Template:Courier-OCT-25-21

WILDLIFE WILL FLOURISH ON NO-MOW VERGES

Ten large roadside verges in Oaken Lane, Hare Lane, Red Lane and Stevens Lane, totalling more 1,800 square metres, will not be mown next spring and summer, which is great news for Claygate's birds and insects.

Verges are normally mown during the flowering season but these grass areas, having been granted Blue Heart status, mean they will not be mown by Surrey County Council from March to September. The national Blue Heart initiative aims to improve insect diversity and allow native plants to thrive on grass verges.

While a margin will be mown around each verge to protect traffic sight lines and footpaths, the rest will be left to flourish. As a result, the village will see snowdrops and crocuses emerge in early spring followed by a variety of wildflowers throughout the summer.

This project will also bring important benefits to fauna. Solitary bees, for example, live for between two and eight weeks. During that time the female has to mate, prepare her nest, lay eggs, and pack it with pollen-so they do not want to fly too far, which is the case if their local food source has been mown down.

And there are knock-on effects throughout the ecosystem: insects pollinate flowers, including vegetables, and control many of the bugs that try to eat them. Further up the food chain, insects provide a food source for birds, bats, frogs and mammals, such as mice. Although low in popularity, wasps are also very important for pollinating and controlling garden pests, such as caterpillars and aphids, and for tidying up by eating dead insects and carrion. When grass is left long, it is teeming with activity.

Other wildlife areas in Claygate include the grounds of Wingham Court, which has agreed to limit its mowing. A recent survey by the Surrey Botanical Society found more than 140 species of trees, grasses and wildflowers on this four-acre site. And Elmbridge Borough Council has agreed to limit the mowing of the old football pitch in the middle of Claygate Common. BT is also helping by planting wild flowers in front of the telephone exchange on Hare Lane.

Thanks to the efforts of Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council, the Claygate Village Association, Claygate Parish Council, Claygate in Bloom, the Gardening Society and Claygate residents showing interest and support, the birds, bees, butterflies and other insects can look forward to flourishing next spring and summer.

For more information on how to be involved, contact Bill Raspin at bill.raspin03@gmail.com WWW.CLAYGATEPARIS