My wild 'lawn' attracts some pretty visitors

[Benchwayze]

Since I have been unable to keep on top of lawn mowing, my lawn resembles a wild-flower meadow. There's a gardener in hand, but t'moment the patch is something of an eyesore. There's an upside though. Yesterday I caught sight of a goldfinch busy eating seeds from groundsel. (Or something!) Of course my phone was not in my pocket!

Today a friend of mine sent me the following link. Quite a coincidence.

http://www.chonday.com/Videos/peacwatchju3

Enjoy folks.


John

 

[Jacob]

I grow my lawn deliberately for the wild flowers. You have to cut it not too short, not very often and take the cuttings off.
Then you get a flower identification book!
It takes time but we get the usual dandelions and buttercups plus a list of other less obvious "weeds": violets, eggs n bacon, black medick, plantain, white and purple clover, mosses and so on.
Wouldn't have it any other way and the bees love it. What's the point of a lawn without flowers ? Best of all on a summers evening when you sit there with a gin and tonic watching the bees working it over.

Our neighbour does the opposite - mows 3 times a day, sprays for weeds, goes down on his hands and knees to get them out etc. How does it look? Really really boring!

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Since I have been unable to keep on top of lawn mowing, my lawn resembles a wild-flower meadow. There's a gardener in hand, but t'moment the patch is something of an eyesore. There's an upside though. Yesterday I caught sight of a goldfinch busy eating seeds from groundsel. (Or something!) Of course my phone was not in my pocket!

Today a friend of mine sent me the following link. Quite a coincidence.

http://www.chonday.com/Videos/peacwatchju3

Enjoy folks.


John

That video was really rather nice John

 

[Lons]

I love that John, thanks for posting.

we have a family of 4 goldfinches and a pair of bullfinches feed on the lawn every day. beautiful birds.

cheers
Bob

 

[Benchwayze]

I have sorted out that the plant the bird was feeding on was Ragwort. I believe we are encouraged to root that stuff out. Presumably though, the seeds are not toxic to birds.

Unfortunately for the wildlife, the patch will be cut back next month. I think I'll try and keep it about 200mm length in future. That should be enough to satisfy the 'manicured lawn' brigade; yes Jacob?

 

[Jacob]

I have sorted out that the plant the bird was feeding on was Ragwort. I believe we are encouraged to root that stuff out. Presumably though, the seeds are not toxic to birds.

Unfortunately for the wildlife, the patch will be cut back next month. I think I'll try and keep it about 200mm length in future. That should be enough to satisfy the 'manicured lawn' brigade; yes Jacob?

I cut mine about 2" every few weeks. It's still a lawn but a golfer wouldn't rate it as a putting green.
It means trimming off the flowers except for those in the undergrowth but they all grow back pronto. Ragwort wouldn't survive 2" cutting though it does seed in the lawn every spring.
Anyway ragwort isn't as bad as they make out unless you keep horses in the garden. It's also habitat for the cinnabar moth and its spectacular stripy caterpillar, which turn up every year. And other moths and butterflies - we've had the (rarish) humming bird moth buzzing around ours.
I always allow some to thrive in our yard. http://www.ragwortfacts.com/ragwort-myths.html

I'm into weeds at the mo. Growing the biggest in the village (Aaron's Rod about 4ft high and still growing :shock: ) and hoping to have a village competition

 

[Benchwayze]

Jacob..

I saw just one of those larvae; last year, but I did see a number of the moths around the ragwort. (Day flying I believe)
'Maggots with football jerseys on'; I think that's the term for cinnabar larvae in Devon! I could be wrong.

 

[Jonzjob]

That would be classified as a handy bath I suppose.. We get some lovely birds in the 3 'baths' we have in the garden, but they don't do that. That really is lovely!!

I have had a few close encounters though. This, a cirl bunting, was recovering from a clout against our lounge window. It just wanted a cuddle I think?

 

[Benchwayze]

John...
That's a bit moving m'man! Hope he didn't leave you a thank you on your shirt!

I remember a similar problem when I was at Ryton-on-Dunsmore. The birds were continually flying into the large windows, on a first floor bridge, between two of the study-blocks. There were regular fatalities, and we solved the problem by sticking Hawk silhouettes to the glass. The birds got it straight away. No more dead pigeons!

John

 

[Jonzjob]

Well, you know what they say "a bird in the hand does it on yer wrist" :roll:

This is the front of our house and there is a silhouette of a hawk that I cut from hardboard hanging on the outside of each window. It's stopped a lot but not all.



I'm off into that pool now! It's 30ºC in the shade at the mo and getting warmer tomorrow and after!! I do like the warm. :mrgreen:

 

[Benchwayze]

I have to make do with a lukewarm shower John!
I have room for a pool and a pony, (As Hyacinth would say) but swimming with 'osses isn't my bag! :lol:

EWnjoy the Sun! =P~