We have had a very hot summer this year and the grass in the park is parched brown. The meadow grew well and we had some lovely grasses grow interspersed with meadow flowers: common mallow, chicory, wild carrot, greater knapweed, goats rue, sedum acre, hedge woundwort, red clover, corn poppy to name a few. During the first scythe of the meadow on July 31st we uncovered a large amount of meadow ants that had made nests in the long grass. This is in stark contrast to the frequently mown grass on the other side of the path.
We also saw evidence of our first digital wildlife: people have been coming to the wood and park on the hunt for Pokemon, using the recently released Pokemon Go app. Apparently there’s a Pokemon gym in the park!
Unfortunately the triangle at the top of the steps did not get re-seeded with wildflower meadow mix this year, despite us asking the council. Now the weeds have really taken it over so seeding it ourselves next year will be an uphill struggle. Let’s see if Southwark can be persuaded to help out again.
The trees that are on the edge of the wood, alongside the Cleve Hall estate gardens have mainly been deemed as unsafe and their removal will take place in the near future. We will try to get replacement trees planted.
The dead wood we have been saving and leaving around the place has had a good effect on biodiversity and there has been a regular display of fungus in the wood, particularly along the logs that delineate the path.
The paths in and around the wood are due to be upgraded thanks to us winning some Cleaner Greener Safer money from Southwark Council.
And there have been sightings of rare stag beetles again in the wood.
