Our Wildlife, please spare a thought

[Charlie]

As this heatwave continues please spare a thought for the wildlife in and around our gardens. Frogs, squirrels, hedgehogs, birds etc. must be suffering from lack of water. The grass is so dry there's no dew in the mornings which would help them. I have put shallow containers of water around my garden and filled the bird bath. I am checking every day and topping them up.

Thanks xx

 

[HAH]

Thanks @Charlie - this is a really useful reminder. I put out shallow dishes of water last week after seeing something on Twitter, but will check them again. I saw some sparrows and a blackbird having a fabulous bath a couple of days ago!

 

[kateincornwall]

We do the same , Helen . We have a very large hedgehog visiting at the moment, so Nelly has to be taken into the garden on lead for her last wee, as she has " met " it x Our little wildlife pond is a popular spot for the birds, to drink and splash , I made a bridge out of stones as an access and escape route for all the creatures . Am thrilled that we have lots of newts in there too, along with the frogs x

 

[Beanwood]

Good reminder! We have water around the garden for our chickens and bees. Could do with putting out a few more!

 

[Charlie]

Kate, I have been told to put sugar in the water for bees, is that correct? x

 

[Beanwood]

Kate, I have been told to put sugar in the water for bees, is that correct? x

Yes, you can, as long as it not left out too long. I think all they should need is a shady area with pebbles in a shallow container of water. We leave our bees with a lot of honey, so they don't need feeding, but they do appreciate a few mins resting with a drink. I will check with @Mr Beanwood though as he is the beekeeper!

 

[Charlie]

Thanks Kate. My youngest son Thomas has just got his first beehive. David's Dad handmade if for him, amazing job at the grand age of 92! He's not getting a colony until we move to Scotland though as we didn't think it was a very good idea much to his disappointment. x

 

[Beanwood]

Thanks Kate. My youngest son Thomas has just got his first beehive. David's Dad handmade if for him, amazing job at the grand age of 92! He's not getting a colony until we move to Scotland though as we didn't think it was a very good idea much to his disappointment. x

Good idea to wait until Scotland. Sometimes we have travelled with bees...when OH has taken a colony to an auction or has collected a swarm. Invariably a few get out and buzz around the car, which completely freaks me out! If your son wants to visit and chat about bees, along with a bee inspection he is more than welcome!

 

[Charlie]

Thats an extremely kind offer Kate, thank you x

You auction colonies? x

 

[Emily]

Don't you worry about mozzies?

 

[Beanwood]

Thats an extremely kind offer Kate, thank you x

You auction colonies? x

Yes, if we have bred a few too many colonies, then we sell off a few small ones with a young queen

 

[Charlie]

Oh I see, interesting x

 

[Stacia]

I have a large, shallow dish out filled with fresh water for the birds and any passing animal, sadly we don't have any Hedgehogs.

 

[Boogie]

Today a wood pigeon is snoozing in our birdbath ?

 

[SwampDonkey]

I am in love with the hedgehogs in the garden. Unfortunately I live next door to vicious fog who has killed 2 of them.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I meant dog sorry

 

[HAH]

vicious fog

Thr stuff of horror films

 

[HAH]

@Beanwood I'm really excited to hear you're a bee expert! It's one of my dreams to keep bees; hopefully we'll start making it happen next year, plan is to join the local club and shadow a pro for a season x

 

[snowbunny]

when OH has taken a colony to an auction

I have a picture of someone wrangling the queen to fly nicely around the ring, like they do when they're selling livestock...

 

[SwampDonkey]

They use boards like with pigs