One of our newest initiatives in improving wildlife diversity and protection at Cocklebury Farm has been installing hibernacula.
Hibernacula are chambers that amphibians and reptiles use to seek refuge. They particularly appreciate them as a spot to keep warm during cold winters! 🐸🐍
Some small mammals like field voles have been spotted using them too! 🐭
Building them now ensures our wildlife has enough time to get used to them by the time the winter season comes back around. ❄️ They might even make use of them during the Spring breeding season.
To build them, a hole was dug and filled with old posts, bricks, and stones before being covered in brush wood and earth. With a bit of sunshine, cracks begin the form which act as natural entrances for our wildlife.☀️ Most of the materials used were recycled from around the farm. ♻️
The species who make use of these habitats are difficult to reintroduce, so it is a priority for us to make sure we are doing all that we can to ensure their populations are maintained and thriving!
We did something similar to this diagram! (Source: ARG UK) 
One of our hibernaculum midway through construction!
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