JANET HARBIDGE

Member since 1 April 2021

Interested in natural history - flora in particular and the environment generally.

Enjoy walking with Active Stirling, etc and very much appreciate the wealth of walking tracks in the area.

During Lockdown in spring 2020 especially enjoyed the uncut road verges with their wealth of wild flowers. Hoping for even better things now that the Council has signed up to manage verges for wildlife.

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JANET HARBIDGE5 years ago I have little to add to the contributions from James Byrne and Liz Albert whose views I wholeheartedly endorse. When planting trees we must take into account their value to wildlife (birds, pollinators and small mammals). But they must be managed! There are three areas in particular where this is not happening. One is the bank alongside the lane at the back of the Albert Halls; many wild flowers grow there but are in danger of being overwhelmed by the numerous saplings which have sprung up; another is the embankment opposite Lecropt Church where, in 2006, over 6500 Orchids grew as well as the rare Adder's Tongue Fern. Now the bank is covered in Birch trees and shrubs and the numbers of these lovely plants is now miniscule by comparison. The Ash trees which predominate on Gowan Hill look as though they have been allowed to grow unchecked such that the views of the Castle are impaired as too is the biodiversity of the area. No doubt these trees will succumb to disease before too long after which it would be good to see them replaced by more diverse species.Jan Harbidge

JANET HARBIDGE5 years ago These areas have been sown with wildflower seeds in the past to great effect for a few months but it was not sustainable and only a few of the annuals set seed in subsequent years. I would suggest that before sowing any more annual wildflower seeds, these areas be cut once a year in late summer, cuttings removed and if possible the land scraped to help any seeds lurking in the soil to set. This will encourage the wild flowers which are already in the ground to flourish. It would also be worthwhile to sow Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) seeds which, being semi-parasitic on grass roots, can quite quickly make an enormous difference by keeping coarse grasses down and allowing smaller flowers to set seed. If necessary after that then perennials should be sown. Because of the survival of the fittest, however, it may be necessary in some cases for enhanced management should "thugs" such as Thistles, Rosebay Willow Herb and Ragwort take over, lovely though they are.

JANET HARBIDGE

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More trees, yes, but not at the expense of meadows. And they must be managed!

Enhancement of Cornton Road as well as areas beside the river.