WILD ANIMALS OF WILLOUGHBY
The birds of Willoughby were the topic of an earlier article, because they are probably the most observed of our wild animals. But they are not the only animal life, and they are not even the most numerous, in terms either of species or of individuals. Of the wild creatures other than birds it is the four-legged furry mammals which most readily spring to mind, but the most abundant animal life is represented by much less picturesque groups: the invertebrates including the insects, spiders and mites. Many of them exist in vast numbers, particularly in summer.
However only a few of their species receive our attention by virtue of their attractiveness, and these include the butterflies and moths. Red admirals, small tortoiseshells and cabbage whites are to be seen, and in summer outdoor lighting will occasionally attract some quite impressive and diverse moths. Ladybirds are popular insects, even featuring in a children’s nursery rhyme, and some iridescent beetles and colourful bugs have been spotted. Large and impressive beetles sometimes appear. Delicate and colourful lacewings find their way indoors. However most of the invertebrates which come to our attention are at best inconspicuous and uninteresting, and at worst a nuisance. Most of us have been annoyed by flies and midges from time to time, and gardeners don’t usually like aphids very much. Then there are the ants, wasps and several species of bees, as well as their imitators the sawflies.
Invertebrate pests of garden and farm plants are too numerous to list, but include the nematode worms, some of which are microscopic, and the more obvious slugs and snails. Many wild plants have their own pests. Digging the garden reminds us that the soil contains invertebrate life which we regard as beneficial, like the earthworms, but it also features less popular species such as wireworms and other root eaters.
But what of the mammals? Willoughby has its share, of course, of the ubiquitous domestic dogs and cats, and domesticated cattle, sheep, horses, goats and donkeys are seen daily in the fields. There used to be pigs, chickens and geese, but I’m not sure if there are any now. Amongst wild mammals Willoughby is home to rabbits, hares, bats, foxes, voles, moles, shrews, squirrels, rats, mice and hedgehogs. Stoats, (or is it weasels?), have been seen scampering across the road. Apart from the mammals other vertebrates include frogs, toads and the occasional snake.
So there is plenty of animal life in the parish and many species outnumber us.
David Charles