Slow worn advice please

joyous1 · #1 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 04:51 PM

In June I moved into a bungalow formally owned by an elderly lady, there is a very old plastic pipe constructed compost heap in the corner of the back garden and I wish to dismantle it to build a raised herb/salad bed - BUT - we very quickly realised that there are slow worms nesting there. Can I dismantle it before the next breeding season or does it have to stay as a protected habitat. We have a great deal of slow worm activity and identified 3 different females and 4 different males along with several juveniles and sub-adults during the summer. HELP!!!!!

joyous1 · #2 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 06:31 PM

title should read ' Slow WORM advice please'

Littlesparrow · #3 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 06:54 PM

Oh yes, missed that one

sorry don't know the best time to move the compo heap

marvin · #4 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 07:59 PM

hi

what a lovely problem to have!

is there any way you can leave the compost heap as it is and build the raised bed elsewhere? it would be better not to disturb the slowworms at all really.

if you do end up moving the compost heap what are you planning to do to replace the lost habitat?

cheers
tim

King Edward · #5 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 08:23 PM

Legally, I don't think there is any reason why you can't dismantle the compost heap. Slow-worms are protected against being killed, injured or sold, but not against disturbance.

Having said that, I think it would be a good idea to reconsider your plans to see if you could perhaps leave the heap undisturbed and build your raised bed elsewhere in the garden. Alternatively, if it was possibly simply to move the heap, and rebuild it in another part of the garden then that might be OK.

Kayleigh · #6 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 08:35 PM

I am in the do not disturb camp..
You know you can grow all sorts of things in big pots I grow broad beans,chillies,salad leaves,carrots,beetroot,radish and potatoes they all grow very well and no carrot fly as they are not in the ground.
So please rethink and remember you are so lucky I would give my right are for them in my garden..

Welcome to WAB..

joyous1 · #7 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 10:19 PM

Thanks everyone. We have seriously considered leaving it but it is against a bank which is supported by asbestos sheets, the beds are to replace the sheets and support the bank.
We have a section in the garden that we are leaving 'wild' and adding a small pond as there are sedge grasses in it so may be able to lift and shift the heap as a whole, well, as near as possible whole, to that area. It will be protected by a short 5ft high fence and a wall 2 bricks high so my over eager son doesn't mow in there.
It is quite away from the original site and so don't want them to stop breeding in the garden. Oh well 2 chances. Thanks again for your advice.

marvin · #8 (**permalink**) 15-01-2011, 03:34 PM

hi again

make sure the new spot gets plenty of sun and there is a good mix of cover, basking areas and rank vegetation/long grass.

slowworms are notoriously shy and often there are high numbers of animals present where only a handful have been seen so be careful you don't harm any when moving.

i wouldn't disturb them now as they are still hibernating. i would also leave them until after peak mating time but want the new habitat established before females start giving birth in late august/september. this means june/july but i am happy to be corrected if anyone has a different opinion. i think it would also be preferable to have the pond and wildlife area established before moving them so they are not subjected to more disturbance which may mean waiting until next year depending on your plans.

having said that it would still be better to leave them alone, unless you think that the new habitat will be better in the long run anyway.

keep us posted and some pics of the current and proposed areas would be interesting.

good luck
cheers
tim