The Wildlife Garden Diary is all about how you can create a garden for wildlife and identify what visits your very own Nature Reserve, which is so, so important. Please see About the Martham Wildlife Garden: The Inherited Garden for the background to the garden and a gallery of the 26 species of Garden Butterflies recorded thus far in 3 Norfolk Gardens.
Wildlife Garden Diary 2024
November 2024
From the kitchen window......
A Wren was right outside the kitchen window (5th) searching for food in the now dying (if not dead!) foliage of the Clematis, as one has done in previous years; a good reason not to cut back plants at this time of year.
A Robin was also spending time feeding from one of the seed trays and House Sparrows, 7 Starling, Wood Pigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Blackbird and a Dunnock were also seen.
Variety of visiting birds begins the month......
A variety of birds were recorded at the start of the month (1st-3rd) and included a Wren, 2 Dunnock, 2 Blackbird, 11 House Sparrow, 2 Starling, Collared Dove, 2 Wood Pigeon and a Blue Tit.
October 2024
Plants dying back but still a food source for birds......
A Wren was of note (30th) as it searched through the now dying-back garden for food. However, still plenty of Cosmos still in flower and attracting a few Honey Bees and a White-tailed Bumblebee.
Yaffle calls again!
A Green Woodpecker was heard again (28th) from the front area of the close.
Garden Diary 18th-27th......
A Green Woodpecker was heard from the area at the front of the property (27th), but I couldn’t see it.
A Great Tit was once again in the garden (26th), as were Dunnock, 6 Starling, 3 House Sparrow, Robin, Collared Dove and a male Blackbird bathing in the pond.
A Green Woodpecker was seen at the front of the property (25th) and 2 Collared Doves were of note in the garden.
Both a male and a female Blackbird were helping themselves to Cotoneaster berries (23rd) and the female flew to the Rose-hips, but was not seen to consume any.
A Robin made an appearance (22nd) as did Blackbird, 2 Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove and several House Sparrows.
A Coal Tit was a nice surprise (21st) picking up food from the seed mix. A Blue and Great Tit were also seen during the day, as were 2 Starling, several House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon and Collared Dove.
A Wren was good to see in the garden (19th), along with 3 Blackbird (1st W. Male and female) and Dunnock.
With being away in Zambia for the first two weeks of October no observations were made.
However, Blue Tit, 2 Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, several Starlings and House Sparrows were seen (18th).
September 2024
Red Admirals and birds......
2 Red Admirals were in the garden (28th) along with Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, House Sparrow and Starling coming for food at the feeding station.
Ovipositing Large White......
3 Large White were in the garden (17th) with a female ovipositing on Nasturtium leaves and another pair attempting to mate. A Small White was also present.
Yaffle heard again......
A Green Woodpecker was heard again (16th) close by to the west of the garden.
A Great Tit and a Robin paid a visit to the garden, where Red Admiral, Small White, 2 Large White and a Peacock were also.
Tawny calling......
The presence of a Common Buzzard was brought to my attention via Lesser Black-backed Gulls (14th) and several House Martins and Swallows were in the skies.
2 Large White and a Peacock were again around the Buddleia and a Red Admiral and Common Darter flew over.
3 Collared Dove, Robin, male Blackbird (with a Cotoneaster berry), Wood Pigeon, Starlings and House Sparrows visited the garden and both Blue and Great Tit were seen outside the garden.
A Tawny Owl was heard at 19.52 and in the gloom a chat dived into the garden stopped briefly and then flew over the roof. It looked like a Black Redstart, but due to the light I cannot be certain.
Butterflies and Great Tit......
A Peacock and Large White were present (13th) and a Great Tit was outside the garden in the large tree.
Hobby heading south......
A Green Woodpecker was heard calling (9th) as was a Tawny Owl calling at 20.04.
A Hobby flew over fairly high up heading south and a Red Admiral was the only butterfly seen.
Whilst sitting out in the darkness on ‘hog-watch’ Garden Snails appeared from their hideout between the outside of the circular pond and the half-log cladding at various points on the pond edge where they began drinking.
Butterflies and Dragons......
3 Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Large White and Small White were present (7th) with flyovers from Common Darter and Migrant Hawker.
A Wren was once again present and Swallows were again overhead and a Great Tit was seen outside the garden.
First Hummingbird hawk of 2024!
A Hedgehog that looked different to the one seen in the evening of the 5th appeared at 00.40 (6th) and fed on some cat biscuits.
Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White and 2 Large White was in the garden, whilst a Common Darter and a Migrant Hawker flew over, as did several Swallows.
At 18.15 a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen feeding from the Knapweed flowers. Whilst this moth was seen on many occasions in 2023, this was the first one this year!
Return of the Hedgehog!
A Painted Lady was once again in the garden (5th), along with Red Admiral, 2 Large White, Small White and 2 Small Tortoiseshell flew over. A Wren was also present and there a few Swallows overhead.
The best surprise for sometime came whilst sitting outside in the evening, when a Hedgehog came to drink at the small bowl! Hedgehogs have not been seen or any evidence of their presence observed since August 2023. The reasons for this are not clear, but after it went back into the border, I quietly went indoors and got some cat biscuits and placed them next to the bowl. It wasn’t long before the Hedgehog returned and fed for quite a while, fantastic!
Kingfisher!!
The highlight of the day came in the early evening (4th) when a new bird from the garden was seen; a Kingfisher! Somewhat unbelievable but that’s what it was and what I suspected was one yesterday, was confirmed today as it darted W to E before veering north, perhaps towards the pond by the church, which the bird did yesterday.
A Jay flew over quite low and this is not a bird seen too often from the garden, but at this time of year are busy burying Acorns.
A Robin was in the garden and 4 Large White, Small White and a Small Tortoiseshell were on the Buddleia.
Butterflies, Bees and Dragons......
4 Large White, 2 Small White, Red Admiral and a Small Tortoiseshell were seen (3rd) as were Carder and White-tailed Bumblebees.
A Migrant Hawker and what looked like a Southern Hawker flew over and both adult and juvenile Swallows were overhead (at least 10) with a House Martin but none going in any particular direction.
Painted Lady and Ants under the mat!
A Painted Lady was still present at the start of September (1st), along with 3 Small and 2 Large Whites, Small Tortoiseshell and a Red Admiral.
On returning from the shop, I happened to move the front door mat to find Ants there including winged adults.
2 Swift were unexpected during the early evening and also seen was a House Martin and several Swallows.
Large Whites ovipositing......
3 Large White were in the garden (17th) with a female ovipositing on Nasturtium leaves and another pair attempting to mate. A Small White was also present.
Yaffle heard again......
A Green Woodpecker was heard again (16th) close by to the west of the garden.
A Great Tit and a Robin paid a visit to the garden, where Red Admiral, Small White, 2 Large White and a Peacock were also.
Tawny calling......
The presence of a Common Buzzard was brought to my attention via Lesser Black-backed Gulls (14th) and several House Martins and Swallows were in the skies.
2 Large White and a Peacock were again around the Buddleia and a Red Admiral and Common Darter flew over.
3 Collared Dove, Robin, male Blackbird (with a Cotoneaster berry), Wood Pigeon, Starlings and House Sparrows visited the garden and both Blue and Great Tit were seen outside the garden.
A Tawny Owl was heard at 19.52 and in the gloom a chat dived into the garden stopped briefly and then flew over the roof. It looked like a Black Redstart, but due to the light I cannot be certain.
Butterflies and Great Tit......
A Peacock and Large White were present (13th) and a Great Tit was outside the garden in the large tree.
Hobby heading back?
A Green Woodpecker was heard calling (9th) as was a Tawny Owl calling at 20.04.
A Hobby flew over fairly high up heading south and a Red Admiral was the only butterfly seen.
Whilst sitting out in the darkness on ‘hog-watch’ Garden Snails appeared from their hideout between the outside of the circular pond and the half-log cladding at various points on the pond edge where they began drinking.
Dragon flyovers......
3 Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Large White and Small White were present (7th) with flyovers from Common Darter and Migrant Hawker.
A Wren was once again present and Swallows were again overhead and a Great Tit was seen outside the garden.
First record of Hummingbird Hawkmoth for 2024!
A Hedgehog that looked different to the one seen in the evening of the 5th appeared at 00.40 (6th) and fed on some cat biscuits.
Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White and 2 Large White was in the garden, whilst a Common Darter and a Migrant Hawker flew over, as did several Swallows.
At 18.15 a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen feeding from the Knapweed flowers. Whilst this moth was seen on many occasions in 2023, this was the first one this year!
Hedgehog!!
A Painted Lady was once again in the garden (5th), along with Red Admiral, 2 Large White, Small White and 2 Small Tortoiseshell flew over. A Wren was also present and there a few Swallows overhead.
The best surprise for sometime came whilst sitting outside in the evening, when a Hedgehog came to drink at the small bowl! Hedgehogs have not been seen or any evidence of their presence observed since August 2023. The reasons for this are not clear, but after it went back into the border, I quietly went indoors and got some cat biscuits and placed them next to the bowl. It wasn’t long before the Hedgehog returned and fed for quite a while, fantastic!
New bird from garden!
The highlight of the day came in the early evening (4th) when a new bird from the garden was seen; a Kingfisher! Somewhat unbelievable but that’s what it was and what I suspected was one yesterday, was confirmed today as it darted W to E before veering north, perhaps towards the pond by the church, which the bird did yesterday.
A Jay flew over quite low and this is not a bird seen too often from the garden, but at this time of year are busy burying Acorns.
A Robin was in the garden and 4 Large White, Small White and a Small Tortoiseshell were on the Buddleia.
Butterflies, Bees and Dragons......
4 Large White, 2 Small White, Red Admiral and a Small Tortoiseshell were seen (3rd) as were Carder and White-tailed Bumblebees.
A Migrant Hawker and what looked like a Southern Hawker flew over and both adult and juvenile Swallows were overhead (at least 10) with a House Martin but none going in any particular direction.
Butterflies, Hawkers and Swallows......
4 Large White, 2 Small White, Red Admiral and a Small Tortoiseshell were seen (3rd) as were Carder and White-tailed Bumblebees.
A Migrant Hawker and what looked like a Southern Hawker flew over and both adult and juvenile Swallows were overhead (at least 10) with a House Martin but none going in any particular direction.
The Inherited Garden
I moved into a small bungalow in Martham, Norfolk in February 2018, around the time of what was called the ‘Beast from the East’, where at the rear of the property there was a ‘small garden’.
What I inherited was an area of approximately 28 x 14 feet with a picket fence, a brick shed, which took up 6x3 ft. of the garden, a 3 ft. wide path leading from the back door to the back gate and an area of concrete 9ft x 4 ft. 6 inches where an oil tank had previously been sited.
The rest of the garden consisted of paving slabs, plastic membrane, shingle and some areas of very compacted soil which was very much clay-based!
However, on the plus side 3 Fuchsias, a Honeysuckle, a Rose, 2 Clematis and what I discovered to be Three-cornered Leeks represented the plant contingent.
This was very much a ‘blank canvas’, but required some basic hard work, to prepare the soil (after removing the very things, which were there to prevent plant growth) and to re-utilize the hard landscaping (e.g. paving slabs) to good effect, in order to create a wildlife-friendly garden.
A Win, win situation!
Like many people, money to spend on the garden was very limited, as was energy to do the work, because of the ME and mental health issues I suffer from. However, after spending the vast majority of my life gardening, being brought up in the building industry and my ecological knowledge pertaining to soils and plants, wealth of knowledge and know how was not in short supply!
The point here is that many people have health issues and a lack of finance but do not necessarily have the knowledge to create a garden for wildlife and that is the main point of this Wildlife Garden Diary, along with the great importance in helping to create areas where other life-forms can live, in a world where habitat loss is accelerating at an alarming rate!
There is also the added benefit to our own wellbeing and mental health and I can testify that working with and for wildlife is highly beneficial on both counts!
Re-designing and introducing Wildlife-friendly features
One of the first things I did was to provide food and ‘hostelries’, so a bird table, drinking bowls, nestbox and a ‘bee hotel’ were installed. This was followed (after the big freeze!) by re-positioning the plants I had inherited into areas (where applicable) where they would be more successful and add shape to the overall garden redesign.
Planting was introduced from donations of plants from friends, planting seeds and occasional visits to garden centres, where I knew I could purchase plants for very little money!
The trick here is to buy greatly reduced plants, which due to them being no longer in flower and/or dying back, in respect of their growing season end up on the ‘Reduced to clear’ benches. Knowing the ecology of different species of plants can save you an absolute fortune, when purchasing plants as can buying ‘crammed’ pots, which can then be divided up into many more plants; if you can manage to think long-term and avoid paying over inflated prices for ‘showy’ plants!
Further additions to the garden, included incorporating a pond to stand on the unsightly area of concrete, which is currently undergoing landscaping to make it no longer an unbeneficial area for wildlife, re-positioning of the paving slabs to create pathways, which also are useful as sunning areas for insects and a home underneath for various creatures and a Hedgehog box following the discovery of their presence in the area.
The Wildlife Garden Diary
So, there you have the basic history of what has occurred thus far to develop an area to benefit wildlife and indeed myself; altruism really does not exist!
The aim of this new feature is to show how to create an area attractive to wildlife with very little expense and indeed energy. Knowing how to plant limits how much time you have to do any work, allowing the great majority of your time to enjoy your garden.
The way of gardening here (or lack of it!) is very much based on a ‘Cottage Garden’, where species of plants are just that and not divided up into the concept of ‘weeds’! What is a weed? A human term for an unwanted plant, or a plant of predetermined human judgement that is out of situ.
As the year progresses I will endeavor to show how to make features, which are attractive to wildlife and identify and show the great biodiversity that occurs in a garden. Think of it not so much as a ‘garden’ but how to create you’re very own ‘nature reserve’, where the wildlife comes to you and where that much forgotten aspect of interacting with the other organisms, which we share this planet with can happen.