Abbots Leigh Wildlife Group
www.abbotsleighwildlife.com for updates and ways to get involved this month:








Amphibians at Abbots Pool
Help bees
Chalara Ash dieback
Reporting Death and Disease in Garden Wildlife
Planting flowering plants
Companion planting
Water
Grow your own meadow
Amphibians at Abbots Pool – with spawn in the water at Abbots Pool Local Nature reserve, please help conserve
our local amphibians by keeping dogs out of the water, causing minimum disturbance and not removing any
spawn. Amphibians are in decline nationally and need our help. The village Toad Patrol worked hard rescuing
amphibians from Manor Road each night and monitoring the population. Thanks for your help.
Help bees – if you would like to find out how to help bumblebees, solitary bees and honey bees, the Bumblebee Conservation
Trust have produced a very useful booklet on the subject of gardening for bumblebees. This also includes advice on
providing nesting opportunities. Bee-friendly plants which flower in May and June include Aquilegia, Borage,
Campanula, Chives, Geranium, Kidney Vetch and Red Campion http://bumblebeeconservation.org/
Chalara Ash dieback - has been confirmed in the South West, including one location in Bristol. Please see the Forestry
Commission's latest guidance http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara and if you do see anything suspicious let us know so we can
monitor the situation – we have village tree wardens who can offer help.
Reporting Death and Disease in Garden Wildlife - we can now all contribute to knowledge about the health of various species
which visit our gardens. This will eventually lead to greater understanding of how we can help. To report death or illness in
garden birds, amphibians, reptiles and hedgehogs, please visit the Garden Wildlife Health website or let ALWG know:
www.gardenwildlifehealth.org
Planting flowering plants – you can encourage wildlife to your garden by planting for nectar, seeds and cover. Remember that
single-petalled varieties are of most benefit to insects: many modern hybrids with multiple layers of petals look attractive, but
are often not as rich in nectar and pollen. However, many specific species of plant are valuable to wildlife eg: Poppy and
Cornflower are easily grown and are valuable for pollen and nectar; Knapweeds are attractive to many different insects (bees,
butterflies, moths and hoverflies); Sunflowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and hoverflies, and birds can feed on the seeds.
www.rspb.org.uk/hfw/advice/08
Companion planting – if you want to avoid pesticides, perhaps try growing French marigolds among tomatoes as they emit a
strong odour that will repel greenfly and blackfly; grow sage with carrots or plants in the cabbage family to ward off pests; plant
nasturtium with cabbages as they are a magnet for caterpillars that will then leave the cabbages alone; Garlic planted among
roses will ward off aphids. Sheep wool pellets can also help and deter slugs and snails.
Water – remember to provide water for wildlife in your garden. If you do not have a pond, then why not
create one http://tinyurl.com/pz78mcw ? Even a flat container of water, like a plant pot tray would be helpful
to wildlife.
Grow your own meadow – with advice from Plantlife it is easy to “say no to the mow” and enjoy a wildlife meadow, large or
small, in your garden http://tinyurl.com/3w2feea
Keep an eye out on the website for planned events. To register for events or to tell us about wildlife you have encountered in
the village email info@abbotsleighwildlife.com . Don’t forget to visit the website www.abbotsleighwildlife.com too. Thanks.
Tim Martin, Tom Walmsley, Karin Rhodes and Sarah Pitt