April is always the most beautiful month at Perivale Wood. The ancient oak woodland is full of thousands of flowering bluebells mixed with blackthorn blossom and yellow lesser celandine. The wildlife is also awakening in the reserve. We saw the first slow worm of the year on the 4th April, just out of hibernation, and the new pond is full of newly hatched tadpoles. The reserve is full of bird song as the birds begin to nest and I even saw a wood mouse this week!
Open Day at Perivale Wood is fast approaching. This is the one day of the year that the reserve is open to the general public. This year promises to be bigger than ever. We have the usual stalls, such as homemade jams, plants for sale and conservation organisations in attendance, but this year we have new additions such as face painting, woodland art and craft, and worm charming! There is also the rare opportunity to climb up to the top of the canopy in our tree house as well as entertainment from the Northfields’ Morris Dancers and Impact Theatre Group.
This is of course also a busy time for educational visits. We are welcoming North Ealing Primary School in April as well as groups from Impact and Breakaway. If you would like your school or group to visit please email environmentaleducation@perivalewood.org.uk to check for availability.
Perivale Wood Rangers have been enjoying some great sessions over the past few months. Between 40 and 60 children plus accompanying adults have been attending the sessions this year and it’s great to see new members and to introduce them to Perivale Wood. We have some great sessions planned including mini beast hunts, pond dipping and observing honey bees over the next few months.
We are really pleased to have been accepted onto the Greenredeem community donations scheme. 10 projects have been chosen and the project at the end of June with the most points will receive £1500 (2nd = £750, 3rd = £500). We are currently in second place behind the Brentham Club (but getting close to first!), so get donating! https://www.greenredeem.co.uk