Following on from our last post theme of bees we have below a picture of our Bee orchids that are out in flower.These curious flowers appear to have a female bee resting on them,however the purpose of this charade is to attract a real bee which will then bring pollination for the plant. The plants […]
Wildflower and species rich grasslands play an important part in our ecosystem and biodiversity. They support a huge range of wildlife including bees, flies, spiders, butterflies, moths, reptiles, small mammals, bats, dragonflies, damselflies and birds to name a few. Species rich grasslands also provide environmental benefits including carbon storage, water retention which helps to prevent […]
Its really good to see a great diverse mix of wildflowers growing in what people may think as a poor patch of grass. This was taken next to Mary Secole building, it provides plenty of colour plus essential food for our pollinating insects we have on campus.
To maintain and enhance the biodiversity across Site one meadows it is essential to control the dominant plant and aggressive grass species. This is done by carrying out a suitable cutting and collecting regime twice a year which helps to reduce the nutrient level in the soil profile ,promotes a wider variety of wild flowers […]
Here is another section of wild flowers newly sown on Site, ideal for the bees. Despite the really hot and dry conditions they still look good, hopefully people can enjoy them without having to walk through them.
Now here is a plant you may see on Campus in the buffer areas around the perimeter fencing or in the meadows on site one and four the pyramid orchid one of two orchids we have around campus.
So what’s happened here? Well the grass area was really struggling next to Mary Secole building so we’ve scarified it then sown ,with some top dressing as a carrier, an annual wildflower mix to add a bit of colour and of course food for the bees, butterflies and other such insects. Hopefully we should have […]
Yes we actually have a wild flower meadow over on Site One, plants such as Perennial Cornflower, Field Scabious, Ladies Bedstraw, Vetch, Wild Carrot, Yarrow, Trefoil to name just a few. The area is rich in wildlife providing a great source of food for many species including bees feeding off the nectar, dragonflies and later on […]