Another important article from local conservationist, George Millins

At the risk of being repetitious, here is a summary of things to do which will help our wildlife through the winter.

Rotting trees..a winter refuge for reptiles

Providing food and water for birds will be at the top of most people’s agenda but keeping feeders clean is equally important. In recent years large numbers of Greenfinches were lost to a disease which, at least in part, was passed on via dirty feeders and water containers.

Please be aware of hibernating amphibians, reptiles, bats and hedgehogs.  Reptiles are less likely to be found in gardens and will usually hibernate safely below ground in old mammal holes, beneath rotting tree stumps and established rubble piles. Amphibians are often in far less secure hibernacula, some choosing to over-winter at the bottom of ponds. Bats will use lofts, barns and other roof space, and where available, holes in trees. Hedgehogs have declined dramatically over the last decade or so and are very vulnerable indeed, they may be spending the winter months in a pile of leaves under a hedge, in a bush, under low garden shrubs or under an old outbuilding - all these locations may ultimately be where they will create a nest and produce young next season. If any hibernating animals are accidentally disturbed please call one of the numbers below or the County Wildlife Trust for help and advice.

There are three major factors involved in the continued rapid decline of wildlife. Modern intensive farming methods have had a great impact on all groups of wildlife including amphibians. A vast number of ponds on arable land have been back filled and lost to the plough, and where they remain, are usually surrounded by trees and scrub, shading out aquatic plants, consuming large amounts of water and causing the pond to progress to just a damp hollow. Even if the pond remains open to sunlight, in an arable field it lacks the terrestrial habitat required to support amphibians, this should be about ten times the area of the pond and consist of rough grazing meadows, hedges, marshland, scrub or woodland - the clue is in the name amphibian, when not engaged in breeding activities most of the population will be terrestrial.

The Silver Studded Blue...sacrificed to Sainsbury's

The second factor which has been even more destructive over the last decade is of course the urban sprawl which includes many new road structures dissecting and isolating habitats. New developments have destroyed vast amounts of habitat, those rough Brownfield sites were excellent habitat for a whole range of mammals, birds, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles - the impact on the latter three groups has been very severe as they have nowhere else to go. True, reptiles and some amphibians are protected and efforts are made to remove them to chosen receptor sites such as Cornard Country Park and Old School Wood at Gt. Waldingfield, but no new sites have been allocated  and any maintenance of such sites depends largely on unpaid volunteers - they are a bit thin on the ground! The laws created to protect our wildlife are very weak indeed enabling those who should implement them to easily find a loophole. The reptile populations in the Sudbury, Haverhill and Ipswich areas have been decimated in recent years along with other attendant species - a good example being the Silver Studded blue butterfly. This is a heathland species which has been eradicated from a section of heathland in Ipswich occupied by Sainsbury's, This store carries a large image of the butterfly on the front of the shop, but efforts to translocate this rare and beautiful insect failed so the image is now tragically, just a memorial.

The third reason for excessive losses to our wildlife, in particular bees, butterflies and other invertebrates, reptiles and small mammals, all of which are food sources for other creatures such as the Barn Owl and most other bird species. This reason is actually quite unnecessary and adds to our council tax bill, it is of course the creation of green deserts by repeatedly mowing every bit of amenity grass-land. Given the serious declines in all grass-land species, given the cost, and the fact that grass-land removes more carbon from the atmosphere than woodland, this is absolute MADNESS! Man continues to display a total lack of wisdom; yes we are innovative, can journey to the moon and beyond but lack the simple common sense to preserve our own planet and the treasures it contains, which incidentally, are essential to our ultimate survival, and all in the name of tidiness, a human perception only.

Can we do less of this?

 If anyone has the slightest inclination to help wildlife in and around your garden, or help with habitat work on local sites please contact me. A small group are currently working on Shawlands Wood and Bank with the aim of improving the habitat for existing species and attracting a wider variety of wildlife. There are a variety of tasks, something for everyone, this work party is scheduled for the second Sunday in each month starting at 10-00 and finishing 12-30 to 13-00. Our aim is to achieve Local Nature Reserve status so we need to record species present, in particular, birds and invertebrates. We are currently creating a butterfly area which requires careful management and the planting of native butterfly food and nectar plants. If interested just turn up on the day or call one of the numbers below.

George Millins  01787 374874 mobile 07534 263629