Help our Biodiversity

• Avoid using pesticides, which often kill beneficial species or their food sources as well as pests
• Grow plants that benefit our local pollinators
• Provide a source of water for hedgehogs, birds and insects (especially in hot weather) with a sloping exit such as a twig or branch for thirsty bees

What Happened?

On Saturday 17th May, on a gloriously sunny day, residents of Silchester went out and about to see what plants, insects, birds and animals they could spot, to give a snapshot of biodiversity in Silchester.

As it was sunny, we saw lots of butterflies, with 6 different species identified as well as a beautiful emerald moth.  

There were a number of birds of prey identified, including a peregrine falcon, which I would love to have seen.  We also have a good selection of garden birds, with the most common being the blue tit.

Few surprises in the wild plants that people saw, although strangely only one person mentioned a silver birch and no one mentioned gorse or heather.  Possibly, they are just too prevalent to mention…