One hundred species in one day at Knoll Gardens

It took just five hours for Dorset Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers to identify over 100 wildlife species recently at Wimborne’s Knoll Gardens. From stag beetles to tree bees, hornet hoverflies to holly blue butterflies and dunnocks to buzzards, the survey revealed a thriving wildlife community of 103 species, an increase of nearly 30% since the garden’s first annual survey last year.

Nicky Hoar, Learning and Interpretation Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) explained that the survey not only improves knowledge of wildlife in Dorset but also demonstrates how important gardens are for wildlife: “We have been particularly impressed with the range of insect species found at Knoll Gardens and many of our own gardens could be similar havens on a smaller scale,” he said.

Bob Sweet, Chairman of the Knoll Gardens Foundation expressed his delight that so many DWT experts and volunteers gave up their valuable time to help with this important species count: “We value this survey as a kind of annual health check,” he said. “Whilst this year’s impressive results could be due to exceptional weather or a particularly talented group of volunteers, it is gratifying to know that we have a thriving wildlife community in the garden and a real endorsement of Knoll’s renowned naturalistic gardening style.”

The survey was part of a programme of research carried out on behalf of the Knoll Gardens Foundation. A charity that promotes responsible gardening, the Foundation believes the simple act of creating beautiful outdoor spaces encourages us all to spend more time enjoying and experiencing the natural world. That enjoyment leads naturally to an appreciation of the wildlife that inevitably moves in to share our gardens with us.

Knoll Gardens opens Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 4pm and is brown signed from all major routes into Wimborne. For more information about the work of the Foundation please log onto: www.knollgardensfoundation.org

Picture credits: © Knoll Gardens – Banner – Southern Hawker dragonfly credit: K. Wilkinson; Centre – Owner Neil Lucas and Katie Wilkinson from the DWT check out what has been sighted during the survey.