The making of a mini-beast hotel

Crocus flowering in the undergrowth

Looking forward to summer and the variety of colour on the wildlife banking

Long tailed little birds

Trimming and thinning out grasses on the wildlife friendly banking area

Helping to maintain the wild area; trimming and thinning out various grasses to allow more space and more light which will help the wildflowers to establish. The majority of the work in this area is conducted with care not to disturb the surface and is usually undertaken outside of the time when the common lizards and slow worms are active (generally March – October) which  helps to reduce the risk of accidental injury as they are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. 

Making sure to also avoid the crocus which are beginning to flower

Signs that spring is on its way

Ive not seen the wood mice for some time now. Hopefully they are still around and just hiding in another area of the site

It would be great to see the hedgehogs on the site again this year

A wildlife rich environment benefits both physical and mental health.

"Evidence shows that a thriving, wildlife-rich environment benefits both physical and mental health. People with nature on their doorstep are more active, mentally resilient and have better all-round health. Every day, we are working to bring wildlife to more people, and more people to wildlife. Get involved and make socialising, volunteering and exercise in natural places central to your daily life". Source The Wildlife Trust website.

I have to agree as I have and still do enjoy my time in the natural environment generally and value being involved with the wilder side of the Green Heart Den, looking after the wildlife area, watching and  taking photos of the variety of species on the site. I find it very therapeutic and good for my physical and mental well being 

Will this be another good growing season with a bumper harvest ?

That time the rabbits were rescued from a delivery of golden gravel

And it had a happy ending. After we contacted the RSPCA a local animal shelter collected them and looked after them until they were successfully released back into the wild. 

One of my favourite visitors to the garden - Orinoco the barn owl

Snowdrops in the undergrowth a sign that milder weather is on its way

Always enjoy my time maintaining the wildlife friendly banking area

Always enjoy my time maintaining the wildlife friendly banking area adjacent to the railway line on the grow your own scheme utilising experience I gained during the onsite phase 1 and phase 2 habitat surveys, the reptile survey and from habitat management and wildlife ID training workshops facilitated by officers from Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Barrow"s Wildside Project. The habitat management and wildlife ID workshops were provided with funding the project received from The Peoples Health Trust

Hoping to see a large variety of wildlife on the Green Heart Den again this year

A good a time as any to begin clearing weeds and dead plants from my planters

Enjoyable time spent creating and managing the wildlife friendly banking

I am looking forward to the inhabitant common lizards and slow worms emerging again in spring

Common Lizards and slow worms are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, against being intentionally killed, injured or sold/traded in any way.

Thinning out brambles and shrubs adjacent to the poly tunnel

Searching for food in the undergrowth

Taking a little time to clean out some of the bird feeders

A frosty start to the day

Autumn life in the undergrowth