The Wildlife (and Gardening for Wildlife) thread

[elsiegee40]

I have noticed a distinct lack of small birds in the garden this summer

Last year - and the years before - we have had robins, sparrows and several other birds around - but this year it has just been the normal pigeons and magpies

 

and also just the normal pigeons and none of the beige small ones

 

anyone else seen this?

 

I’d say numbers were down for us too. We still have most species we’d expect but in smaller numbers. I am not getting through anywhere near as much bird seed as usual.

 

Last year was an appalling year for breeding for many species due to the weather so it may be the knock on effect from that.

[elsiegee40]

 

I found a buttercup with a double flower in our lawn this afternoon. Very unusual

[E_G_R2]

Plenty of common pigeons in the garden, too many TBH causing all kind of problems with my veggies

[southhamster]

We have got sparrows pecking small holes in the chard leaves. Maybe there is a mineral in them that they want ? And Mrs. SH is not amused by whatever keeps pulling out the veg. markers as she doesn't know which is which. A pigeon probably, or maybe a blackbird?

[HarryMonkey]

My ex next door neighbour used to grow carrots in a big old square sink. Once they got to a suitable size, if my westie escaped into his garden she would pull the carrots out by the leaves and scoff as many as she could before getting caught.

[Dos_Box]

Found a newly emerged White Ermine moth whilst gardening yesterday evening:

 

[hardtailstar]

Kent Online: Johnny Depp becomes animal sanctuary patron.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tunbridge-wells/news/johnny-depp-becomes-animal-sanctuary-patron-269160/

@elsiegee40 when do we line up for your autograph now that your hanging with Johnny Depp?

[cburrows]

Danish Poppy from the garden this morning

[mikeprice]

Kent Online: Johnny Depp becomes animal sanctuary patron.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tunbridge-wells/news/johnny-depp-becomes-animal-sanctuary-patron-269160/

@elsiegee40 when do we line up for your autograph now that your hanging with Johnny Depp?

 

Here you go

 

or

[6Foot2]

Link: Buzz as rare ‘rainbow birds’ set up summer home in Norfolk | RSPB

 

 

Seven rare, technicolour birds are setting hearts a-flutter after appearing out of the blue over the Jubilee Weekend.

 

Bee-eaters usually nest in southern Europe and north Africa, but this small flock has chosen a disused quarry at Trimingham, near Cromer, to spend their summer.

 

The birds have been seen making nest burrows, so there’s even a chance they might breed.

 

Bright and bombastic, there’s no mistaking a bee-eater. Their plumage is a fabulous dreamcoat of colour: claret-red backs, ultramarine underbellies, indigo wings and sunshine-yellow throats.

 

As well as bees, they feed on dragonflies and other flying insects, which they pluck from mid-air by leaping from their perch in a fluttering of rainbow wings. Bee-eaters do rather play to the crowds.

 

This is the sixth time bee-eaters have nested in the UK in recent times. Though undoubtedly rare, bee-eater sightings are on the increase, with a rush of UK breeding records occurring in the past 20 years.

 

As their range continues to be pushed north due to climate change, these exotic birds may become established summer visitors.

 

In Nottinghamshire in 2017, the last time there was a fall of bee-eaters, thousands of people enjoyed stellar views of these special birds, with families and eager birdwatchers alike travelling from all over the country.

 

“Right now, these might be the seven most exciting birds in the UK,” says the RSPB’s Mark Thomas, who is working with local birdwatchers, the North-East Norfolk Bird Club and the landowner to set up a viewing scheme.

 

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy watching these utterly spectacular birds, while keeping the bee-eaters safe from disturbance. Bee-eaters tend to turn up every few years completely out of the blue, and it’s always a joy when they do.

 

“Nothing looks or sounds like a bee-eater,” adds Mark. “If you gave a child a box of crayons and asked them to draw a bird, this is probably what they’d draw. It’s like a festival of colour coming to town.’’

 

The car park and viewing area is located to the east of the quarry in a large grass field off Gimingham Road at TG284384. (What3words w3w.co/forklift.shuts.gravel). Car parking costs £5 to cover site monitoring...

[Andrew_C]

Will no one think of the bees?

[elsiegee40]

Got or had flying ants? Please complete this short research survey from the University of Leeds

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2AI8VKhhOFyp-lnc9A04PJZoFwv0Sy5Tg7txj9bYA2KwB1A/viewform?fs=e&s=cl

[Ditto]

Got or had flying ants? Please complete this short research survey from the University of Leeds

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2AI8VKhhOFyp-lnc9A04PJZoFwv0Sy5Tg7txj9bYA2KwB1A/viewform?fs=e&s=cl

 

By chance, stepping out my front door early afternoon today I met quite an ant storm! so, Just completed. We had a huge number on the tennis courts last week and earlier in the year. There seems to have been more flying ant events this year than normal.

[Andrew_C]

Lots this morning, coming out of nests under my 'lawn'.

[LeMarchand]

Shark in the Stour: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-62140953

[6Foot2]

Shark in the Stour: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-62140953

 

For those who may not be aware, there has been a shark in the roof of a Headington (Oxford) house since around 1986!

 

Link: The Headington Shark

 

 

[LeMarchand]

Must smell a bit by now .

[Dos_Box]

Had a hummingbird hawk moth in the garden the other night on my buddleia. Not seen one in years, and up here (Lancashire), and are often a sign of a long hot summer otherwise they'd have to wear small wellies and a coat, which stops them from flying.

[Ditto]

Not fully a gardening for wildlife, but close.... With holidays looming, I may have to rely on neighbours to keep my tomato bags, hanging baskets and a few planters watered whilst away. However, has anyone had success with an inexpensive irrigation solutions? Edited July 13, 2022 by Ditto

[StevieM]

Not fully a gardening for wildlife, but close.... With holidays looming, I may have to rely on neighbours to keep my tomato bags, hanging baskets and a few planters watered whilst away. However, has anyone had success with an inexpensive irrigation solutions?

Up here in the North of England, we have a free irrigation system available to the general public. It's called 'rain'.

 

(That said, we certainly haven't seen as much of it over the last few weeks as usual.)

[jmak]

I bought a Hozelock starter set for my parents when they asked me to water their garden while they went away for a month. An hour and a half per visit including travel time made it a very attractive option for me. They were a bit offended when they found out what is done, but it's been a complete success and in place for at least 5 years now. Much more efficient than watering even when you are there in terms of water use.

[Andrew_C]

Does hedgehog sh!t make good fertilizer? We've got lots...

[elsiegee40]

I keep throwing it in the flower beds and hoping

[mavhc]

Only throw it in half the flower beds, keep track of which half, but don't tell anyone else, let them judge

[elsiegee40]

 

Leafcutter bees are choosy. There may be loads of empty space in the bee boxes, but if they decide their “des res” is occupied then they’ll simply turf out what’s in there. In this case another Leafcutter’s baby. There’s every chance that both females will carry on turfing out each other’s egg cells for a while yet.