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Bridford Wildlife Warden Update – April

Monthly Wildlife Challenge

In response to last month’s challenge, the first sighting of a celandine was reported by Jacob from Bridford who spotted this on 27th February on the green lane near Windhill Gate. It is interesting to compare these first sightings year on year as it gives an insight in to how the climate is changing, with spring flowers now appearing on average a month earlier than they did in the mid 80s.  A record of first sightings of flowers, tree blossom, frogspawn etc is useful for scientific data and everyone of us can help with this.  Why not record your findings through out the year on the Woodland Trust Nature’s Calendar

Old and New

This month’s challenge is to re use and re cycle old containers such as walking boots, wellie boots, pot and pans, jugs etc, and use them as plant pots. Drainage holes might be needed in some containers. Be as creative and original as you can and plant your containers with a selection of flowers attractive to pollinators. Please do send a picture of your creation.

Welcome the Weeds

Sometimes leaving what is already there is as good as rethinking an area for wildlife. Many plants that are perceived as weeds offer an invaluable source of food and shelter to insects, small mammals and birds throughout the year. As part of this month’s challenge, leave the dandelions growing through some paving or in your lawn, let the nettles grow in a corner and even embrace a clump of the humble dock. So, what particular benefits do these plants offer?

  • Dandelions are rich in pollen, offering bees, butterflies, hoverflies and beetles a spring time banquet. Goldfinches and house sparrows eat the seed.
  • Stinging nettles are great wildlife attractors: caterpillars of the small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies eat the leaves, ladybirds feast on the aphids that shelter among them and amongst other birds, chaffinches like to eat the seed.
  • Docks host a wide range of insects, and over 80 species of moth and butterfly caterpillars eat the leaves, including the garden tiger moth and small copper butterfly. Birds, including the elusive Bullfinch, will eat the seed later in the year.

It can take a change of outlook to accept these plants when eradication has been promoted over the years, but once you see the life that comes with them hopefully they will become a welcome addition to your garden. Do send us a photo of your patch and any creatures that they attract in.

wildlifewarden@bridfordvillage.co.uk

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Road Closure Monday 17 April 2023

ROAD PAST THE BRIDFORD INN

MONDAY 17 APRIL BETWEEN 8.00AM – 18.00AM.  TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC

To enable transfer of plant  (transfer of wires from existing pole to new poles).  No diversion possilbe

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Gritting Update – Tues 7 March

Change of personnel so the hill has been gritted earlier than initially expected. For that we thank AndyH and Colin. Hopefully that will have set us up for whatever the weather sends us tonight and first thing tomorrow. Anne Mayes

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Bridford Wildlife Warden Update -March

Bridford Wildlife Warden Challenge

It’s wonderful after winter when new life begins to show itself. We would like to challenge you to look for those first signs of spring in the countryside when you are out walking through the lanes in the parish. We would like to know when you see the first lesser celandine which is one of the earliest flowers to emerge. It is common and widespread, often found in hedgerows, open woodland or bare ground, sometimes forming clumps or patches. Their leaves are heart shaped and glossy, the flowers are between 20 and 30 mm across and only open in sunshine. Lesser celandines can also appear in gardens but we would like to know when the first one is seen in the countryside. So why not take a walk around some of the lanes surrounding the village and let us know what you see.

There are other firsts to look for, wild strawberry, a tiny white flower hiding in the grassy banks. Common dog violet, bluish violet flowers often seen in woodland rides, grasslands and hedgerows. Most people can identify a primrose and many will have them growing in their gardens, but can you find the first wild primrose in the parish?

Please send us a photo of your sightings and details of where and when you saw it.  We will publish the results in next month’s Unity and set another wildlife challenge.

The Bridford Verges

The Parish Council have given the go ahead for another year of managing the verges for wild flowers.  This will mean that the verges are left to grow from January until the plants drop their seed in August/ September, bar a 1.5 metre path by the road for access and visibility.  We are hoping to see lots of yellow rattle in later spring, which will start to thin out the grasses and let the wildflowers through.  The first couple of years will still see a lot of long grass, but with ongoing management this will lessen and the amount of flowers will increase.

Bird feeding

Last month we included a challenge to make birdfeeders in Unity and just wanted to add that these were meant as temporary feeders.  Due to bird diseases such as trichomonosis which are adversely affecting bird numbers, if you are using permanent bird feeders please make sure you follow BTO advice that you clean feeders weekly with soapy water and rotate the position of feeders.  There is good advice on bird feeding and the impact of this on the BTO website . Providing plants that provide seeds and berries and encouraging insects through offering them food, shelter and not using pesticides is the best way to feed birds long term. We will be offering suggestions throughout the year on ways to do this.