Planting for wildlife
There is much talk about populating our gardens and countryside with plants to support pollinating insects and we are looking forward to looking into this more over the coming months but we can really do more than this with a much wider approach. Here are a few ideas on some of the ways we can help.
Feed our soil
Our soil supports the plants and trees, supplying both literally 'support' plus water and nutrients fuelled by the bacteria, fungi and host of micro organisms breaking down the leaves and other detritus that falls to the ground.
Care for the birds
It takes a lot of food to produce eggs, and even more to raise young. Blue tits, great tits and coal tits are particularly fond of winter moth caterpillars, which in turn feed on the leaves of fruit trees, larger trees and many hedging shrubs.
Increase the bugs
Blue tits can lay up to ten eggs. The chicks, after hatching around May, can each eat up to 10 caterpillars a day. So it's not just the little birds that need food and shelter, it's the whole spectrum of bugs, creepy crawlies and all their supporting infrastructure.
Nurture our trees
The old saying 'mighty oaks from little acorns grow' is still very true. The acorns also need - as well as space - little helpers in the ground to start them off. Then as it grows the oak is much more than just a tree, it is a home to countless micro organisms, bryophytes, invertebrates, birds, and mammals.
Nature book update
So what has this got to do with our nature book?
Tree watercolour sketches
Here is a tree from Claire's sketchbook, sketched in watercolour and ink. There are so many ways to sketch a tree - how will the branches look, what is in the background or surrounding area, what other flowers and blossoms grow nearby, who lives near or inside the tree...?
What trees and interactive wildlife will we see in our book alongside our honey bee's busy days? We'll keep developing the story and hope you'll join us along the way.
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