blackthorn, spindle, Quickthorn (or hawthorn), common dogwood and wayfarer. The field is being managed as a wildflower meadow and contains many of the familiar wild flowers like Bee and Pyramidal Orchid, common Knapweed and Field Scabious. It’s most attractive and numerous butterfly is the Marbled White.
If you know of any areas like this round the village please let us know.
Call me on 259688
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Wildlife
