Hatch Warren Nature Group

04/09/2026

19/08/2026

We're climbing into this week's to focus on ivy.

We've recently spotted signs of ivy being cut back from trees in some of our open spaces, likely by well-meaning residents. However, ivy is actually a valuable native plant that supports a wide variety of wildlife. Contrary to a common myth, ivy doesn't strangle trees or steal their nutrients. It has its own roots and simply uses trees as a natural framework to grow towards the light.

Its flowers, berries and evergreen foliage provide food and shelter at a time of year when resources can be scarce. Birds, insects, small mammals and even hibernating bats all benefit from the habitat ivy creates.

So if you spot ivy climbing a tree, please leave it be. It's doing an important job in supporting nature and helping our local wildlife thrive.

28/07/2026

With the current hot, dry weather and the recent devastating wildfires we've seen across the UK and Europe, we're asking everyone to take extra care when enjoying our parks and open spaces.

Although the warm weather makes it tempting, please don't light campfires or use disposable barbecues in public parks or open spaces. Please also make sure you use the bins provided for litter - or take it home.

Wildfires can spread rapidly, destroying habitats and causing serious harm to wildlife, as well as putting people, property and green spaces at risk. The damage they leave behind is often costly to repair and can take years for nature to recover from.

28/07/2026

Some great ideas here to help birds

The broadcaster and birder Bill Oddie inspired generations of us to look up, listen out and appreciate the birds around us. In his memory, here's a reminder that even small changes in our gardens can make a real difference to the birds we love...

Grow berry-producing trees and shrubs
Rowan, hawthorn, holly and pyracantha provide valuable food from autumn through winter. Find more plants to feed birds here: https://bit.ly/3TXrjQ0

Leave seedheads standing
Sunflowers, teasels, knapweed and ornamental grasses provide a natural feast for finches, sparrows and other seed-eating birds.

Provide fresh water
Keep a bird bath or shallow dish clean and topped up for drinking and bathing all year round.

Plant native trees and shrubs

Species such as silver birch, hazel, and elder support insects and provide food and shelter for birds.

Create shelter for nesting

Dense hedges, ivy, honeysuckle, and areas of long vegetation provide birds with safe places to nest and hide.

Put up a nest box
Encourage blue t**s, robins, sparrows and other familiar garden birds to breed.

Let some grass grow long
Longer grass supports insects and provides seeds for species such as goldfinches and sparrows.

Keep feeders and bird baths clean
When you have feeders out during the colder months, make sure they are cleaned regularly to reduce the spread of disease and keep visiting birds healthy. You can find the RSPB’s latest guidelines for feeding seasonally and safely here: https://bit.ly/4cKPAzM

26/07/2026

23/07/2026

22/07/2026

Water is so important in any garden