Hedgehog Surveying at the University of Kent

Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s most charismatic species, but they are a species that many people will very rarely get to see. Last term we set up 30 camera traps across campus as part of the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme and to help us get an idea of what the population of hedgehogs was like on campus. Out of the 30 cameras, 6 caught footage of hedgehogs. These were all the way from Parkwood to Darwin highlighting to us that hedgehogs are making the most of the wide range of habitats that our campus provides! Across the UK, hedgehog numbers have been declining to the point that they are now classified as vulnerable to extinction and so collecting data on our hedgehogs and learning about areas on campus that they use is very important in our efforts to support them.

(Camera trap image of one of the hedgehogs in Parkwood)

Perhaps surprisingly, the cameras that picked up the most hedgehog activity were some of the ones on central campus. Hedgehogs are mostly insect eaters, and they have been able to adapt to living in more urban areas where there are hedgerows and other covered areas as they like to use these for protection as they are moving around and will avoid travelling across very open areas if possible. Hedgehogs can have very large home ranges and they can travel between one to three kilometres per night in the search for food and mates. This is why places like the University of Kent campus can be ideal for hedgehogs as they get the cover that they would in gardens but without the barriers of fences or walls blocking their travel routes. Our camera trap that had the most hedgehog activity was under an apple tree and the hedgehogs and other wildlife could be seen enjoying the apples that had fallen on the ground!

(Camera trap image of one of the hedgehogs trying to eat a fallen apple)

While the camera trap surveying was taking place, we also had 3 hedgehog footprint tunnels set up at Kent Community Oasis Garden to see if we could get a more in-depth picture of the hedgehog activity at the site. Hedgehog tunnels are a non-invasive tool to look for the presence of hedgehogs in a habitat by identifying their footprints. The tunnels work as the hedgehogs walk over panels that have animal safe vegetable oil and charcoal to reach the hedgehog food inside and then leave their footprints on the paper on either side of the food.

(Images of a student volunteer helping to set up a hedgehog tunnel and a tunnel set up and ready for surveys)

We had the tunnels out around COG for 2 weeks and they provided us with evidence of hedgehog activity around the site. One of the Biodiversity Boosters also had a focus on hedgehogs, why they are beneficial to gardens and how we survey them. Student volunteers were able to learn how to set up a tunnel as well as review the survey sheets from the night before.

(The top image shows hedgehog footprints walking across tunnel survey sheets. The bottom image shows what many of our survey sheets at COG looked like with a very high level of activity of other small mammals like wood mice, shrews and voles)

If you would like to help hedgehogs on campus, please make sure you dispose of any litter correctly, and if driving please obey the speed limits and slow down at night. To help hedgehogs at home please take a look at the advice from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

Biodiversity Booster Blog: Bug Hotel Creation

(One of the completed Bug Hotels made with recycled wooden pallets, terracotta pots, collected leaves and Jerusalem Artichoke stems)

According to the Wildlife Trust, an average garden space in the UK, has the ability to accommodate more than 2000 species of insects. At Kent Community Oasis Garden (Kent COG), a lot of work goes in to increasing the habitat diversity in order to increase the overall number of species that use our site. Creating habitats to support invertebrates is important as they play a key role in pollination, soil health and natural pest control as well as being a vital part of the food chain supporting the other wildlife that lives at Kent COG.

For the forth Biodiversity Booster session, we ran a bug hotel creation workshop where student volunteers were able to create new bug hotels out of the Jerusalem Artichoke stems that we had left after our harvest of this years’ bumper artichoke crop! During the session, they were also learning about the importance of supporting the invertebrates in garden spaces as well as discussing what species they were likely to see using these new habitats.

(Some of the Jerusalem Artichoke Stems that were cut down into more manageable sizes for making bug hotels)

As well as being grown as food for the people and the volunteers at Kent COG, Jerusalem Artichokes are actually a very important plant for supporting wildlife both as a food source and through providing habitat. The flowers, which bloom in late summer an autumn, provide an important nectar and pollen source for pollinators like bumblebees, butterflies and hoverflies. The seeds are eaten by goldfinches and when cut, the stems can provide a useful habitat for solitary bees and ladybirds.

For this Biodiversity Booster Session, the student volunteers made two different types of Bug Hotel utilising a range of reused materials as well as the Jerusalem Artichoke stems. They were also able to add to the existing bug hotels and hibernaculum that we already have on site to full any gaps and add more micro-habitats within those areas. Adding things like deadwood, leaves and loose bark to the bug hotels means that they will be able to support a large variety of invertebrates by mimicking a variety of natural habitats. The bug hotels were also placed in areas of Kent COG that had different light levels and a range of nectar-producing plants.

(Bug Hotel in progress and a table full of bundles ready to be placed around the garden)

 

Autumn Pollinators: Moths On Campus

(A table full of moths!! This photo was taken during our second moth survey. Each line is a different species, but we ran out of table space and pots!!)

This year, as part of my placement I am going to be surveying and recording as many different species as I can across campus. One of the species that I am going to be regularly recording throughout the year is moths!! We have around 2500 species of moths in the UK and according to Kent Moths, 2167 of these species have been recorded in Kent. So far, at the University of Kent we have recorded 223 species of moths using our site.

Moths are a very important pollinator, as they are the main invertebrate pollinator at night. Additionally, compared to butterflies, many more UK moth species are active throughout late Autumn and Winter since they have adapted to be able to fly with a colder body temperature. Due to their hairy bodies, they are a very efficient pollinator as pollen is able to easily stick to them and plants like Honeysuckle, Evening Primrose and Ivy rely heavily on the pollination by moths.

(From left to right: Green-Brindled Crescent, Sallow, Merveille du Jour)

To carry out moth surveys we use a large bucket trap and a type of moth trap called a Heath Trap. These traps work through setting up a very bright light which the moths fly towards and then get directed down into the main collection area that we fill with recycled egg cartons. The moths then stay there overnight, and we are able to come back in the morning to conduct our survey and record the species that we can see before we release them. This process does not harm the moths as they stay warm and sheltered in the egg boxes and then are released where we found them into the cover of bushes so they can hide away for the rest of the day.

(This is one of the bucket traps that we used, set up and ready for a night of attracting moths!)

On campus we have a large variety of habitats and so are able to support a diverse range of moth species. Kent Community Oasis Garden is especially important for moths as a lot of work goes into increasing the biodiversity of that area including planting with pollinators (like moths) in mind. On Wednesday 22nd October as part of the Biodiversity Booster series, I ran a session on moths and we were lucky enough to have caught nearly 50 individual moths overnight so we had a pretty good display to show off!! The session was enjoyed by student volunteers and community members and was a great way to highlight the range of species that Kent Community supports that people don’t normally get to see.

(On the right is a photo of student volunteers at a Biodiversity Booster Session enjoying seeing the moths)

In my first month of placement, I have carried out 2 moth surveys and recorded just under 90 individuals which equated to 32 species of moths 18 of which had not been recorded on campus before. I am looking forward to continuing these surveys throughout my placement and recording many more species!!

 

(Two very happy conservationists after a successful survey)

Kent People: Landscape and Sustainability teams

By Alice Allwright

Ahead of National Gardening Week 2021 (26 April-2 May 2021) we talk to Chris Wright, the University’s Landscape and Grounds Supervisor, and Emily Mason, Sustainability Coordinator.

 

Tell us about your roles and a typical day?  

Chris: I coordinate maintenance of the University’s natural spaces – everything from grass-cutting, bed and shrub maintenance, to woodland and pond management and looking after memorial trees and benches. I also oversee management of our sports facilities, working with staff and students on projects that use our green spaces.

A typical day starts with briefing my ten-person team on what needs doing across our 300-acre Canterbury campus. My responsibilities include overseeing planning for future works and developing our new Landscape and Biodiversity Strategy. We work alongside the sustainability team to ensure our management plans align with biodiversity enhancement and support natural space for wildlife as well as people.

Emily: I support sustainability projects across our campuses and provide expertise on specific sustainability topics like biodiversity management and behaviour change solutions. One of my projects is the Kent Community Oasis Garden, which I oversee in partnership with East Kent Mind.

Because my role is so varied, I don’t have a typical day, but I often work with our Sustainability Champions, who embed sustainability into their work. Both Chris and I recognise how lucky Kent is to have beautiful campuses for staff and students to enjoy.

Who else is involved in looking after our green campus?

There are many volunteers and sub-contractors who help look after our campus.

Subcontractors support our woodland management by carrying out coppicing rotations on our behalf. Students and staff help with litter picking, biodiversity monitoring, supporting our Hedgehog Friendly Campus project and using the green spaces for educational purposes. Student societies provide feedback and ideas of how we can improve the site alongside the Staff Sustainability Champions network.

We also work with Grounds teams from other universities sharing best practice on sustainable management techniques.

What can you tell us about the Kent Community Oasis Garden (KentCOG)?

KentCOG is a partnership community garden run by East Kent Mind and the University. It recognises the important role outdoor spaces play in supporting good mental health. KentCOG provides a space for students, staff and the community to learn about growing sustainable food in a calming outdoors environment. It runs practical and digital workshops on ecotherapy, dealing with low mood and anxiety.

The partnership ensures continuity throughout the year with community members keeping the garden going when students aren’t on site.

How has the pandemic affected your work?

All Landscape and Grounds staff were stood down during the first lockdown to reduce numbers on campus. This coincided with the start of the growing season, so when we returned we prioritised restoration of central areas.

During lockdown 2, we were partially furloughed again, meaning our usual winter management didn’t happen, but we’ve planned our Winter 2021 programme to catch up by the end of year. Our contractors were able to continue coppicing, so our woodland and tree management plans are still on track.

It’s been hard, but the team have coped very well. We hope people have come to value outdoor spaces even more during the pandemic and will enjoy the campuses’ beautiful landscape when they return.

KentCOG has been closed for most of the pandemic. However, volunteers are now working to restore the site, so we can reopen for events this summer and, hopefully, permanently in September. We have run digital sessions in lieu of practical gardening and will be shortly launching a series of wellbeing workshops for students during the exam term.

As more of us start returning to campus, what can we expect to see?

We’re keen to emphasise the use of outdoor spaces as safe places for staff and students.

We’re collaborating with Kent Sport in restoring the nature trail at Canterbury, which they’ve publicised alongside their marked-out running routes. We’ve also recently installed a new walking trail from the Canterbury campus to the KentCOG following the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and are developing walking tours led by staff from Landscape and Grounds and the Sustainability Team.

Areas on campus have been marked to be developed as wildflower meadows over the next year. We’ve also commissioned the building of new hibernaculas, providing shelter for important pollinators and other insects. We’ve planted bulbs across 1,000 sq m so people can enjoy seeing new plants popping up over the seasons. Alliums are due next!

We are also hoping to work with the University of Greenwich to enhance green spaces at Medway and create a walking route linking both ends of the campus

How can staff help look after our campus green spaces and the KentCOG?

Staff are invited to complete our consultation on the Landscape and Biodiversity of our campuses – we’re keen to have lots of ideas for our new Landscape and Biodiversity strategy.

Volunteers are welcome at our open sessions at KentCOG. We’ll let you know as soon as we re-open – in the meantime, you can join our mailing list by emailing kentcog@kent.ac.uk.

You can also find out more about what we do and get in touch via our social media accounts:

Sustainability Instagram/Twitter

Landscape and Grounds Instagram/Twitter

This is a repurposed version of a blog post and may differ from the original. View the original blog post.

Sustainable Development Goals – Canterbury Campus Trail (coming soon)

The Sustainable Development Goals (also known as the Global Goals or SDGs) are 17 goals that outline a vision for a sustainable world by 2030. The 17 goals and underlying targets were created and signed by 193 countries at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in 2015.

The goals seek to finish the job that was started by the Millennium Goals which ran from 2000 to 2015 and brought 850,000,000 people out of extreme poverty and yet saw carbon emissions increase by 9,850,000 kilotons.

The University of Kent has signed the SDG Education Accord that commits us to embedding all 17 goals into our operations, teaching and research. As part this we would like all staff and students to become familiar with the goals by getting out and about across campus and discovering all 17.

Launching in autumn 2020 a new trail around campus showcases each of the 17 goals whilst leading you across central campus and to the Kent Community Oasis Garden.

The trail starts with SDG 1: No Poverty, which aims to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce overall poverty by 50% by 2030. You will find this post on central campus near the Library.

The trail ends with SDG 17: Partnerships, which you will find at the Kent Community Oasis Garden, our flagship community partnership project at the Canterbury campus where food growing is used as a way of meeting new people, reducing stress, learning new skills and getting some fresh air.

Please check back once the trail has been installed for more information and a map of all the posts.

How to make recycled planters from household objects

During any extended periods of time at home, it’s always good to surround yourself with plant life.  A sunflower growing at the bottom of the garden can bring such joy, and nurturing aromatic and tasty herbs on your windowsill can bring even more satisfaction. All you need is a pack of seeds and a handful of compost and off you go! No outside space, or stuck without a pot? Here’s how to convert some household objects into planters without the hassle or expense of visiting the shops.

Newspaper Pots

 You will need:

  • Newspaper
  • Tin can
  • Compost
  • Seeds

Making paper pots out of newspapers is fun and a great way to recycle.  Once the pots are made, you can plant them up and wait for your produce to grow, place the pots directly into the ground without having to disturb your plants. Easy, so lets give it a try.

  • Find an old newspaper and take one sheet out
  • Fold length ways so you have a long strip of newspaper
  • Take a recycled tin can (with lid removed) and place the solid end along the folded edge of the newspaper
  • Wrap the paper loosely around the tin and roll around until you have a tube around the tin
  • Fold one edge of the paper into the hole of the tin
  • Remove the tin from its sleeve
  • Put the tin, flat end first, back into the paper pot and squish the paper flat inside the pot
  • Ta da! Your pot is ready to fill with compost
  • Water your pot, then plant up with seed (sunflowers or beans are good) and cover with a thin layer of compost
  • Water again and place in a warm sunny spot, keep moist
  • When your plants have grown and are ready to plant outside, place the entire pot into the soil, the paper will break down and your plants will grow happily out of the pot

Fabric Tin Can Planters

You will need:

  • Tin cans
  • Hammer & Nail
  • Doubled sided sticky tape
  • Recycled fabric (in strips)
  • Scissors
  • Compost & Seeds (seasonal herbs or bulbs)

Brighten up any windowsill with these easy to make recycled fabric tin planters.  Perfect for growing herbs or spring bulbs in on a budget and great for the environment too.

  • Wash out your used tin cans, remove any paper labels and bang two or three drainage holes in the bottom using a hammer and nail (on a work surface like a chopping board).
  • Cut some old fabric into strips about 2cm thick and long enough to wrap around your tin. They don’t have to be neat.
  • Stick a strip of double sided sticky tape around the tin at the bottom of your tin can, cut to make a sticky ring all around.
  • Add one strip of fabric on top of the tape, cut off any excess fabric so each end meets.
  • Add another layer of sticky tape above your fabric and overlay another strip of fabric in another colour for contrast, trim and make sure you don’t leave a gap between the first and second fabric strip, each strip should overlap the one before.
  • Repeat the process all the way up the tin until you reach the top, trim any excess fabric around the top edge, or fold the fabric over the top if the edge is sharp, being careful to stick it down with a layer of tape first.
  • Add decorations to finish your multi fabric masterpiece! Wrap string around it and tie in a bow, add ribbon or glue on buttons, let your creativity shine.
  • Now your planter is ready to plant; add seed compost to the tin, water, then sprinkle your herb seeds, or plant a Spring bulb following the packet guidelines. Cover with another layer of compost, water again and keep in a warm sunny spot watering regularly. Then see your creation come to life!

Recycled Milk Bottle 5x Ways

You will need:

  • Plastic Milk Bottles (x5)
  • Craft Knife
  • Hammer & Nail (or sharp pointed object like a scewer)
  • Compost
  • Seeds – bird seeds and herb seeds to plant
  • Marker pen
  • Kebab sticks
  • String

Making a new use for any object is fun, but making five uses out of your used plastic milk bottles is incredible!

  1. Bird feeder
  • Draw a large circle on the bottle to make a hole to let birds inside to feed on the seed (at least 2 cm from the bottom)
  • Carefully cut the hole out using a craft knife
  • Screw a smaller hole underneath the big hole
  • Insert a kebab stick into the small hole to act as a perch for the birds to land on
  • Screw a hole through the lid of the bottle, feed an arms length of string through the hole, and tie several knots in the end that screws inside the bottle
  • Loop the other end of string and tie so you have a loop you can hang on a tree branch or hook outside
  • Screw the lid on the bottle
  • Fill the base with birdseed, its ready to go!
  1. Sprinkling watering bottle
  • Remove the lid from your bottle and place over something soft like a cushion, screw side up (to ensure a good flow)
  • With a screw or hammer and nail, make several small holes in the lid for the water to sprinkle out
  • Fill the bottle with water
  • Screw the lid back on and you have a practical sprinkling watering bottle to place near your plants, this is especially good for seedlings and your plants that need delicate watering
  1. Scoop
  • Place your water bottle on its side with the handle facing up
  • Draw a scoop shape around the bottle starting from the top edge of the bottle, half way along, down in a rainbow shaped arch to the bottom edge of the bottle at the base
  • Cut along the top edge to meet each scoop shaped arch
  • Job done, you have a scoop perfect for filling your pots from the compost bag
  1. Plant labels
  • With any spare plastic you have, utilise for plant labels by cutting into strips about 1cm wide by 8cm long (finger size)
  • Trim one edge to a point and set aside for your planting projects
  • Use a marker pen to label your pots so the plant names do not wash off when watering
  • You have a invaluable stash of plant labels at your fingertips!
  1. Self-draining planter
  • Cut a milk bottle around its centre in half carefully using a craft knife
  • Remove the lid from the bottle and turn the milk bottle top half upside down
  • Place the top half of the bottle back into the bottom half of the bottle, so the bottle ‘mouth’ is face down at the bottle base
  • You are ready to fill the container with compost and plant some seeds! When you water, the water will collect in the base and your plant will be happy and stay moist

Good luck with making these, and send some lovely photos to kentcog@kent.ac.uk

All the best,

Emily Hill Kent Community Oasis Garden Coordinator