Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2010 | Page 55

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING

February/March 2010

life

Mistletoe

Badgers

Wood Anemone

Better known as an ancient sacred plant
associated with the Winter Solstice or for its
present day role at Christmas as an ‘excuse’
to ‘kiss under the mistletoe’. It does in fact
start flowering in March. Tiny greenishyellow flowers burst from the stem that, are
out performed by the white berries later in
the year.

Although badgers may mate at just
about any time of the year, February is
the peak month of the badger’s mating
season. However, because they have a
delayed implantation reproduction system,
effectively, suspending the fertilised egg in
the womb or uterus, it means, most badger
cubs are born in early February.

Brightens up, even the dullest of February
wintry days with its white flowers, which
can form a carpet on ancient woodland
floors. If found along hedge banks and in
pastures it may indicate the site of a former
woodland! The flower seems to dance in
the breeze, probably why it is also known as
‘Windflower’!

Cold Comfort for Garden Birds
The RSPB is appealing for people to
spare a thought for birds that need
our help to survive during the cold
winter snaps. Finding food and
eating enough is the greatest test for
wild birds. During very cold spells
more birds will visit our gardens.

Providing food like meal worms,
fat balls, crushed peanuts, dried
fruit, seeds and grain will help them
survive. Don’t forget, water is vital
for both drinking and bathing. www.
rspbshop.co.uk

West Wight Landscape Partnership
Following the success of the fruit
pruning workshops at Afton Park,
there is now a waiting list for
next year! If you are interested
in a FREE fruit tree pruning
workshop, please get in touch
with the WWLP office either by
phone (759779) or visit their new

website. Have a look at what
they’ve been doing and if you
have missed the workshops, there
is a downloadable guide to winter
pruning. Next round of grant
applications due by end of April.
www.wwlp.co.uk

NFU AGM
At this years NFU AGM, The
Conservation Award was given
to Patrick and Susannah Seely
of Dunsbury Farm in recognition
of their countryside and wildlife
management . Alan Parker and
Chris Hynes of Arreton Valley
Nursery and Wight Salads were
Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com

presented the Outram Trophy
for services to agriculture. NFU
President, Peter Kendall spoke
positively about the future of
farming and presented the awards.
Isle_of_Wight_Agency@nfumutual.
co.uk

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