PROS AND CONS OF LOCKDOWN FOR WILDLIFE

There’s no doubt that the lack of human activity in our towns and cities is giving wildlife a boost. From dolphins swimming in Italy’s waterways to mountain goats invading Llandudno, some species are making the most of opportunities offered by the lockdown.

We might also expect that reduced grasscutting regimes in parks and on roadside verges would lead to more wild flowers and therefore insects flourishing, that a lack of human activity would lead to more successful nesting of anything from bumblebees to mice, voles and hedgehogs. A reduction in traffic on the roads should lead to less roadkill, while birds will surely be nesting in otherwise busy city centres.

But, with so many of us spending more time at home, we could have the opposite effect in gardens.

Take care when strimming long grass, dismantling sheds or tackling piles of garden waste, as you could disturb hedgehogs, which nest between now and September. Hedgehog mothers can abandon or even eat their young if disturbed – if you do uncover a nest, call your local hedgehog rescue immediately. They may need to collect the babies if they have been abandoned.

Do try to leave areas of the garden wild – let weeds flourish at the back of borders, let areas of grass grow long and let plants go to seed where possible. The lockdown is giving us all the opportunity to have beautiful gardens this year – let’s keep them flourishing and beneficial for wildlife.