Wildlife Area

In the summer of 2020 idverde offered us two derelict plots (2A and 3A) on the north (Croydon Road) side of our allotments to create a wildlife area.
These plots had not been cultivated for many years and were unlettable due to being engulfed by masses of bramble, weeds, a giant Russian vine and rubbish dumped by previous tenants over the years.
We also took advice from the Biodiversity Officer for Sutton Council about our development plans for the site.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of volunteer plot holders the overgrown path leading to the site was cleared and the Russian vine cut down. We cut back but retained most of the bramble patch as the fruit and flowers are attractive to wildlife and it also serves as a shelter for sparrows and our resident foxes. We also retained the wild plum trees which had seeded themselves as the sparrows come to feed on the luscious fruits. We also had to hire a skip to get rid of the rubbish.
The next phase was successfully completed in October 2021 with the creation of a large pond to encourage frogs, newts and dragonflies. Ducks have also used the pond as a stopover under the ever-watchful eyes of the foxes.
This spring we plan to create a wildflower meadow to attract pollinators which not only include our resident honeybees but also solitary bees, butterflies, beetles, bats and wasps all of which are important in the pollination process.