The Gartcosh Nature Reserve, in North Lanarkshire, is being further developed in order to safeguard the site’s important wildlife (such as the Great Crested Newt and several species of damselflies). It is a very nice place for birdwatchers, walkers, and BTCV volunteers, of course. : )
We have spent two weeks in the nature reserve, planting flowers most of the time. The first task was to clear hazels, willows, hawthorns and dog roses from a field. By doing so, volunteers made sure that wild flowers will have space to grow in the field.
The next task was to plant wild flowers such as ox-eye daisies. Thanks to these wild flowers, birds, bees, and various insects will feel more ‘at home’ in the reserve. Classes of children from the local Primary School came to help with the project. The nature reserve was suddenly less peaceful (‘AAARRRGH this worm is disgustiiiiiing’, ‘iiiiiiiiiihhh’, ‘uuuuuuuuuuuhhh’, ‘that’s MY flower’, etc), but they did a great job planting flowers (and handling worm families…).
It is very important that children are involved in projects like Gartcosh Nature Reserve, and it is always fun for volunteers to work around children. Hopefully we will see some of these children volunteering with BCTV soon.
