Voles causing a commotion

Despite voles not being a common pest among many in the industry, they do tend to come out to play during the summer months.

Voles make holes about the size of an old ten-pence coin in the surface, especially on heavy land.

With the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protecting our furry little friends, you might want to consider a more sustainable approach. Owls and other birds of prey have a strong appetite for voles so the best solution could be to simply let natural selection help to reduce the vole numbers.

Invasive Species Week 2023

Invasive Species Week 2023 took place recently to raise awareness of the impacts of invasive non-native species.

About 10-15% of plants and animals introduced to Great Britain become invasive non-native species which spread and have a harmful impact. Invasive non-native species are one of the top five drivers of global biodiversity loss. They threaten the survival of native wildlife, damage our natural ecosystems, cost the economy over £1.7 billion a year, and can even harm our health and interfere with activities we enjoy.

For example, when Rhododendron Ponticum (recognisable for its purple flowers) is in flower, it can damage our native flora and fauna. The plant is responsible for the destruction of many native habitats and the abandonment of land throughout the British Isles. It is also poisonous for mammals causing concern for those who want to bolster the wildlife population.

Japanese Knotweed is another to keep an eye out for. It can be difficult to identify, but being able to spot the signs of a Japanese knotweed infestation early is advisable. It can be treated with herbicide, and this will stop the aerial growth that you see above the ground, but the roots, known as rhizomes, are capable of supporting life for up to twenty years.