In February we can expect to see some early signs of spring, depending on temperatures of course. In gardens some spring bulbs are clearly popping up, but in the wild also, look around sheltered areas among hedgerows and trees and you’ll see spring appearing. We’re so lucky in Stanton to have the Grundle, where there’s always been a degree of protection from the coldest winters, and spring arrives a bit earlier. Sooner or later you’ll be able to see snowdrops, aconites and anemones, and woody plants such as blackthorn will be bearing flowers. I’ve previously counted twelve different species of woody plant there, and seen or heard numerous different birds.
At SWWAG’s Sid’s Piece we know that there are over 100 different plant species, but this wasn’t the case around twenty years ago when it was a farmed field. For those who know the area between the Grundle and Sid’s Piece, one good aspect of this area last year was seeing wide strips of field margin being left and sown with wild flower species, and the resulting numbers of insects, butterflies in particular. In the last few weeks a lengthy new hedgerow has been planted along Wash Lane and westwards, and it’s great to think that in just a few years time this should be a flourishing wildlife habitat, to add to the mature hedgerows nearby, which I know supports birds such as Linnets, Whitethroat, Skylark and Fieldfare.
Any area that’s dedicated to wildlife, however small, is a bonus for our local wildlife, whether that means planting a native tree or two, or just leaving an area of ‘weeds’ to develop and go wild.
Sid’s Piece in Upthorpe Road is always open to visitors and we know it’s very popular. Helpers at our volunteer events are always welcome and for February and March we have ‘work parties’ on the last Sundays, from 10am.
For our March event on the 31st, we’re having our first ‘Sid’s Seven’ event, where we’ll be trying to identify seven different birdsongs. If you enjoy birdsong but have never been sure exactly what’s making that sound, do come along and well try to solve the mystery. This bit starts at 8.30am while the birds are still quite vocal, followed by croissants and juice. There’s a small fee of £3. We need to know numbers attending with twelve being the limit, so please email or call us to book a place.
At SWWAG’s Sid’s Piece we know that there are over 100 different plant species, but this wasn’t the case around twenty years ago when it was a farmed field. For those who know the area between the Grundle and Sid’s Piece, one good aspect of this area last year was seeing wide strips of field margin being left and sown with wild flower species, and the resulting numbers of insects, butterflies in particular. In the last few weeks a lengthy new hedgerow has been planted along Wash Lane and westwards, and it’s great to think that in just a few years time this should be a flourishing wildlife habitat, to add to the mature hedgerows nearby, which I know supports birds such as Linnets, Whitethroat, Skylark and Fieldfare.
Any area that’s dedicated to wildlife, however small, is a bonus for our local wildlife, whether that means planting a native tree or two, or just leaving an area of ‘weeds’ to develop and go wild.
Sid’s Piece in Upthorpe Road is always open to visitors and we know it’s very popular. Helpers at our volunteer events are always welcome and for February and March we have ‘work parties’ on the last Sundays, from 10am.
For our March event on the 31st, we’re having our first ‘Sid’s Seven’ event, where we’ll be trying to identify seven different birdsongs. If you enjoy birdsong but have never been sure exactly what’s making that sound, do come along and well try to solve the mystery. This bit starts at 8.30am while the birds are still quite vocal, followed by croissants and juice. There’s a small fee of £3. We need to know numbers attending with twelve being the limit, so please email or call us to book a place.