Anyone Else Here From Essex?

[jenjen21]

Dawny, sounds pretty good. Large spaces aren't always an advantage. Our garden is mainly nettles, brambles and a few over grown trees. My parents (and sometimes even me) concentrate on trying to get the vegetables to grow, rather than keeping control over the weeds everywhere esle.

The only few things I can think of, which you've most likely done already is:
1) Mixed bird foods preferably near cover (we get dunnocks and wrens around our's because its surrounded by young oak trees and of course the weeds)
2) Having a small 'untamed' area, not as much as I do, but long grasses even nettles and things that are often pulled out by us are great foods and habitats (for example as our thistles are great at attracting goldfinches).
3) Areas for birds to nest, either through bird boxes, or if you live in an old house like we do then birds such as house sparrows will nest in the gaps under the roof.
4) Having food all year round if possible. Such as having early spring flowers for the insects, as often especially with bees they come out on the odd few days when the weather nice in winter and spring to find food and don't get anywhere.
5) With the pond is it at different levels, such as is there a shallow part for birds to bathe and for things to crawl in and out of.
6) As everyone says, don't use sprays if possible, we've got a lot more insects since we reduced the amount of chemicals we use (or none at all in some areas )

And so it doesn't look like I've changed the subject. I also think it would be a good idea to meet up around one of these areas. If you are happy with helping me work out some of the plant and wildlife around my place I would be happy to show you round.

[Birdies]

Hi Jenjen
thanks for your ideas
i do put lots of different bird foods out all year round and also get dunnocks in the garden. I would love to get some goldfinches and have but out niger seed in a vain attempt to attract them. I have seen them further along the road but they don't seem to make it to my garden.
I did once plant some teasle but forgot and pulled up the 'thistles' the following spring - what an idiot!
I have a couple of cats so have decided not to put up nest boxes as I don't want to provide a Kitty take away, but I have had babies - starlings, robins, a blackbird and bluetits at the feeders.
I've just re read my post and realised it sounded like I was inviting myself to your place - sorry I'm not that pushy honest -I meant maybe a few of us could meet at the reservoir or somewhere people can get to - I'm in Woodham is there somewhere in the middle convenient for people -who else fancies a get together?
I'm also very much a novice and need to use my reference books so would love to share info, but would probably be mainly learning from you guys.

[jenjen21]

Thats alright. Its on a public footpath anyway, so people can wonder through if they like.

We've got birds like that, our long tailed tits prefer our hedges and neighbours garden most of the year, and only ever turn up in our garden when they've got young. But I can't really complain about that.
Another weird thing I have noticed is that our old nettles (died and dried) have been making great nesting material for our garden birds, especially the sparrows they strip back the stems like peeling bark, and use it for the nests. Another reasons for leaving things alone, although I do not encourage turning the whole garden that way, like we've managed to do.

I'm no expect, I'm only 18 years and have spent too long of my time studying for school, so I barely know any of things around me, and stealing my fathers books on insects isn't working very well as most of them are very old and don't show the right colours for the insects.

[Wetnwild]

Originally Posted by Birdies

I meant maybe a few of us could meet at the reservoir or somewhere people can get to - I'm in Woodham is there somewhere in the middle convenient for people -who else fancies a get together?

A get-together at Hanningfield or nearby would be great Count me in. We could have a drink in the cafe or perhaps we could attend an event they have running, so we could all learn together? That way, even if not many of us manged to make it, there'd still be something for people to do.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Vectisbirder

Sorry, I'm from the Isle of Wight.

No need to apologise for coming from the I.O.W. - we all have to come from somewhere!
;^)

Jim

[jenjen21]

A question to Wetnwild. Have you seen the local buzzard around recently. One has been flying around brentwood / shenfield area for a year now and a few months ago 1 became 3, however I haven't seen it or the others for a month, hopefully its just hiding somewhere but it is worrying.

[Wetnwild]

No, Jen, I haven't seen it, at all. I'm in Doddinghurst though, about 5 miles from Brentwood town - I don't know if that's too far for it to range?

[jenjen21]

Saw it today, so not to worry
I'm on the Doddinghurst side of Brentwood as well, and I have heard of people in Doddinghurst seeing it, although it prefers the area over the A12, so you might just have been unluckly. Its range is pretty big, a few people in Hutton have seen it as well, its usually just flying around in the heat currents, but recently its been calling (might have something to do with the others that have appeared - hopefully youngsters), so I'm usually hearing it before seeing it.

[Jeapesy]

I'm also from essex and live in south woodham ferrers, am also 27 so relatively young.

I often go hadleigh country park, two tree island, blue house farm, etc lots of good sites around where i've had many special wildlifing moments. I do neglect the local river tho and perhaps should visit there a bit more often.

[Birdies]

I seem to have the knack of being at the river at the wrong time - often seems to be when there is no water
The black swan is around at the moment if you are intersted - I like it even if it is an "imposter"
Do you belong to any local groups?