We had another successful workday at Garthorne Road Nature Reserve on Saturday. We cleared several areas of two invasive species: Holm oak (Quercus ilex) which is a native to the Eastern Mediterranean but has been naturalised in the UK. It lends itself well to shaping and is found in parks and gardens. Holm oak is not as valuable to wildlife as native English and sessile oaks, but its catkins provide a source of pollen for bees and other insects, the other species is Wild clematis (Clematis vitalba) also known as Travellers joy. The flowers of this plant are visited by pollinating insects during the day, such as bees as well as hoverflies. Traveller’s joy is also a food plant for moth species such as the pretty chalk carpet moth, Melanthia procellata; the small waved umber, Horisme vitalbata; the small emerald, Hemistola chrysoprasaria, as well as others. The seedheads of this plant also provide a food source for birds, such as goldfinches. Both can hinder the growth of other plants so clearing the area, we hope other plant species will thrive.
If you are interested in getting involved in our conservation work day, please contact as by filling in the form on the main page Garthorne Road Nature Reserve or via one of our social media pages
Garthorne Road Nature Reserve 