Seven hardy souls braved the wet, windy and cold weather on Saturday 6 June to take part in our annual Church Count on Nature. The conditions made it difficult as bugs and insects weren’t around and flowers tended to be closed. We persevered for nearly two hours finishing with a hot cup of coffee in the church to warm us up. However as the count officially goes on until Sunday 13 we could add to our observations in better weather.
Today, Tuesday, there were lots of pollinators active; bumble bees, honey bees, hover insects, and drone flies amongst others. So far 284 observations. Our churchyard is a really rich habitat and has benefitted with the recent wet weather following the hot dry spell at the end of May.
The first lot of bees that came to inhabit the hive this year sadly decided to leave but more are trying it out. There have been very few swarms this spring. We are glad to see many swifts in screaming parties flying and swooping around the churchyard and St Mary Well Street. This is a good indication there are insects in greater numbers around.
Keep looking for hedgehogs. One was seen on the pavement at the lower end of East Street. It fortunately decided not to cross the road but turned around and squeezed through a hole in a wooden gate.
In dry weather leave a bowl of clean water out for hedgehogs and other small mammals, birds, insects. Remember to clean it daily and put some pebbles in it for insects to balance on and help small creatures get out.
Gillian Perrott
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