Habitat

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Our potager (incredible edible).

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Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar

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Wildlife pond

As our site adjoins the informal garden area of Serpentine Walks, it forms part of a wildlife corridor reaching to St John’s Road and the Gadley Wood area to the north of the road. Serpentine Community Garden is a wild-life haven.

Trees and Vegetation

In uncultivated areas of the site ramsons (wild garlic), lesser celandine and marsh marigold flourish. Cowslips – some naturally occurring and others interplanted – are also present. There are a number of young self sown ash trees and a more mature pussy willow/Salix caprea. The council’s Arboriculture Officer has confirmed that she has no objection to felling, pruning or coppicing any of the trees in the old depot area: they are not protected species and none are suitable for roosting bats due to their immaturity. There are however no plans currently to fell the trees. The pussy willow provides early food for bees. The ash saplings may prove to be resistant to Ash dieback and could provide useful stock for repopulating damaged woodland.

Insects

We see a wide range of butterflies, moths and their caterpillars. The site has bird boxes, a bug hotel, and a small wildlife pond. Herbs and flowers attractive to pollinating insects are included in planting plans.

Birds

The site affords good habitat for birds including magpies, blue tits, long tailed tits,  coal tits, great tits, goldcrests, blackbirds, robins, jackdaws, song thrushes and wrens, with occasional visits from sparrowhawks. Toads have been observed, frogs, field mice, hedgehogs and squirrels. Motion sensor cameras  located on site in 2019 found no indication of badgers.