June - waiting for summer to appear

OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ON THE RIVERSIDE

To find Nature Notes and records for Wildlife click on
Hills Farm Wildlife Conservation


The day of our meet on Sunday 26th June 2016 was no different from previous days in June - overcast and humid but the rain held off until later. 

Ideal conditions for the growth of grasses meant that some time was spent walking around each young tree planted, cutting growth on the ground around a 1 meter radius from each trunk again to reveal the original mulch. All except one tree in an area where a bird was seen flying down into the long grass. This could wait, just in case there was a nest, or fledglings hiding out of sight until strong enough to fly.

The weather had been good for aphids and some were seen on the most exposed trees where

these were unprotected, in areas of short cut grass.

Birds such as blue tits pick off the aphids which provide rich food for their chicks but other predators had moved in - 7 Spot Ladybirds - far more than usual, on twigs close to the aphids. Their larva are voracious feeders on aphids and can clear a plant in no time, as we have seen.

Aphids can damage leaves of course but once cleared by ladybird larva and birds, the plant recovers and produces fresh new leaves. The Ladybird itself is protected from predation by its colour, red indicating danger - bitter taste and foul fluid produced when attacked.   

A 7 - spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata) on a riverbank Bramble leaf - probably ready to fly off to a nearby fruit tree

Bramble flower (Rubus fruiticosus)  on a a plant growing in dappled shade - these often are a deeper pink than those growing on very sunny banks, flower later and produce larger fruit where the soil remains damp. 

Brambles and Ladybirds, two of the most valuable occupants of the riverside and the whole countryside - we are lucky to have them and owe them our protection!