Adding to the Spiral Maze

We are now reaching the end of the tenth planting season. Yesterday, a couple of us went to the Biodiversity Area to add in a few more whips to the spiral row of trees.  This time we planted the rest of the second Woodland Pack of 50 - Oak, Alder and Rowan given to us by The Conservation Volunteers #IDigTrees funded by Ovo Energy customers.  In addition, there were some Osier Willow, Silver Birch, Common Lime, Spindle and Field Maple.  We added 34 trees to the total, which is now many hundreds. A rough tally of planting since December 2012 suggests that we have put in around 800 trees.  Of course, not every one will have survived, but most of them have and are in varying degrees of maturity. Many now flower and fruit every year, providing nectar and food for birds and mammals.  The Wild Cherries are in flower now, and many others are showing flower buds.

There were a few birds around - Blackbirds, Wood Pigeon, Sparrows (in the hedge) and possibly a Blackcap Warbler, but I could only hear it, not see it.  There is also a Song Thrush which visits the old Bowling Green and may be nesting nearby.

I also disturbed a tiny leaf beetle (Chrysolina bankii) with a beautiful copper shell and red legs and antennae.  It feeds on plantain leaves.

While I was clearing grasses from the tree tubes, I found a tiny Cucumber Spider (Araniella cucurbitina), the same species I found here last Spring.

The trees are coming into leaf now.  I noticed that a few trees, such as this silver birch, that are growing among brambles along the fence are holding their own.