Autumns are getting later these days. Many of the trees have still not shed their leaves. There are some colourful and interesting fungi appearing in the lawn and bracket fungi on old trees, all encouraged by this dark dank weather. There are so few birds about, very few blackbirds, maybe the bluetits and great tits will appear when the weather gets colder and they need some extra sustenance from the bird feeders.
Why are we seeing fewer birds? Was it a wet and difficult breeding season, or lack of insects? The bluetits rely on tiny caterpillars to feed their young in the spring, and the swallows, swifts and flycatchers catch flying insects for their diet.
We take insects for granted, we see the pretty ones, butterflies and large moths, and are annoyed by the ones that buzz around and eat our soft fruit, but there are so many that are small, perhaps a bit dull, but I have an insect book in front of me and the variety of shapes and sizes and innovative patterns are fantastic! Every one is an important part of the food chain.
If you have been up to Sid’s Piece recently you will have seen that we have made a ‘Luxury Bug Hotel’, furnished in many different styles and materials. So, we hope lots of creatures will think that it is a good safe place to spend the winter.
If you are looking for a book for Christmas, I think that Simon Barnes is a thoughtful but light-hearted writer - I have not read it but a recent one is 'The Meaning of Birds' and an old one is 'How To Be a Bad Birdwatcher'.
Our next Work Party at Sid’s Piece is just after Christmas when you might just like a bit of gentle exercise! Sunday 29th December from 10am till 1pm.
We will have a Bird Spotting event - who can spot the most species and a prize for the most unusual.
Find us on Facebook or email us at swwag06@outlook.com
Why are we seeing fewer birds? Was it a wet and difficult breeding season, or lack of insects? The bluetits rely on tiny caterpillars to feed their young in the spring, and the swallows, swifts and flycatchers catch flying insects for their diet.
We take insects for granted, we see the pretty ones, butterflies and large moths, and are annoyed by the ones that buzz around and eat our soft fruit, but there are so many that are small, perhaps a bit dull, but I have an insect book in front of me and the variety of shapes and sizes and innovative patterns are fantastic! Every one is an important part of the food chain.
If you have been up to Sid’s Piece recently you will have seen that we have made a ‘Luxury Bug Hotel’, furnished in many different styles and materials. So, we hope lots of creatures will think that it is a good safe place to spend the winter.
If you are looking for a book for Christmas, I think that Simon Barnes is a thoughtful but light-hearted writer - I have not read it but a recent one is 'The Meaning of Birds' and an old one is 'How To Be a Bad Birdwatcher'.
Our next Work Party at Sid’s Piece is just after Christmas when you might just like a bit of gentle exercise! Sunday 29th December from 10am till 1pm.
We will have a Bird Spotting event - who can spot the most species and a prize for the most unusual.
Find us on Facebook or email us at swwag06@outlook.com