The Ivy Buffet
I’m walking down the avenue to check the trees because we’ve had some bad weather – high winds and the like – when I am stopped in my tracks.
Hoverfly on ivy by Marianne Nicholson
There is a massive amount of buzzing coming from an ivy-covered hawthorn tree. There is a ball of ivy attached to this tree and it is teeming with life: an abundance of insects, in species and number. Red admirals, at least two species of hoverfly (don’t ask me what they are, I just know they’re different!), beetles: a picture can’t do it justice.
Red admiral on ivy by Marianne Nicholson
As I stand and watch, it reminds me of how great ivy is for wildlife. It is an important food source for invertebrates in autumn because it is one of the last remaining options of pollen and nectar. The berries then provide food for birds. Even the shape of the ivy is used: it is perfect nesting habitat for birds and for bat roost sites.
It is a nice reminder to me and hopefully to you to, to take a closer look and see which invertebrates are about.
Words by Jake Goodwin
Feature image of comma butterfly by Marianne Nicholson
