Linnet in flowering gorse 20 May 2020 Gorse is important habitat on Scout Scar and Helsington Barrows. Linnet and redpoll depend on its shelter in the breeding season and its seeds are a food source. So are the insects caught hovering over its flowers in a sequence of images I took In May 2020.
So when I noticed gorse die-back in late May 2021 and realised how extensive it was across this area I reported my findings to Natural England. I wanted to know if the problem was widespread and if the cause were known
So when I noticed gorse die-back in late May 2021 and realised how extensive it was across this area I reported my findings to Natural England. I wanted to know if the problem was widespread and if the cause were known
Natural England, Murley Moss, sent me the following link. You may read about Gorse die-back in the UK and a map plots reports to date.
Gorse dieback in the UK, 2021 (sundewecology.co.uk)
We are invited to submit sightings of gorse-die back, with location, grid reference and images. I have done so, and share this so others who come across gorse die-back may do the same. Friends already report to me of locations in Cumbria where it is apparent.
Gorse dieback in the UK, 2021 (sundewecology.co.uk)
We are invited to submit sightings of gorse-die back, with location, grid reference and images. I have done so, and share this so others who come across gorse die-back may do the same. Friends already report to me of locations in Cumbria where it is apparent.
Linnet have a lovely song and they're beautiful birds. Cock linnets have a soft grey head, chestnut mantle and crimson breast. They're present but not abundant on Scout Scar and you're more likely to find them if you know the song. I took this sequence of images on 20 May 2020 when the gorse was healthy and in flower. Inadvertently, I've caught pollinating insects flying low over the flowers and around the beautiful cock linnet.
The final image of the sequence shows gorse die-back, 4 May 2021. Flowers show on the last green foliage but where the spiny gorse is brown and lifeless no flowers had developed.
Read the article in the link. Let's hope gorse recovers next spring.
Once again, my thanks to Natural England for pursuing my query.
The final image of the sequence shows gorse die-back, 4 May 2021. Flowers show on the last green foliage but where the spiny gorse is brown and lifeless no flowers had developed.
Read the article in the link. Let's hope gorse recovers next spring.
Once again, my thanks to Natural England for pursuing my query.
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