Wonderful to see a clutch of Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars on a patch of nettles on the project plot this week. Along with many other butterfly species, they’ve had a rough ride with the recent wet springs, but hopefully the dry … Continue reading Lots of lovely caterpillars!
It’s brilliant to be able to wander round (in wellies!) in the mini nature reserve and spot who is currently living there. The willows that we pollarded at the end of last year are sprouting nicely. The other trees (willow, … Continue reading Spotter’s Guide
A small working party today – just three of us – and the kind of glorious blue sky that reminds and reassures you that Spring really is on its way. We combed over the site for the first sign of … Continue reading Muddy boots & blue skies
Using the wood cut on site, we have created two new habitats for wildlife: Dead Hedges For gardeners who want to encourage wildlife and would prefer not to set bonfires, making a dead hedge is a win-win solution. Dead hedges … Continue reading Creating new habitats
In glorious autumn sunshine, we gathered a working party to assist the tree surgeons with a bit of overdue tree and hedge maintenance. We have a hedge (mostly hawthorn, but mixed with some elder and cherry) down the boundary of … Continue reading Working with the tree surgeons
Our working party on Friday began to shape the nature reserve. Here we have to tread a fine line which allows us to manage the site with a light touch that enhances what is there – making the space for … Continue reading Shaping the nature reserve
We had a bit of a Bank Holiday working party on the project plots today – just to do a bit of tidying. We trimmed the foliage that was overhanging the driveway, pulled up some of the Willowherb to try … Continue reading A bit of tidying
It was great to hear Debbie and Katie’s thoughts about how we might best manage the wildlife area. They’ve also given us contact details for colleagues who can help more with specific areas, so we’ll follow those up. But here’s … Continue reading Recommendations from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
We were visited by Debbie and Katie from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. We’d asked them to come and have a look at the area we have earmarked for wildlife – for our wetland wildflower meadow and wet woodland – and give … Continue reading Exploring with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Over a 4 or 5 year period, waterlogging on the site has become increasingly problematic. It’s a problem across the lower part of the site, but most pronounced in a row of four plots that sit between a medieval well … Continue reading Waterlogging & Wilding
Urban Allotment: climate resilience & community 