WILDLIFE SPOT
























This was set up in the Forest Church lower rectory garden in 2008 and was blessed by Rev Linda Le Vasseur. The area was prepared by volunteers with bark chippings laid on the paths.  Frog spawn was placed in the small pond and flowering plants and bulbs spread around to give the feel of a wild life garden.

The garden is open to the public at all times. There is a litter bin for rubbish and a bench where one can sit in quiet contemplation and read "The Book of Calm". Over time the trees have grown and the ivy spread, brambles and nettles are welcome for the insects but need to be cut back twice a year and the stream cleared twice a year of false watercress. If you have time to spare or any expertise in gardening your help will be welcomed.

We have added a pollinator patch, a bug hotel, a bee hotel and bird boxes.

Below is a guide compiled by Vivienne Rees to some of the many wild flowers that have made their home in our wildlife spot, together with their names in Guernsey French.


COMMON HORSETAIL
Latin: Equisetum arvense
Guernsey French: Coue d’Rat (rat’s tail)
CREEPING BUTTERCUP
Latin: Ranunculus repens
Guernsey French: Pid d’Llaön Lattai
COMMON DOG VIOLET
Latin: Viola riviniana
Guernsey French: Coucou (cuckoo)
BOREAU’S FUMITORY/WHITE RAMPING FUMITORY
Latin: Fumaria muralis/Fumaria capreolata
Guernsey French: Feumeterre (smoke of the earth)
COMMON PENNYCRESS
Latin Thlaspi arvense
Guernsey French: Moutardier (mustard herb)
SHEPHERD'S PURSE
Latin: Capsella Bursa-pastoris
Guernsey French: Pid d’Mouisson

LORDS AND LADIES
Latin: Arum maculatum
Guernsey French: Couaille de Prêtre (pulpit)

PRIMROSE
Latin: Primula vulgaris
Guernsey French: Pâquerolle (Easter flower)

FOXGLOVE
Latin: Digitalis purpurea
Guernsey French: Cllatchets (little bells)

DANDELION
Latin: Taraxacum
Guernsey French: Plat Laiträon/Hôloges (fruits/clocks)

HEDGE WOUNDWORT
Latin: Stachys sylvatica
Guernsey French: Ortie puante (stinking)

SMALL NETTLE
Latin: Urtica urens
Guernsey French: Petite Ortie

STINGING NETTLE
Latin: Urtica dioica
Guernsey French: Grande Ortie

DAISY
Latin: Bellis perennis
Guernsey French: Berbiette

YARROW
Latin: Achillea Millefolium
Guernsey French: Tcherpentière

FUCHSIA
Latin: Fuchsia magellanica
Guernsey French: Patoreille (earrings, eardrops)

LESSER CELANDINE
Latin: Ranunculus L Ficaria
Guernsey French: Píssenllet

CAMPION (red & white - pink in Guernsey)
Latin: Silene dioica
Guernsey French: Violette d’Fossai
(hedge violet, soldier’s fleas)
(Research from Leicester University – There are some
white campion growing in shade on NE facing banks.

IVY
Latin: Hedera helix
Guernsey French: Yerre
ELDER
Latin: Sambucus nigra
Guernsey French: Seue
(often planted by dairy windows against witchcraft)
Note:  many plant names in Guernésiais are misleading as they refer to another species altogether which can be similar in colour or habit. E.g. Pissenllet – not a dandelion, but a celandine. Violette d’Fossai – not a violet but a campion, Ortie Puante – not a nettle but a stachys.