New projects for 2015

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!