@wildireland.bsky.social
Haven't seen this style of spreading slurry in a long time . I thought it Release a lot of ammonia into atmosphere. @rspbni.bsky.social @environmentagency.blog.gov.uk.web.brid.gy
Irish hare caught in the garden camera trap 2 nights ago @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @donnarainey4.bsky.social
@donnarainey4.bsky.social Hi Donna , I think this is vipers bugloss and was in a seed mix for a native wildgarden in school . It has Really come into flower this week and the bees are absolutely mad for it. Is it native as I would add seeds to my meadow at home if it was . Would you recommend this?
@donnarainey4.bsky.social wild flower meadow in full bloom and sp pleased with it this year. Absolutely buzzing with life. @plantlifeuk.bsky.social
Great UK water blitz citizen sampling results coming in . River Roe running past Limavady looking to have low healthy nutrients levels. www.freshwaterwatch.org/pages/great-...
Interesting results from the citizen sampling water watch . Portadown and craigavon lakes showing high nutrient levels . More results will appear on the live map www.freshwaterwatch.org/pages/great-...
Wildlife still in the garden feeding on slugs and old apples from the mini orchard. A healthy looking fat Hesgehog visiting regularly for the last week @biodata.bsky.social @biodata.pt
Finally decided to cut one section of my meadow with the sythe . Then check for frogs (x10 of various sizes) to relocate to a safe spot and finally mow. Some seeds also collected to pot up and germinate to increase late flowering Devils bit scabious @plantlife.bsky.social @plantlifeuk.bsky.social
July meadow . Early purple orchids seeds maturing . They are like dust but with further investigation using a x40 lens on my microscope you can see them more clearly . @donnarainey4.bsky.social @plantlifeuk.bsky.social @orchids.bsky.social
Garden meadow mid July . Orchids are starting to go into seed. Knapweed and Field Scabious coming into flower . Meadow definitely looking more brown but the flowers that are in bloom almost use this as a contrast to be more clearly seen to pollinators and really stand out @donnarainey4.bsky.social
I know that there are many reasons for this but in my biased head the reason that these long eared owls appeared was all because of my field and garden meadow.🤣Hunting for mice.No matter what the reason it is really a privilege to see & hear these birds @rspbni.bsky.social @donnarainey4.bsky.social
Garden meadow -Late June. Ox eye daisys starting go to seed . Yellow rattle seed heads rattling in the wind and orchids now the most visually prominent flower @plantlifeuk.bsky.social @donnarainey4.bsky.social @irishrainforest.bsky.social @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social @cedarni.bsky.social
Mid June The wild flower meadow is in full glory - yellow rattle starting to seed but the top dogs of the meadow the orchids are showing off
Early June. Most flowers out some fading going to seed (ragged robin & yellow rattle) and other species like orchids just emerging . The next 3 weeks is the peak of my early cut meadow (mid August). The late cut meadow still has flowers to emerge @plantlifeuk.bsky.social @donnarainey4.bsky.social
Livestock can benefit from tree planting. These 3 trees ( + others )were planted around the perimeter of the field 20 yes ago and the sheep have 100% voted with their feet. . PS no loss of productivity of the field either @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social
My pond is reaping plenty ofnrewards to the extent the Heron took 2 adult frogs the other day @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @withpondlife.bsky.social
My garden lawn meadow mid may. Lots of new species flowering ragged Robin/ field buttercup/ Self heal/ yellow rattle . and frogs spotted and nectar loving insects in abundance @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @donnarainey4.bsky.social @rspbni.bsky.social
1st week of May and the meadows are starting to full outwith growth. More important , clear signs of what is coming in the weeks ahead - currently in bloom self heal , dandelion and early purple orchid . Common spotted getting close to flowering. Roll on the next few months
Huge contrast between the biodiversity created in a native broadleaf woodland and the plantations of sitka spruce which lack any relative biodiversity
Wildflower meadow - April So last cut of lawn 2 qeeks ago . Lots of seedlings growing including yellow rattle . First flowers dandelions , early purple orchid and cuckoo flower.
