The RSPB have just released results from the first year of their Homes for Wildlife campaign and have reported that 300,000 actions have been taken to create habitats for garden creatures. Apparently, more than 25,000 gardeners have done an average of 12 things each that help frogs, toads, bats, insects, hedgehogs and birds.
Providing seed mixes, growing flowering nectar-rich plants and planting dense thorny bushes are just some of the top actions people have taken as part of the project. Alongside the campaign the RSPB is offering free, tailored wildlife-gardening advice to help people transform their homes and gardens into mini nature reserves.
The RSPB’s Richard Bashford, said: “Wildlife is increasingly reliant on our gardens for food, water and shelter so it’s fantastic that people are so committed to making their homes and gardens wildlife friendly.
“Through Homes for Wildlife, we’re trying to reverse the alarming declines of familiar birds such as house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes. Large numbers of these birds make their homes in our gardens. The time committed by people in taking actions will help create a better future for them and other wildlife in the not too distant future.”
One of the most popular activities in the project - growing plants in tubs to attract insects – shows that regardless of size or shape of garden everyone can take part. More than 4,000 people took action on balconies or in gardens smaller than squash courts. In even a tiny space, you can make a real difference for wildlife.
On average, 60 bugs were seen in each garden. Snails were most common with an average of 12 per garden. Ladybirds were seen more often in the south and east than the north and west. Other results show that three-quarters of gardens surveyed had frogs, more than half had bats, a third had hedgehogs and newts and a quarter had toads.
Richard added: “We’ve made a fantastic start but it’s really important that more people get involved. Now is a great time to think longer term about turning your garden into a haven for wildlife. The more people who sign-up and take action, the bigger effect we will have. By taking simple wildlife-friendly steps in our gardens, collectively we will make a real difference for many of our birds and other wildlife.”
To get involved you can sign up on the Homes for Wildlife site and you will receive seasonal advice sheets and surveys that the whole family can take part in.
Showing posts with label wildlife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wildlife. Show all posts
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
homes for wildlife
The RSPB have just released results from the first year of their Homes for Wildlife campaign and have reported that 300,000 actions have been taken to create habitats for garden creatures. Apparently, more than 25,000 gardeners have done an average of 12 things each that help frogs, toads, bats, insects, hedgehogs and birds.
Providing seed mixes, growing flowering nectar-rich plants and planting dense thorny bushes are just some of the top actions people have taken as part of the project. Alongside the campaign the RSPB is offering free, tailored wildlife-gardening advice to help people transform their homes and gardens into mini nature reserves.
The RSPB’s Richard Bashford, said: “Wildlife is increasingly reliant on our gardens for food, water and shelter so it’s fantastic that people are so committed to making their homes and gardens wildlife friendly.
“Through Homes for Wildlife, we’re trying to reverse the alarming declines of familiar birds such as house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes. Large numbers of these birds make their homes in our gardens. The time committed by people in taking actions will help create a better future for them and other wildlife in the not too distant future.”
One of the most popular activities in the project - growing plants in tubs to attract insects – shows that regardless of size or shape of garden everyone can take part. More than 4,000 people took action on balconies or in gardens smaller than squash courts. In even a tiny space, you can make a real difference for wildlife.
On average, 60 bugs were seen in each garden. Snails were most common with an average of 12 per garden. Ladybirds were seen more often in the south and east than the north and west. Other results show that three-quarters of gardens surveyed had frogs, more than half had bats, a third had hedgehogs and newts and a quarter had toads.
Richard added: “We’ve made a fantastic start but it’s really important that more people get involved. Now is a great time to think longer term about turning your garden into a haven for wildlife. The more people who sign-up and take action, the bigger effect we will have. By taking simple wildlife-friendly steps in our gardens, collectively we will make a real difference for many of our birds and other wildlife.”
To get involved you can sign up on the Homes for Wildlife site and you will receive seasonal advice sheets and surveys that the whole family can take part in.
Thursday, 28 August 2008
heartening news
According to a new study nearly half of Australia is untouched by man. 40% of the land or 1.1 million sq. miles (equivalent to twelve times the size of mainland Britain) make up one of the largest pristine areas of wilderness left in the world, alongside the Amazon and Antarctica. The edges of this area are predominantly peopled by Aboriginal communities who have managed to stem the growth of plants brought by colonial settlers, such as mimosa, in order to allow native species to thrive. However the report also highlights the high rates of extinction of endemic species in Australia and hence the Pew Environment Group and The Nature Conservancy have joined forces to protect this wilderness and the wildlife that it supports. Let's hope it's not a case of Whitey thinking he fix everything by waltzing in, conducting a survey and hammering in a few signs. I know I'm a cynic - I try not to be.
Thursday, 31 July 2008
home for bumblebees
A colourful, flower rich meadow near Loch Levern in Perth, Scotland has become home to rare and threatened species of bumblebee, according to the RSPB, who joined forces with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust this month to create the world's first bumblebee sanctuary. Located at Vane Farm nature reserve, the hay meadow interspersed with wild flowers, is open to the public and is already attracting many species of bumblebee as well as butterflies, hoverflies and other insects. Swallows and skylarks are also benefiting from the increased insect population. The rare Blaeberry Bumblebee is a visitor, lured down from the nearby hills and it is hoped that the critically endangered Great Yellow Bumblebee might also be persuaded to return. Loss of bumblebees could have a devastating effect on our whole ecosystem so it is vital that we protect and create habitats for them, both on a large scale and also in our back gardens. Check out this marvellous invertebrate five star pad from the Wildlife Trusts.
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