The Pickering's Wildlife Garden Blog 2021 |
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-19th July 2021
Our second Work Day, with an excellent turn out. A bit too hot for most of us, to be honest, but we did manage to get quite a bit done in the Wildlife Garden and around the car park area. For a start the garden was watered: some plants were desperately in need but by the time we left they had there heads raised again. Mares-tail continues to be a major problem, from the weeding point of view, an ancient plant but a bit inclined to take over if not kept in check. Some other wild plants that have made their way into the garden were also dealt with; either cut back, cut down or pulled up!
Two caterpillars were discovered; not identified as yet, and several ladybirds and beetles. At least one of last year's frogs has made it through: it was seen several times in the pond and some tadpoles were also found. Blue tits were around most of the time and the robin put in his usual appearance.
Our second Work Day, with an excellent turn out. A bit too hot for most of us, to be honest, but we did manage to get quite a bit done in the Wildlife Garden and around the car park area. For a start the garden was watered: some plants were desperately in need but by the time we left they had there heads raised again. Mares-tail continues to be a major problem, from the weeding point of view, an ancient plant but a bit inclined to take over if not kept in check. Some other wild plants that have made their way into the garden were also dealt with; either cut back, cut down or pulled up!
Two caterpillars were discovered; not identified as yet, and several ladybirds and beetles. At least one of last year's frogs has made it through: it was seen several times in the pond and some tadpoles were also found. Blue tits were around most of the time and the robin put in his usual appearance.
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31st May 2021
During May both Julie and Laura spent some time down at the Pastures in the Wildlife Garden. Their common task was reducing the Mare's tail - always an on-going task! Laura has been caring for her sunflower seedlings at home and the recent sunny spell brought them on quickly. After some ground clearance they were planted up. |
Seedlings at home in Lauras.
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Before being transferred to the garden.
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Plenty of colour in the garden, but lots of work to do. Julie
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6th May 2021
"Mother of God," as Hastings would say (Line of Duty) what is the weather up to...'Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May' indeed. I had some plants I wanted to get into the nature garden as soon as possible and having studied the 10-day weather forecast a pleasant sojourn in the garden wasn't forthcoming, I took a chance on Thursday, part cloudy with showers for the next couple of hours and dashed off to Pickerings Pasture. The garden looks pretty with the blue frothiness of forget-me-nots and judging by the growth, they had benefited from the recent rain. First job, as usual was to put out some food for the birds, this proved very popular, as I observed lots of individuals calling in; robin, blackbird, blue, great and long tailed tits, chaffinch and house sparrow. The robins stuck close to me most of my stay, twittering, watchful as I turned the soil over as I dug out the grass, woe betide any disturbed worms. I was pleased to find the soil was softer and easier to dig than on my last visit, again due to the rain, and it didn't take long to put in my little collection of plants, Dame's violet, foxgloves, lungwort, lupin and honesty. I've got some sunflowers on the go at home, a little battered after Wednesdays' storm but doing well, a job for another day. Next priority was a bit more weeding out of the grasses, buttercup, dock and the unbelievably long rooted cow parsnip and clover, I was pleased I didn't find too many horsetails poking through, a credit to Julie who was at war with these interlopers last year. Two hours later I'd had enough, the rain had stayed off! That was until I got into the car and the heavens opened, an impressive hailstorm that sent all the dog walkers running for cover. By the time I got to the motorway it was a deluge, perhaps someone was looking out for me? I was happy to have had the pleasure of the birds company, a spot of Nature's therapy. TTFN Laura |
The Wildlife Garden
The Wildlife Garden
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12th April 2021
Fritillaries, who doesn't love a fritillary, whether it's the nodding chequered snake'sheads or their much larger cousins the crown imperials? Our garden is blessed with both and they brought some welcome colour and nectar to the garden alongside the bee's favourite lungwort, winter pansies and tulips.
Fritillaries, who doesn't love a fritillary, whether it's the nodding chequered snake'sheads or their much larger cousins the crown imperials? Our garden is blessed with both and they brought some welcome colour and nectar to the garden alongside the bee's favourite lungwort, winter pansies and tulips.
It's been five months since I was last in the garden, where has the time gone? a question many of us have asked over the last year, but with the Spring our hope rises and the ability to travel frees us again to return to favourite haunts and interests.
First thing I did, as always, was to fill the bird feeders in the garden, which included some live mealworms, which immediately attracted in a flurry of robins, blackbirds and tits. Reminding us that continuing to feed our birds in the Spring, when their natural food is scarce, will help them to raise their chicks more successfully. Birds need to be in prime condition at the start of the breeding season and supplementary food provides nutrients and energy for the females, helping them to produce eggs and keeps both parents in good condition so that they are able to supply enough food for their chicks when they hatch.
The bird song was lovely and the sun shone, although a cool breeze persisted. I set about doing a bit of clearing and planting, I'd brought a few plants from home I'd over-wintered, including some young gorse plants for out on the reserve. A lot of the perennials and shrubs are now growing on strongly, however so is the grass and invasive weeds and it’s imperative to get at them early in the season before the ground bakes hard. I left the grass sods out where I'd pulled them, giving the blackbirds and robins a chance to pick off some unearthed worms: one male blackbird was obviously feeding young judging from the large amount of wriggling insect in his beak! A blue tit pair has taken up residence in the nest box in the tree, and I observed a lot of amorous activity and fluttering going on above me, a sure sign that she is currently laying eggs. I was very pleased to see the robins bathing in the pond, proving once again that providing freshwater for our wildlife was a very good idea.
Something of interest and worthy of further observance is the possibility that we may have a bumblebee nest in or under the hibernaculum. Whilst I was tugging on some grass nearby I heard a loud buzzing alongside, this appeared to be a queen red-tailed bumblebee. The bee disappeared down a hole in the soil; after a little while it came back out and flew off, I didn't see her again but it is known that a lot of bees nest in the ground and use old mouse holes etc so we'll have to watch out for any further activity.
Something of interest and worthy of further observance is the possibility that we may have a bumblebee nest in or under the hibernaculum. Whilst I was tugging on some grass nearby I heard a loud buzzing alongside, this appeared to be a queen red-tailed bumblebee. The bee disappeared down a hole in the soil; after a little while it came back out and flew off, I didn't see her again but it is known that a lot of bees nest in the ground and use old mouse holes etc so we'll have to watch out for any further activity.
To finish I took at stroll down to the scrape, the reserve noticeably less busy than previous visits...must have all gone shopping! Laura
Rob C. did some planting and watering and general tidying up in the garden on the same day.
Rob C. did some planting and watering and general tidying up in the garden on the same day.
8th April 2021
Two miniature apple trees were planted in the Wildlife Garden in memory of Lynda, by four of her friends and accompanied by Gary. Later a couple of the Friends of Pickerings Pasture filled the pond with water from the butt. The butt was then refilled and time spent watering the garden, especially the newly planted trees.
A blue tit is going in the nest box and a robin was going in the bug house looking for food.
Two miniature apple trees were planted in the Wildlife Garden in memory of Lynda, by four of her friends and accompanied by Gary. Later a couple of the Friends of Pickerings Pasture filled the pond with water from the butt. The butt was then refilled and time spent watering the garden, especially the newly planted trees.
A blue tit is going in the nest box and a robin was going in the bug house looking for food.
7th April 2021
Just a brief visit made this morning to check all was in order. Some lovely colour in the garden and lots more to come but it is looking rather sad after being neglected during the pandemic. Hopefully we will be able to continue to improve our garden over the next few months, now the rule of six is in place.
Just a brief visit made this morning to check all was in order. Some lovely colour in the garden and lots more to come but it is looking rather sad after being neglected during the pandemic. Hopefully we will be able to continue to improve our garden over the next few months, now the rule of six is in place.
29th March 2021
A few members met to do jobs down at Pickerings Pasture. Julie worked in the Wildlife garden, raking up lots of leaves. There was a lot of cutting back to do throughout the garden, particularly taking out the dead sunflowers. A good deal of debris from was also removed from around the plants. There is still much to be done over the coming weeks.
A few members met to do jobs down at Pickerings Pasture. Julie worked in the Wildlife garden, raking up lots of leaves. There was a lot of cutting back to do throughout the garden, particularly taking out the dead sunflowers. A good deal of debris from was also removed from around the plants. There is still much to be done over the coming weeks.
8th Mar 2021
Rob C cleared the pond of leaves, leaving it at the side for a while so the creatures could get back into the water. There was a lot of small aquatic life present, including back swimmers and small beetles. Meanwhile, he tidied up the roof of the bug house and did some weeding and hoeing around the garden.
Rob C cleared the pond of leaves, leaving it at the side for a while so the creatures could get back into the water. There was a lot of small aquatic life present, including back swimmers and small beetles. Meanwhile, he tidied up the roof of the bug house and did some weeding and hoeing around the garden.
7th Feb 2021
Perishing, 9.30am, grey skies and a somewhat cool breeze greeted me as I arrived at the Pickering’s car park, and the thermometer said - 2. Why was I here, what madness had taken me? Ah yes, a desperation arising from a lockdown imposed house arrest, and a need to be in a reviving green space. There have been many social media reports of the police moving folk on who chose to take their daily exercise at this popular reserve, particularly when it transpired that they were none local, and in the short time I was ensconced in the nature garden I saw a police car visit twice. Bolstered by the belief that volunteers were OK to travel to their sites I decided I'd go and have a look at how our garden was faring.
I must admit it's not looking at its best, but then most of the plants are still a slumber and I'm hoping they will have survived another year. Perhaps this year we'll be able to tend to it a little more freely.
There were a couple of things heralding the approach of spring, the snowdrops I had planted by the tree were splendid, all on trend socially distancing...hopefully they'll thrive and spread out. And the lungwort, reliable as ever had broken bud, shining out to any passing brave early bees. I sprinkled some chicken manure pellets around the base of the plants, a little nourishment for when everything wakes up as it warms up.
No little bird friends joined me today, but I had brought some food with me so I set about filling the feeders. The seed feeder was in need of urgent attention, as it had become clogged with stale food at the bottom and gone mouldy, dangerous to anything desperate for a meal; there then ensued a 20 minute battle to release the feeder from its supporting metal pole. As my fingers turned to ice, and dexterity was losing to numbness I really wished I had a screwdriver to undo the blasted hose clip, alas a little nail file from my key ring utility tool had to suffice. Feeder released I headed home, the car heater on full blast.
For information...
https://www.bto.org/how-you-can-help/providing-birds/feeding-garden-birds/hygiene
Perishing, 9.30am, grey skies and a somewhat cool breeze greeted me as I arrived at the Pickering’s car park, and the thermometer said - 2. Why was I here, what madness had taken me? Ah yes, a desperation arising from a lockdown imposed house arrest, and a need to be in a reviving green space. There have been many social media reports of the police moving folk on who chose to take their daily exercise at this popular reserve, particularly when it transpired that they were none local, and in the short time I was ensconced in the nature garden I saw a police car visit twice. Bolstered by the belief that volunteers were OK to travel to their sites I decided I'd go and have a look at how our garden was faring.
I must admit it's not looking at its best, but then most of the plants are still a slumber and I'm hoping they will have survived another year. Perhaps this year we'll be able to tend to it a little more freely.
There were a couple of things heralding the approach of spring, the snowdrops I had planted by the tree were splendid, all on trend socially distancing...hopefully they'll thrive and spread out. And the lungwort, reliable as ever had broken bud, shining out to any passing brave early bees. I sprinkled some chicken manure pellets around the base of the plants, a little nourishment for when everything wakes up as it warms up.
No little bird friends joined me today, but I had brought some food with me so I set about filling the feeders. The seed feeder was in need of urgent attention, as it had become clogged with stale food at the bottom and gone mouldy, dangerous to anything desperate for a meal; there then ensued a 20 minute battle to release the feeder from its supporting metal pole. As my fingers turned to ice, and dexterity was losing to numbness I really wished I had a screwdriver to undo the blasted hose clip, alas a little nail file from my key ring utility tool had to suffice. Feeder released I headed home, the car heater on full blast.
For information...
https://www.bto.org/how-you-can-help/providing-birds/feeding-garden-birds/hygiene
