Find out the answers to all this seasons topical wildlife questions. If you have a question then why not contact WildCall on 01273 494777 or email WildCall
Qu: What planting can I add to my garden to attract badgers?
A: Ensuring you have grass in your garden is a great way to attract badgers ideally some areas of the lawn should be mown regularly so that the grass is short enough for the badgers to find earthworms. Earthworms are their main food. However do not be alarmed you can still have areas of long grass as they offer cover for possible prey such as short tailed field voles and wood mice.If you want to plant other native plants that offer favoured food sources think about elder and bramble, since badgers are very fond of blackberries. Other food supplies can be gained from wild cherry, blackthorn, hawthorn, crab apple, guilder rose, apple and pear trees. Oak could also be planted in the longer term these would provide acorns which are said to provide a valuable source of autumn food for badgers in years when the acorn crop is good.
I have spotted a huge yellow and black stripy spider can you tell me what it is?
A: From your brief description it sounds as if you have found a female wasp spider. The appearance of this spider gives it its name and acts to deter predators. The females which can reach up to 17mm are very distinct with yellow and black stripy legs. The male of the species is much small at only 4 -5mm and pale brown in colour.This species is increasingly common in the south east of England. The wasp spider which is a non native species is thought to have been introduced from Europe. The first reported sighting was in 1922 although it is possible that the spider was here before that date. The species which native range is around the Mediterranean Sea has been report as far north as Cambridge.
The best time to see these spiders is during July to October when they can be seen in their webs. Wasp spiders build their webs in long grass or low growing vegetation. The web has a vertical zigzag pattern of silk in it called a stabilimentum. The reason for the zig zag pattern is still not clear. However theories suggest it is thought that it helps attract insects, while others have suggested that it makes the web more stable or deters birds flying through the large webs. The location of the webs in long grass makes them ideal traps for the wasp spiders favoured prey grasshoppers. Why not let us know if you have seen one of these spiders.
Qu: Can you advise on the best supplementary feeding for my garden birds this winter?
A: Even though we all try to manage our gardens to provide a source of naturally available food there will always be times when this food source is scarce no matter how big your garden is. While this may result in birds moving out of your garden to find alternative food sources they can also benefit from some supplementary feeding. This is because so many small birds need to spend their waking lives feeding for example approximately 90% of coal tits waking life is spent looking for food. If small birds fail to keep up their energy levels they can become weak and prolonged food shortages can prove fatal especially in harsh weather.
The supplementary feed you provide can help to increase the survival chances of small garden birds. However if you do decide to provide supplementary feeding ensure that you provide food that is regular and reliably as the birds may come to dependent on that food during harsh weather. The food you select for birds is also important and it does not have to be expensive left over’s can offer great nutrients including cooked potatoes, pastry, brown bread, dried fruit, grated cheese, unsalted nuts. There are also a huge number of bird seed products on the market each one aimed at attracting different birds. For example coal tits favour sun flower hearts and black sunflower seeds but to attract goldfinches a special seed feeder filled with nyjer seed which is tiny and oil rich is the order of the day. However you decide to feed your birds this winter remember to keep it clean by removing mouldy food and to wash feeders and tables down every 1-2 weeks.
Qu: Apart from hedgehogs what other wildlife should we look out for on bonfire night?
A: We would always encourage you to check piles of wood that is to be lit for firework night. It is not only hedgehogs that hid under woodpiles frogs and toads both like to hide away at the bottom of wood piles. If you are planning a fire for Bonfire Night, make sure you check right to the bottom of the heap before lighting it to save them from being trapped by the flames. Better still, store the wood in a different spot to where it will be burned.
Copyright Sussex Wildlife Trust January 2009
WildCall Factsheet disclaimer: All information contained within Sussex Wildlife Trust WildCall factsheets is to the best of our knowledge true and accurate at the time of printing. The Sussex Wildlife Trust will not accept any responsibility or liability for any losses or damage resulting from following the advice given.