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About the area:
Andy O’Rourke painted this mural in 2021 to reflect the urban wildlife here in Maindee. Under the mural is an edible garden for wildlife and humans containing fruit bushes, brambles and lots of herbs and wild flowers. The bed opposite is filled with drought tolerant plants. We refer to it as the Mediterannean garden. The gravel mulch helps to prevent evaporation of water so helping the plants survive. This never needs watering so is climate change proof! This is so much better than the fly-tipping corridor that used to be here but it does need regular litter picks to keep it wildlife friendly and looking good. This habitat links with the riverside area to make a nature nectar corridor now. Look out for the hibernaculum and nest boxes opposite the school. The hibernaculum is a great habitat for minibeasts.
What you can spot here:
Peacock Butterfly
The Peacock butterfly is one of the most distinctive butterflies in Britain.
Brambles
Mainbee loves brambles for their nectar. Lots of small mammals, like mice, and birds love the juicy berries. You might see the purple bird poo along the walls and pavements!
Winter: Leaves
Spring: Flowers
Summer: Flowers
Autumn: Berries
Herb Robert
What is a weed? You can see a giant herb robert on the mural. Herb-robert has a beautiful pink flower but lots of gardeners uproot them because they are seen as weeds. But they are an important foodplant and nectar-source for many invertebrates including bees, hoverflies and the barred carpet moth. So next time you see one perhaps you should think twice about weeding it out or leave an area where it can grow in your garden. We do!
Bees
Mahonia
Mahonias are a great source of nectar. They are highly beneficial to wildlife because their flowers provide an important source of nectar to pollinating insects in the winter months and birds love eating their berries.
Bulbs
Some fun activities to try:
Look at the mural. What do you like about it?
How many insects can you see? Are there any birds and flowers?
Walk like a snail/ fly like a butterfly/ Mainbee (don’t forget to buzz!) / bird. Hope like a frog and tiptoe like a mouse.
Follow the snakey path to the other end. Count your steps from the mural to the transformer.
Mainbee's Activity Book
We've made an activity pack with Mazes and Colouring In, download it here.
Mainbee's Activity Book