The Biodiversity Demonstration
Site
Biodiversity can be defined as the 'variety of life' and the
demonstration site, at the southern end of Fleming Park, adjacent
to Nightingale Avenue, Eastleigh, has been designed to demonstrate
how relatively small enhancements and changes to management can
boost wildlife in an area.
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The Itchen Hamble Countryside Project began work on the
Demonstration Site in 2003 with funding from the Eastleigh Local
Area Committee. With the help of local volunteers this
close mown grassy area is being transformed into a wildlife
friendly haven that is also a pleasant area in which to
relax.
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Since then a hawthorn hedge, shrubby boundary and butterfly
garden have been planted as well as a wildflower meadow. The site
is fortunate to be located beside the Monks Brook that flows
through the park. The brook has lush bankside vegetation and pools
and rapids created by the flow of water and movement of
gravel.
Every year the demonstration site will be surveyed to monitor
the wildlife present to hopefully show how the biodiversity in the
area is increasing over time.
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The Biodiversity
Demonstration Site before its transformation.........
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......and
afterwards
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The Wildflower Meadow
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Cornflowers and chamomile
daisies
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The meadow flowered for the first time in 2005 with a
spectacular display of cornfield annuals such as poppy, cornflower,
corncockle and chamomile daisy. The mass of colourful flowers acts
as a magnet for bees and other insects looking for food and
shelter.
In following years more perennial plants will flower such as
yarrow, self heal, salad burnet and lady's bedstraw.
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The Hedge and Shrubby Boundary
All the plants used here are native British shrubs and small
trees. Species include field maple, hawthorn, guelder rose, crab
apple and hazel.
Hawthorn is the most widely planted hedging shrub in Britain
and flowers in May, hence it often being refered to as 'May'. The
flowers are a valuable nectar source for insects and the bright red
berries in the autumn are popular with birds.
Crab apples also tend to flower in May with a pink or white
blossom. Their small apples, rippening in the autumn, are favoured
by birds or red admiral butterflies that drink from the rotting
fruit.
Butterfly Garden
This area has been planted with more exotic garden plants to
attract common butterflies such as peacock, red admiral and painted
lady as well as many other insects. Shrubs include buddleia or
'butterfly bush', lavender which is also good for bees and the
winter flowering viburnum tinus.
Contact:
The site is open all the year round for the use of the public,
local schools and colleges. If you wish to visit the site with an
educational group and would like more information, please contact
the Countryside Projects Officer at:
Civic Offices
Leigh Road
Eastleigh SO50 9YN
Tel: 023 8068 8154
Fax: 023 8062 9466
Email: ihcp@eastleigh.gov.uk
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Page Last Updated: 7/10/2008
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Eastleigh Borough Council, Civic Offices, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9YN
Telephone:023 8068 8068; Fax:023 8068 8257; Text:07797 877001
Email:
direct@eastleigh.gov.uk