From inside the community Nature Notes The weather has generated a burst of growth in the garden, especially it seems for the rambling roses. This one is intermingled with a honeysuckle and close to where quietly sipping a mid-morning coffee under a sunshade is a worthwhile occupation. The foliage of these entwined shrubs is a dense playground for the sparrow gang before they flock to the nearby feeders. For the more shy birds such as the wren and dunnock it is great cover while they decide whether to venture out. Keeping still and quiet reassures them and we have become friends. It is true too for the holly blue butterflies that are also in abundance this year. By mid-morning the sun is warm enough to entice them to join us and some will sit for a while on the large waxy leaves of the honeysuckle. The variety of nectar seeking bees is another fascination. It is a ‘garden safari’. It will be the turn of the buddleia (the butterfly bush) to flower soon, along with the lavender and others, then we should see other species of butterflies that emerge later as summer progresses. I mentioned in an earlier edition of these notes that I had begun to populate the MCC website with records, and sometimes photos, of wildlife species found in Chesterwell Wood and that this might be expanded. Coverage of the nature to be found across Myland is an aspect of your Council’s new Myland Heritage Group and expanding the website will, I think, be a good idea. Publicising what may be found when out walking adds to the pleasure of being ‘out and about’. Pete Hewitt 19
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