Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - November 2005 - No 72
Kath Pryce

A recent gardening magazine included an article about ivies which mentioned the importance of the berries to birds as a valuable source of food during the winter which ripen and become available from December onwards.  It, however, failed to say anything about the value of the flowers to bees and other insects during the autumn and early winter (our ivy plants buzz with activity in any sunny or calm spell in the autumn).  There are usually also a few birds in attendance including the robin and sparrows which pick-off insects for an easy meal.