Photos courtesy of Tony Beyga.
Thanks to Tony Beyga for these world premiere pics of one of Mab Lane’s new sculptures, designed by local school children working with artist John Merrill.
Regular correspondent Peter Marsden sends these new photos and reports:
"The new ponds look great, and was surprised to see a pair of mallards by the stone feature."
All of which raises the interesting point that in fact these shallow depressions (called swales) are not intended to form new ponds and will intentionally be dry for much of the year.
They've been constructed to help manage surface water run off during periods of heavy rainfall whilst at the same time providing a different habitat type, i.e. marginal aquatic, and thereby expanding the diversity of plants and animals to be found in the new Community Woodland. The types of plants that will grow in the swales are those normally found around the margins of ponds and so will be able to survive the dryer conditions normally experienced over the summer months.
The sculptures for the new woodland are coming along fast. Here are the latest snaps of the caterpillar sculpture, one of three to be installed later in the spring. Thanks to sculptor John Merrill for the photos.
More new pictures from member of the public Peter Marsden, who also reports that there are plenty of wagtails and wood pigeons on site taking a look at the new woodland for themselves.
