Our coppiced woodland has been taken over by the bright blooms of daffodils! The weather condition this year have been particularly good to the daffodil and these early flowering plants are thriving across the farm, especially in the coppice. Early flowers like daffodils are an important source of nectar for emerging bumblebees and other pollinators. They also put on a fantastic display!
As a part of our ongoing muck heap works, a new bank was created from well rotted manure behind the pens of our Saddleback and Potbellied pigs. This loose, nutrient-rich area was left unplanted to allow local flora to colonise and in just a few short months, it has quickly turned a lush green, filled with new foliage. This morning, I visited the site with local botanist and Mudchute trustee, John Swindells, to find out more about some of the plants which have found their way to the new bank.

Mayweed flowers. The delicate feathery foliage of this plant makes up much of the growth on the mound.

Disturbed land and a lack of taller plants provides opportunities for low-lying plants like this Lesser Swinecress.

Invertebrates such as this ladybird larva have also moved onto the mound and we found evidence of fox activity as well.
It was great to see so many wild species moving into the area so quickly and we look forward to watching the area develop and mature. The plants found growing on the mound are also found throughout Mudchute, so be sure to keep an eye out for these species on your next visit!