Tag: wildlife

Season for Fungi

This is the time of year where the damp weather means its fungi season in the Cemetery. You can always find lots of ground fungi but Carola??????????????????????????????????????, a member of our committee, spotted and photographed this specimen of tree fungi!

fungii (2) (800x534)

Next time you are in Brandwood End try looking up……you would be amazed what you can find.

 

As well as varied birds sitting quietly in the trees you can also see the remnants of their nests and several squirrel dray’s. Views across the cemetery are very different when the trees are devoid of leaves but our many evergreen trees mean that there is always a splash of colour.

Those of us that are lucky enough to live close to the cemetery can recommend a walk there in any season and any weather as nature always provides something to see.

Jasmin Fields Work Day

Sunday the 19th of October will see lots of activity at our local Nature Reserve of Jasmin Fields. Following the fire and destruction of the bridge walkway to the canal, the Friends and local Ranger will be relaying a pathway across this area. There will be litter picking, ‘Balsam Bashing’ , bulb planting and general tidying so they need as much help as possible.

Jasmin Litter pick (800x600)

Please meet at the Farm gate entrance in Jasmin Croft at 10am.  There will be people on site from 10am-4pm so if you can drop in any time, they will welcome your help.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult.

Bat Walk Reminder!

Explore the night with Brum Bats and the Ranger Service on a Bat walk through Jasmin fields Nature Reserve along the canal, through the cemetery to finish at Brandwood Pool.

Thursday 11th September 7.30-9pm meet at the Farm gate on Bayston Rd, facing Kinsey Grove B14 5AR

All ages welcome but under 16’s must be supervised.You will need to bring a Powerful torch and wear outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear.

Please contact the Ranger Service to book 0121 675 0937 – Spaces are limited so you will need to book in advance.

 

Brandwood Pool Plinth repaired.

For a while now the plinth used by families to feed the ducks at Brandwood Pool has been rotten and not really safe but we are pleased to say it is back in use again. Dean, the Ranger, helped by Wendy and her team of students from Bournville College have redesigned the base and removed all that wood and replaced it with hard core. Lots of baby moor hens, coots and ducks to feed. Keep your eyes peeled for our daily Woodpecker visitor. He likes the large Oak on the far side of the pool.  20140428_141028

 

Brandwood Pool lies adjacent to the Cemetery but walking access is via Whittington Close B14 6JW.

The Friends are always looking for help at work parties and litter picks. They can be contacted on 0121 605 4316.

Missing crocus bulbs found!!

Several years ago the members of FBEC spent back breaking hours planting patches of aconites, snowdrops and several thousand crocuses. You may have enjoyed the aconites and snowdrops as you strolled along the main drive but only 2 clumps of crocuses remain near the Oak Tree Island. Much to our annoyance all of the remaining crocus bulbs were dug up and, as far as we were concerned, eaten by the squirrels! Apparently they are a favourite with them…….. Today, whilst litter picking close to D1 we suddenly noticed a shimmering patch of blue.

One of 2 remaining crocus clumps!
One of 2 remaining crocus clumps!

On closer investigation we discovered a swathe of blue crocuses in an area that we would never have planted in!  It would appear that one or two of the greedy squirrels dug up our bulbs and reburied them in their ‘larder’ area and then either forgot them or couldn’t remember where they were…… What a beautiful show these bulbs now make. Perhaps we will forgive the squirrels their greed!

Our 'stolen' crocuses several years on.
Our ‘stolen’ crocuses several years on.

Litter pick March 2014 (17) (800x600)

Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress visit Jasmin Fields

Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery joined other members of New Vision at an ‘Explore Jasmin Fields’ event last Saturday.  A similar event last summer was completely drowned out so we were dismayed when we started to set up in rain and wind! The wind was so strong that one or our gazebos briefly became a kite……but the wind soon dropped and the rain cleared and by starting time we had very acceptable weather.

July and Aug 2013 023July and Aug 2013 019July and Aug 2013 037

 

 

 

 

We were very pleased that the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress came along to open the event and stayed most of the morning. The Ranger Service and the Friends of Jasmin Fields, supported by New Vision, had arranged a circular walk of the nature reserve, pond dipping, cake icing, badge making, bike repairs and advice on security by the Neighbourhood Policing Team. The event gave local groups, including FBEC, the opportunity to make residents more aware of their activities and to enlist members for future events. Everyone agreed to had been a real success and well worth the effort by the volunteers.

If you have an interest in any of the local groups, especially Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery, please contact us via this site and we will add you to our e mail list to be advised of anything happening in our local community group areas. We all need your support at our events and it is so good to see local people interested in any of our sites.

Looking for wildlife?

Since we posted sightings of muntjac deer, bats and other wildlife there have been several visitors coming along to find these lovely animals.  Please note that the Cemetery is there for people to pay their respects to those that have passed on, and to enjoy some quiet moments reflection.  The Cemetery is ideal, because it is so quiet, for wildlife to enjoy the natural environment BUT they are not there our pleasure.  Please do not ask the staff where they can be found; even if they knew, most creatures only come out at night when the Cemetery is closed and the people have gone home.  Please respect the Cemetery, it’s wildlife inhabitants, the staff and other visitors.  Many thanks.