“Gardens are England’s most important Nature reserve”
– Professor Kevin Gaston, Sheffield University
Urban green spaces are becoming
increasingly important to our native wildlife.
While the Guinea Gardens
site probably does not harbour any endangered species or extreme rarities, its significance is in its contribution to biodiversity
within the city.
So far over 100
flowering plant species have been identified, as well as various species of fern moss, liverwort and lichen. Over 150 invertebrate
species have been definitely identified, with more then 70 of these being moths attracted to light traps. One of these moth species has only twice before been identified within the “Worcestershire”
recording area under which Edgbaston is classified. A tiny brownish moth its
most spectacular feature is probably the length of its name – Strathmopodia pedella.
Recent work has confirmed
that at least 23 of the 44 bird species recorded in a detailed survey carried out 1994-5 are still present. Herons fly overhead to their roosts at dusk and green woodpeckers can be heard in the early morning.
Smooth newts,
frogs and toads are common on the site as are foxes, short-tailed voles and the ubiquitous grey squirrel.
Interestingly enough, plot-holders’
reports suggest that hedgehogs are rarely if ever seen, even though the site provides highly suitable shelter and plenty of
food.
Bats are certainly present
– use of bat detectors has revealed that the main species is the soprano pipstrelle.
While the cultivation of
the plots might appear to be in opposition to the needs of wild-life in fact the site has many features which make it important
as one of the “green corridors” through the City. Situated as it
is next to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses site and adjacent to school playing fields it forms part of a
much larger green space, through which the Chad Brook flows. Plots are surrounded
by hedges made up of a variety of native and non-native species and there are many native trees established in these hedges.
These provide shelter and nesting sites as well as berries and nuts in Autumn. Paths
and plots have green verges and borders where native species are established, and there is a patchwork of uncultivated areas
throughout the site. Many plot holders grow a variety of ornamental plants as
well as vegetables, so there is a rich and varied supply of nectar available in summer to supplement what is provided by the
native species.
Compost heaps provide shelter
and a source of food for a variety of species. A significant number of plots have small ponds.
Increasing numbers of plot-holders are installing feeding stations and nest boxes for birds, log piles and other forms
of shelter for invertebrates, and there is a growing trend towards organic methods of cultivation.
Sharp-eyed visitors to the
site may detect Cladonia lichens (elf-cups) on some of the oldest trees –
a sure sign that here close to the heart of the city is a space where the air is clean.
The Guinea Gardens site forms part of the network of green spaces within the City of Birmingham important in maintaining
biodiversity in our urban environment.
Heather J Cameron
