I live in the countryside too and it’s ace. I also have clumps of stinging nettles, that I will now claim that I have left there for the butterflies. Thanks.
Me too. Its a unworkable slope, at least that's my excuse! But, it is absolutely brilliant for nature. As a kid I'd be off chasing Newts & Caterpillars all day long. And all the rare one's I used to look for now turn up on my door step. I've had common Lizards (hate that name.....nothing common about them) on my path, along with Pine Martins, Voles, Elephant Hawk Moths (my fav) & all number of other stuff. So all the wild flowers that other folk call weeds are most welcome here. Going to make a dead wood Beetle home in the coming weeks, you just don't see many of them now, and I'm frankly pretty worried they are disappearing. Its great that loads on here seem to really appreciate our backyards buddies too! Respect.
Talking of pine martens, apparently in areas where they are common, the grey squirrel population declines and the red squirrel population increases: https://theconversation.com/why-the-pine-marten-is-not-every-red-squirrels-best-friend-110209
What......Brown Sea Island! (the only place I've seen a Red) I know the Grey's are frowned upon, but my kids love the B'mouth gardens, and we've wasted many an hour feeding and playing with them. Shame they've had such a devastating affect on our indigenous Reds.
Well the Isle of Wight only has red squirrels as the grey has never made it across the Solent. Same on Brownsea, so no need for pine martens in those places!
Rural South West. Only ever seen one, and it had that white band around its neck. They are not supposed to be here, so not surprised if people raise their eyebrows.
If you think it’s a marten you should contact these guys, they will be very interested: https://www.vwt.org.uk/species/pine-marten/
I was a little surprised I admit. I take what you say about insects but it's not all bad news regarding other wildlife. We regularly get Red Kites here and Buzzards are commonplace, something that I never saw as a boy. Badgers are numerous and plenty of deer too, I'm sure there are other species in decline but these are all near to where we live. I've also seen Giraffe and Zebra near to home too, but that's only because we live near Marwell zoo.
Not a fan of reintroducing predators...the wildlife has usually readjusted to their absence. I would understand if Britain was the only possible habitat for a rare species, but that is not usually the case. Beware of unforeseen consequences.
We have Deer in the winter in our close , buzzards regularly overhead , and hedge hogs Or a hedge hog .
