RSPCA sell Land Left for Wildlife

The RSPCA has been criticised for selling a piece of woodland and house it was left by the homeowner who died and left it to them. In his will, David Brown wrote that he 'wished' for the land to be preserved as a nature reserve. He used to feed foxes and badgers on the land next to his cottage, and thought the RSPCA was the charity that would look after it after he was gone. Sadly, he chose the wrong charity. As he wrote it as a 'wish' they were legally able to ignore it, and sold the land to a developer which has now cleared it, including bulldozing 6 old Oak trees. The RSPCA raised £295,000 from the sale which they say will be put towards their animal protection work.

So David Brown who no doubt toiled for years to pay for his house and land did not get his wish. The little wildlife haven he cherished has been destroyed by the very people who he thought would help him ensure it was preserved after he was dead. So, I suppose the most important thing to ensure this does not happen again elsewhere is to ensure if you are intending to leave any land to a charity, you write the will in a way that ensures that it bullet proof so for example;

'The land should NOT be developed on, it should only be used as a nature reserve and be kept in the best condition for native wildlife.''

Perhaps something like that would stop land being sold for development. Also, choosing the right charity is important. Perhaps Mr Brown thought of the RSPCA due to it's high profile as an animal charity and thought they must be the right charity to leave the land to. However, they don't really have nature reserves and focus more on animal cruelty and pets. As he lived in Alderly Edge in Cheshire, it's possible that a better charity would have been the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, as they like all other regional Wildlife Trusts across the UK are more suited to looking after small areas of woodland, and have nature reserves in suburban areas as well as larger reserves.

If you don't live in Cheshire, you can find your local Wildlife Trust here.

For larger pieces of land you could consider the National Trust, the RSPB, or if it is a farm you could leave it to the Countryside Restoration Trust. There is also more specialist conservation charities, so for example if you have a natural meadow there is Plantlife or the Grassland Trust. If the land is home to a rare butterfly species, the Butterfly Conservation Trust might be more suitable. I suppose the most important thing is to research who might be best to leave the land to if you want it to be preserved after you have gone. You could also consider leaving them the land when you're still around to ensure it is in a safe pair of hands and also get the pleasure of seeing it being improved and maintained.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2136714/Nature-lover-leaves-wildlife-haven-RSPCA--sell-bulldozed-built-on.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Elephant Massacre

What hope has this planet got when humans chase after 22 elephants including young, in a helicopter and shoot every last one dead so they can hack their tusks off for money.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134696/Scene-unimaginable-horror-helicopter-borne-poachers-massacre-22-elephants.html

Think Before You Flush

Think Before You Flush (TBYF) is an award-winning initiative from Surfers Against Sewage which raises public awareness about the problem that sanitary products (known in the business as Sewage Related Debris or SRD) cause in the sewage system and subsequently the marine environment when flushed down the toilet. They have been running a campaign in the Cornish town of Porthleven and are aiming to replicate the campaign nationwide. If you would like to help them in their mission to keep our coastal waters clean then get in touch via their website http://www.sas.org.uk

Water bore hole company

Here is an example bore hole company, Synergy Boreholes gives you an idea of what can be achieved if you are interesting in the possbility of having your own water source in your garden or at your smallholding.

http://www.synergyboreholes.co.uk/waterwell_boreholes/

Garden Boreholes

It's like Dallas down in the south east of England as gardeners are drilling for liquid gold. No, not the black stuff (oh how great it would be to drill your back garden and find you're sitting on top of 500 billion barrels of oil!) the TRANSPARENT STUFF. You know, good old H2O, more commonly known as water. Cunning gardeners with a few quid in the bank (cost about 3-15,000 to fit) have worked out they can legally drill for water on their own land, and as a result bore hole drillers are rushed off their feet, with a 100% increase in business. Domestic boreholes can legally extract 4,000 GALLONS of water per DAY! I love the preachy comment from the Environment Agency saying people still need to be considerate as they are still taking water from the system. Nice advice, now did they warn the government that allowing net immigration of 3 million in 10 years would mean another 16,400 BILLION LITRES extra per year would be taken from the 'system' compared to 1997? I doubt it, and a slightly bigger issue than a few bore holes. See the gardenandgreen exclusive about the impact of mass immigration on water usage below the newspaper link. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/315284/How-to-beat-the-hosepipe-ban-just-drill-for-your-own-water http://www.gardenandgreen.co.uk/#/hosepipe-ban/4562774408

Butterfly Numbers

          A Duke of Burgundy butterfly /  image copyright: Keith Warmington

Last year’s record-breaking spring helped some of the UK’s rarest butterflies recover following years of decline, a scientific study today revealed.

The hot, dry weather provided perfect conditions for early spring specialists enabling them to benefit from extended flight periods as they emerged weeks earlier than usual.

The threatened Duke of Burgundy bucked a trend of recent declines as its population rose by 65% between 2010 and 2011.

Other rare spring butterflies prospered – the Grizzled Skipper recorded a rise of 96% and the scarce Pearl-bordered Fritillary saw numbers jump by 103%.

But despite last year’s much-needed respite, many of our most threatened butterflies remain in a state of long-term decline and need further targeted conservation work to turn their fortunes around permanently.

Common garden species such as the Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue all recorded major population falls as the dry spring gave way to the coldest summer for 18 years.

Summer-flying woodland specialists also struggled. The White Admiral recorded a 51% fall and the threatened Black Hairstreak, which recorded a substantial increase between 2009 and 2010, declined last year.

If you would like to get involved in helping Britain's butterflies and moths visit;

butterfly-conservation.org

The Complete Garden Expert - Dr D.G Hessayon

Dr D.G Hessayon, heard of him? Perhaps not, as he is never seems to be on radio or TV. However, if you have been into a bookshop you will of heard of him, as for many years now his handy, easy to understand and colourful books on all types of gardening have been huge bestsellers.

This latest book storming the gardening bestsellers list is a collection of his various books in updated and edited format all in one book! Seriously, read this and by the time you turn the last page your gardening knowledge will have burgeoned like a fast growing pumpkin. You can see from the book cover above the sort of subjects covered. On Amazon.uk it is only £7.19 which includes delivery. That could be the best £7.19 you'll ever spend. Just think of the money you might save on plants bought from the garden centre that shrivel and die because you didn't follow the docs advice! ;0) Link below to order;

The Complete Garden Expert: The Expert you've been waiting for - All the gardening Experts condensed and updated into one enlarged volume

Black Flower Collection

What do you think of black flowers? A bit dull, or unusual. They certainly are striking due to the fact flowers usually come in bright vibrant colours. I think a garden full of black flowers might be a bit strange looking. However, any Goths out there or vampires might disagree. One idea might be to plant them amongst oranges and yellows, as this might look really striking.

Thompson & Morgan currently have a collection of black flowered plants for sale at a bargain price of £7.99. 9 plants, 3 each of the following perennials.

Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' - Fully double violet-black flowers, are produced in late spring like small pompoms sat atop stiff, upright stems. Height: 75cm (30"). Spread: 45cm (18").

Scabious 'Ace of Spades' - Fully double pincushion flower heads which are as near to black as can be. Height: 60cm (24"). Spread: 25cm (10").

Hollyhock 'Nigra'- Superbly dramatic; the tall spires bear dark maroon-black flowers with pale contrasting eyes. Height: 200cm (79"). Spread: 60cm (24").

Order here from Thompson & Morgan

National Gardening Week

It is National Gardening Week. Heres the website with full info. http://www.nationalgardeningweek.org.uk

Leopard & the Baby Antelope

Once upon time there was a cute little Antelope, who came across a Leopard on the Savannah. 'Oh Mr Leopard, I'm so lost and alone please can you help?' The Leopard licked its lips a bit, 'Oh poor little thing, don't worry I won't harm you, now do sit down and relax.' The little antelope happily sat down next to the leopard. Both had an afternoon siesta under the hot beating sun. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Excuse the pun, but Oh dear, isn't nature cruel. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2131060/Leopard-plays-baby-antelope-South-African-bush-happy-ending.html

Fracking for Gas

I don't know much about fracking for gas, but it sounds like trying to get the last bit of shampoo out the bottle or scraping the tub for the last bits of butter. It is a controversial process where I think they pump water into rocks to extract gas, but this pressure can create the odd earthquake or two. They had to stop 'fracking' off the coast of Blackpool in North West England after it resulted in two mini earth tremors. So at this point all I can suggest if you don't know much about this subject, like me, is to start at the beginning... the Wiki page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing

Alpine Plants in a Raised Border

These spreading Alpines are already in full flower and it's just mid April. This garden has a great stone wall perimeter that has been built to there is space for a raised border in the middle, resulting in a garden wall being a riot of colour. It's a good idea for people with mobility problems. It also means plants are not so hidden. If these were planted in a garden border behind a single wall, they would get less sun, and the wall would be so much duller. Also it means border plants can give a bit more privacy, as if you planted, for example, red hot pokers in the raised border, it would give the house some added privacy rather than them being on ground level behind a single wall.
Buy Alpine plants here

Tulips

Tulips are great at this time of year. They are at their peak, but unfortunately don't last long. Their effect is multiplied when they are planted in colour blocs of the same type of bulb, like these below.

Buy Tulips here

Bluebells

Bluebells are all over the place at the moment!

King Juan Carlos - Elephant Hunting

King Juan Carlos of Spain has broken a leg whilst on an Elephant hunting trip. What sort of King would think shooting a beautiful and majestic animal like an elephant is any way entertaining or rewarding. I have been lucky enough to see elephants in the wild and if I had shot one and watched it slump onto the dusty ground and lie there lifeless it would have haunted me forever.

50 Things to do Before you are 11 3/4

                            
                                          Me and a little friend checking out the New Forest ponies.


The National Trust have published a list of 50 things children should try and experience before they are 11 3/4 as a way to encourage kids to enjoy the outdoors. I was lucky, growing up I was in the cubs, had a massive woodland and playing field at the end of my street,  used to go on WATCH nature trips and my parents and grandparents were always taking us to the beach or places in the middle of nowhere. Today it's not so easy, with busier parents, busier roads, more fear about kiddy pervs, more built up areas etc. One thing I would definately advise is to take your child to Brownies or Cubs as this can be a great way for them to experience things on the list below, also check out your regional Wildlife Trust as they are often located in built up areas but arrange trips for kids to go pond dipping etc. Also camping and caravanning holidays give kids a chance to do some of these things in safer places, if you live in larger cities.

A few I have thought of which are not on the list - Find a bird nest (tell them not to knick the eggs, but its great watching the chicks) play in the sand dunes, dig a moat so the tide can fill it up, keeps some worms in a jar, catch a bumblebee in a jar (release it later) watering plants with the watering can, make a bridge across a stream, peel a stick with a pen knife, make a bow and arrow, take a dog for a walk, make a daisy chain, have a grass fight, help make a picnic, play hide and seek, make an igloo in the snow, give them some wood, saw and nails so they can make something, feed a horse.

1. Climb a tree

2. Roll down a really big hill

3. Camp out in the wild

4. Build a den

5. Skim a stone
6. Run around in the rain
7. Fly a kite
8. Catch a fish with a net
9. Eat an apple straight from a tree
10. Play conkers
11. Throw some snow
12. Hunt for treasure on the beach
13. Make a mud pie
14. Dam a stream
15. Go sledging
16. Bury someone in the sand
17. Set up a snail race
18. Balance on a fallen tree
19. Swing on a rope swing
20. Make a mud slide
21. Eat blackberries growing in the wild
22. Take a look inside a tree
23. Visit an island
24. Feel like you're flying in the wind
25. Make a grass trumpet
26. Hunt for fossils and bones
27. Watch the sun wake up
28. Climb a huge hill
29. Get behind a waterfall
30. Feed a bird from your hand
31. Hunt for bugs
32. Find some frogspawn
33. Catch a butterfly in a net
34. Track wild animals
35. Discover what's in a pond
36. Call an owl
37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool
38. Bring up a butterfly
39. Catch a crab
40. Go on a nature walk at night
41. Plant it, grow it, eat it
42. Go wild swimming
43. Go rafting
44. Light a fire without matches
45. Find your way with a map and compass
46. Try bouldering
47. Cook on a campfire
48. Try abseiling
49. Find a geocache
50. Canoe down a river

Iberian Lynx Released Into the Wild

A good news story. A conservation project in Spain has resulted in two Iberian Lynx being released into the wild. A few years ago they were nearly extinct, and a captive breeding programme was started. Some great video of them gingerly making their way out of their cages then bounding into the wide expanse. Happy rabbit hunting!

View video on BBC website here

Heinz Tomato Soup

I've always loved Heinz Tomato Soup, and I mean always, it was my soup of choice way back in primary school days, along with banana sandwiches. I have a can almost everyday! Haha. Anyway the reason I'm writing a post about it, is that did you know that 84% of the ingredients is Tomatoes. At this point you might think, well wheres the surprise in that, it is TOMATO soup after all! However, I think thats quite an impressive high percentage for a mass produced tinned soup. Also I still can't work out how considering it is over 3/4's tomato it tastes nothing like real tomatoes. It's one of lifes great mysteries along with why was Stonehenge built.

Grow Your Own 'Super foods'

I've just added a new article over on the main site which is about growing 'super foods' in your own garden or at your allotment. These are fruit and veg that are seen as being very healthy and packed with antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins.


http://www.gardenandgreen.co.uk/superfoods

How to Keep a Cactus Happy!

Tom Hart Dyke runs the World Map Garden at his family home, Lullingstone Castle. They have a great Cactus house with some fine Cacti, that are found in nature across the world's desert regions. They all are in great hands, and look in very good condition. If you have a few cacti on your windowsill, conservatory or greenhouse Tom has some great advice to keep them healthy, especially if you live in hard water regions. Video below and if you are looking for a great day out why not plan a visit to the garden in Kent. It's a horticultural feast for any gardening fan. www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk

BBC Land of the Lost Wolves

Image: Evgeni Dinev



REVIEW

I stumbled across this documentary on BBC Iplayer, and I'm glad I did. It featured Gordon Buchanan, a wildlife cameraman with a growing reputation for great wildlife shows. I am really impressed with this new type of Natural History programme, which follow field study teams. The first one I saw that followed this format was a while back, when an expedition team went to Papa New Guinea. It was called Lost Land of the Volcano. Gordon Buchanan was part of the team in that one as well. They filmed some beautiful creatures and it was great to watch the ecologists in action as they surveyed the area for flora and fauna.

In Land of the Lost Wolves, he follows a team of scientists who are trying to track the expansion of Wolf packs into Washington state in North West USA, that are moving south from Canada. They use all sorts of tricks to try and get the wolves on film, that include a dummy wolf with recorded wolf cries on loud speaker! I did a degree in Environmental Management, so I am familiar with this sort of important work, but for many people they will never have watched conservationists working like this, and it really is fascinating viewing. It is also a great way of showing the conflicts between man and nature. In traditional Natural History TV shows there is never much mention of man, and shows the habitats as pristine wildernesses. Sadly, this is increasingly not the case.

The Land of the Lost Wolves explained that Wolves moving back into areas they have long been extinct in sounds like great news, it's not as simple as that. Now, much of the land is used for cattle ranching, and as you can imagine the farmers are no fans of the wolves, who see them as heartless predators and also a potential threat to their livelihoods.

There's some wonderful moments, especially in part two, when Gordon and a wildlife tracker bloke originally from Lancashire, but who moved to Canada to pursue his passion for wildlife, go to British Columbia to try and find wolves. Gordon after hours in the rain, sitting in his sodden hide films a wolf feasting on salmon from a fast flowing river. Meanwhile the wildlife tracker stumbles across a great big Grizzly having a salmon feast in the middle of the river. Nice bear... shame about the great big razor sharp claws! I've been quite close to a Black bear in the wild, but was consoled by the fact they don't do too much to humans, so enjoyed the encounter greatly. However, being so close to a Grizzly, whilst amazing, might have had my knees trembling a bit!

So I'll give it a 10/10, it was great and I can honestly not think how it could have been bettered, so top marks it is.

You can watch both of the two part here;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01fnfrc/Land_of_the_Lost_Wolves_Episode_1/

Drought tolerant plants

I read a few people on Twitter saying they would not be bothering buying bedding plants as a result of the hosepipe ban. Don't give up so easy, as you will see from this article there is a good selection of annuals and perennials that are drought tolerant and can thrive in dry conditions.

http://www.gardenandgreen.co.uk/#/drought-tolerant-plants/4562811384

Hosepipe ban & mass immigration

As result of mass immigration compared to 1997 an extra 16,400 BILLION litres of water is being extracted from the water system in the UK per year. If all leaking pipes were fixed tomorrow it would save 1,226 billion litres of water per year. Read the full story here;

http://www.gardenandgreen.co.uk/#/hosepipe-ban/4562774408

Join The National Trust

It's Spring, well hopefully is after yesterdays little snowy performance I'm not as convinced as last week! Then again last week I thought I had slept in by a few months and it was July. Anyway, it is April and the nights are getting lighter and the trees are becoming leafy, so it is a good time of year to join the National Trust and plan some great days out across Britain over the next 12 months. Apparently they have had record numbers of people visitng the properties and estates. If you join and do go to a few places in the coming year you easily save money. Click here to get a National Trust Membership via their website.

Dahlia Black Wizard

What do you think of this Dahlia? Pretty impressive eh! Available now for late summer flowering on Van Meuwen for £8.49 Order Click HERE

Immigration Gumballs

Last Friday my eyes popped out when I was reading about the election in Bradford. There was a statistic that apparently by 2020, just 8 years time over 50% of the population of that city will be under 25!! And what happens when all these people are older and have families? you just need to read about some 3rd world cities to get an idea about mass over population due to high birth rates. It reminded me about a video I watched once. It's about the USA but it can equally be applied to this country, as we have had similar percentage levels of mass immigration. It shows what the population projection would have looked like into the future based on small amount of immigration and the host population. It sort of rises a bit then begins slowly to re-adjust. Then take a look of what is actually going to happen as a result of mass immigration and the added births. As you can imagine the impact on quality of life, the countryside, water supply etc will be terrible.