Throughout 2024, PROSPECTS has been carrying out pollinator surveys at Peel Park and the Coppice LNR. Measuring the abundance and distribution of species is vitally important for monitoring species health, climate change, and the effectiveness of conservation actions. Nationally, surveys provide data which allows climate scientists, conservationists, and insect experts to get a greater understanding […]
Summer 2024 Overview at Peel Park & the Coppice LNR
Like the rest of the UK, we have been experiencing some odd weather, accompanied by some disappointingly low invertebrate numbers. But we are still working hard to improve the site for pollinators. Our summer started like many others do, tackling Himalayan Balsam! We had several sessions of balsam removal around Pleck Meadow to reduce its […]
Butterfly Emergency 2024
Throughout 2024, PROSPECTS has been performing pollinator surveys at Peel Park & the Coppice LNR as part of the Peel Park Pollinator’s project. A huge thank you to anyone who assisted with the surveys, especially during a very poor year for it. We’ll be submitting/analysing all the data over the next couple weeks, but we […]
Spring 2024 Overview at Peel Park & the Coppice LNR
Despite the temperamental weather in April, we still managed to get a lot done on Peel Park & the Coppice LNR. April is the perfect month for planting & seed sowing. We have been planting a variety of different native species to benefit pollinators. We have had a couple Saturday sessions at Pleck Meadow where […]
Butterfly Bank Installation
On the 17th & 18th September, a butterfly bank was constructed at Pleck Meadow. A butterfly bank is a raised bank made of low nutrient aggregate. This bank will be a perfect spot for basking invertebrates and will benefit a wide range of wildflowers which will be important for butterflies and other pollinators. Limestone aggregate […]
Pleck Meadow 2024 Annual Cut
On Monday 9th, September 2024, Pleck Meadow at Peel Park and the Coppice LNR had its 3rd annual cut! Annual cut & collects are an important part of wildflower meadow management as it reduces nutrients in the soil which overtime will ensure that vigourous grasses and invasive species do not become dominant. A wider variety […]
Pleck Meadow Grassland Condition Assessment 2024
Pleck Meadow received its third annual Grassland Condition Assessment on the 8th July, 2024. The results show that the “cut and collect” management is working as the grass sward and presence of negative indicator species has decreased significantly. Seed sowing and plug planting have also increased the number of species present on the meadow. Read […]
National Highways visit Peel Park & the Coppice LNR
On Thursday 16th May we got lucky with some sunny weather as National Highways paid a visit to Peel Park & the Coppice LNR. National Highway have been funding the Network 4 Nature project across the UK, creating biodiverse habitats along our roads and highways in collaboration with The Wildlife Trust. This includes the Accrington […]
March 2024 Overview at Peel Park & the Coppice LNR
Spring has brought with it the usual perks, bees, flowers, and milder – albeit still very wet – weather! March is the final month before nesting season when we can remove scrub on the heathland, so we spent a lot of time bringing down colonising Silver Birch for the benefit of Heather, Bilberry, Crowberry, and […]
February 2024 Overview at Peel Park & the Coppice LNR
We have have been a lot busier on the Coppice this month thanks to the milder weather. During February half term, our very own TreeACTION project hosted a session on the site to plant a new Alder Buckthorn hedgerow to attract the Brimstone Butterfly. We also had help from the North Lancs Training Group hospitality […]
Bee and Butterfly Surveys at Peel Park & the Coppice LNR!
It’s that time of year again when we start our Bee and Butterfly surveys at Peel Park & the Coppice LNR! The walks will start on Tuesday 5th March 2024, and will take place every Tuesday @1pm (weather permitting) until September 2024. The transects start in Pleck Meadow and go around the whole site, where […]
Amphibians spotted at Pleck Meadow’s ponds!
After the wetlands on Pleck Meadow were constructed last year, we all waited with baited breath to see whether any frogs, toads or newts would find them suitable enough to call home. This week our anticipation was quenched when, with the help of some plucky, young, litter-picking volunteers, we spotted some eggs in two of […]
January 2024 Overview at Peel Park & the Coppice LNR
The Coppice was not as busy as usual this month with bank holidays and frozen weather slowing down work. Particularly the week of the 15th was very snowy and icy which lead to some sessions being cancelled due to safety concerns. We made up for it other sessions where we continued to clear scrub in […]
Habitat Boxes at Peel Park & the Coppice LNR
Lots of cosy new homes for birds & bats as well as comfy seats at Peel Park & the Coppice LNR! In autumn 2023, WOODY C.I.C. created and installed 30 bird boxes and 10 bat boxes across the site. A variety of different openings for the bird boxes were made so that they will benefit […]
Peel Park Pollinator Survey Results 2023
Throughout the year, PROSPECTS has been carrying out pollinator surveys on Peel Park and the Coppice LNR. Measuring the abundance and distribution of species is vitally important for monitoring species health, climate change, and the effectiveness of conservation actions. Nationally, surveys provide data which allows climate scientists, conservationists, and insect experts to get a greater […]
Pleck Meadow 2023 Annual Cut
On Monday 11th, September 2023, Pleck Meadow at Peel Park and the Coppice LNR had its 2nd annual cut! Annual cut & rakes are an important part of wildflower meadow management as it reduce nutrients in the soil which overtime will ensure that vigourous grasses and invasive species do not overrun an area. A wider […]
Wildfire 2023 – Peel Park and the Coppice LNR
After a lack of rain for several weeks, a wildfire started at Peel Park and the Coppice LNR on Wednesday 14th June. The fire spread NNW nearly 300m along the heathland at the top. The emergency service response was fast, and the firefighters quickly contained the fire and prevented its further spread. It took a […]