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Last broadcast on Thu, 8 Jul 2010, 21:00 on BBC Radio 4 (FM only) (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
14/40. We have part three of Gillian Rice's vulture report from India. Having broken the news that the RSPB and the Indian Conservationists have successfully hatched vultures from eggs in incubators (a first in the world for bird conservation), Gillian reports on how India is ridding the use of Diclofenac in cattle (the drug heavily implicated in poisoning 99.9% of Indias vultures). We'll be talking to the RSPB about their fears that the use of Diclofenac is increasing amongst African farmers and vets. Could there be a catastrophic decline of African vultures in the future for the same reason?
We have been up and down the country asking the older generation about their memories of wild flowers in the latest edition of Saving Species' "Memories are Made of This" features.
And a close encounter with the rare, retreating and beautifully named Ladybird Spider. With a name like Ladybird Spider, how could you possibly not love it!
Our newshound Kelvin Boot will be with us with wildlife stories making the news from around the world.
Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.
MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS
At one time Hay Meadows were a common sight in the countryside but since the Second World War 97% of them have been lost and with them all the floral diversity which sustained an abundance of bees, butterflies and other insects. In this week’s ‘Memories’ Sarah Pitt travels to Dorset and Wiltshire to meet people who not only remember these meadows but are actively involved in restoring them.
Our picture shows Peggy Denty, now in her 80’s, whose family owned and managed five hundred acres of meadows at Kingcombe in Dorset for many generations. It is entirely due to her family’s sympathetic approach to the land that the meadows were retained and can be enjoyed today. These meadows are now under the management of Dorset Wildlife Trust and can be visited at any time.
‘Making Wild Flower Meadows’ is the title of Pam Lewis’s book in which she explores the creation and restoration of meadows. If you want to create a small wildflower meadow choose an open sunny site (it can be as little as 2m square). First lay horticultural fabric or old carpet to seal off any fertile soil that might lie below. Make a mount about 6-10 inches deep using gritty sand or chalk or subsoil with some leaf mould or well-rotted wood mulch to add humus. Sow weed or plant wildflower plugs. Be sure the seed/plants are of British provenance.
If space is extremely limited try making an even more diminutive ‘meadow’ in a window box or even a hanging basket. In this restricted situation use ordinary peat-free compost and plant up with, for example, knapweed, Devils-bit scabious, Betony, Ox-eye daisy with quaking grass mixed in and Greater stichwort and Germander speedwell to trail down.
Charles Flower, who also appeared in the item, has also written on this subject and his book is called ‘Where Have All the Wildflowers Gone’. Remember to make sure when buying packets of wildflower seeds that they come from a reputable supplier and contain seeds from the UK only.
Alternatively, you may wish to buy young wildflower plants but they should always come from a nursery or garden centre and never from the wild!
Female Ladybird Spider
Image by Nicky Hoar (Dorset Wildlife Trust)
Male Ladybird Spider
Image by Ian Hughes
Broadcasts
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Tue 6 Jul 201011:00
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Thu 8 Jul 201021:00
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