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 spread. Similarly, volunteers have been working around the site to remove Montbretia, a.k.a Crocosmia. Whilst it is a wonderful flower to have in the garden, a common cultivar (Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora) can escape from gardens, where it can kill biodiversity along paths and woodland floors as it spreads. Pleck Meadow also received its 3rd annual Grassland Condition Assessment. During the assessment, volunteers were able to attend to find out more about wildflower ID and what makes a healthy meadow.

We have continued to remove Rosebay Willowherb & Purple Moor Grass from the area of heathland that suffered a burn in June 2023.

We have continued to work at the Northern Gateway entrance near to the Peel Park Car Park where we removed dock, Creeping Thistle, and Bindweed. The summer results have been spectacular for the Northern Gateway as we have had swathes of Tufted Vetch, Black Knapweed, Yellow Rattle, Bird's-foot-trefoil, and Ox-eye Daisy. We've also had some new species appear such as Wild Marjoram, Marsh Woundwort, and Lady's Bedstraw.

Lastly, we had a double whammy of important management for pollinator diversity at Pleck Meadow as it received its 3rd annual cut and had a butterfly bank installed! You can read more about them by clicking their links.

Removing Himalayan Balsam!

Removing Montbretia!

Grassland Condition Assessment with Ben Hargreaves (LWT)

Pleck Meadow's Third Annual Cut

Butterfly Bank Creation

Tufted Vetch & Yellow Rattle

Wild Marjoram

All the wildflowers at the Northern Gateway!

Marsh Woundwort

Common Globetail on Ox-eye Daisy

Butterfly Conservation has officially declared a butterfly emergency - and looking at our survey results this year at Peel Park & the Coppice, we can see why. All in all, we have had a good diversity of invertebrates, with species like Small Copper, Peacock, Small Heath, Small Skipper & more still making an appearance. However there was a severe lack in abundance. We have released some preliminary butterfly data, our full results will be coming soon.

Our weekly surveys have now concluded for the year, but be sure to stayed tuned in 2025 to see the return of pollinator walks and surveys in Hyndburn.

To express your interest, contact Robert at robert.gabryszak@prospectsfoundation.org.uk.

Small Heath

Peacock on Black Knapweed

Large Skipper

Small Copper on Common Ragwort

Red Admiral

Early Bumblebee on Comfrey

Bumblebee Plumehorn

Honey Bee on Heather

Stripe-backed Fleckwing on Cat's-ear

Patchwork Leafcutter on Black Knapweed

Again, moths have also lacked in abundance this year - but also in diversity as we have seen far less than we saw during last years moth traps. There has also been a widespread lack of Elephant Hawk-moth and Cinnabar moth caterpillars.

Nevertheless, we still saw some interesting moths species which you can check out below!

Our public moth traps have ended for the year, but be sure to stay tuned for moth trap events next year!

To express your interest, contact Robert at robert.gabryszak@prospectsfoundation.org.uk.