Green Lympstone (as published in the April Herald)
As the glories of Spring burst forth in our troubled World it has been an exciting month for the new project of Green Lympstone, Devon Wildlife Trust’s challenge to create Wilder Communities. Enthusiasm gathers. Warmest thanks for the smallest and the largest ways Lympstonians have already told us how they are working to save our poor depleted wild world. There are those whose gardens are designed to bring joy to birds, to beasts, to plants, to fungus, to mosses, to bees and trees, to ants and worms and almost invisible insects, and…. people! Fierce winds have brought both havoc and revelation especially in new knowledge of trees. Wild swimmers and our fisherman (humans!) in now cleaner water in sea and river bring new knowledge about oysters. Expensive fuel should encourage darkness to frame the starlit heavens. One person works on extensive programmes of Conservation on Dartmoor and, at present, helps farmers anxious to return to old farming methods. Another is involved in a conservation project on Woodbury Common, a section of which is part of Lympstone Parish.
Several people apologetically have said they only pick up plastic etc. on the beach. Please don’t apologise. It’s a vital help for wildlife similar to those who collect litter blocking hedgerow corridors for wild creatures. Several families have planted new hedgerows or layered old ones. Simple bird feeders are invaluable life savers. Talk about Darwin in the Galapagos! Evolution is happening in our back yards! In one garden a Robin was trying to behave like a Bluetit on the feeder but has the wrong shaped beak and legs! One resident is an outstanding wildlife photographer of moths, butterflies and birds and more. Artists surprise the village daily inspired by Nature; one I know who sculpts charming ornaments from bits of broken bark, spent seed heads, teasels, alliums etc.; another creates patterns from dried seaweed. Several are busy following advice on planting small wild flower meadows, not as simple as it might appear. Several enjoy tiny ponds made from old cooking pots transformed into “Lidos” for the ablutions of preening birds! One friend walks many a mile to silently observe the sheer wonder of Creation. He, like many, is engaged in thanksgiving for this precious gift we are trying to protect. Did you stand in awe to gaze at the blanket of primroses covering the Church graveyard? or sit on the Green by the flowering rosemary bushes where Pollinators are already busy? There’s much more activity that’s come to my ears in March. Such a gratifying start to Greener Lympstone! It will be wonderful to hear of many more ideas to swell the records in April so do keep up with your wildlife news. A few more completed small questionnaires are helpful, please. (copies found by the coloured boxes in the shop and Church porch) You can also go to the village website to download and complete the questionnaire and send by email to Rebecca or Mary or please do ring Mary or scribble a few words to pop in her post box.
We’d love to showcase a few of your wildlife stories (with permission) next month. Thank you to all. Mary Truell, Netherexe (Tel 276793) truell@me.com Rebecca Abrahams also would love an email with ideas. rebecca_abrahams@yahoo.com
