Stingy, tall, vibrant green nettles are fairly underrated when it comes to public opinion. But when it comes to the amount of biodiversity they support and the wildlife that rely on them, they cannot be overlooked.
Nettles are butterfly food for at least two common species - Red Admiral and Painted Lady; moths, ladybirds, aphids and caterpillars love them too. This in turn provides a great buffet for small birds! But why has the RSPB recently dug up and transported 63 big bags full of nettle roots to Rathlin Island?
In late spring nettles are much taller than other native plants and this has proved to be perfect habitat for one elusive little bird, the Corncrake. This once common bird of our countryside is fondly remembered by many and their distinctive call is reminiscent of long summer evenings. Changing farming practices have proved too much for them and now the bird is faced with extinction here in the North.
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Recent research shows that corncrake fly over Rathlin Island on their way to the Western Isles of Scotland and, if the habitat appears attractive, calling males will take residence. Males require early ‘cover’ to call from to attract females and this vegetation must be over 20cm in height. Females will also use this ‘cover’ to conceal two broods over the summer months. The RSPB decided nettles were the answer, as they grow tall earlier than other plants and these ‘nettle corridors’ had already proved successful for corncrake on other RSPB reserves.
Rathlin is the last place in the north that the birds are known to have bred so it was an obvious choice to focus efforts here, unfortunately Rathlin did not have many nettles! Our Stepping Up for Corncrake volunteers have been gathering nettle rhizomes (root systems) on farms throughout Northern Ireland, working with farmers who are keen to help this bird make a comeback. Our hardy volunteers put their backs into digging and pulling the roots then washing and bagging them in preparation for relocation!
I recently volunteered for one of these gathering days and it was fantastic, our location was spectacular; Maurice McHenry welcomed us to his farm on the north coast just above the village of Ballintoy, an unbeatable view! You may think I am slightly biased (you may be right) but I roped in some of my friends and family and we all had a great time! After being given our equipment and instructions we got stuck in and competitions ensued for the longest rhizome and for the most amount of bags (we beat the record)!
It was brilliant to meet other volunteers and talk to them about their reasons for joining in on practical conservation work and we all left not only having burnt off a good few calories but with a sense of pride, knowing the hard work we had done would really be making a difference.
If you would like to get involved in this project or any other volunteering project then please get in touch with Hayley or Suzanne on 028 90491547.
Tender-handed, stroke a nettle,
And it stings you for your pains.
Grasp it like a man of mettle,
And it soft as silk remains.