I hope you like our two new willow domes by the toddlers play park. The plan is to link them with paths and create a new wildflower patch in the middle a bit like this.

This blackbird in amongst the dogwood would also like us to know that he is delighted with the launch of a community nature reserve in our area.

On January 19th Emersons Green Town Council launched a community nature reserve across the whole town council area including Emersons, Lyde, Blackhorse and parts of Mangotsfield. More than fifty people were at the launch and there was very obvious enthusiasm. The idea is that we should all work together to care for wildlife in the area. Everyone who manages a garden with wildlife in mind is invited to register it as part of the nature reserve. There is also a facebook site EGTC Community Nature Reserve where we can share our plans and any news of wildlife around us. You can register your garden here. Please register your garden even if you are just setting out on being wildlife friendly. The more gardens that we have engaged with this the more effective it will be.

Finally, guess where this picture was taken? It looks like a hot summers day in a field perhaps, but it is actually Lyde Green Lake in the winter sun.

Every day it is getting lighter, soon Spring will be here…