Peter Smith writes about the participation of Cropston in the County Council/Parish Council verges biodiversity trial. More...

A small area of verge at the corner of Leicester Road and Latimer Road was left unmown over the summer as part of an Urban Verge Wildlife Initiative to encourage biodiversity. The verge was eventually cut in early September and the cuttings were taken away in order to reduce the fertility of the soil.  That will help a greater variety of plants to compete with the more vigorous species of grass in future.  In fact, the verge suffered from the extreme heat in July in the same way as grass everywhere and it had remained brown since then, with little wildlife to be seen during the last couple of months.  However, the flowers that were allowed to grow in spring should already have set seed before the drought set in so, if the experiment is allowed to continue, we hope for a better show of flowers along with more favourable weather in 2023.

A grand total of 68 species have been recorded this year, comprising 11 grasses, 35 wild flowers and 22 insects.  That seems quite a good variety in a few square metres that have previously been controlled by regular cutting.  Of course, a tiny plot like this can only make a small contribution to biodiversity and its main aim was to provide interest for local people and to demonstrate what can be achieved if the experiment is extended on a bigger scale.  Neatly maintained verges still have their place but, away from village centres and busy road junctions, perhaps we can save some money on mowing and allow a little more wildness to return.  It only needs a small mental adjustment to see “weeds” – where they are not doing any harm – as wild flowers, and “bugs” as wild creatures just getting on with their lives.

Wildlife broadcaster and campaigner Chris Packham has written, “It’s more rewarding to spend 10 minutes with a woodlouse in the palm of your hand than 10 minutes watching a tiger on television.”  Not everyone would go that far but your life can certainly be enhanced by taking time to appreciate the richness of the natural world around you.  It’s completely free and you don’t even need to get in the car: just look more closely at what’s going on in your garden, the local countryside or a wildlife verge like this one.  You’ll find a fascinating range of creatures and a few moments spent observing their world is great way to get a break from whatever concerns may be worrying you in our world.

The dedicated page for the Cropston verge will remain on the Naturespot website, along with a list of other wild places in Leicestershire and Rutland and lots of guidance on how to identify the plants and animals that you discover.

Peter Smith.