As the region enters the third week of what is turning out to be a real 'barbeque
summer', a leading local wildlife charity is asking people to spare a thought, and a
little time, to help nature handle the heat.
While news that the sun is here to stay may bring a smile to the tanned faces of the
South West's holidaymakers, hoteliers and ice cream sellers, Devon Wildlife Trust is
asking us to take a few simple, practical steps which may make all the difference in
the struggle for survival of the animals that inhabit our gardens.
Speaking for Devon Wildlife Trust, Steve Hussey, predicted some losers in the coming
weeks if the hot and dry weather persisted: 'Hot weather can place wildlife under
stress. The yellow stems of dry grasses provide fewer calories to grazing animals.
The heads of wildflowers go over the top more rapidly denying nectar-seeking insects
a food source. Worms bury themselves deep in the soil, beyond the reach of birds.
Oxygen levels in rivers and streams drop as their levels fall. These and many other
side-effects of the sizzling weather can have a harmful impact on our wonderful
wildlife.'
Steve continued: 'The effects of this long dry-spell will compound the stresses
already placed on our wildlife by what was a very cold spring. That's why it is
important that we all think about how we can lend the animals in our gardens a
helping hand.'
Now Devon Wildlife Trust has put together a six-point plan designed to do just this.
It provides easy things that people can do on their own patch to help wildlife:
1) Make available constant and fresh sources of water in your garden. Leave the
water at different heights - off the ground in bird baths and in saucers at ground
level - to cater for birds and small mammals. Keep water sources topped up
throughout the day - evaporation will see them empty quickly. Do a final top up at
dusk to provide water for nocturnal animals such as hedgehogs.
2) Leave out windfall or over-ripe fruit. The high energy and water content of
apples and soft fruits will prove very popular will garden birds, mammals and
insects.
3) Let your grass grow. Frequent cutting will increase evaporation rates from grass
stems. Leaving it long will provide higher calorific content for grazing animals to
munch on and offer a place in the shade for mini-beasts.
4) Falling water levels in ponds are not necessarily a concern. But dried out ponds
can have an impact on aquatic wildlife ranging from dragonfly larvae through to
frogs. You can top up your pond, but only use rainwater and not tap-water. This
will also save you money!
5) Leave trimming hedges for a few more weeks. Garden hedges, shrubs and untidy
corners are great hiding places for garden birds and insects. A hedge's dense
foliage will offer deep green shade from the powerful sun and give protection from
predators.
6) Finally, plan ahead by planting some drought-tolerant species of plants such as
rosemary, thyme, sage and lavender. The long blooming and nectar-rich flowers of
these plants will attract bumblebees, moths and butterflies in coming years.
Devon Wildlife Trust believes that if people follow this six-point plan then the
South West's garden wildlife will be in a better place to cope with what promises to
be a long, hot summer.
However, the charity's Steve Hussey was keen to stress there were positives to the
sizzling summer: 'One benefit of this long, hot summer weather is that it offers a
real encouragement to us all to get out and enjoy our region's wonderful wildlife.
And if you find the prospect of venturing out potentially all too hot and bothering,
then nature has conveniently provided a series of beautiful places for you to cool
off in. From snorkelling and rockpooling in the seas around our coast, through
paddling in a moorland stream, to walking in the dappled shade of an oak woodland -
it's at times like this that we really begin to appreciate what nature does for us!'
.jpg)
Photo 'Keep your garden's bird bath topped up during the sizzling summer weather. Copyright Tom Marshall'
.jpg)
