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Hello May here...
It's already June and it seems to be galloping by so, so quickly. Just when we thought that the coast was clear, I have had a visitor the other day from the old Badger, he left his calling card right in the middle of my Dalia's… Tut, I ask you.
There are so many baby birds about now, please keep feeding them with wild seed and nuts as they will need this to aid there nutritious diet. It?s such a joy to sit a while and watch them darting through the trees and hedgerows without a care in the world. Most of our summer birds are returning to our shores making food a constant task for all these creatures. By feeding them on a regular basis, they learn to return for the food you give, but please reframe from feeding them with bread in the summer, this is so unhealthy for the baby birds that are in need of a balanced diet prior to there first winter.
Tom on Derrell Road Allotments has just taken delivery of 6 young racing pigeons today (Thursday 12th) a Hawk has now took one home for his tea… the balance of nature, as they say, but still sadness felt from Tom as 6 becomes 5.
Care of animals on an allotment will need constant attention; you will need to feed and water twice a day and to clean out there abode 2 to 3 times a week and possibly more in the hot weather. This is the time where there is a greater risk of fly strike to birds and animal such as rabbits. It is vital to check as flies then lay there eggs. These will hatch out within 24 hours and the maggots will then feed on the host bird or animal. Prompt action must be taken as it is often vital.
This brings me onto a subject that has been in the news for some time, Avian Influenza. This is a virus that causes disease in birds. Poultry, pigeons and wild or migratory birds, such as ducks, can become infected with the virus. There are two forms of the virus, high pathogenicity (HPAI) and low pathogenicity (LPAI) this indicates the severity of the disease if the bird contracts the virus. If you would like to learn more about this, please click on the link to the Health & Safety Executive.
I began turning our compost heap and was amazed at the vast amount of slowworms this year, perhaps we have had the same as other years but just not noticed them. One of the gardeners friends indeed, as they feast on numerous slugs and snails to keep your vegetables at bay. Click on the image to get more information on slowworms.
See you next month — May