16th October 2024: Lizzy from The Orchard Project led our team of volunteers on a habitat creation journey in and around Mayow Park orchard on a fine, warm October day.
Tools at the ready in wheelbarrows
 |
| Photo AS |
We were joined by young people from Free We Grow, who came ready to work. Under Lizzy's guidance the young people planted bulbs in the soil around the trees so that, come spring, we will have a lovely floral show.
 |
| Photo Mariana FWG |
The children worked well as a team and some good conversations were had about what they were doing.
 |
| photo Mariana FGW |
 |
| photo Mariana FWG |
 |
| photo Mariana FWG |
Meanwhile Friends of Mayow volunteers searched for wooden logs the thickness of an arm or slightly thicker. These logs were sawn to manageable lengths ready to create our stag beetle loggery.
 |
| Photo AS |
Lizzy found the perfect location:
 |
| Photo AS |
Stag beetles are among a number of UK endangered invertebrates. Even though there are not huge numbers, they seem to have settled in South East London where there find old, rotting logs to lay their eggs. Stag beetle larvae can spend up to seven years munching through logs half-buried in the ground. Then they pupate and emerge from their cosy woody homes into daylight. And we find these royal insects flying around on warm evenings from late May into July as they search for mates, lay eggs and the cycle starts again.
With the logs ready, the two Mikes prepared the ground:
Photo AS
Their artistic creation:
 |
| Photo AS |
All finished:
 |
| Photo AS |
