Windsor and Maidenhead

Community mission

Budding Buddleia on a Butterfly Bank

4 GoodGymers made their way to help the Wild Eton & Eton Wick in Windsor and Maidenhead.

  • Shelley
  • Amy L
  • Windsor and Maidenhead runner
  • Garry
 
Sunday, 12th of March 2023
 
Led by Windsor and Maidenhead runner

Wild Eton Wick asked for our help help, so Garry, Sheila, first-timer Maggie, and Shelley visiting from GoodGym Slough, met with taskowners Claire and Andrew at Cooleys Meadow. We trundled the equipment across the meadow, and Claire gave us an introduction to the area. A small copse of trees has been planted up, and a bank is being created which will be a haven for butterflies. It is hoped to especially encourage the marbled white butterfly. While we left Andrew to strim around the young saplings, the rest of us set off to dig up some buddleia plants from a nearby field. These are unwanted by the farmer, so they are to be relocated to the butterfly bank. Although the plants didn't look that large, they had an extensive root system, established over many years. We employed spades, forks, saws and pure brute force and determination to dig and hack our way through to free the bushes. We ended up with 4 good-sized plants which we took back to the butterfly bank, and were joined by Amy on the way. There, we planted the bushes on the top of the bank, luckily a much easier task than digging them up had been. Hopefully they will now live up to their common name of the Butterfly bush, attracting butterflies and other insects to feed on it's nectar. While Shelley dispersed some seed bombs containing butterfly-friendly plants on the bank, the others planted some fresh tree whips to replace those which had succumbed to last year's drought. A very satisfying morning's work, and Claire was grateful for our help, as ever As Shelley succinctly put it: 'digging, relocating buddleia, planting baby trees & sowing wildlife seeds. Fun!'

Report written by Windsor and Maidenhead runner


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Windsor and Maidenhead runner
Windsor and Maidenhead runner
she/her
Sunday March 12th, 2023 20:03

Ha, ha! I remember that buddleia bush, Rachel and myself hacked at it in a previous session, and took lots of smaller plants from it. Well done for keeping at it and finishing the job. It's going to be lovely in it's new spot/s in a few years time! 👏👏👏

Windsor and Maidenhead runner
Windsor and Maidenhead runner
Sunday March 12th, 2023 20:09

Certainly a good work-out!

Amy L
Amy L
she/her
Tuesday March 14th, 2023 10:44

Great session - thanks for leading Sheila! I'm sorry I arrived just after the toughest bit had already been done. It wasn't intentional, I promise!
Also great to meet Shelley and Maggie for the first time.

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