The Nature Site is on a very steep slope on the Moulsecoomb Estate Allotments site.  The land was originally disused allotment plots swamped by brambles and nettles.  Although these are important for wildlife, it’s a very limited habitat.  Trees and shrubs were mostly Hawthorn and Wild Plum. 

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With the agreement of the Allotment Service, a small group of plot-holders started to create the Nature Site in 2015 on a small patch of ground and we have expanded it to around 3,600 sq metres, approximately the size of 14 allotment plots

As allotment gardeners, we were all well aware of the dwindling numbers of pollinators on our plots, especially butterflies and bees, and were saddened by the lack of birds and their song. We became alarmed at the way nature is currently struggling in the face of pollution and climate change. Numbers of most species are falling drastically and species are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. We wanted to help in arresting the decline. Over the years we have created a wide range of habitats with the aim of supporting the widest possible range of ‘creatures’ and plants.

Over the past 9 years we have planted over 150 native saplings of 25 different species. We collected local seed and sowed wildflower banks and created an area of scrapes to benefit invertebrates. We also dug 2 wildlife ponds, making a rain collecting roof with pipe-work to fill the larger pond.

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To get some measure of whether we are achieving our aims, we record the number of species we see on the site itself. In 2023 we recorded 224 tree and plant species, up from 134 in 2016 (our first full year).

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We carry out a number of timed insect counts but mostly we simply record what see at each visit. We can identify plants, birds, butterflies and bumblebees, and some other insects but identifying most insects requires more specialist knowledge than we have.

We also want the site to look beautiful for people to visit and watch nature. We have made paths around the site, built and maintained countless steps and installed benches to sit on. We try to inform people about nature through our conversations, emails and reports and encourage them to play their part in supporting it.