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Butterfly Wildlife Group Update January 2022

Butterfly Wildlife Group Update January 2022

by chris | Feb 4, 2022 | Lepidopterology, Wildlife Groups

Aidan and Emma, our butterfly experts, joined the volunteer team for the December conservation event. To improve the reserve for butterflies they put in 5 Garlic mustard plants that we grew in our garden this year. It is a biennial plant so they will flower next...

Recent Posts

  • Bird Survey February 2022
  • January 2022 Conservation Event
  • Butterfly Wildlife Group Update January 2022
  • Bird Survey January 2022
We’re delighted to share that Hill Rise Nature Res We’re delighted to share that Hill Rise Nature Reserve has been awarded the Green Flag Community Award for 2026/27 — our 17th consecutive year.

The award recognises well-managed green spaces, and it belongs to every volunteer who has raked, chopped, cleared and cared for the reserve over the years. Thank you to all of you, and to @bedfordboroughcouncil for their continued support.

Special mention to the dozens of tiny froglets who emerged from the pond just in time for the flag raising.

#greenflagaward #Bedford #CommunityGreenSpace #Volunteers
Why we cut the meadow It might seem odd to cut a Why we cut the meadow

It might seem odd to cut a meadow that’s full of life, but it’s one of the best things we can do for it. Cutting and removing the growth keeps the soil low in nutrients, which is exactly what wildflowers love — and stops vigorous grasses from taking over and crowding them out.

This year we’ve moved to two cuts instead of one, adding an early-summer trim to give an even wider mix of flowers the chance to thrive. More flowers means more bees, butterflies and all the little things that depend on them.

The meadow had its cut at the end of June, and now comes the satisfying part: raking it all up.

Join us: Sunday 5th July, 09:00. Bring a rake if you have one — we’d love to see you there.
The meadow is looking wonderful, it’s certainly be The meadow is looking wonderful, it’s certainly benefited from the recent rain.
Wonderful to see so much garlic mustard, especiall Wonderful to see so much garlic mustard, especially under this old apple tree.
It may technically still be winter, but it feels v It may technically still be winter, but it feels very much like spring at Hill Rise.  Absolutely my favourite time of year.
Definitely spring time as far as the frogs are con Definitely spring time as far as the frogs are concerned
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