Chew-chew-chew

WOODPECKER WOES

Two years ago we put up a bee hotel in our garden (below). There were 60 solitary bees in it when we went on holiday, but when we came back two weeks later, it was nearly empty.

We found out why the next day when we drew the curtains and saw a woodpecker emptying the last of the holes.

I have now put wire mesh over the front as protection. It is also a good idea to remove any spiderwebs from the front of a bee hotel as the bees get caught and killed on their way in. I use a small stick to clean away any cobwebs each morning.

At the moment we have nearly 70 solitary bees, including two leaf-cutter bees, using our hotel. Ray Wardhaugh, via email

BURNING OF MOORLAND

I read Andrew Griffiths ‘Fire on the hills’ article (October 2020 issue) about the practice of burning moorland vegetation.

I thought this had stopped due to changing laws, and the burning was being replaced with grazing by cattle, ponies and sheep. As the fires affect insects, birds and other wildlife – even if the fires are tightly controlled – I thought that farmers and landowners had decided to use other, more environmentally friendly ways to continue the work needed for grouse shoots.

Kate Gairrusso, Cheshire

Andrew Griffiths replies:

Controlled burning of moorland, known as muirburn, is still used to control upland vegetation, particularly on grouse moorlands. It provides short, fresh growth for the grouse to eat.

The pros and cons of burning as a land management tool are contested.

The Government’s legislation to ban burning on English moors fell short of what campaigners were hoping for. While it bans burning on deep peat (defined as over 40cm in depth), burning is still allowed on shallower peat and awkward ground. Burning is still preferred by many grouse moor managers, but the trend is certainly away from burning and towards cutting.

I took this photograph in my garden – I think it’s rather fun. I’ve captioned it ‘Caterpillar conga’.

Jane E Fuell, Wolverhampton