What’s Happening
Plant for butterflies
Temperatures are still a bit all over the place and as we type this it’s a damp miserable day BUT there has been a hint of spring in the air, gorgeous blue skies and the official end of winter is fast approaching. With this in mind and as daffodils, crocuses and blossom start to appear, we thought back to when we were at The Friends of Bishops Park meeting in December and heard from Phoebe Shaw Stewart, Ecology Lead, in the Environment Department at Hammersmith & Fulham Council about what we can do to encourage and plant for butterflies. You don’t need a huge garden to do this and whatever patch, window box or planter you have you can help butterflies refuel after their winter hibernation.
Did you know that there are 59 species of butterflies in the UK and 23 of them can be found in Bishops Park, one of which has not been recorded since 2006. The most common species are the Red Admiral, Small Copper and Holly Blue and spotted in the park have been two species that are in decline in the UK. The Purple Hair Streak declining in the UK because of a loss of mature Oaks and for the Large Skipper 'tidying up' of grass verges are a large cause; the Caterpillar hibernates in tall grass over winter, so mowing all the grass during this time can destroy the population.
Phoebe told us that the State of the UK’s Butterflies 2022 report, released by wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation, has revealed the alarming news “that in the UK, long-term trends show that 80% of butterfly species have declined in abundance or distribution, or both since the 1970s”. In particular, species that are 'habitat specialists' are most at risk.
Little to none of the original habitats in Hammersmith & Fulham exist today, first converted to farmland and then to the urban environment it is now. Even the few rivers that used to run through Hammersmith & Fulham have been forced underground – such as Stanford Brook. There are other factors that play a part too obvious ones like climate change, invasive species, disease, pollution, but did you know that pet flea ‘spot-on’ treatments also have a detrimental effect contaminating water?
Butterfly Conservation and Hammersmith & Fulham is asking for everyone's help in creating more wild spaces where butterflies and moths can thrive. They told Urban Village LDN that you don't need a garden to make more room for nature. Whether you live in a flat with a balcony or a house with a patio, you can help make a difference. Big City Butterflies project is supporting council’s and community groups to improve habitats for butterflies in London’s greenspaces and set up new recording schemes.
There is a wealth of information on butterfly friendly practices from the Butterfly Conservation Trust including: tips on how to attract butterflies, the best plants for summer nectar and plant guides “for every sort of garden from big to small, from urban to wild.” Head to the the link below for information on gardening for butterflies. There are so many ideas on how you can help butterflies and moths thrive wherever you live in Fulham. Happy planting!
Enter The Fold
Enter the Fold, directed by Callum Lloyd James with the support of the Media Trust, gives a snapshot of the work that Fulham Good Neighbours does within the Fulham community and features FGN’s neighbours, volunteers and staff. The film captures an isolated Neighbour nervously visiting the community centre for the first time and his time with FGN thereafter enjoying craft and reading clubs, accessing their digital inclusion support, and attending FGN’s online exercise class, before volunteering on the Gardening and Good Neighbour Scheme projects.
Fulham Good Neighbours told us that “the film was inspired by our brilliant Neighbours Avril, Jean, and Tom who first attended Social Clubs, before leading FGN Social Clubs of their own as highly valued volunteers – Reading Club, Sunday Tea, and Craft Club, respectively. We are very proud that Neighbours who access our projects often go on to volunteer with us too; in turn, many of our volunteers access our projects. We hope that the film might inspire viewers to visit/call us, encourage friends or family to do so, or even volunteer themselves. Since 1966 we have envisioned and enabled a Fulham where Neighbours help Neighbours, and in 2024 this will continue with gusto; we welcome you to ‘Enter the Fold’.
Great news to hear that Enter The Fold has made it to the finals of the Smiley Charity Film Awards. You can cast your vote on the link below, we already have!