Leaf Litter ~ Blackbird Usutu Virus ~ Landscape Design

Fortnightly Field Notes From Nature

Leaf Litter

With autumn snapping at our heels, the first leaf litter is beginning to build. The early leaf-dropping trees are getting started, including the black hybrid poplars, and their fallen leaves are beginning to settle into the understorey.

If clearing leaves is your thing, then regular and rapid removal is probably the best approach. The sooner you clear them, the less chance wildlife has to move in.

Because leaf litter isn't simply dead material waiting to be tidied away. Many insects, including some native bees, use it to overwinter, while the larvae and pupae of some butterflies and moths shelter amongst fallen leaves and plant debris.

But leaf litter does more than provide somewhere for insects to spend the winter. It forms a protective blanket over the soil, helping to insulate it from frost and extremes of temperature, while also helping to retain moisture. As the leaves slowly break down, fungi, bacteria and other soil organisms get to work, turning that fallen vegetation into organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. What the tree drops becomes food for the soil.

And if you really can't resist clearing the leaves, set aside a pile somewhere quiet that can simply be left alone. It can become an overwintering refuge for insects, as well as providing leaves for hedgehogs to make their winter hibernation beds.

But if, like me, you don't mind the fallen leaves remaining where they fall, then let the autumn snow commence and settle. Let them build and build, and crunch and rustle underfoot; there is something wonderfully autumnal about it. And knowing that beneath my feet is a whole little world preparing itself for winter makes the sound even better.

Blackbirds ~ Suspected Usutu Virus

Something rather sad has been happening with the Blackbirds at Frowning Sparrow Woods. I had around eleven Blackbirds regularly visiting, but nearly all of them have now either become sick and disappeared into the wilderness, or died. I only have a few left, and I worry I may lose them all.

The majority of them became sick and grounded within the space of a week, having appeared perfectly well only days before. Other people in my village are witnessing the same thing happening to Blackbirds in their gardens. Some of the birds are displaying neurological symptoms, so it is possible that Usutu virus, a mosquito-borne virus, is the cause. This virus can cause severe illness and death in Blackbirds. It is something I've been aware of, but I never expected to see it happening here.

One of the Blackbirds that died at Frowning Sparrow Woods was sent for testing at London Zoo through Garden Wildlife Health, and I am waiting for the results to see if she died from the virus.

Whatever the cause, it is heartbreaking to witness so many of these beautiful birds becoming sick. The bird in the photograph below is currently in my garden, grounded but now ten days into whatever is making him sick. I'm keeping everything crossed that he pulls through.

Landscape Design and Winter Projects

With the wind kicking up and Frowning Sparrow Woods not safe to walk through, I'm alternating my time between revisiting my garden plans and setting up my stock bank of photographs. If I'm completely honest, cataloguing photographs is a very dull job, and I'm currently struggling to sit down and focus on it. Does anyone else struggle with the boring business jobs?

When it all starts to feel a bit overwhelming, I'm turning back to my drawing again. There is something about drawing that helps me think through things and get ideas out of my head and onto paper.

Over the winter months, when the land is quieter, I plan to do more creative projects. I have a small amount of planting I'd like to do before winter sets in as trials, but will start to design my wildlife garden and formulate the design for Frowning Sparrow Woods too, along with some fine art experimental photography.

So the coming Field Notes may look a bit different.

Behind the Lens

Slow Shutter - Wild Land

Until next time...