Nature Notes
Feb. 24th, 2026 08:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
poliphilo Our daffodils are coming into their strength. I planted a load in '24 and a load more in '25. They're my favourite flower- at least in part because they start appearing in the wintriest time of the year. I see the first daffodil and think, "And now it's Spring!"
We've had no snow in Eastbourne- we rarely do, but we have had lots of rain. We were driving up Seaside on Sunday and there was water mushrooming out from an overtaxed drain and flooding the road.....
We've floated the idea that Wendy should take over our garden and grow vegetables. It would be a win-win arrangement. We need someone to take the garden in hand and she needs somewhere to grow things. I'm not a gardener. I plant shrubs and bulbs and then more or less let them get on with it. Also I cut the grass- but I'd be happy for there to be less grass to be bothered with. So long as she leaves the daffodils in place she can have a free hand.
There seem to be fewer pigeons about. Maybe they're off sourcing nesting sites. There are however rather more gulls because Roselands with all its chimney stacks is a nesting site. I love pigeons, I love gulls, I only wish we attracted more of the smaller birds than we do.....
We've had no snow in Eastbourne- we rarely do, but we have had lots of rain. We were driving up Seaside on Sunday and there was water mushrooming out from an overtaxed drain and flooding the road.....
We've floated the idea that Wendy should take over our garden and grow vegetables. It would be a win-win arrangement. We need someone to take the garden in hand and she needs somewhere to grow things. I'm not a gardener. I plant shrubs and bulbs and then more or less let them get on with it. Also I cut the grass- but I'd be happy for there to be less grass to be bothered with. So long as she leaves the daffodils in place she can have a free hand.
There seem to be fewer pigeons about. Maybe they're off sourcing nesting sites. There are however rather more gulls because Roselands with all its chimney stacks is a nesting site. I love pigeons, I love gulls, I only wish we attracted more of the smaller birds than we do.....
Re: Thoughts
Date: 2026-02-24 06:55 pm (UTC)We have a birdbath, we have feeders, we have bushes- quite a few- but they're not big enough yet to provide adequate cover. We could certainly do with seeing if we have the right kind of plants to attract insects. I wish we had enough land to support big trees but we don't....
Wendy is our sort of daughter and we'll collaborate in developing the area. I think her main interest is in growing veg, but we'll see....
Re: Thoughts
Date: 2026-02-24 07:40 pm (UTC)I'm happy I could help.
>> We have a birdbath, we have feeders, we have bushes- quite a few- <<
That's a good start!
>> but they're not big enough yet to provide adequate cover.<<
What about a trellis or arbor with annual vines that would grow fast? Some small birds like to nest in dense vines. Here I use morning glories and cypress climber. Perennial vines like kiwi or grape will give you fruit, but do grow slower. You could also train vining veg (runner beans, pole peas, indeterminate tomatoes, most squash and melons) to grow vertically, an excellent way to maximize use of a small garden.
>> We could certainly do with seeing if we have the right kind of plants to attract insects.<<
\o/
>> I wish we had enough land to support big trees but we don't.... <<
That probably won't undermine your ability to attract small birds. It's the big heavy ones who really need big trees, hence the crows and great horned owl fighting over my yard for one whole summer. A dwarf fruit tree is worth a thought if you have space for something that doesn't get too big.
>> Wendy is our sort of daughter and we'll collaborate in developing the area. I think her main interest is in growing veg, but we'll see.... <<
Regarding veg and wildlife:
1) Get a mealworm worm feeder or just use an old glass dish. When picking off pest caterpillars from the veg, put them in the glass dish as free bird food. In most places, birds will quickly learn to watch for this opportunity. Mine sometimes perch nearby, eyeing me like "Well? Where's my caterpillar?"
2) Some birds like some veg, especially softer things like tomatoes. If you have such veg that is not fit for human use, it can be cut open and set out for birds to peck over. They will also go for most soft fruit, if you're growing strawberries or similar.
3) More pollinators = more veg, since a majority is pollinated by insects (with a few exceptions like corn being wind-pollinated). Thus a strip or patch of flowers with some extra host plants will attract pollinators to service the veg flowers, and the larvae will attract birds. Zinnias are a favorite here, but there are numerous bee and butterfly plants for any locale.
4) Note that some desirable insects will eat some veg. In my locale, swallowtail butterflies will lay eggs on carrots, wild carrots / Queen Anne's lace, parsley, and dill. I always put out some that are just for the caterpillars, and if they get on my kitchen garden plants, I gently move them to their plants. A few sacrificial plants allow you to have your butterflies and eat your veg too.
5) Some strong-smelling flowers (like marigolds) and herbs (like chives) tend to confuse and discourage plant-eating pests. Interestingly, the pollinators like their flowers fine. I put marigolds all over my gardens, and the garlic chives are a favorite of parasitic wasps that prey on scarab beetle larvae (e.g. Junebugs, Japanese beetles).