AN illustrated presentation by a bird expert will explore the decline in Essex wildlife.

Shirley Sampson from RSPB will present ‘Gardening for the Future’ next Thursday, February 1.

John Hall, trustee of Practical Actions for Climate and the Environment (PACE), explained how the newly registered charity focuses on how people can practically climate change and biodiversity in their own lives.

John said how Shirley has been very involved with the well-known Flatford Wildlife Garden and added: “She brings a wealth of experience about what really works”.

“A wildlife pond would be great but is not possible for many of us - so what can you choose to do?"

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Beautiful - A Greater Spotted Woodpecker is a good sight on a garden bird feederBeautiful - A Greater Spotted Woodpecker is a good sight on a garden bird feeder (Image: PACE)

John explained how insect populations in Essex have declined by 70 per cent in the past twenty-five years and said we can all make a big difference in our gardens.

Increasing the amount of rough grass and shrubs, especially berry-bearing or flower shrubs, help insects as well as using open flowers instead of the closed flowers which are bred for colour and not insect biodiversity.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Decline - Britain's largest insect the stag beetle are in decline and need helpDecline - Britain's largest insect the stag beetle are in decline and need help (Image: PACE)

While in the event people can learn about how food plants for caterpillars and how to use a ‘stumpery’ for the rarer stag beetles which are largely confined to Southern England.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Learn - One way to increase biodiversity is to make your own 'stumpery' (right) and 'bug hotel' (left)Learn - One way to increase biodiversity is to make your own 'stumpery' (right) and 'bug hotel' (left) (Image: PACE)

The free event will take place at Foundry Court Community Centre in Manningtree at 7.30pm with refreshments also available.