Spring is in the air!
Spring is a fantastic time to explore the Woodlands and Coachwood Green as nature bounces back to life and shows off all its new colours and textures. New leaves stretch out among the trees on the Woodlands and the new woodland created on Coachwood Green and vibrant wildflowers start to carpet the Coronation Meadow whilst the air is filled with the sound of buzzing and birdsong.
It can be an excellent reminder of what we can do to help the diverse wildlife around us both at home and in our community. You can help the wildlife during your visit to the Woodlands and Coachwood Green including ground nesting birds and precious flowers, with simple actions like sticking to paths and taking your litter home.
We can all make a difference for wildlife so here’s some things the Friends of Woodlands and Coachwood Green will be doing, which you join in with or do at home. We have been fortunate to receive a small amount of funding from the Asda Foundation to support our activities on the Wildlife Discovery Area.
Make a wildlife pond.
A pond can make a world of difference for wildlife – it can be an essential drinking and bathing spot for birds, bats, dragonflies and mammals. It doesn’t need be big or over-complicated –as long as animals can get in and out safely.
The wildlife pond on the Wildlife Discovery Area is evolving naturally, with the grasses and reeds from wind
pollination. We will be cutting back the growth on the island before the nesting season and planting some insect pollinator marginal plants to attract the bees, butterflies and dragonflies.
Swans, Heron, Moorhen have all be spotted on the pond and you may have also noticed the Bat boxes we have put up, which Men in Sheds, a local Workshop charity made. Snails are also in pond filtering the water and keeping it clean.
We are planning to hold a citizen science and nature identification workshop in the summer which hopefully will include some pond dipping so we can start to find out what species we have in the pond.
Plant a Tree
Trees have immense benefits for wildlife; leaves, flowers, bark and branches are home to a whole host of species. Planting a single tree will make a difference - insects will feed on the leaves and pollen, and birds will eat those insects and may build their nests among the foliage.
The Friends of Woodlands and Coachwood Green have planted 8 standard trees on the Wildlife Discovery Site this tree planting season.
Build a log pile
You can boost biodiversity with a log pile. Placed in a quiet, shady area, the nooks and crannies provide smaller species with refuge from hot spring and summer sunshine as well as a safe spot to hibernate when winter comes. Packed with woodlice, spiders, beetles and centipedes, it will prove an irresistible hunting ground for hedgehogs, frogs, toads, shrews and birds too.
On the Wildlife Discovery Area we have two mounds which provide refuge for amphibians to bask and log piles. As we coppice the Woodlands we will build more log piles on the Wildlife Discovery Area, anyone is welcome to come along and help make them.
Plant wildlife-friendly flowers
A wildflower mix can attract bees, butterflies, ladybirds and more which are essential to our ecosystem and food production.
Native Wildflower seeds are Easy to grow and maintain, they can be scattered anywhere. We are lucky to have the only Coronation Wildflower Meadow in the county on the Woodlands and Coachwood Green.
The Friends of Woodlands and Coachwood Green will be wildflower seeding the borders on the car park.
Hang up bird feeders
Many people recognise that feeding birds in the spring is equally as important as feeding in the winter. Extra food can help restore birds to good condition for breeding and provide energy to mate, nest and raise chicks, especially if the weather is cold or wet. We will be hanging our feeders made for us by Men in Sheds and we are planning to have an opening event of the Bird Hide, if you are a community group or a keen wildlife spotter who would like to use the Bird Hide please contact infowoodlandsandcoachwoodgreen@gmail.com
And finally, Volunteer
With warmer and longer days, spring is a perfect time to try volunteering with Friends of Woodlands and Coachwood Green. Enjoy nature in all its glory and make an enormous difference for wildlife by helping us care for the site and wildlife on our doorstep. You don’t have to make a huge commitment – start small by joining a one-off event. Or take on a regular role to help with monitoring wildlife and much more.
Enjoy the wildlife in the Woodlands and Coachwood Green 
Great British Spring Clean Up Litter Pick – 29th & 30th March 10:30am -1.30pm
The Friends are once again doing the Great British Spring Clean Up, join in for an hour it’s always fun and time well spent. Meet in the Marina Drive car park for a 10,30am start, all kit will be supplied.
If you are new to the village and may not know who we are or how you can get involved. We are a group of volunteers, formed in November 2011, who support Nottinghamshire County Council in managing the Woodlands and Coachwood Green as a local green space, the former Shireoaks Colliery site. Anyone is welcome to join the Friends group and there are a variety of ways in which you can get involved including;
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