January 2012

After a break of about a month it is lovely to come back to Warley Place.  During this time the last leaves have fallen from the deciduous trees revealing the structure of some of the magnificent old specimens.  It is a good time to see how the crossing branches of the Persian Ironwood tree join together adding to the strength and rigidity of this wonderful tree.  The large number of Hollies, Yew and Ivy mean that there is still plenty of green around the reserve, providing food and shelter for the birds.   At the moment there are signs of an unusually mild winter with bulbs pushing up and it is hoped that early flowers will not be caught by a winter blast greeting the New Year.  In the week between Christmas and New Year the first crocus flower was found by the warden.   Following some high winds in December a dead sycamore fell across the path by the cold frames.  This has since been cleared away and the paths are clear again.  Decaying wood is an important habitat locally and within the reserve and some standing dead wood will be left when possible to support specialist invertebrate populations of the reserve.  The safety of visitors to the reserve is always considered and is kept in balance with the needs of the wildlife.   Volunteers have widened the path by the Terrace to enable the wider trailer to reach the daffodil bank.  As hidden bulbs have appeared along the path they have been replanted in areas where they will be able to flower safely away from boots and wheels.    In order to perpetuate the flora of Warley Place one of the specialist plant volunteers has grown two pink Spindle trees from cuttings from the original one near the west meadow.  These will be planted nearby to maintain a good show of this lovely shrub.  Also for similar reasons Box cuttings were taken 10 years ago and grown on to replace gaps in the box hedge in the walled garden and these have now been planted.   A Happy New Year to you all.