Sue Huggett, Bumpy Volunteer Group
As I write, it is early New Year, 2025. Traditionally a time for reflection, a summary of the year’s activities and events in Littlebury Green’s tiny nature reserve seems appropriate.
The birds and the bees (and the badgers) did what they do best in 2024. A greater number of our Blue/Great Tit nest boxes were used than in the previous year, plus a very notable addition of the Tawny Owl family which was raised in the old Barn Owl box at the south end of the reserve. Rooks again built their nests in the swaying tops of the tallest Ash trees, whilst Wrens, Robins and House Sparrows made theirs low down amongst the tangled brush piles and bramble bushes. The Jackdaws once again were the first to bag the owl box sited next to Churchside, filling it with a melange of sticks and twigs, which they seem to find so appealing.
Elm tree flowers in The Bumpy, Feb 2024
The bee hotel, constructed in 2024 and positioned behind the upper bench, has been turned into a nursery by Leaf-cutter Bees, whose larvae will emerge next spring, hopefully. A good number of Ivy Bees were also seen nectaring on the numerous ivy flower umbels in the autumn, together with wasps, Red Admiral butterflies and hornets. It was a difficult year for butterfly and bumblebee species, and numbers were down in the Bumpy, as they appear to have been everywhere. Hopefully, there will be less rain in the coming year and numbers will bounce back.
Whilst the badgers’ efforts to raise a family in the reserve were unsuccessful, a new mammal was captured on the trail camera towards the end of the year – a beautiful, adult stoat.
A new species list for 2024 is available to view at the entrance to the reserve.
Improvements made by the Bumpy Volunteer Group last year included the addition of new planting along the boundary with St Peter’s church, together with fragrant native Honeysuckle to clamber over the new fencing and delight butterflies, moths and bees. The bee hotel and beetle stack were new this year, and locally bred Mason Bees were also given a home. Encouraged by the breeding success of the Tawny Owls, two new nesting boxes have been provided for the coming breeding season; one specifically designed for Tawny Owls and the other for Little Owls, which are also known to be in our area. A small dam was constructed in the damp area in the far corner of the reserve, to encourage water to collect and form a small pool. This has become a popular drinking site for a selection of birds, including Green and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Goldfinch, Song Thrush and Wren. Most recently a “dry hedge” has been constructed through the centre of the reserve from the risings produced by the work of the tree surgeon, when making The Bumpy safe for visitors. This will provide cover for small mammals, whilst also ensuring that the entrances to the badger setts are protected at this vulnerable time of year.
The Bumpy is always open, so do pay a visit in the coming weeks.
If you would like to help to take care of this valuable local asset, we invite you to join us in the Bumpy Volunteer Group, a small team of friendly local people with a love of nature and a desire to share our natural heritage with others. Just send an email to our chairman, Jeremy, at jjrfeatherstone@hotmail.com.