Well firstly a happy new year to everyone! And this year I
am kicking it off by introducing the 2015 flagship species of honey bees! As
awareness rises of pollinators in general decline, Parndon Wood Nature reserve
is trying to do its bit with plans to install several bee hives over the
coming years, along with the installation of bee gardens, showing visitors the
types of bee friendly plants they can have, setting up a flower stall dedicated
to Bee friendly plants and also organising bee themed events throughout the
year, including a ‘buzzing bee’ day at the reserve, with live demonstrations
from Harlow bee keepers association. So quite a busy year ahead!
January has seen us get on the road with these projects by
taking delivery of 6 large concrete planters, recycled from another location in
Harlow. Arriving in a slightly neglected state, staff have worked to clear them
of the rubbish within the tubs, adding compost and planting the first of many Bee
friendly plants. So far, lavender, rosemary, sage, chives, grape hyacinths,
crocus and snow drops have been planted and there is room for more to be popped
in throughout the year!
The transformation undertaken is already fantastic and
hopefully, that as the weather warms up, these will help our local pollinators
with the first struggles of the year.
 |
| Some of our concrete planters looking a bit sad. |
 |
| The first selection of our Bee friendly plants adding colour! |
January also saw the reserve joining in with the RSBP Big
Bird Watch of 2015. Over the weekend we offered identification books and
binoculars to the visitors who came back with a huge list of birds which were
spotted, including 6 Great Tits, 16 Blue Tits, 2 Robins, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Crows, 2
Magpies, 1 Jay, 10 Wood Pigeons, 3 4 Blackbirds, 2 Chaffinches, 2 Jackdaws, 3
Long tailed Tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Seagull, 1 Green
Woodpecker. The other birds spotted by our visitors today include a Sparrow
hawk, 2 Ducks, 2 Bullfinches and a goldfinch, all on just one day!
