Reading through a copy of the newsletter from our town's Society yesterday I learnt that they had approached the local council with the suggestion of earmarking some of the small non brown field sites as Local Green Space. Any undeveloped land is going to come under pressure for housing if it's not safeguarded. These are just little pockets which are easily overlooked and taken for granted, but they support wildlife and it's vital they are left alone. I am pleased to say that five have now received this status.
Fired up by the article I suggested to Mr GBT that we have a nose around our local pond last night on our evening perambulation. No photos as I just wanted to look and see what was about. Our half hour stroll paid dividends....a couple of whacking great dragonflies [no idea what type] and a pond full of mallard ducklings, goslings and another type of duck with her four teeny black bundles of fluff. We didn't tarry as she was getting very stressed by our presence. Noted as well that there are now a few blackberries in the full sun turning, a huge scattering of chewed cobnuts [the squirrels have been feasting] and the deadly nightshade berries are out.
Once a month a conservation group meet in our area and spend a few hours clearing the local river and verges of rubbish. I've known of them for ages, but have never quite got round to turning up. What I hadn't appreciated though was that they also plant bulbs, wildflowers and keep a blog of their wildlife sighting. Despite living in a built up area I have been amazed to find out just how much we've got on our doorstep. Although with my other volunteering commitments I won't be able to attend all of the meetings I have diarised the one for August so I shall put in an appearance I hope. After all doing voluntary conservation work for the National Trust was how I originally met Mr GBT so it's rather like going full circle.
Whilst on the topic of recent sightings these images are of the new-to-me sightings from my Devon adventures. It helps me to have them on the blog so that I can refer back to them in the future. If I've got any of the ids wrong please let me know. Much obligedx
Dark lipped banded snail.
Spotted Medick
Beautiful Demoiselle
Plant Bug
Garden Chafer
Arilx
Fired up by the article I suggested to Mr GBT that we have a nose around our local pond last night on our evening perambulation. No photos as I just wanted to look and see what was about. Our half hour stroll paid dividends....a couple of whacking great dragonflies [no idea what type] and a pond full of mallard ducklings, goslings and another type of duck with her four teeny black bundles of fluff. We didn't tarry as she was getting very stressed by our presence. Noted as well that there are now a few blackberries in the full sun turning, a huge scattering of chewed cobnuts [the squirrels have been feasting] and the deadly nightshade berries are out.
Once a month a conservation group meet in our area and spend a few hours clearing the local river and verges of rubbish. I've known of them for ages, but have never quite got round to turning up. What I hadn't appreciated though was that they also plant bulbs, wildflowers and keep a blog of their wildlife sighting. Despite living in a built up area I have been amazed to find out just how much we've got on our doorstep. Although with my other volunteering commitments I won't be able to attend all of the meetings I have diarised the one for August so I shall put in an appearance I hope. After all doing voluntary conservation work for the National Trust was how I originally met Mr GBT so it's rather like going full circle.
Whilst on the topic of recent sightings these images are of the new-to-me sightings from my Devon adventures. It helps me to have them on the blog so that I can refer back to them in the future. If I've got any of the ids wrong please let me know. Much obligedx
Dark lipped banded snail.
Spotted Medick
Beautiful Demoiselle
Plant Bug
Garden Chafer
Arilx
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I found that participating in June's Wildlife Trusts 30 days wild made me look more closely at'things'. So instead of just looking and seeing bugs and plants etc and thinking. ..how nice. .. I was now identifying them and learning as I went along. I really enjoyed it. I'm all for volunteering, like you, it has given access to a lot of opportunities. Your bugs and plants are new to me. 😊
ReplyDeleteIt adds a whole new dimension. I love volunteering too. Started when I was 15 and have met many like minded people along the way over the years including my husband!
DeleteArilx
I always pause by our pond on our walks-well pup is always pausing to sniff and pee, but I so understand what you are saying. Being in the moment and seeing the little touches of nature are a wonder. I'm recently fascinated with spider webs near the pond. When the sun hits them, there is a beauty that can't be duplicated.
ReplyDeleteLove spider webs. They are, as you say, just so beautiful.
DeleteArilx