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#30DaysWild Day 4 – Collecting material

Overdue for some time is the furnishings for a modest bug hotel built in to the wall of the raised bed above the wildlife pond. It made sense to me to build one near the pond. Why I’ve taken so long to finish this is anyone’s guess.

Today saw furnishing material gathered on a family favourite beech and woodland walk at Tentsmuir Forest/Kinshaldy Beach near St Andrews. Sadly, for safety reasons, a number of very tall pine trees in the car park had to be felled due to wind damage earlier this year. The area has been dramatically transformed and is taking some getting used to that’s for sure.

There still many trees in Tentsmuir forest so habitat loss to wildlife shouldn’t be as bad as the shade loss to parked cars of families, dog walkers and cyclists visiting this very popular area. Collecting cones, twigs and bits of bark from the felled pine trees feels like bringing home family memories. Giving new wildlife in my garden a home with this material seems a great way to complete that 🙂

More than enough furnishing material for a modest bug hotel.

The part build of the modest bug hotel in need of completion.

Now it’s a case of getting creative with a modest space – a job for tomorrow maybe? I would also like to do a Sunday morning bird count as it’s been a while since I’ve done one. There should be plenty birds to count just now but we all know what happens when a bird count starts – the birds hide! The ones below were caught by the camera today 🙂

As mentioned on Day 2, the Starling juveniles found the running water.

As mentioned on Day 3, the Starling parents got distracted by the fat cake.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker mentioned on Day 3, came back for fat cake.
I’m guessing he’s feeding chicks too. He is handsome isn’t he?

This post was published by Shirley for shirls gardenwatch in June 2016.

4 thoughts on “#30DaysWild Day 4 – Collecting material

  1. I love the beginnings of your bug hotel. I have a couple of places that are bug friendly. I will have to do a post about them. They aren't 'pretty' but useful. We have all sorts of critters in the garden. My new camera doesn't take close up pictures very good. It is better for overall photos. I miss my little camera that had a decent macro on it. OH well… Love your birdie photos. That woodpecker is handsome.

  2. Hello again to you all, thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments 🙂

    Sue, Thanks – it’s fun capturing them 🙂

    Lisa, Thanks, I didn’t get round to furnishing my bug hotel today but I’m a step further forward. Exactly, bug friendly doesn’t need to be pretty. I’ve got too much material I suspect so I’ll need to think where the rest will go. All these critters help the gardener in one way or another don’t’ they. Ah, I’ve changed cameras over the years (more video ones than still ones) and I always miss the previous ones. I guess I don’t take many macro photos but I can easily imagine how you’d miss that feature. I’ve been told that woodpecker was back today (I never saw him) – he just begs to be photographed! My husband captured a small video clip for me to see it 🙂

    Janneke, Thanks, he had some some beak on him didn’t he 😉

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