Award for garden as a haven of wildlife species

The garden, which belongs to Angela Patterson, came second in the ‘best medium-sized garden’ category in the Wildlife Friendly Gardening awards in 2012 and also won the ‘best improved’ category in 2013. Angela recently invited friends and neighbours to carry out a pond dip and a bug hunt in just three hours with Joy Wallis, community conservation officer of the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Angela said: “This has been so inspiring and will spur me on to keep looking out for more and more species of wildlife.

“After seeing 14 species of moth being caught in our trap, such as the beautiful bright yellow brimstone moth, I am now planning to get my own moth trap to see if we can find even more.”

Bees and hoverflies were out in force in the sunshine, with five different bumblebees, three solitary bees and four hoverflies discovered. A wood mouse was also found in one of the humane Longworth traps set around the garden.

Mrs Wallis said the wealth of wildlife found in Angela’s Lyme Regis garden is a result of the garden being managed for the benefit of wildlife.

She added: “Changes such as the installation of a small pond or a bird box can make such a difference and welcome all kinds of wildlife, during the day and the night.

“Three different dragonfly nymphs were found in the pond along with a healthy population of palmate newts, in full breeding colours.

“Around the edge of the pond, numerous wolf spiders were hunting for the flies and non-biting midges as they emerged from the water.

“It was great to see the benefits for wildlife, and the local residents getting so much pleasure from recording what they found.”

Conservationists rely on wildlife recordings from members of the public. People can start recording wildlife in their garden or local green space with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s scheme ‘wildlife on your doorstep’.

For more information call Joy Wallis on 01305 264620 or visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.

k/woyd