Predators abound in the traditional orchard, particularly birds: tawny owls, goshawk, sparrowhawk, kestrel, merlin (in winter) and hobby (in summer, feeding on dragonflies and damselflies). There are also native polecats, stoats, hedgehogs, badgers and even otters feeding on frogs and toads in nearby ponds and ditches. These animals are natural “barometers” of the health of any ecosystem. Their abundance shows a rich biodiversity of plants and animals and complex food webs, which can support these top predators in large numbers.

Photo: Kestrel in flight

Nick completed his talk by outlining the changes in the orchard over the seasons: spring is marked by redstarts, bumble bees, blossom, bulbs and butterflies such as the orange tip. In summer the orchard meadows are a buzz of invertebrates, good reason for spotted flycatchers to travel from sub-Saharan Africa each year. Rare lesser spotted woodpeckers are also attracted to the cavities provided by the standing deadwood. In autumn and winter the summer migrants depart, to be replaced by the winter thrushes, hungry for those fallen apples and pears not destined to become cider or perry. Leaf fall provides yet more food for invertebrates and the recyclers, ensuring the soil remains rich and fertile. Finally, a good growth of mistletoe provides berries, more nourishment for the winter thrushes. There is no doubt that a well-managed traditional orchard is a haven for much of our native wildlife.