Natural History

Nature in September - fruit and berries

Written by Jane Hampson

By September our many species of trees and hedges are beginning to produce their seeds and fruit which our birds and mammals will feed on during the autumn period.   One of the most well known seeds to fall at this time of year is the conker, which hails from the horse chestnut.  Although the conker contains toxins which make them an unsuitable meal for some mammals (and humans), deer are able to digest them safely.    Another seed which falls at this time of year is the acorn, which is one of the most important food sources for wildlife where oaks occur.  They are eaten by mice, squirrels and deer and several species of birds.  Grey squirrels and jays store acorns in hiding places for eating later in the winter and the acorns which they can’t locate again grow as new oak trees.    Hedgerows are yielding up fruit such as rose hips and hawthorn haws.  Sloes, elderberries and blackberries are not only favoured by birds however, as many of us will take the opportunity to pick the fruit as well.

Nature in July/August - Ponds

Written by Jane Hampson

Ponds are vitally important for wildlife as many rare, as well as familiar, plants and animals depend on water for at least part of their life cycle.  Ponds provide breeding areas for frogs and toads, shelter for water voles and feeding areas for bats and birds.  There is no standard type of pond that is best for wildlife but there are a few general points that can help make any pond a rich habitat:

• Clean water is the key for a wildlife pond – rain water is better than tap water
• A fine layer of gravel or sand is the best lining for a pond
• Most animals and plants prefer shallow water so create a pond with gently shelving natural edges and grassy edges
• If you want to introduce plants ensure that you don’t use non-native species
• Partial shade around the pond is important for some rare plants and animals and may help to control some problem plants

Once you have created your pond wildlife such as dragonflies will be present within a couple of days, although it may take a year or two for frogs to arrive.

Nature in June - Roadside Verges

Written by Jane Hampson

As we drive around the countryside in our cars probably not many of us give a thought to the wonderful wildlife habitat that is provided by our roadside verges.  The lack of herbicide and pesticide application means that many verges have prospered and are now wildlife havens for birds, mammals and insects.   The long grass of a roadside verge will be home to small mammals such as shrews and voles, which in turn encourage birds such as kestrels and barn owls who feed on them.  Kestrels hunt by sight and can often be seen in the daytime “hovering” above a verge looking for prey – their sight is so exceptional they can see a beetle 50m away.  Barn owls hunt mainly by sound and have exceptional hearing, although they prefer the quiet of night for their hunting.  However, the big downside of a roadside verge for wildlife is the hazard of the cars speeding by and I am sure that many of us have witnessed many badgers and foxes which have fallen victim to the passing traffic.

Nature in May - Butterflies

Written by Jane Hampson

By May our butterfly population will be evident once again having returned from its winter migration or come out of hibernation.  As well as being beautiful, butterflies are also important for pollination and are able to carry pollen over much greater distances than bees.    We have fifty six remaining species in the UK but over half of these are in decline and threatened by extinction, mainly due to the intensification of farming and forestry practices.  But as butterflies also love to visit gardens in order to feed on flower nectar, we can all do out bit to aid their survival.  The top five sources of food for a butterfly are the buddleia – which is so popular it is known as “the butterfly bush”, lavender, verbena, wallflowers and the herbs oregano.    Butterflies can live up to a year although some species only live for one week.