Wildlife group
Information
Work of the Wildlife Group
Comments for the Wildlife group are posted below this introduction to the work of the wildlife group.
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Our formal ‘Victorian’ park might not seem to provide much in the way of interesting habitat for wildlife. Yet we can boast of having over 175 mature trees comprising at least 32 different species. (If you open the 'Trees' tab at the top of the Main page, you can find out more about our park trees.)
Comments for the Wildlife group are posted below this introduction to the work of the wildlife group.
Over 14 years ago an earlier wildlife group planted stretches of hedge along Effingham Road and opposite St Bart's Church made up of a mix of native tree species and flowering shrubs which have now matured. These attract a variety of birds and insects by offering them a range of food as well as nesting and shelter sites.
We have been steadily improving on this existing biodiversity. In agreement with the Parks department, we have built a pond (2007) seeded a wildflower meadow (2009) and planted additional hawthorn and blackthorn saplings (2009.) We have (2010) persuaded the Parks department to replace their previous severe hedge-cutting regime and institute instead a much more wildlife friendly approach to the cutting and management of the mature hedges which will involve less frequent cuts and allow the plants to grow significantly thicker and higher. This has to be good news for many invertebrate species as well as hedge nesting birds and birds that just use the hedge as a food resource. A shady 'woodland' area between the edge of the depot and the meadow area has been partially planted with shade loving native species: wild garlic, red campion and native bluebells (2011). A further section of this shade area will be similarly planted in 2012.
In September 2012, three diseased cherry trees were cut down in the park. The trunks were placed in the lower corner between the depot and the shade area. As these slowly rot, they will become a rotting wood habitat, colonised, we hope, by various invertebrates and fungi that feed on and in the wood.
We organise regular morning birdwatch meetings on the third Sunday of the month, usually from September to June, to follow the changing bird populations during the year.
Photographs of the natural history of the park are regularly added to the website which record the natural wildlife and seasonal changes taking place in the park.
The south facing slope below the Bowling Green was cleared (April 2011) of the small ash trees that had seeded themselves here. Also partial clearance and serious pruning has been carried out on the gorse,bramble,Taveller's Joy (wild clematis) and cotoneaster shrubs that had come to dominate this area. In their place, a variety of herbaceous plants have been planted which should provide an attractive resource for insects looking for pollen and nectar.
The following plants form the main body of the planting on the slope:
- Fragasia vesca
- Thymus drucei
- Nepeta mussinii
- Aubrieta deltoides
- Aster novii - belgii
- Scabiosa autopurpurea
- Waldsteinia ternata
- Geranium himalayense 'Gravetye'
- Geranium Macorhizzum 'Ingwersen's Variety'
If you would like to help in any way in developing the park as a more interesting and attractive place for wildlife, or just to be kept informed of any news and developments relating to the animals and plants of the park, then you are most welcome to join our group; please contact us through this website.
You can find out about nature reserves managed by Bristol City Council here.
Jo Corke and Simon Randolph.
Discussion Forum
The Value of Different Tree Species for Invertebrates and Lichens
Started by Des Bowring. Last reply by Simon Randolph Oct 11, 2009. 4 Replies 1 Like
Here's an interesting web page that lists the most important tree species for associated invertebrates…Continue
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Comment by Jo Corke on April 12, 2013 at 15:14
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The annual report of the wildlife group for the AGM is here.
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Tree Plan moves forward. Caroline Hollies (TreeBristol) presentation in March 2013 to FoSAP is here.
If you have been to the park recently you will have seen the new trees; if not, photos on this website.
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Mark has provided this information on Ash Tree dieback.
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The January 2013 update to the Tree Planting Plan is here
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here is a link to "what is Ash dieback and how can I report a sighting".
Let's get out there and Save our Ash trees for Ashley!
Jo
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Comment by admin on December 9, 2012 at 22:06
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I'd rather have the ash tree.
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This area is not called Ashley for nothing!
I wonder if the Ash variant, 'monophylla', by the depot, will be more or less susceptible to Chalara? On verra.
I read somewhere that, though we are losing a species (Ash) we have gained another - C. fraxinea; maybe a fair exchange if one is a mycologist.
Jo
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Comment by Simon Randolph on December 9, 2012 at 11:23 -
At the last count, about 7, Simon. Can't identify ash dieback until they are in leaf. But it will only be a matter of time....
PS.
Are you going to update the choice of featured photos sometime??!
(Admin) - Done ;-)
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Hi - how many Ash trees do we have in the park and do we have the skills to be able to identify if they are suffering from ash dieback (Chalara fraxinea fungus)?
In addition, do we have any idea what the population of Ash is in the surrounding area to the park?
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Butterflies are having a tough time this summer so why not do a count in your local park. It only takes 15 minutes of bright or sunny weather some time between now and 5th August – we can only hope it will be sunny some time soon.
Visit www.bigbutterflycount.co.uk for details of how to log what you see. The identification chart can be downloaded here
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