The Pickering's Wildlife Garden Blog 2021 |
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21st November 2021
John Clare - Come, pensive autumn, with thy clouds and storms, and falling leaves and pastures lost to flowers.
It’s mid November and I’m back in the garden, just planted out the last bargain tray of violas. It’s unseasonably mild 15 degrees, should be nearer 9, a reminder of climate change, COP26 and the challenges we all must face ahead, but for today I’m grateful that I won’t be shivering whilst planting out the bulbs on the embankment, in reality it meant I unexpectedly had to cast off those clouts as I dug!
As I walked to area of embankment I’d decided to plant in; a clearing at the base of a tree covered in small woodchip, I delighted in watching several blackbirds feasting hastily on the bright red juicy rose hips that shrouded the bushes alongside the riverside walkway, taking advantage before those Scandinavian thrushes the redwing and fieldfare descend or our native mistles claim them as their own.
It was a still day and the tide was on its way out. I mused as a multitude of gulls and cormorants floated comically past, adrift on the Mersey waters flowing back to the Irish Sea.I t didn’t take long to plant the last of the narcissi bulbs, here the earth was soft and decades of leaf mould had enriched the soil, so different from the heavy, claggy clay of the reserve fields.
The thinned woodland trees along the embankment retained some autumn colour, although many leaves were falling around me. I decided to walk along the back path, along the fence line from the white bridge. It was good to hear and see many familiar garden birds, mixed flocks of finches and the tit family. The lollipops, our long tailed tits continually voicing their high pitched ‘tsurp’ contact calls, as branch to branch they roamed the woodland. Solitary ground foragers, robins, dunnocks and wrens, and then some special birds, diminutive restless goldcrests flitting through the in the ivy in search of tiny morsels. But they were being watched, a vigilant sparrowhawk silently took flight and glided through the trees alongside me, I heard no alarm call…I noted several woodcrete nest boxes on the embankment, a blue tit lurked near one, next year’s resident perhaps? The new fencing that now terminates this path, appears to have created an access problem to these boxes, something the friend's group may need to give some thought to.
I love Spadgers, their chirping and chattering ringing out from within the cornfield boundary hedgerow, it caused me to stop and watch them moving through their spiky haven, house sparrows, boisterously bickering between themselves, wonderful.
As I returned to the centre, I noted a gathering of bustling birds around the garden feeders, which I’d topped up upon arrival. The collared doves and magpies took flight on my approach but the little ones remained chaffinch, goldfinches, blackbirds, tits and robins all seizing their chance to collect the spoils. It may be the season of autumn fruitfulness but why miss out on a handout, could be a cold night ahead.
Our Mahonnia shrub planted 2 years ago, is coming into its own, I gave it a little feed a few weeks back and now it’s full of bursting yellow buds, like a giant starfish stretching up to meet the autumn sun.
On a different note, the Bog garden has sadly not lived up to expectation, bone dry earlier in the year and now overgrown, I’m thinking we should give it up, cut away the liner and replant. Regardless of our plans, I think nature had other ideas. TTFN. Laura
John Clare - Come, pensive autumn, with thy clouds and storms, and falling leaves and pastures lost to flowers.
It’s mid November and I’m back in the garden, just planted out the last bargain tray of violas. It’s unseasonably mild 15 degrees, should be nearer 9, a reminder of climate change, COP26 and the challenges we all must face ahead, but for today I’m grateful that I won’t be shivering whilst planting out the bulbs on the embankment, in reality it meant I unexpectedly had to cast off those clouts as I dug!
As I walked to area of embankment I’d decided to plant in; a clearing at the base of a tree covered in small woodchip, I delighted in watching several blackbirds feasting hastily on the bright red juicy rose hips that shrouded the bushes alongside the riverside walkway, taking advantage before those Scandinavian thrushes the redwing and fieldfare descend or our native mistles claim them as their own.
It was a still day and the tide was on its way out. I mused as a multitude of gulls and cormorants floated comically past, adrift on the Mersey waters flowing back to the Irish Sea.I t didn’t take long to plant the last of the narcissi bulbs, here the earth was soft and decades of leaf mould had enriched the soil, so different from the heavy, claggy clay of the reserve fields.
The thinned woodland trees along the embankment retained some autumn colour, although many leaves were falling around me. I decided to walk along the back path, along the fence line from the white bridge. It was good to hear and see many familiar garden birds, mixed flocks of finches and the tit family. The lollipops, our long tailed tits continually voicing their high pitched ‘tsurp’ contact calls, as branch to branch they roamed the woodland. Solitary ground foragers, robins, dunnocks and wrens, and then some special birds, diminutive restless goldcrests flitting through the in the ivy in search of tiny morsels. But they were being watched, a vigilant sparrowhawk silently took flight and glided through the trees alongside me, I heard no alarm call…I noted several woodcrete nest boxes on the embankment, a blue tit lurked near one, next year’s resident perhaps? The new fencing that now terminates this path, appears to have created an access problem to these boxes, something the friend's group may need to give some thought to.
I love Spadgers, their chirping and chattering ringing out from within the cornfield boundary hedgerow, it caused me to stop and watch them moving through their spiky haven, house sparrows, boisterously bickering between themselves, wonderful.
As I returned to the centre, I noted a gathering of bustling birds around the garden feeders, which I’d topped up upon arrival. The collared doves and magpies took flight on my approach but the little ones remained chaffinch, goldfinches, blackbirds, tits and robins all seizing their chance to collect the spoils. It may be the season of autumn fruitfulness but why miss out on a handout, could be a cold night ahead.
Our Mahonnia shrub planted 2 years ago, is coming into its own, I gave it a little feed a few weeks back and now it’s full of bursting yellow buds, like a giant starfish stretching up to meet the autumn sun.
On a different note, the Bog garden has sadly not lived up to expectation, bone dry earlier in the year and now overgrown, I’m thinking we should give it up, cut away the liner and replant. Regardless of our plans, I think nature had other ideas. TTFN. Laura
11th October 2021
You know its autumn when the leaves are falling on your head. Time and tide wait for no man, so the saying goes and neither does our garden. Our garden has been neglected a bit over the last year or so, no fault of our own, in some respects, as the pandemic continues to affect our lives. The resumption of the Friend’s project mornings saw us return to the garden.
Yes, a tadge overgrown and as wild as a wildlife garden could be… as remarked upon by a recent visitor to Pickering’s, but then as Rob pointed out, a neat formal garden it was not meant to be. Still, grass, horsetails, out of control plantings and other non-desirables were spoiling the view. So whilst Carol cut back some of our large perennials, I started to rake and pull out the entanglement. Several hours later our plants and path were a little more visible, but there was a lot more to do. On Thursday with reasonable weather forecast, I returned to the task.
The falling leaves continued to swirl in the light breeze, determined to re-cover the areas I had cleared, they can stay, vital soil improvers for our garden.
Looking up into the disrobing tree I noticed another nest on a branch by the blue tit box, possibly pigeon from its loose construction. I wonder how our families fared this year? We need to get the ladder out and empty the box to refresh it for next year’s residents.
Someone working in the garden always attracts attention, a couple stopped and complimented us on the garden and made enquiries about the future of the centre. They then moved onto fungi: turns out there is a large white mushroom somewhere on Halebank Road, was it edible? ...wouldn’t risk it, suggested they get a photo send it in to our website so we could take a look. They thought I would know as I was a Charlie Dimmock sort of character! Blimey maybe I should dye my hair red. Ha Ha.
Our flowers are still providing food for our pollinators, plenty of bees still around especially on the asters and some butterflies are still there; particularly good to see the small copper. By the way, if I haven’t told you before, the bumble bee conservation website has a guide to flowers you can plant out each month; check out the link...
https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/beethechange/#resource-search
Ladybirds where hunting out juicy aphids on the sedum, both our UK 7-spots and the larger more colourful Harlequins.
A surprise find in our garden was the pretty in pink spirea or steeplebush, something I recognised from my neighbour’s garden but have no knowledge of how it got into the Wildlife garden, a non-native but apparently good for bees and butterflies and birds, so It’s in!
It’s great to see our thorny shrubs, cotoneaster and pyracantha are thriving and producing more berries as they mature; bring on the thrushes, food for our home birds, blackbird, song and mistle thrush, and those winter visitors redwing and fieldfare…mind if there are woodpigeons about our thrushes will have to be quick, my berry bushes at home have been targeted by the heavy brigade recently!
A great spotted woodpecker flew back and forth over the garden. Kek kek kek, did he have his eye on the filled peanut feeder? I think he wants me to go, I took the hint. Three hours later - energy waning, I packed up, time to get a cuppa. I’d managed to clear some more ground, bury some spring bulbs and plant out a bed of pansies, viola and wallflowers, a little winter/spring brightness to look forward to.
On the way home I came across a polar bear crossing the road in Widnes! This was Clarion a ten-foot high sculpture of a polar bear on his climate crisis pilgrimage from south Shropshire to the Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow -- 306 miles in 22 days.
“We will have a purpose ~ to get there with the bear, together ~ however ridiculous a task that is. We will be positive and kind, we will smile and laugh whilst being serious and we will build active hope as we walk”
You can read about clarion and his human Bamber here – Clarion the Bear | Walking to COP 26 Laura
You know its autumn when the leaves are falling on your head. Time and tide wait for no man, so the saying goes and neither does our garden. Our garden has been neglected a bit over the last year or so, no fault of our own, in some respects, as the pandemic continues to affect our lives. The resumption of the Friend’s project mornings saw us return to the garden.
Yes, a tadge overgrown and as wild as a wildlife garden could be… as remarked upon by a recent visitor to Pickering’s, but then as Rob pointed out, a neat formal garden it was not meant to be. Still, grass, horsetails, out of control plantings and other non-desirables were spoiling the view. So whilst Carol cut back some of our large perennials, I started to rake and pull out the entanglement. Several hours later our plants and path were a little more visible, but there was a lot more to do. On Thursday with reasonable weather forecast, I returned to the task.
The falling leaves continued to swirl in the light breeze, determined to re-cover the areas I had cleared, they can stay, vital soil improvers for our garden.
Looking up into the disrobing tree I noticed another nest on a branch by the blue tit box, possibly pigeon from its loose construction. I wonder how our families fared this year? We need to get the ladder out and empty the box to refresh it for next year’s residents.
Someone working in the garden always attracts attention, a couple stopped and complimented us on the garden and made enquiries about the future of the centre. They then moved onto fungi: turns out there is a large white mushroom somewhere on Halebank Road, was it edible? ...wouldn’t risk it, suggested they get a photo send it in to our website so we could take a look. They thought I would know as I was a Charlie Dimmock sort of character! Blimey maybe I should dye my hair red. Ha Ha.
Our flowers are still providing food for our pollinators, plenty of bees still around especially on the asters and some butterflies are still there; particularly good to see the small copper. By the way, if I haven’t told you before, the bumble bee conservation website has a guide to flowers you can plant out each month; check out the link...
https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/beethechange/#resource-search
Ladybirds where hunting out juicy aphids on the sedum, both our UK 7-spots and the larger more colourful Harlequins.
A surprise find in our garden was the pretty in pink spirea or steeplebush, something I recognised from my neighbour’s garden but have no knowledge of how it got into the Wildlife garden, a non-native but apparently good for bees and butterflies and birds, so It’s in!
It’s great to see our thorny shrubs, cotoneaster and pyracantha are thriving and producing more berries as they mature; bring on the thrushes, food for our home birds, blackbird, song and mistle thrush, and those winter visitors redwing and fieldfare…mind if there are woodpigeons about our thrushes will have to be quick, my berry bushes at home have been targeted by the heavy brigade recently!
A great spotted woodpecker flew back and forth over the garden. Kek kek kek, did he have his eye on the filled peanut feeder? I think he wants me to go, I took the hint. Three hours later - energy waning, I packed up, time to get a cuppa. I’d managed to clear some more ground, bury some spring bulbs and plant out a bed of pansies, viola and wallflowers, a little winter/spring brightness to look forward to.
On the way home I came across a polar bear crossing the road in Widnes! This was Clarion a ten-foot high sculpture of a polar bear on his climate crisis pilgrimage from south Shropshire to the Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow -- 306 miles in 22 days.
“We will have a purpose ~ to get there with the bear, together ~ however ridiculous a task that is. We will be positive and kind, we will smile and laugh whilst being serious and we will build active hope as we walk”
You can read about clarion and his human Bamber here – Clarion the Bear | Walking to COP 26 Laura
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
