WILDLIFE - FRIENDS AND FOES
it's amazing just how many visitors we get in the allotments, some very welcome and some distinctly not so. Here we try to warn you who's about and what you can do about it. If you see anything you think we don't know about already, please do let the committee know
it's amazing just how many visitors we get in the allotments, some very welcome and some distinctly not so. Here we try to warn you who's about and what you can do about it. If you see anything you think we don't know about already, please do let the committee know
welcome visitors
The Roeshot Hill Allotment Association encourages plot holders to support and care for wildlife. While we have to protect crops from being devastated by critters, most wildlife in fact helps us.
Advice from Steve - "Here are some of the things we need to do to protect and encourage wildlife. Strimming Care Watch out for hedgehogs and other wildlife. Strim high on the first pass so you can see if anything is hiding in undergrowth. It's better for wildlife but also better for your strimmer! Snakes and slow-worms All of these are protected as endangered species. We have all of them on site, slow-worms, grass snakes and adders. It is an offence to harm them in any way but anyway they all are predators of creatures that attack our crops. All will slither off and away if disturbed and there is a way out for them. Grass snakes and slow-worms often play dead until there is an escape but adders will bite if surprised or cornered. It is rarely serious unless you are very young or elderly but go straight to hospital if bitten. All local hospitals carry the antidote. Bees We need bees to pollinate many of our crops for us to get the fruits. Bees only sting if cornered or feel endangered. While painful they are only dangerous for the few who are allergic. If bees swarm and collect on your plot they are resting while searching for a new home and, unless they are inside your shed or somewhere else that is sheltered, they will soon move on. If you find bees have nested on your plot contact a beekeeper who usually will be very happy to collect the swarm for/from you. Check the notice board at the gate for a contact number. Don't try swatting them; if one bee feels attacked they will send out a message and the rest will come to their defence and you will get stung multiple times. If this happens just get out of there as fast as you can! Wasps, on the other hand sting, much more readily so take care! However they still do a great pollinating job. We have a notice board on the front of the cabin, if you see any wildlife, could you note it on the board so that we can see what is about :-) We would also love to post photos here and on the facebook pages so email us below" thanks Steve! |
beautiful but not so welcomeWildlife can be so very beautiful and great for kids to see, but let's face it, some creatures can be real pests eating anything we plant and grow. Lots of the little darlings can be kept at bay with some kind of netting, have a word with Ray at the trading hut as to which type will help you.
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and the darn right unwelcomeFOXES - the best thing you can do with foxes about it to kept your chickens safely behind well maintained fencing.
ADDERS - watch out for warnings on site, our best advice is to give them a wide berth, don't disturb them especially in your compost heaps, where they like the warmth. When moving flat things, such as sheeting in spring and summer, lift them slowly and keep an eye out for any snakes, if you see one, remember they are protected and please let us know. RATS - these are a particular problem, especially as there are so many chickens on site now and the Toby Carvery is so close (apparently they are seen frequently coming home after an evening out there!) You can obtain FREE rat poison and advice on laying it safely at the Trading Hut, or contact Ray below. Please don't leave food at the allotments or dump it on your compost heap. HORNETS - there has been a warning for several years about European Hornets but we haven't seen any as yet, please be aware and report any you see. |