winter homes for creepy crawlies

Cold, cold December continues but our native oaks (quercus rubor) stay well clothed. They have shed a large proportion of their leaves but still hold on to many.

Our native oaks are the best at supporting our native invertebrates with 284 associated species.

Part of this success may be attributable to this trick of not shedding all their leaves - providing countless hiding places for invertebrates. These then provide food for native birds and so make our woodlands special places for wildlife.

We can't all grow mighty oaks but we can mimic them by leaving plants that will provide cover for invertebrates over winter.

Here, our stand of sweet corn (maize) has been left as home for whichever creepy crawlies wish to use it until spring.