Enhancing Wildlife Habitats in Collingbourne Ducis: Bird, Bats & Bugs!
In an effort to continue bolstering biodiversity and creating more welcoming environment for local wildlife, Collingbourne Ducis Parish Council has launched two exciting initiatives and we’d love your involvement!
Bird & Bat Haven
Our first initiative focuses on distributing bird and bat boxes to residents throughout the village.
These boxes serve as vital nesting spots for birds and roosting areas for bats, contributing significantly to the conservation of these species.
Providing safe spaces for birds and bats to nest and raise their young is crucial for their presence in Collingbourne Ducis. Birds play a pivotal role in controlling insect populations and reducing our reliance on harmful pesticides. Likewise, bats contribute to pollination and seed dispersal, fostering the overall health of our environment. Our aim is to ensure their continued positive impact on our local ecosystem.
The Parish Council has recently acquired 50 bird boxes and 20 bat boxes, ready to distribute to the community (see below)
Nurturing The Great Mere
In addition to our bird and bat box distribution, we're focused on creating habitats for bugs and slow worms in The Great Mere.
Though seemingly insignificant, bugs and slow worms are vital for maintaining the balance of our local environment. Log piles and suitable habitats support woodlice and other soil-dwelling creatures crucial for soil health. Slow worms, in particular, are a protected species in the UK. By providing suitable habitats for them, we are actively participating in their conservation efforts and enhancing the overall health and biodiversity of our natural spaces.
To create these habitats:
We're on the lookout for untreated wood, whether old branches, tree cuttings, or carpentry scraps, to fashion log piles in the mere.
For slow worms, we need old sheets of corrugated steel or similar materials, along with bricks or breeze blocks, to construct the habitats.
Get involved, get in touch
These projects aren't just quick fixes; they're investments in the long-term sustainability of our village. By fostering biodiversity and educating our community, we ensure that Collingbourne Ducis remains a vibrant and resilient environment for generations to come.
Residents wishing to instal the nesting boxes, donate items for bug and slow-worm habitats, or help build these habitats, please reach out to Thomas Earle, Chair of the Climate, Environment & Sustainability Committee, at thomas.earle@collingbourne-ducis.com.
Together, let's continue working towards protecting our wildlife and making Collingbourne Ducis a haven for all creatures, great and small.
