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60 Ways to Help Wildlife in Herefordshire

This year, 2022, sees Herefordshire Wildlife Trust celebrate its 60th Birthday! While there are many achievements we can celebrate from our history, sadly, wildlife has continued to decline across the UK in this time. Today, we recognise that we cannot save nature alone – the job is too big. So, in this, our 60th year, we are asking you to help. We have listed 60 things that you can do to make a difference.

Let us know when you tick one off the list by sharing on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or let us know via email or post!

 

  1. Record what you’ve seen

Spotted a bird, butterfly or wildflower out on a walk? Whether rare or common, all wildlife records are important to help build our knowledge of wildlife locally and nationally which then informs how we can make positive changes. irecord is a good place to start:

irecord

  1. Become a collection tin volunteer

Take responsibility for checking and emptying a collection tin in a local shop or venue. 

Click here for how to get started.

  1. Pass it on

Share your love of wildlife with the next generation – take your grandchildren on woodland adventures, buy your niece her first binoculars or even volunteer to help with our Wildlife Watch groups. Its vital that children grow up treasuring the natural world, now more than ever.

  1. Litter pick

Litter is unsightly and a danger to wildlife and pollutes our waterways. Take a bag and gloves on your local walks and keep your patch safe.

  1. Sign a petition

Yes, it can make a difference! The Wildlife Trusts, other conservation organisations and individuals often run petitions or email campaigns to draw the government’s attention to issues from river pollution to damaging developments. Every signature adds to the impact of these campaigns so don’t scroll past!

Here’s a couple that are live now:

  1. Join a nature reserve work party

If you have one day a week, or month, spare, this is a great way to make a practical difference for wildlife, learn about habitat management, stay fit and make new friends! No previous experience necessary. More details of when are where work parties meet, and the sort of activities you will be involved in can be found on our Volunteering pages:

Find out more

  1. Like & share

Follow Herefordshire Wildlife Trust on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube and share our posts with your followers and friends – it all helps to spread the word!

  1. Question developments

We are often asked for advice on opposing new developments which threaten wildlife habitats. We do monitor planning applications in the county and oppose those which we believe negatively impact Herefordshire’s biodiversity, but we are a very small team so the more people that can support this work the better! Anyone can register to receive emails notifying them of applications in specific geographical areas. If a development is of concern, please do get in touch with us. For advice on objecting to a planning application, see: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/objecting-planning-applications

  1. Have a clear out

We accept clothes, books, homewares, small electrical items at our Ledbury Charity Shop. This month we are especially short of ladies clothes – stock is flying off the shelves faster than we can keep up with! Declutter and help raise money for wildlife at the same time.

More details here

  1. Pass it on

Already a member? Once you’ve finished reading your copy of Wildside or The Flycatcher, pass it on to a friend or venue to help spread the word!

  1. Recycle

We can accept used inkjet cartridges and old mobile phones for recycling (at our Ledbury Shop and Queenswood Country Park Visitor Centre) – which raises money for our conservation work across the county. We also host a crisp packet recycling scheme at Queenswood– a little less for landfill.

  1. Where’s your food from?

Buy locally grown food wherever possible to reduce your dinner’s carbon footprint. Climate change and biodiversity loss are inextricably linked; tackling climate change will benefit our wildlife locally and globally. Start with signing up to a veg box (Herefordshire has several great schemes) for fantastic seasonal and local food. Or, grow your own!

  1. Help a toad across the road

Toads follow historic migratory routes to ponds and lakes each spring where they mate and spawn. Sadly, their routes often cross roads, many of which have become busier over the decades, so their annual journey becomes far more risky. If you’ve spotted toads on or near a road near you (they usually cross from dusk onwards, during the early evening), consider setting up a toad patrol to give them a helping hand. You can find out how to go about it and register a patrol at: https://www.froglife.org/what-we-do/toads-on-roads/

  1. Love the bugs

Pesticide use in gardens and farms is short-term fix but is disastrous for our insect populations in the long term. We have experienced a major decline in insect abundance in our lifetimes and this must be halted. Go pesticide free in your gardens and choose organic fruit and veg.

15. Eat your leftovers

Reducing how much food you throw away will save you money and encourage you to eat healthier. Food waste generates about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. So anything you can do to limit what you chuck in the bin will make a big difference to your carbon footprint. Check out our 10 top tips here: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/reduce-food-waste

16. Avoid palm oil

This one is surprisingly difficult as palm oil is found in over half of all packaged products sold in UK supermarkets from pastry and biscuits to soap and make-up. Palm oil accounted for around 8% of global deforestation between 1990 and 2008 and a third of all mammal species in Indonesia are critically endangered as a consequence of unsustainably farmed palm oil. It’s tedious but please always check the label. Read more at: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-cut-out-palm-oil-not-trees

    17. Go peat free

Peat is dug out of wild places, damaging some of the last remaining peatlands in both the UK and overseas. This process also releases carbon into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change. Sadly, more than 94% of the UK’s lowland peat bogs have been destroyed or damaged, and a wealth of wildlife has disappeared along with it. As well as buying peat free compost (or making your own,) check plants have been grown peat free before purchasing.

More info here 

18. Report it

While we may regularly moan about the underfunding and thus ineffectiveness of our environmental statutory agencies, you should still report anything you think is an issue. If you suspect a pollution incident of a river has occurred or environmental damage done, call the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60.

19. Eat less, and better, meat and dairy

Global greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based foods are twice those of plant-based foods while across the world meat and dairy provide just 18% of our calories and 37% of our protein but the vast majority – 83% – of farmland . Joan Edwards OBE, Director Policy and Public Affairs of The Wildlife Trusts, says: “Every meal we eat has an impact not just on us, but also on our natural environment and the wildlife that lives there. It’s crucial that people are aware of the impact their diet has… doing so is a crucial part of our efforts to tackle climate change.”  Only buying locally produced, organic meat can help to cut your carbon footprint while choosing grass-fed, extensively produced meat will have less impact on the environment too.

Find more advice here

20. Highways for hedgehogs

Make sure there is a CD-sized hole in your garden fence so hedgehogs can come in and out. And then, spread the word along your street and create a hedgehog highway! Hedgehog numbers have fallen by 30 percent in just over 10 years and its now thought that there may be fewer than 1 million left in the UK. They are disappearing from our countryside as fast as tigers are worldwide. More ways to help hedgehogs: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/what-do-if-you-find-wild-animal/help-hedgehog

21. Join a Community Group – or start one!

More can be achieved when we team up! Whether it’s changing the mowing regime of verges in your village, planting street trees or adopting a neglected green space, working as a community can bring great results. Through our Team Wilder initiative, we support community groups with advice and practical help and help to connect individuals with groups near them.

Find out more

22. The power of the pound

Consumer action can drive positive change so really think about how and where you spend your money. Where possible support local businesses with strong eco credentials who champion sustainability and source products ethically.

23. Pesticide free town

There is a growing movement with towns across the world going pesticide free. Could your town do it? Why not contact your council and start the ball rolling!

24. Keep learning – explore online

Since we all learned to use Zoom in the last few year, online talks and videos have taken off and can be a great way to learn more about wildlife from the comfort of your own home! Details of upcoming online talks organised by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and our local branches can be found on our website here: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/events and many past talks have been recorded and can now be found on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7JvxlsnFo95e9bIZ7UTGyw

25. Buy second-hand

The endless quest for the new drives the exploitation of resources and climate change. Make this the year you switch to shopping second-hand – it has never been easier! (Did we mention we have a charity shop in Ledbury stacked full of lovely pre-loved items? )

26. Buy land!

Owning and managing land for wildlife is one of the most straightforward ways to help our wildlife – but, of course, is not something everyone has the resources do! An alternative would be to donate to Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s Land Purchase Fund – every pound helps!

Donate Today!

27. Build a pond

A wildlife pond is one of the single best features for attracting new wildlife to the garden. It is thought that some amphibians, such as frogs, are now more common in garden ponds than in the countryside. You can build a pond at any time during the year, but if you start in autumn or late winter, it will get established much quicker. Here’s how: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/actions/how-build-pond (Or, if you’re short on space, try a mini-pond: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-create-mini-pond

28. Control that cat!

Though the few birds and mammals your cat brings in may not seem enough to affect overall populations, it is likely they can affect local populations of garden birds. With so many species of birds suffering with declining populations, keeping your cat in at night and/ or attaching a bell to their collar is a good precaution to take.

29. Repair Shop

Fix what you already have before buying new. There are a number of repair cafes running in Herefordshire when you can take things to be mended – and learn how to fix things for yourself next time! If you do need to buy something new, look for items which can be repaired (even some mobile phones, for example, are now designed to be reparable rather than obsolete!).

30. Ditch the plastic

Now a common refrain but how much effort do we really put into avoiding plastic packaging? It’s hard when you’re busy and your local supermarket offers few options but keep up the effort! Here’s some pointers to get you on track: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-use-less-plastic

31. Brush up your ID skills

As well as giving you another way to connect to nature, being able to accurately identify species means you can confidently submit records. (See number 1!) Check out our Events listings for upcoming courses: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/events. Our friends at Hidden Herefordshire also have some great courses running in 2022: https://hbrc.org.uk/events/

32. Become a member of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust

The more members, the louder our voice, the greater our resources and the more we can achieve. One of the best ways to support nature conservation in the county. Join today (or buy a gift membership for a friend of you’re already a member!) 

Join Today

33. Become a meadow-maker

Let wildlife into your lawn: cut less often, leave some areas long or take part in ‘no mow May’. Tips to get started:  https://www.herefordshirewt.org/actions/how-grow-wild-patch-or-mini-meadow

34. Switch to green energy

Energy used in buildings accounts for around 17% of total emissions. Reducing your household energy use by switching to a renewable energy supplier or purchasing a heat pump will help cut down. More at: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/change-your-energy-use

35. Plant a tree or shrub

Trees and shrubs in our gardens are so important for small birds such as house sparrows to shelter and nest in. All shrubs provide important cover but for added benefit, pick a native, berry-bearing species such as elder or rowan.

36. Take care using flea treatments on pets

Many flea treatments commonly used on cats and dogs contain neonicotinoid insecticides and these are extremely harmful to many insects when they come into contact with the natural environment e.g. when your pet brushes through grass or swims in a river. To minimise harm, only treat your pet for fleas when necessary, not routinely and ask your vet for advice on chemical-free options.

37. Shout out loud!

For us to really achieve significant changes both to government policies and individuals’ behaviours, we have to make caring about nature and our environment normal; they need to be things that everyone is thinking about and taking into account in their daily lives. This means we have to keep talking – and shouting! If you’ve completed one of the things on this list – tell a friend. If it’s a big thing, tell your parish magazine, local radio station or newspaper. And, if you see something you think is harming our wildlife or environment, tell people about that too!

38. Feed the birds? Ensure you are doing so safely.

Diseases that affect garden birds are spread when feeding sites are contaminated with the droppings or saliva of infected birds. The risk increases when many birds feed at the same places day after day for long periods. To minimise the risks of disease:

  • Use several feeding sites around the garden to reduce bird numbers at any one place
  • Rotate between feeding sites, so not all are in constant use
  • Only fill up feeders with as much food as the birds take. Don't leave food hanging around in feeders for days to go mouldy
  • Clear up any food that is left under feeders at the end of the day
  • Clean feeders/feeding sites regularly using warm soapy water or 5% disinfectant, especially in the months between January and May. Make sure to rinse any disinfectant off thoroughly and always allow feeders to air-dry completely before adding food
  • Maintain careful hygiene. Brushes and equipment used to clean feeders, tables and baths shouldn’t be used for other purposes. Rubber gloves should be worn and hands washed afterwards.

Thanks to Sussex Wildlife Trust for these top tips!

39. Report Wildlife Crime

Sadly, wildlife crime remains a threat in the UK. Hare coursing, persecution of birds of prey, disturbance of bat roosts, badger persecution and egg collection all still take place. If you see something suspicious, always report it on 101. More information at: https://www.westmercia.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-crime/

40. Write to your MP or local councillor

While The Wildlife Trusts often run email campaigns on current issues, you don’t need to wait for us before sharing concerns. Whether you’re mad about river pollution, incensed by out-of-season hedge cutting or disgusted by dog poo, put it in writing. The more people raise an issue, the more likely action will follow. Change can take time but keep up the conservation!

41. Swift action

Swifts were moved from the amber list to the red list of conservation concern in 2021 as populations have fallen by 58% since 1995. As a lack of suitable nesting sites is speeding this decline, swift expert Sarah Gibson advises: “Retaining existing nest holes is the best thing you can do as swifts are very site faithful. If carrying out roof renovation or insulation during the summer, ensure that access holes are not blocked by scaffolding and that they’re retained for the future. Installing a swift box or two, at least five metres high, is a great way to help swifts but it can take time for the birds to find them. Playing swift calls can speed things up. If you’re thinking of buying a newly-built house, ask your builder to incorporate swift bricks. Help swifts find food by gardening in a wildlife-friendly way. Insects from your garden may spiral into the air and be snapped up the birds.” Swift boxes are available to buy from: https://www.vinehousefarm.co.uk/bird-care/nest-boxes

42. Fundraise

Various obstacles limit the reach of our conservation work but one thing we could always do with more of is cash! From sponsored walks to bake sales and coffee mornings, there are lots of fun ways to fundraise for us. General donations are always great but you might also be inspired to raise money for something specific – a new sign at your local nature reserve, for example. To get started download our Fundraising Pack at: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/fundraise

43. Host a talk

Could your group, school or workplace host a wildlife talk? Why not get colleagues and friends together for a ‘learning lunch’ and invite a speaker from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust to tell you about a recent project.

44. Litter Pick

We shouldn’t need to but we do. Lots of litter picking groups are spring up around the county and villages often organise litter picking days so you needn’t go it alone – though a quiet solo litter pick can be quite therapeutic!

45. Go native

Add native trees and wildflowers to your window boxes and garden borders. Native plants are best for attracting and providing for our native wildlife, they thrive in our gardens and are incredibly beautiful! Never take plants from the wild however, find a local nursery instead – or embrace those which just turn up! (Just don’t call them weeds!)

46. Keep reading

The study of our wildlife, our environment and our climate is continual, and increasing, and so, therefore, is our understanding of how best to conserve our wildlife and wild habitats. Keeping ourselves informed – from scientific papers to wildlife magazines – can inspire us to action and ensure our actions are as effective as possible. (Oh, and it just so happens we have an excellent natural history book selection in our shop… https://www.herefordshirewt.org/shop#!/Natural-History-and-the-Outdoors/c/37790014 )

47. Be a responsible dog owner

Dogs are often responsible for getting us out into nature and our enjoyment of the great outdoors is completed by a canine companion at foot. However, its so important to remember that dogs are not native animals, they are viewed as predators by wildlife and cause disturbance if not actual harm their faeces can be extremely harmful to people, livestock and sensitive natural environments. Always consider where you take your dog, keep your dog on a lead unless you are sure it won’t disturb wildlife and always, always pick up dog poo and take it home if there isn’t a bin. Please note that many of our nature reserves do allow dogs on site, others are dogs-on leads only.

48. Be an eco-tourist

A great way to support sustainable, nature-friendly land management is to stay in places that do just that! Most well know in the UK is Knepp where you can camp on site and go on wildlife safaris around their rewilded estate but many farms are diversifying to offer stays in wildlife-friendly sites.

49. Get to know your patch

So many good points here: walking local footpaths helps to keep them open and encourages others to follow in your footsteps; we all know that walking is good for our mental health and walking locally can also ground you in a landscape and make you feel even more at home in your area; there’s no need to get in the car if you take local walks, helping your carbon footprint again and finally, and most importantly, you can keep tabs on your local wildlife, report any sightings (see number one) and report anything you may spot that seems amiss.

50. More trees?

Tree planting is usually top of the list for positive environmental actions but it needs a little thought. Trees shouldn’t be planted on existing habitats which are already good for wildlife such as meadows or wetlands, it’s important to pick suitable (native) tree species for suitable places, and important to check the provenance of a new tree or sapling. It’s nearly always a good idea to plant a tree in your garden, however, or in urban spaces – you may have to team up with your neighbours and get in touch with the local council to get this started. If you have a larger space to fill, consider an orchard. Apple and pear trees often mature faster than other species and so provide mature habitat more quickly, plus fallen fruits are welcomed by a host of birds, mammals and insects. More information about planting trees can be found on our website: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/wildlife/tree-planting or get in touch for further advice.

51. Take part in the Herefordshire Ornithological Club’s Garden Bird Watch

This is a survey based on weekly records of the birds in your garden. Just count the maximum number of each species seen at any one time during the week, and enter the number on a form. These garden bird records are added to our county database and contribute to both county and national records. For further information go to: https://www.herefordshirebirds.org/projects

52. Leave a gift in your Will

A gift in your Will is a gift to local wildlife and future generations. Just a 1% gift in your Will to your local Wildlife Trust will protect nature and the wild places you love. You can find out more at https://www.herefordshirewt.org/legacy or get in touch directly if you’d like to chat about leaving us a gift.

53. Build for bugs

A bug hotel can be an elaborate, multi-storey edifice (like this: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/actions/how-build-bug-mansion), or it can be as simple as a chopped-up bamboo cane stuffed in a plant pot – bugs aren’t too fussy about aesthetics. If you have a small garden with little space for a wild area or logs piles, a small plant pot pad will be gratefully received.

54. Take part in a citizen survey

Taking part in a citizen survey and recording your sightings helps identify the state of nature across the UK. Here are just some projects you can take part in:

55. What effect has recent weather had on wildlife? Does climate change affect timings in nature? Join Nature’s Calendar and help scientists discover answers to these questions. From leaf buds bursting to blackberries ripening, let Nature's Calendar know what’s happening near you. You'll be contributing to a long biological record that dates back as far as 1736. https://naturescalendar.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

56. Support the Herefordshire Curlew Project

Curlew declined by 46% across the UK from 1994 to 2010 and the species was added to the UK red list in in December 2015. The exact number of breeding pairs of curlew in Herefordshire is unknown but is estimated to now be less than 25 pairs. The Herefordshire Curlew Project is hoping to help to reverse this decline. There are a number of ways you can get involved:

57. Volunteer with your local branch group

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust currently has local branch groups based at Aymestrey, Black Mountains, Hereford City, Kington, Marden, Ross-on-Wye and Weobley. Branches organise their own programmes of activities from talks and walks to practical volunteering days and social events. Branches are often looking for more people to get involved and help with admin or finance or organising events. Keen to see a group in your local area? Why not be the founding member? We can support you with getting set up and finding volunteers to help.

58. Build a box

Many species of birds and mammals such as bats prefer to nest in holes in trees but, with shrinking woodlands and a dearth of big old trees in our landscapes, there’s often not enough to go around. Give wildlife a helping hand by building a bird box (https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-nesting-box-birds) or bat box (https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-bat-box ). If you don’t have a suitable spot to hang it, consider making one to donate to a local school or green space.

  1. Don’t discriminate!

Even ardent nature fans often have a species they claim to dislike – often due to a misconception or misplaced fear. Here are three species to rethink:

  1. Ivy. Growing up trees and old walls, carpeting the ground, and forming thick bushes if left unchecked, this creeping plant is not actually a parasite, as many might think, but only gets support from its host. This host might be a house, shed or a tree in woodland, but none of them will suffer for it. The yellow-green flowers of ivy are a great source of nectar for autumn insects, such as hornets, honeybees and red admiral butterflies. Ivy also provides roosting sites for bats and birds, and a home for hibernating insects.
  2. Wasps. Wasps eat flies, aphids, caterpillars and other invertebrates, making them an important insect-controlling predator. They are also important pollinators for some species of orchid and figs! Wasps are amazing architects, building paper nests from chewed up wood which are made up of combs of hexagonal paper cells. Wasp nests are home to some of our most beautiful, pollinating hoverflies.[1]
  3. Spiders. These amazing animals are a vital part of our ecosystems, feeding on an astounding number of insects. It's estimated that across the world, spiders eat between 400 and 800 million tons of insects and other invertebrates a year. Many of the insects they eat are considered pests of food crops, garden plants and even people, so having spiders around is a great natural alternative to pesticides.[2]

60. Turn off the lights

Artificial light shining at night can be a huge problem for wildlife. The RHS has these tips for reducing light impact:

  • Position lights as low as possible and aim them downwards or to where they're needed. When angling lights make sure you think about how it impacts on your neighbours too (such as not glaring right into their windows) and always position them considerately
  • Fit hoods over the light to reduce light pollution of the night sky
  • Turn garden lights off when not in use or use PIR motion sensors or timers for essential or security lighting so they only come on when absolutely necessary
  • Choose low-intensity lighting and warmer hues (warm white, yellow or amber): solar lighting is cheap, safe and emits a dull glow suitable for garden use
  • Encourage local councils to adopt switch-off schemes for street lighting: even part-night lighting instead of full-night lighting has been found to reduce negative impact on the behaviour of moths

 

 

 

[1] Buglife, https://cdn.buglife.org.uk/2019/08/wonderful-wasps.pdf

[2] https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/guest/living-spiders