NATURE WALK - KEEP IT!!

[Graham Dixon]

For the past several years I have visited a vast nettle bed in an overgrown
corner of a large field. This area was used, by the farmer to discard -
rubbish, dead cows, broken machinery etc. hence the large amount, of
nettles present.

Every year I could count on their being plenty Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock
& Red Admiral caterpillars present.  The Small Tortoiseshell & Red Admiral
larvae were there in great numbers but spread around the whole area of the
nettle bed. The Peacocks seemed to choose the same spot every year - a
dozen or so adjacent stalks almost black with them. (S.W. corner of the
bed). I used to take a dozen, or so to place on the nettles that grow in
hedge in my back garden, for no other reason than a freshly emerged Peacock
is my favourite butterfly.

Imagine my horror when I visited my beloved nettle bed. earlier today, only
to find that it has been levelled out - and grassed over as part of a
"NATURE WALK".

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE LOST AN OLD FRIEND

Graham Dixon