Wild Orchids in the Homelands garden!

Thanks to a visiting friend, we were alerted to the presence of wild orchids in our wild flower meadow. Thank you Simon!
It took some time to identify them - we now think we have got it right, and they are 'Common Spotted Orchids'.
Wild orchids are a very good 'indicator species' - my son Richard will write a little more about what that means  soon.
Hereby some pictures, taken on Monday the 28th. June 2010.

Mature willows, wildlife and some new little ones

Trees play a critical role in many aspects of our environment but they are especially important to wildlife attracting many different species to them. At Homelands we have a few mature willows in our garden - they provide food for many different types of insects which then attract birds, mammals and amphibians too who will feed on the insects. Willows are also important for providing shelter and a place for birds and some small mammals to build nests in. If willows have been pollarded they develop their characteristic but unnatural shape we all know – a thick stem, a knot, and lots of small branches sprouting from the knot. Pollarding is the process to cut off the branches at approx 6 feet high every few years.

To attract wildlife to our trees we have to do some pruning. We try to keep hold of any dead wood or twigs as they play a vital role in creating a wildlife habitat for invertebrates and amphibians. Certain lichens, mosses and fungi also rely on wood which is decaying too. Instead of getting rid of any logs, we build several small piles out of it which will attract insects. Even a dead tree stump can be a home to many insects, small mammals and even a woodpecker! The logs can also be used in a shady place to create a habitat which could include ferns, primroses and other shade-loving plants which, in turn, will attract even more wildlife.

As you can see from the picture  one our willows offers plenty of opportunities for birds to nest – in fact it may even attract barn owls, if they prefer an ‘old’ and natural home above our new owl box!

We have recently planted some 14 new little willows in the boggy area of our garden – at least 6 appear to have rooted well and are now showing plenty of new growth. To start  new willow simply cut off a branch and push it deep into the ground!

£300,000 funding for Cleeve Common conservation project

I was delighted to hear the news that £300,000 of funding has been secured for a project on Cleeve Common, which is the largest common in Gloucestershire. The funding is secured by Gloucestershire FWAG (The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group), Gloucestershire Natural England and the Cleeve Common Board of Conservators - to install a water supply to allow long term grazing management with cattle.

A couple of years ago I worked for FWAG – and I know from experience how difficult it is to put these projects together and to raise the funds. Well done Gloucestershire FWAG!

http://www.fwag.org.uk

When you look out of the window of our breakfast room and KS Double en-suite guest room 'Prestbury' you can just see Cleeve Common to the right- approx 1.5 Miles from here and a 1,000 feet climb. A lovely walk (approx. 45 min. to reach the top of Cleeve Hill) to undertake before breakfast!

Wild flower and meadow pictures

Pollen and nectar

We have recently sawn 2 Kg of mixed seeds 'conservation grade' of a so called 'pollen and nectar' mix. Pollen and nectar mixtures provide flowering plants throughout spring and summer to supply food for insects such as butterflies and bumblebees. Some insects, such as bumblebees, are vital pollinators of crops and wild flowers. Bumblebees have declined as suitable plants, such as red clover, have become scarcer in the countryside.
These, and other insects, benefit from sowing flower-rich mixtures. Hoverflies are especially attracted to flowering plants and will lay eggs wherever there is an abundance of aphids for their larvae to feed on, thus helping to reduce numbers of these pests in nearby crops. The general increase in insects attracted to these mixtures also provides food for birds.