Chambers Farm Wood butterfly garden

The idea in creating the Garden is to raise the profile of Butterfly Conservation and to enthuse others to garden for butterflies & moths by:

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  attracting butterflies into the Garden, so that visitors are able to get good views of the more common species of both butterflies and moths,
• demonstrating the types of plants that will encourage butterflies & moths,
• experimenting with different habitats & management regimes to minimise maintenance without reducing the Garden's attractiveness to both people and wildlife.

The Garden continues to be maintained and developed by a team of enthusiastic volunteers and with the kind permission of Forestry England. It is designed to be at its best from June through to late September, though we hope that it will be of interest all the year round.

Chambers Farm Wood LN8 5JR (Grid ref: TF 147740) CFW ......... is located off B1202 Bardney to Wragby Road on Hoop Lane (signed to Langton) – after 200yds take first narrow lane to the right.

Join us in the Garden:
'Weed a bit, plant a bit, relax a bit - what a way to spend a day - a workout & relaxation therapy all for free!'

Contact: Margaret Westcott (tel: 01205 750719)

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 Gardening: Dates and Times

Month	Dates
January 2022	None
February	15th - cancelled
March	1st and 15th - cancelled
April	5th and 19th - cancelled
May	3rd and 17th - cancelled
June	7th and 21st - cancelled
July	5th and 19th - cancelled as access road closed
August	2nd and 16th
September	6th and 20th
October	4th and 18th
November	1st
December	None

For all gardening, please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Please bring your own tools and refreshments.
Please note: all dates are provisional and will depend on the weather conditions, so, please check with Margaret (tel: 01205 750719) to confirm before travelling.

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Butterfly Garden History

In 1992 Peter Cawdell met with Peter Webb, (Forestry Commission Officer for the Bardney Limewoods). Peter Webb asked if the Branch would like to take on the rough area behind the old tractor shed that was being developed as a Visitor's Centre, as the BC Lincolnshire Branch Butterfly Garden.
A butterfly garden on the edge of one of the best butterfly habitats in the County, right next to the new Visitors Centre where the branch would be allowed to hold their Committee and Members meetings, and a volunteer building where branch tools could be stored along with equipment and paperwork. How could the Branch say no!
Peter drew up a plan for the garden and regular work parties at weekends and evenings set to work to create the garden. Hedges were planted and the pond was dug out by hand.
Peter had successfully applied for a substantial British Gas grant specifically targeted at providing disabled access and public toilets for the project. Using these funds, the concrete paths around and through the garden were installed, which conveniently separated the various flower beds. Bird boxes and a bird feeding station were installed, so the garden was more a wildlife garden than just for butterflies and other pollinators.
The garden was eventually completed to plan and started to be used during branch events in 1993.
The garden was dedicated to a leading Lincolnshire entomologist Joe Duddington who had died in 1992, while on a butterfly holiday with branch members. Mick Speight made the plaque that stands near the. entrance to the garden.

Mick died in 2009, shortly after the branch had celebrated its 25^th anniversary. The notice board inside the garden is dedicated to Mick.
The Tsar plum tree is dedicated to Ray Mitchell, who was involved at the start of the garden project. Peter chose this variety of plum as he had seen a Camberwell Beauty nectaring on fallen fruit of this type within the County – hoping that one would make its way to the garden someday – we all live in hope!
Initially the garden was being managed as a wildlife reserve rather than a garden. At an AGM, John Petyt approached Peter and suggested that the garden would be a better ambassador for wildlife gardening if it was planted with butterfly/pollinator friendly garden plants. This was quite a suggestion and needed careful consideration.
Around this time, in 2006, Audrey Spring took an interest in the butterfly garden and soon became the unofficial leader of the gardening group who managed the garden on a regular basis. Audrey gathered together an enthusiastic group of 10 - 20 loyal volunteers, including Ron Fox who was always there to lend a hand or advice. With Audrey's guidance and persistence the garden has become the fantastic facility that it is today.

The garden is always a good spot to visit before and after a walk in the Chambers Farm Wood complex, to see what is about. The garden draws the occasional rarities from the wider woodland. Species such as White Admiral, Purple Emperor, and Silver-washed Fritillary in their season. Brown Hairstreak use the blackthorn every autumn to lay their eggs. Richard Davidson has found 40 there this last winter (2021-22).

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Top Ten Plants for Butterflies

• Perennial Wallflower: 'Bowles Mauve': Apr-Sept
• Red Valerian: May-Sept
• Sweet Rocket: 'Hesperis Matronalis': May-June
• Verbena Bonariensis: June-Oct: likes dry
• Marjoram: June-Sept
• Hebes: June-Aug
• Purple Loosestrife: July-Aug: Likes damp
• Buddleias varieties: July-Sept
• Sedum varieties: Aug-Oct
• Michaelmas Daisies: various: Aug-Oct

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Plant of the Moment

 

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). A good nectar source for many pollinators
A native, tall plant that can form dense stands of purple flower spikes. This plant grows best in damp places

 

News from the Garden: Our 'Blog'!

2022

Tuesday 2nd August 2022

• At last, the access road has re-opened and gardening dates can resume.
• We had a lively session with 10 volunteers. Tasks included deadheading, weeding, and tidying up.
• The boundary hedge was trimmed back, and the pond topped up from the water butt.
• Some decisions have been made about repairs to the annual raised beds.
• Lots of Gatekeepers were around, also Commas, Whites, Holly Blue, Brimstone, Red Admirals and a Painted Lady. We were pleased to see a Silver-washed Fritillary in the garden.
• It was really nice to have visitors to the garden now the holiday season is well under way.
• New volunteers are always welcome, please contact Margaret for more information.

Friday 22nd July 2022

• We are hoping to re-start our gardening sessions soon.

  

• The maintenance work to the access road is nearing completion.
• The garden appears to be flourishing, despite the lack of rain, and the butterflies abound as usual.
• The White-letter Hairstreak can be seen feeding on the Hemp Agrimony.

Tuesday 17th May 2022

• A new agreement has now been reached, and the gardeners can return, with kind permission of Forestry England.
  A few of us met in the garden today, before the imminent closure of the access road.
• It was a gorgeous day, and the butterflies were out in force. Several  Orange-tips were hovering on the Sweet Rocket, with Brimstones, Holly and Common Blue on the wing. A Small Copper flashed its wings from its perch on the Pot Marigolds.
•  The star of the attraction today was the Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth.  Many visitors had their cameras at the ready.

  

• Also reported were a good few Marsh Fritillaries in the Meadow.
• A good days gardening meant the grass was cut, the Heather bed rejuvenated, and annual seeds sown.
• The pond was topped up from the water butt.
• Despite earlier neglect, the garden looked very inviting, and attracted many visitors.

Thursday 7^th April 2022

• The garden today was looking in need of TLC. Until we have the go-ahead from Forestry England (FE), the gardeners have not been able to get going this season.
• Yet again, an URGENT email has been sent to FE after various unsuccessful phone calls.

  

• However, nothing stops growing in a garden!
• The Heather still looks magnificent, the Perennial Wallflowers and Bowles Mauve are beginning to burst into flower.

The star today was the Primrose, so pretty in the rain!

Thursday 4^th April 2022

Unfortunately the gardeners are unable to garden at the moment. We are waiting for permission from Forestry England.
In the meantime, keep a look-out for our new information board, which should be completed soon.

 

 

Tuesday 20^th October 2021

• Started late due to heavy rain  - fine though damp for the rest of day, so not able to mow. Plenty of other jobs to do, as now is the time to prepare for next year.
• Two of the annual beds were cleared apart from a few healthy looking Marigolds and Borage seedlings, then seeded with Phacelia which will cover and nourish the soil over winter. The third bed was cleared earlier and sown with corn as a base for a ‘cornfield’ next summer.  The corn is showing through already and Corn-marigold and Cornflower etc will be added in the spring. 

  

• As we did last year we are starting to clear another area of Golden Rod (beautiful, loved by insects but needs restricting).  This is a drier area which we are hoping to replant with Globe thistle, Rudbeckia,  Helenium, Echinacea etc.  If any gardeners  have spares of these plants or of Ligularia, we would be grateful for donations
• Spring flowering plants – Sweet Rocket, Yellow Alyssum and Aubretia – were added to the sunny border outside the garden, all good nectar plants.  Self seeded Teasels were removed from the borders and planted in the more naturalised areas in front of the south hedge. 
• Large buddleias were pruned by a third to prevent wind damage in the winter. And a start was made on a channel to link a water butt to the pond which should help to keep the pond topped up.

Tuesday 6^th October 2021 – Rained off
Last Gardening session of the year is on 2^nd November 10.00 am to 3.00 pm

Tuesday 21st September 2021

• The most perfect gardening day – still and warm - with lots of butterflies, the first time I have said that this year.  And the star attraction were the Michaelmas Daisies, in particular the tall Harrington’s Pink- see photo

  

• This is a good time of the year to assess each bed – what is there, would it be better somewhere else, is that plant becoming too dominant?  
• So we took notes and some immediate action was taken. Fleabane were moved from the Scree and Annual beds to a new area of grass, with Yellow Rattle being seeded around to weaken the grass, thus giving the Fleabane a better chance to get established. 
• Other plants like Meadow Cranesbill were removed from the Raised bed, as that bed is reserved for plants like Lavender, Sedums, Verbena that need a dry sunny area – in short supply in this garden.
• Nev made an excellent job in re-building the wall around the raised bed
• Butterflies: Lots of Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Comma, Painted Lady and Large White
• Around the Pond: Migrant Hawker and Common Darter

Next session Tuesday 5^th October

Tuesday 7th September 2021

A late start today as it was the Annual Volunteers BBQ at 5.00 pm but it was way too hot for much gardening. Though we did manage to mow the grass and do some dead-heading to extend the flowering period of Buddleias etc.

Tuesday 31st August 2021

• There had obviously been heavy rain in the garden – unfortunately the brilliant and colourful Purple Loosestrife and Golden Rod had flopped.  But Joe Pye Weed and Rudbeckia Herbstsonne still reach for the sky.  
• More of the long grass was scythed and mown, and space was cleared around Sedums and Asters for the next show.  
• Few butterflies were seen on this damp and dull day, but sharp eyes found a range of other interesting insects – notably the exotic looking Vapourer Moth Caterpillar (see photo), and duelling Bush Crickets

  

• Butterflies: Large White, Red Admiral, Painted Lady and Brimstone
• Moths: Hebrew Character and Vapourer Caterpillars
• Other insects; Dark bush Crickets, Bog Hoverfly; Sericomyia silentis, Hoverfly: Helophilus pendulas-query

Next session Tues 7^th September – 2.00pm onward for gardening.  6.00pm for volunteers BBQ, by invitation only

Tuesday 17th August 2021

• In contrast to last session, it was dull and wet, so few Butterflies or other flying insects.
• But the mix of weather had certainly promoted lots of growth of everything – so lots of dead-heading to prolong flowering, particularly of the Buddleias. In addition, attempts were made to ensure sufficient space for the flowers yet to come like Michaelmas Daises and Sedums and to check the onward growth of Bindweed.

  

• The gates were given another coat of paint.
• Butterflies: Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Small White, Common Blue
• Moth: Copper Underwing, Silver Y, Mint, Yellow Shell
• Other insects: Shield Bug Star, Wasp Tenthredo Livido

Next Gardening session – Tues 31^st August - anytime between 9.00am - 3.00pm

Tuesday 3rd August 2021

• An idyllic day in the garden - Butterflies straight away including Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral drifting over

  

  our heads – the major insect attracters awash with Bees and Hoverflies.  With Buddleias, Marjoram, Lavender, Field Scabious, Hemp Agrimony and Purple Loosestrife attracting the most  – and perfect gardening weather - Glorious!   And we took time to look and enjoy it.
• Still there was the pond to top up, paths to mow, Buddleias to deadhead and Bindweed to unwind so we couldn’t allow ourselves to be totally distracted
• Also a large clump of Carex Pendula which arrived in the garden without invitation, had become smothered by Bindweed, so was chopped to the ground and will be dug out later in the year.  Though it can look spectacular, was probably not earning its space insects-wise.

  

• Seen today – Not only were 15 different species of butterfly ( though none in large quantities) but also Common Darter, Southern and Migrant Hawkers plus surprisingly a Banded Demoiselle and a Meadow Grasshopper

Next Gardening session – Tuesday 17^th August: anytime between 9.00am - 3.00pm

Tuesday 20th July 2021

• An extremely hot day – so started at 9.00am and did as much as we could before it really heated up, retreating to the shade

  

  by noon for a relaxed communal lunch.  A good way to spend a hot day at a shared garden.
• It feels as if the garden itself is taking a breath at this time of the year – the first big show is over and the next is about to start.
• We are cutting back and deadheading the Red Valerian, Meadow Cranesbill, Sweet Rocket, Honesty Rock Roses, Pulmonaria etc, making sure that the next show stoppers – Hemp Agrimony, Purple Loosestrife, Buddleias, Marjoram, Joe Pyeweed, Sedums, Michaelmas Daisies etc, have space to do their stuff. 
   
• Butterflies: Small & Large Skippers, Ringlets (lots), Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small, Large and Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, single Purple Emperor, Silver-washed Fritillary, Red Admiral and Comma.

Next Session: Tuesday  3^rd August, between 9.30am and 3.30pm

Tuesday 6th July 2021

• A day of hot sunshine and heavy showers – fortunately we have the shelter in front of the Centre to run to for cover, but we had to give in soon after 2 o’clock as the rain looked to continue for the rest of the day 

  

•  Of the plants put in last week there were winners and losers - the Birdsfoot Trefoil is already in flower, a winner, the Verbascums completely annihilated by munching Mullein Moth Caterpillars, a loser for the Verbascums but a winner for the Mullein Moths
• The Annual beds had a few gaps, so fast growing, pollen-rich Phacelia was sown to fill the spaces.  Some Red Valerian was cut back to encourage a fresh flowering in August.
• Everybody spent some time pulling out the usual unwelcome suspects- Goosegrass, Vetch & Bindweed
• All the rain we have been having is creating giants – see photo of futuristic looking Cardoons reaching for the sky.  The Hogweed is so high that only the tallest volunteer was able to reach to chop off

  

  the heads – the insects love the flowers of Hogweed but once they start to go to over we cut the heads off to prevent further seeding
• Butterflies: Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper.
• Moths: Silver Y, White Plume, Yellow Shell and Drinker Moth Caterpillars

Next Session Tuesday 20^th July

Tuesday 29th June 2021

• An extra session as we are still catching up, so a busy day
• The Birdsfoot Trefoil, favoured by the Common Blue for egg laying, was planted on the dry scree bed. Space made by removing some Rockroses and Field Scabious, which though good for insects have both done rather too well here - Scabious to the margins of the garden and Rockroses distributed amongst the gardeners

  

• A few Verbascums were also added and by the end of the sessions had already attracted the Mullein Moth stripy Caterpillars. A post was erected to support Old Man’s Beard/Traveller’s Joy - Clematis vitalba, our native species of Clematis
• On the Annual beds, the new to us, Orlaya, a pretty white Umbellifer grown from seeds, is looking really great with the Echium Blue Bedder. These were raised under cover and planted out, where as the multi-coloured annual Scabiosa atropurpurea sown outside towards the end of April has produced few plants. We may try sowing this in the autumn, to see if it does any better.
• During the afternoon the weather brightened, bringing out Butterflies and numerous insects plus a large Toad found ambling

  

  up the path. Photos were taken and identification checked. These included Flesh Fly, Nursery Spider, Wasco Beetle and Woundwort Shield Bug
• Butterflies & Moths: Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Mullein Moth Caterpillar and 6-spot Burnet Caterpillar
• Around the Pond: Azure and Large Red Damselfly

Next Session – Tues 6^th July – am and pm sessions as usual now

Tuesday 15th June 2021

• Another hot day and lots to do.
• Good news, the Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoths are back -  nectaring on the Red Valerian - so good to see
• There is more life around the pond this year since we opened it up in the Autumn.  Large Red and Azure Damselflies were

  

  around all day as well as a pair of Broad Bodied Chasers.  Lots of Common Spotted Orchid seemed to have popped up out of nowhere
• But a two weeks break and the weeds get the upper hand.  So, much time was spent pulling buckets-full of Bindweed, Vetch and Goose-grass out of the beds, along with spent plants like Forget-me-nots and Red Campion. This all helps to make room for the next group of plants to bloom – like Veronica, Chinese Loosestrife and the various Cranesbills
• Some areas of plants like Marjoram and Comfrey were given the ‘Chelsea Chop’ to extend the flowering and also to shorten some tall stems of plants like Golden Rod and Sedums which can tend to flop over. So called, as the best time to do it is the usual time of the Chelsea Flower Show

  

• We noticed the lack of Birdsfoot Trefoil on the Scree bed and amazingly enough one of our members has since rung to offer us some, and he is willing to plant them too.  People are so supportive
• The paths were edged and the entrance has been given a fresh coat of paint
• Butterflies:  Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell

Next Session – Tuesday 6th July – am and pm sessions as usual now

Tuesday 1st June 2021

• Hats were needed again, but this time to protect from the sun – a scorcher today.  Fortunately we have access to a cool shelter for our breaks.
• A two week gap and everything is blooming.  The Forget Me Nots are still flowering, as are Sweet Rocket and Red Campion. Rockroses are starting and Wood Cranesbill are bursting out all over, with Meadow Cranesbill quickly to

  

  follow. The Meadow Cranesbill is larger, has finer cut leaves, is more blue in colour and flowers slightly later than the Wood Cranesbill.
• The Heather was trimmed to stop it getting too leggy, and fed with liquid Ericaceous feed to help it cope with the mostly alkaline soil here.
• New poles were added to the shrub bed to support the Hop and Honeysuckle.
• We added a new - to us - plant called Chinese Forget Me Nots (Cynoglossum Amabile), which hopefully will flower through the summer months. 
• We have been leaving more of the grassed areas long, with mown paths

  

  where necessary – so far we are pleased with the result.
• Butterflies: Brimstone Female, Orange Tip Male and Speckled Wood
• The first Damselflies this year - Azure and Red were flitting around the pond.
• A Cuckoo was heard. 

Next session: Tuesday 15th June

Tuesday 18th May 2021

• Another session devoted to restoring some order to a garden neglected due to Covid restrictions. It has been hard work but I do believe we are getting there. Weeds were removed, plants were put in place, mulch was added & the lot were watered.
• We know that come a month or two the plants will be stunning as usual. The Insect Hotel was given the once-over and almost immediately Red Mason Bees were inspecting the accommodation.

  

• The most exciting part of the day came when a large noisy swarm of Honey Bees passed through the garden – causing volunteers to scatter. 
• Butterflies: Brimstone, Orange Tip and Green-veined White
• Flowering: Forget-me-nots, White and Purple Honesty, Sweet Rocket, Comfrey, Red Campion, with Water Crowfoot in the pond.

Next Session: Tuesday 1st June

Tuesday 11th May 2021

• For a third week we were rained-off early, but work continued on restoring a modicum of order to the flower beds.  The last of the Annual beds was cleared for planting.
• New shoots of Joe Pye Weed - Eupatorium maculatum were found and marked. Sedums were rescued and given space to expand. Both of these plants being excellent for pollinators.
• We discovered a new plant in the garden identified as Star of Bethlehem (see photo) – I can’t imagine how it arrived. The bed in which it was found has neither been dug-over or added to.

  

• Butterflies: Brimstone, Orange tip and Green-veined White
• Flowering: Primroses, Cowslips, Oxslips, Forget-me-nots, White and Purple Honesty, Dandelion, Comfrey, Red Campion and Greater Stitchwort.
• Red Valerian starting to flower.
• Notable birds: Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Bullfinch, Nuthatch and Buzzard

Next Session: Tuesday 18 May

Tuesday 4th May 2021

• A second cold and damp Tuesday, but we are not down-hearted.  There is much to do after a year of neglect, battling the

  

  encroachment of grass and other undesirable plants thought out the planted areas. We kept at it until the heavy rain came at 3.00pm.
• We also added our garden-produced quality mulch where needed and seeded two of the Annuals beds with insect friendly plants – multi-colour Scabious, Cornflower, Echium Blue Bedder, Orlaya grandiflora (new to us), Marigolds and Borage. The Annuals beds were netted to protect from the unwelcome attention of local wildlife. 
• Surplus Field Scabious plants were relocated to sunny areas of ‘long grass’ around the perimeter of the garden.
   

  

  
  
   

 

 

 

Next Session: Tuesday 11^th May – from 9.00am to 12.30 and from 12.30 to 4.00pm

Tuesday 27 April 2021

• After uninterrupted blue skies and sunshine for weeks, our garden session this week, is overcast, cold and damp. Still it kept us working to keep warm. And there was much to do.
• The shredding was completed and good compost is now available from the oldest bay of our 4-bay compost heap.  We continued to work through the beds, weeding and deadheading. Though there was a bit of a problem identifying some of the perennials. Deciding between those we wanted to keep and encourage, and those like Greater Willowherb that we would rather be without. So much easier when they are more that than a couple of inches above the ground. Fortunately, we have a reference library in the Volunteers shed to refer to.
•  A second annuals bed was cleared and compost added, ready for raking and sowing next week. We are trying seeds of multi-colour annual Cornflower, Scabious atropurpurea, a tall double mix, with Borage as an edging for one bed - Echium Blue Bedder and Corlaya grandiflora, an Umbellifer, both as seeds and seedlings in the second bed.
• The leaves of the Common spotted Orchids are starting to appear. Lots of Honey Bees were drinking at the edge of the pond. Primroses and Forget-me-nots were still the predominate flowers, with the Winter Heather flowering on and on.
• The plants of Enchanter’s Nightshade and Bush Vetch were identified just outside the garden.

Next Sessions; Tuesday 4 May - 9.00am to 1.00pm and 1.00pm to 4.00pm

Tuesday 20 April 2021 - First day in the garden this year.  So good to be back

• Now a time to take stock.  Garden has been scythed and raked, thanks to Mark.  The pond is low but soil is relatively dry and workable.  A good show of  Primroses and Forget-me-nots plus Cowslips, some Oxslips, Sweet-Rocket, Pulmonaria, Comfrey with Winter Heather still flowering,  providing nectar for the early insects

  

• A small team, numbers restricted still, made a start on the immediate essentials – topping up pond, mowing, shredding the scythings, necessary pruning, and repairing climbing supports. Undaunted others tackled selected areas - dead-heading, starting to clearing six months-worth of weeds from the large Shrub bed, clearing one of the Annual beds, the entrance and by the raised bed
• We will be working each week for the next month, instead of twice-monthly, in an effort to catch up.   As one volunteer said with conviction “We’ll get there”
• The warm sunshine and the active wildlife spurred us on - singing birds, particularly Nuthatches, displaying Buzzards, lots of  bees (Common Carder, Buff-tailed, Red Mason plus a female Hairy-footed Flower Bee) and Butterflies - Brimstones, Orange Tip, Green-veined White
• This year we are leaving more areas to long grass with native perennials, like Meadow Cranesbill, Foxgloves, Oxeye Daises, Knapweed, Field Scabious etc. particularly around the perimeter   

Next session – Tues 27^th April:  Planting and seeding as well as more shredding and feeding

2021

Covid restrictions mean the Garden must manage without us until we are able to return hopefully sometime in April.
However during March, a local member has been able to give the garden it’s annual ‘hair cut’ with his scythe, and has also kindly raked off the debris, leaving it ready for us make a start when we can.