Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2007 | Page 67

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING

life

Photo: House Sparrow
Box by David Kilby

“We try to identify
everything that comes in”
For Trust members John and Julie the
pleasure in re-creating a downland
meadow in their garden lies in
giving the land back to nature.
When John and Julie acquired their garden 20
years ago, it was little more than half an acre of
grass. But, being keen wildlife enthusiasts, they
had a plan; some would say a vision. Within
ten years the garden had been transformed.
Taking their cue from the chalky base of
the field and the scattering of downland
plants already growing among the grass,
they set about recreating a typical downland
area. “Much of the garden is what I’d call
‘pseudodownland’,” says John today, “it’s
covered in anthills and downland plants.
When we got here we added hedges and
shrubs and reintroduced wildflowers from
seed. Now we have knapweed, dog daisies,
several types of scabious and much more.”
Beyond the shrubs lies a large pond, planned
by the couple and dug by an excavator. Over
the years it has become something of a magnet
for wildlife. Adds John: “We were keen to
encourage amphibians. It’s very decorative
at this time of year with bogweed, yellow iris,
natural water lilies, marsh marigolds… we’ve
deliberately filled it with native plants. We get
lots of frogs in spring, and it attracts dragonflies
too. We’re not experts, but we try to identify
everything that comes into the garden.
“Elsewhere we have fruit trees, apples, plums,
pears, and the area underneath them is great
for cowslips. There’s a stream at the bottom
of the garden and we have left the bank fairly
natural. The water voles there like the shelter.”

Photo: PeterEmery
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is a charity. Join today and help your local wildlife www.hwt.org.uk
Island Life - www.isleofwight.net

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