Wildlife Corner

Lovely pictures Strongy and thanks for the Oystercatcher. I'm still yet to get a shot of one, each time I go to the beach there is something disturbing them, tide is wrong etc. One day it will happen!

Smooth Newt, Palmate has webbed back feet. It has finished with ponds until next Spring.

Welcome to GC, alan16ac Different species of butterflies are attracted by different things. Nettles will encourage a Comma butterfly, buddleia encourages another (can't remember which), long grass offers a breeding space for others and my most favourite butterfly, the Holly Blue, I know is...

I think Loofah is right, a mixture of hardy perennials and wild flowers are a good option. The wild flowers might not be as prolific as you would want them to be and also being annuals will come and go....and not necessarily as you want them to!! I prefer to use hardy perennials that...

Thanks Spruce, bee-n working my way through the thread (there's a lot of reading to be done)!Was thinking of joining Fleet beekeepers society where u can study also. But before I went I wondered if it was ok to keep bees in your own garden? Or do most people keep them elsewhere? Wondered...

Yes, thanks. Just watched it and one part in particular made me shudder! Did you see the Natural BeeKeepers bit? Where they were basically shovelling bees with their bare hands? But earlier today I was sitting under an overhanging Damson tree, sadly no damsons forming for the second year,...

To be fair, I don't mind the fact that it stings ( I keep scorpions and Tarantulas as pets!) but I didn't like the idea of a nest of them right outside my back door. Now I know that there us not going to be a heavy infestation of hem I'm happy to let it Bee.

Awwww, poor thing. You have done this before so you know what you are doing. Good luck to you. Lucky Fox that has you to look out for him.

fair play to you Bilbo

Hi Yes collecting water Spruce

The bird bath, which is not a bird bath, but looked like it would make a great bird bath, was duly installed, looked quaint and within minutes I had a chaffinch arrive in the nearby tree. Hurrah! thought I; what a speedy result. I watched as it made its way through the branches of the tree...

Thanks, and yes, I meant Damselfly, not Mayfly, (another) senior moment! It's actually perched on the ridge of my aluminum cold frame, though today in 20+C it's more likley to be a HOT frame.

Oh good pub! Plenty of first dates there. Strangly not many second ones lol Some moist areas but I also introduced various log piles a few years ago. Guess they're working

I think they have enjoyed the damp cool seasons, Jenny

So sad you are not on your own good luck.

Now that is a good idea, Kindredspirit!

Yes, if I bought it in 5kg tubs from Amazon it would work out cheaper than 1kg tubs from B&Q on 15% off weekends, but I only use 1kg p.a. so it would be 45 months (a few more if bought @ 20% off) before I'd be into profit and I'd have to keep that big tub dry and in a metal bin all that time,...

If the compost heap is in a really bad place (for you) try to find a local beekeepers group, there's plenty if you do a search in Google for your area.

I think that would depend on the soil, it lives in very poor soil so it may be too rich.

awww are you sweet on whoever that someone is Zigs