April 2020 Wildlife Survey on Edinburgh's Allotments - Click here to download the table of sightings.
It's been a challenging time to survey wildlife on our allotments. On the one hand, our plots have been an escape and a refuge for many of us. On the other, our time there is supposed to be limited as part of our exercise, and our minds may be on other concerns. But most people have noticed how nature has come more into focus. What I've been most aware of is how clear the birdsong is without a background hum (or roar, even) of traffic, and its been a joy to tune into their different voices.
Many thanks to Mike Anderson, Ernie Watt and Stewart Henderson for sending me their April sightings. The Craigentinny site used the project as a collaborative effort to strengthen community solidarity, and a way to involve people who didn't know so much, but wanted to learn – a great idea. Mike collated sightings from more than a quarter of their plotholders.
An impressive diversity of birdlife was sighted - 35 species in, around or over 4 sites – from Sparrows and Finches to Buzzards and Peregrines (see table). The first Swallows were seen on the 21st at Craigentinny, the 24th at Inverleith and 28th at Lady Road – lovely to know they are back and that summer is here. Seven species of butterfly were reported, with Peacock appearing early in the month and Orange Tips later, and a Painted Lady at Craigentinny had possibly overwintered.
Bumblebees proved more tricky to identify, but at least 2 different species were spotted at Craigentinny, as well as Carder bees, and 1 species at Lady Road. Craigentinny also reported 7-spot ladybirds, hoverflies, common wasps and black ants.
We'll repeat the survey in July and again in November, so feel free to join in – hopefully our lives will be more normal then – but remember, Nature is always there for you!
Chris McKinnell (Lady Road)
It's been a challenging time to survey wildlife on our allotments. On the one hand, our plots have been an escape and a refuge for many of us. On the other, our time there is supposed to be limited as part of our exercise, and our minds may be on other concerns. But most people have noticed how nature has come more into focus. What I've been most aware of is how clear the birdsong is without a background hum (or roar, even) of traffic, and its been a joy to tune into their different voices.
Many thanks to Mike Anderson, Ernie Watt and Stewart Henderson for sending me their April sightings. The Craigentinny site used the project as a collaborative effort to strengthen community solidarity, and a way to involve people who didn't know so much, but wanted to learn – a great idea. Mike collated sightings from more than a quarter of their plotholders.
An impressive diversity of birdlife was sighted - 35 species in, around or over 4 sites – from Sparrows and Finches to Buzzards and Peregrines (see table). The first Swallows were seen on the 21st at Craigentinny, the 24th at Inverleith and 28th at Lady Road – lovely to know they are back and that summer is here. Seven species of butterfly were reported, with Peacock appearing early in the month and Orange Tips later, and a Painted Lady at Craigentinny had possibly overwintered.
Bumblebees proved more tricky to identify, but at least 2 different species were spotted at Craigentinny, as well as Carder bees, and 1 species at Lady Road. Craigentinny also reported 7-spot ladybirds, hoverflies, common wasps and black ants.
We'll repeat the survey in July and again in November, so feel free to join in – hopefully our lives will be more normal then – but remember, Nature is always there for you!
Chris McKinnell (Lady Road)