From Friends of the Welsh Harp
The Welsh Harp is a Local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. It's a beautiful and wild blue-green gem hidden in North West London. For so many years it was largely neglected... but not any more!
Friends of the Welsh Harp is excited to announce our latest projects for the Welsh Harp:
1. BEE GARDEN
This small site is currently frequented by rats and owing to the compacted soil, can't support any plants. Our plan is to transform it into a beautiful bee garden.
Imagine this...
A sloping bee bank, taking advantage of the site’s south facing position, that provides a habitat for wild mining bees and friendly wasps. To the left, a log pile. Dead and decaying wood provides vital habitat for a range of wildlife. To the front of the bee bank, native plants such as Knapweeds, Wild Carrot, Field Scabious, Chicory, Musk Mallow, Weld etc provide ground coverage and floral interest, whilst some Common Gorse provides native shrubbery at either end. Informative, simple signage explains these features and why they’re important. All this has transformed a dead patch of land into a thriving habitat for insects, birds, and small mammals. Plus, it's gorgeous to look at!
2. BIRD WATCHING HAVEN
The public bird hide at the Welsh Harp is subject to graffiti, littering, and loitering. The resulting space is intimidating for many. We want to provide a welcoming, exciting space for everyone to enjoy. Our solution is: huge street art 'stickers', a bin, gabion baskets at the entrance, and signage to increase footfall and awareness.
Imagine this...
A 'secret' birdwatching hide, nestled away from a busy urban environment, that looks out over a wetland which is home to many exciting birds. Sitting on the inviting bright red bench, and looking around, you can see a lot of cool street art - but with an ecological twist. Cormorants, grebes, terns and other bird of the Welsh Harp adorn the walls. There's always been graffiti here, but this new stuff is not offensive or rude, it's informative, interesting, and edgy. More and more people end up bringing their flasks of tea and coffee here, while they try out birdwatching with a pair of old binoculars. Others bring their children, hoping to stir within them a wonder of the natural world. Everyone agrees the birdwatching hide is a special place, and can't believe such a place exists in London! Outside of the hide, the street art 'stickers' are made from wildflower paper, so when it rains, it spreads seeds over time. Gabion baskets have been placed at the entrance, which adds to the invitation.
Thank you if you've made it to here. If you think the Welsh Harp deserves some love, please hit the 'Give Now' button. We welcome contributions of all sizes!
