"Wild Place, Your Space" - a joint project created by the RSPB and Lee Valley Regional Park were having an event to mark the 'official' opening of the community wildlife garden at the Waterworks Nature Reserve, and I had agreed to attend the event to help to show people some of the wildlife present on the reserve.
The event was well attended by members of the public, including members of the local community who had helped with the work involved in creating the garden - and a good selection of local wildlife attended as well!
A turf dragonfly created as one of the features in the wildlife garden. The plastic mesh making up the wings consists of plant pots intended to be planted with flowering plants that will attract bees and other insects.
The reserve is based around the old Essex Filter Beds, which are no longer used for their original purpose and are now managed for the benefit of wildlife. Introduced Edible Frogs are usually to be found in the filterbed's well-head and today was no exception, with at least three lurking amongst the floating duckweed. The wetter filter beds attract a variety of waterbirds, with Little Grebes among the most obvious of these today. At least two pairs have bred on the site this year, and both pairs still have chicks from late broods. Coot, and Moorhens, with young chicks were another favourite with some of the children who showed interest. Other birds included a Little Egret, Hobby, Sparrowhawk, and at least 12 noisy Ring-necked Parakeets - the later have been spreading into the area from their strongholds in south and west London in the last couple of years, and are now resident locally.
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