Improving biodiversity in Chinbrook Meadows

This year we were successful in our application for an “Our Space” award from Groundwork which will help us improve the biodiversity in the park. We called the project “On the Wing” as we hope to provide improved habitat for a variety of flying creatures; bugs, bees, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and more. This grant will also help local people find out more about what is around and learn more about how we can record what is around us and improve habitats for the future.

Our first event was in April when we planted a range of native marginal plants to enhance the diversity of the biggest pond.

We also used our newly acquired pond dipping equipment to observe and record the creatures we found in the pond, the session was attended by about 30 children and 30 adults and, with Glendale’s Conservation Officer on hand to advise, we were able to identify 20 different species (see list in “Buds, birds and beasts”)

Not quite 22 birds for 22nd

Sunday 22nd May was a lovely sunny morning. The meadow areas were looking beautiful in the park and I saw quite a variety of birds, just one short of 22! Here’s my list;
blue tit, blackbird, blackcap, chaffinch, chiffchaff, crow, collarded dove, dunnock, great tit, grey wagtail, goldfinch, house sparrow, magpie, nuthatch, parakeet, robin, swift, stock dove, starling, wood pigeon, wren.

Bird life in the park

I am hoping to keep a more regular check on the bird life in Chinbrook Meadows this year. This morning I saw such a great variety I decided to add the list to the blog.  The redwings, that have been winter visitors for the past few years, are back again. You hardly notice them at first against the background of dead leaves at the riverside but, once you look through the binoculars, you can see the beautiful red under-wing and striking markings on their heads. They are getting a feast of worms from under the damp undergrowth. They will be off again soon to return to their breeding grounds in Russia or Scandinavia.

Here’s my list; 27 species for 27th February!

Blackbird, black-headed gull, blue tit, crow, egret, feral pigeon, green woodpecker, great tit, grey wagtail, goldcrest,  goldfinch, jackdaw, jay, log-tailed tit, magpie, nuthatch, parakeet, redwing, robin, siskin, starling, sparrow, sparrowhawk, song thrush, stock dove, wood pigeon, wren.

I frequently see a pair of grey wagtails. They live up to an old country name of “water wagtail” as they are always bobbing along by the water’s edge, wagging their long tails up and down.

Winter visitors

Eight o’clock on the first Monday morning in March, bright blue sky. I cross the bridge over the Quaggy with the pavilion behind me. Most of the park seems to be deserted apart from a few scattered dog walkers and a hurrying commuter. But here as I swing left along the edge of the stream it’s positively crowded. The sodden banks on both sides of the water are full of scurrying small thrush-like birds with rusty red stains on their sides and white streaks over their eyes. It’s a flock of Redwings. They’ve been hanging out here for weeks. We should be proud. These birds have traveled thousands of miles to spend the winter visiting our park from the northern wastes of Scandinavia.  It’s an exciting feeling getting this little glimpse of wilderness on an early spring morning.

Glendale leaves its mark

Back in December FOCM applied for, and received, lots of free bulbs (see earlier post). Glendale planted about half of them before Christmas and then FOCM volunteers planted the rest in January. They are coming up all over the park, but we can clearly see who planted this group!

Salad days

Here are a few leaves, found on the banks of the Quaggy in Chinbrook Meadows, that will make a tasty addition to your salad.

 Some are more plentiful than others so please don’t uproot plants but pick a few leaves. If you want to try some nettle recipes feel free, as there are more than enough of those! The Guardian newspaper on Saturday 30th March had some recipe ideas including soup, risotto and omelette.

A spring in your step

I spotted these delicate crocuses in Chinbrook Meadows today. The daffodils that we planted some years ago are coming up too. Do you think they are earlier this year?

Siskins in the park?

Siskins have been seen in a garden in Amblecote Road this week so look out for them in the park