Junior Wetland Warden Log
Guest blog by Loretta Hoy from WWT London Wetland Centre's Learning Team
Log gardens are great habitats for a variety of species including invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians. The crevices and damp and dark wood provides places for the minibeasts to hide and is damp enough to support frogs and newts, whereas the reptiles thrive on the basking spots.
From 13 to 16 August, eager wannabe wetland wardens have been helping to refurbish the log garden and this important habitat; in so doing uncovering some interesting species. Numerous different species of woodlice have been observed, with Porcellio scaber in high quantities, arachnids were also commonly observed with lace webbed the most abundant.
Additionally smooth newts and common lizards were also found indicating a high diversity of species, within the log garden and highlighting the importance of log pile habitats to species with differing requirements.
The next task is to create minibeast refugia, which act as great hideouts for slow worms, newts, lizards as well as invertebrates.
If you fancy joining in the activities and try your hand at being a wetland warden we will be running events throughout the summer, daily at 14.45 – 15.45.
Suitable for families; children aged 7+ may attend unsupervised. Find out more: Be a Wetland Warden
