An update on how the wildflower verges have fared over this long hot, dry summer plus some wildlife to look out for in the village this autumn.

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There are 12 wildflower verges around the village and it’s fascinating watching how the different verges evolve. We sowed lots of native wildflower seed five years ago, but the really exciting thing is how many unexpected species have also moved in – “if you build it, they will come” definitely rings true in the world of wildflowers! On the guided walks we led in June we found early purple and pyramidal orchids had invited themselves into our wild patches. And alongside Field Scabious, Lady’s Bedstraw and Yellow rattle, we also found Fairy Flax, Centaury and wild carrot. Sticking with the old adage, we made hay while the sun shone in August – getting the verges cut and raked before the good weather started to break down. Our teams got stuck in and made light work of all the cutting and clearing.

 

It’s always a perfect time to enjoy New Ash Green’s wildlife. As autumn settles in, the village is alive with seasonal sights and sounds. Evenings echo with the rhythmic chirping of the Dark Bush Cricket, thriving in bramble and hawthorn hedgerows. Pause at dusk and their chorus will accompany your walk. Not all flowers are gone — Ivy blooms now provide vital nectar for late pollinators like the Peacock Butterfly and the Ivy Bee, which feeds solely on ivy. The village’s orchard and meadow also shine at this time of year. The hundred-year-old apple trees still bear fruit, a feast for thrushes — Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, and Song Thrush. Look for them among the branches or feeding on fallen apples. Along woodland edges, they turn to bright hawthorn berries, adding splashes of red to the autumn landscape. Take a moment to slow down, notice the season’s shift, and share your sightings on Wild About New Ash Green Facebook group.