Wildlife to look out for
The Park and Arboretum are currently teeming with insect life. Around the brook and the wildlife pond are lots of brightly coloured damselflies like the one above. Bees are making the most of our pollinator friendly border near Church Lane and there are many different species of butterfly all through the Park and Arboretum. We have a Big Butterfly Count Event on the 23rd July. It will by your chance to learn to recognise different species of butterfly and to contribute to this nationwide citizen's survey, which identifies species that are in decline as well as those that are flourishing. Details are on the front page of this website.
May Work Morning
This was a special session in order to complete the maintenance of the flowerbed by the Church Lane entrance which is planted with pollinator friendly plants. Marjoram, although very popular with bees, has rather taken over the bed. Significant amounts were removed to make space for new plants, including some sunflowers. After a mulch with well rotted wood chippings, the bed is set up for the summer and will help to support the wildlife that depends on the nectar from the flowers.
The tree gang did a good job on the elders in the park. Elders are like weeds and it is good that we have taken them out. The park should be a showcase for the the magnificent old trees that are on show. There are lots of elders still in the Arboretum so there will be elder flowers and elderberries in the Arboretum for the insects and birds to enjoy.
There will be no further work mornings now until September but look out for other events that will be taking place in the Park and Arboretum. Enjoy the summer!
Himalayan Balsam
No this isn't a tropical rainforest, it's actually the brook near the Cherston Court entrance to the Park and Arboretum. Ron and some volunteers are taking on the annual task of controlling the Himalayan Balsam which grows along the edges of the brook. The only way of controlling this invasive species with its exploding seed pods is to pull it out before the pink flowers set seed. Although an attractive plant, it would take over the whole brook if left to its own devices and choke out other plants.
Tree Pruning in the Orchard
In January Steve Mason from the Gloucestershire Orchard Trust held a masterclass in apple tree pruning for some of the Arboretum's regular volunteers. Look out for a fine crop of apples in the autumn.
Bird Box Survey
On the January work morning Graham, his grandson Riley and Ron inspected all the bird boxes.
Riley cleaned out all the old nests and we recorded whether the box had been used. In the Orchard to the left of the Cherston Court entrance as you enter the Park, there are six bird boxes and five had been used. There is only one bird box in the Park and this had been occupied. In the Arboretum only three of the seven bird boxes had been used. This makes an overall occupancy rate of 64%. We look forward to the Spring and seeing more activity around the boxes.