By David Nesham
As part of Rodley Nature Reserve’s management programme an area is prepared each year to provide winter food for birds during the “hungry gap” period October until March.
Preparation of a six-acre crop field known as Tim’s Field starts back in late March with ploughing which, if necessary, is followed by a weed spray and then subsequently re-seeded.
The process seems straight forward but is very much weather dependant and this year has been quite traumatic.
The weather was particularly unkind early season and it was not possible to complete the sowing process until May which coincided with the start of a long period without rain.
The dry weather slowed germination and anxiety increased but there was just enough late patchy rain to start the process.
Trustee Jerry Knapp said: “We ploughed the seed and scattered the good seeds on the ground and now it’s up to God’s almighty hand.”
The crop is now flourishing with a mix of bird friendly seed species and the delayed flowering has also provided a bonus.
Jerry said: “Our meadows are cut when flowering has finished usually mid-August time which reduces the availability of plants for nectar feeders but this year, with Tim’s crop flowering so late, it’s provided excellent habitat for the bees, butterflies and moths.”
Tim’s Field is now in flower with the following species showing prominently – sunflower, quinoa, millet, fodder radish, flax, phacelia and mustard seed all designed to provide food during the “hungry gap” and is being appreciated by visitors as well as the wildlife.
More information about Rodley Nature Reserve can be found here.
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