in article , Malcolm at
wrote on 5/2/03 6:14 pm:


In article , Sue & Bob Hobden
writes

"John wrote in message ...
I know this is a gardening group, and I am not off topic, honest!.

I have a wren and a wagtail attacking the moss between flags. If only
they
removed it all I would be very happy, however I suspect they are really
going after the insects not the moss.

Not so sure about that, the local Wren that lives in our Ivy normally
removes a lot of Sphagnum moss from my pots of Pleiones about now (I've seen
it fly off with it) and I've always assumed it was for nest building, anyone
confirm that?

Could well be, though perhaps it is a little early, but in any case it
won't be eating it, so I don't think any harm will come from dosing it
with Sodium chlorate.

The birds pinch bits of sphagnum moss from all our hanging baskets for nest
building. We rather welcome it. ;-) Well, I do, Matthew curses a bit and
plugs the hole. ;-) In one glasshouse where a blackbird nests every year,
we set out a box with 'bits' in it that we think she'll like, moss included.
And when I clean out our hairbrushes, I always throw the gleanings out of
the window for birds to pick up and use.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk