Nature of an Allotment Site in Liverpool
Protecting our Wildlife
Apart from the people who work and visit Wharncliffe Allotments we are able to boast a divers range of wildlife on our small site. We encourage the use of non evasive weed control for more environmentally friendly and organic methods. As a result we have noticed the wildlife begin to thrive here. This has lead to improved crops with the help of pollinators and the control of slugs and plant eating insects. The introduction of several ponds, bird boxes and other natural habitats including a spot for wild flowers to encourage more animals such as a wider range of birds, frogs, toads and garden friendly insects including a variety of ladybirds. We will continue to create an oasis for other wildlife and hope to provide photographs and information about them and the benefits they bring to the site.
The Bug Hotel
By providing the right habitats we can increase the number of beneficial insects. Some wild invertebrates, along with bumblebees and solitary bees, so by providing homes Wharncliffe Allotments is contributing to their conservation.
Photography by Martin Baxter unless otherwise stated. |
Wharncliffe Allotments
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Garden Snail (Helix Aspersa)
Garden Snails have both male and female reproductive organs, but prefer to find a partner to reproduce. A single garden snail can have 430 babies in a year.
Snails will retreat into their shell and seal the entrance in dry conditions. They can remain like this in a sate of suspended animation for several months. |
Wren (Troglodytidae)
The Wren is a tiny brown bird, almost rounded, with a fine bill, very short round wings and a short, narrow tail. For such a small bird it has a remarkably loud voice. It is the commonest UK breeding bird with over 8,000,000 breeding annually.
Picture source: RSPB Website |
Collared Dove (Columbidae)
Collared Doves are a pale, pinky-brown grey colour, with a distinctive black neck collar (as the name suggests). They have deep red eyes and reddish feet. Their monotonous cooing will be a familiar sound.
Picture source: RSPB Website |
Ladybird 7 spot (Coccinella 7-punctata) Seven-spot ladybirds are a gardener's best friend as they are natural allies against devastating aphids. The seven-spot is easily one of Britain's most common and easily recognised beetles. It is believed they will eat more than 5000 aphids during their year-long life.
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Ladybird Harlequin (Harmonia axyridis) The Harlequin Ladybird is native of eastern Asia, larger than most UK species. An unwanted beetle as they also eat other ladybirds, as well as larvae and eggs of other insects, imports banned in 2004.
Click here for more information |
Garden Spider (Araneus Diadematus)
Garden Spiders are often call the Cross Spider on account of the white cross shape mark on the abdomen. They're most frequently seen in September and October when they reach adult size. The colouration of the abdomen is varied, can be anything from dark brown through orange to yellow.
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Red Admiral (Vanessa Atalanta)
The Red Admiral is a frequent visitor to gardens throughout the British Isles and one of our most well-known butterflies. The adult use a wide variety on nectar sources, including Buddleia, Ivy blossom and Bramble. They are also partial to rotting fruit, such as plums that have fallen from the tree.
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Comma (Polygonia C-album)
The butterfly gets its name from the only white marking in its underside which resembles a comma. After emerging from hibernation, both sexes search out nectar sources, such as Sallow flowers or Blackthorn blossom. They also spend a good amount of time basking, favourite surfaces being tree trunks, wood piles, dead bracken and fence posts.
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Wood Mouse ( Apodemus sylvaticus) The Wood Mouse also known as the Long-tailed Field Mouse. Measures approximately 10cm when fully grown. Commonly found in fields, gardens, woods, scrubs, open grasslands and hedgerows throughout Britain and Ireland. Feeds on spiders, fungi, insects and larvae, they also enjoy nuts, berries and seeds.
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