Wilmington Square's squirrel-proof bird feeder

Yesterday we finally saw birds using the squirrel-proof bird feeder in Wilmington Square, the first time since the holes were opened. There were two Dunnocks, a great tit, a blue tit and a robin. The tits were feeding on the lard ball and the Dunnocks and the robin were feeding on seeds scattered on the floor of the feeder. Nothing touched the seeds in the actual feeder, as they had been there for four wet months. This is all good news as our feeder may become as popular as the one in Spa Fields.

Notes on the gardening meeting re. new planting plan for Wilmington Square 24 Jan '10

Present: 2 Members of Greenspace, the garden designer and 6 local residents.

Chris gave and overview of the proposed works. The central section will keep the two curved beds but these will be recut to run parallel with the path. They will continue to have annual bedding. The spruce will have a crown lift to increase light underneath and improve sight lines. The roses will be removed and the bed turfed over.

The water fountain next to the hut will be reconnected so that it works. Greenspace are looking into the costs and funding for restoring the fountain on the southern side.

The other borders will be pruned to improve sight lines and make the Square feel lighter.

The budget of £500 has been approved to supply plants for the gardening groups flower bed. These will be ordered by Mick and supplied by the planting date of 7th March.

Mick then described the proposed treatment for the northern border. This will be turned into a woodland garden. The overgrown shrubs, saplings and copses will be removed including the portugese laurels. The elms are highly likely to develop disease and will be removed excepting one test tree. The border will be filled with approx 1,200 new plants. These are all under 1m heigh excepting a couple of magnolias and decorative acers. The aim is to create a garden which has "shape, form colour and berries". It will have some plants flowering from spring to September. After the new plants have settled and developed there will be the chance to split plants and spread them out around other parts of the Square. There could be an educational aspect to this phase which can include those who would like to participate and hopefully Islington's apprentice scheme. The plants are diverse, appropriate to the situation and wildlife friendly.

The date for the works to begin has not been set but the works are scheduled for early spring.

Luci has a copy of the plant list which will be put on the blog.

Back garden No. 7 - mouse proof bird feeder

We finally seem to have been able to place the bird feeder somewhere where the resourceful and athletic mice can't reach it. I'm delighted that the great tits were the first back to enjoy the repositioned feeder.

Gardening meeting Mon 25th - proposals for planting scheme

There will be a meeting at 10am on Monday 25th January held by Islington Greenspace when they will be putting forward their proposals for the new garden designs and planting plans. Everyone is welcome to come along to find out more about the proposals and give feedback. The meeting will be in the Square. I hope that some of you can make it and look forward to seeing you then to discuss the proposals.

RSPB Census - Big Garden Birdwatch coming up 30/31 Jan

RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch will be on the weekend of 30/31 January. It only takes an hour to look out for and identify birds, either in the square or in a garden if you have one, or overlook one. It would be great for a few of us to join in and to compare results so let me know if you can.

Happy new year,
Luci