Bishop's House Garden throwing open gates to welcome wildlife and people
On Sunday 13th September, Norwich’s ‘Bishop’s House Garden’ will be throwing open its gates to the public for a fun packed fundraising ‘garden party’ in aid of wildlife at the RSPB’s Strumpshaw Fen, who are the organizers. Children, families and people of all ages are given a rare opportunity to explore and enjoy this secret garden in the heart of the city, the wildlife that lives there, and more!
Bishop's House Garden sits close to the cathedral, in the center of Norwich. Credit: Caitriana Nicholson (flickr.com)
A rare opportunity
The RSPB have been preparing for the generous invitation of hosting an event in the gardens by placing bird feeders in an old apple tree at the heart of the garden, creating a ‘Bird's Diner’. The feeders, along with bird boxes, a bat box and a ‘bug hotel’ are being donated by the RSPB to help even more wildlife make a home in the gardens.
“With the garden a haven for robins, blackbirds, thrushes and tits, we expect the feeders to be busy with peckish birds by Sunday 13th." Lee Cozens, RSPB Visitor Experience Manager at Strumpshaw Fen, is hopeful there will be plenty to see on the day.
An array of birds, including Great tits and blue tits, are expected to be making an appearance. Credit: Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Buzzing with activity
In summer, the Bishop's House Garden is alive with bees and butterflies, and throughout the year it is home to birds and other wildlife. The event will also be bringing and sharing even more ideas about how we can all give nature home, you can even learn how to build nest boxes and bird feeders. Afternoon tea, garden games, plant sale and live music will also be on hand to add to the fun.
A butterfly perching on a flower. Credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Looking forward to hands-on wildlife activities
Lee Cozens has been busy planning for the event: “We’re really excited about the chance to show people what wonderful places gardens can be for wildlife in such a special setting as the Bishop’s Gardens. And we’ve got so much planned for the afternoon, from hands-on wildlife activities and trails, to garden games and afternoon tea and cakes- we’ll even have some live music, but nothing too loud, as we don’t want to disturb the wildlife, or the Bishop!”.
Bishop's House Gardens is the perfect place to catch some pollinators at work. Credit: Nikki Gammons (rspb-images.com)
To the future
“Nature is under threat, and we know that much of our most familiar wildlife is in serious trouble, but we are not powerless to do anything about it. If we can all help to give nature a home in our gardens, we can create much needed space for wildlife, even in the heart of the city.” said Lee.
Help build a nest box at Bishops House Garden. Credit: Eleanor Bentall (rspb-images.com)
“We work hard to maintain rare and vulnerable habitats for the special wildlife that lives on the nature reserve. What we do here in our 'back garden' is a scaled up version of what everyone can do, even in the smallest green space, at home."
Funds for Strumpshaw Fen
RSPB Strumpshaw Fen nature reserve, just outside Brundall, provides an invaluable haven for precious wetland species such as bitterns, marsh harriers, water voles, swallowtail butterflies and Norfolk hawker dragonflies. Lee explains “The funds raised through this event at the Bishop’s Garden will help us to do even more for wildlife, amongst which: creating more wet reed beds for wetland wildlife, managing our fen meadows for orchids, and managing our woodlands for a host of rare butterflies.”
Strumpshaw Fen is an important reserve for wetland species. Credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
All the details of what's happening on the 13th of September:
Bishop's Gardens open: 1-5pm for the Strumpshaw Fen fundraising afternoon.
Adults £3 Children free.
How to get there
The Bishop's Garden is in the heart of the city and is accessed from opposite the Law Courts. There is no parking on site- nearest parking at the Adam and Eve car park.
There’s no need to book in advance, just come along on the afternoon, but you can find more about the RSPB Strumpshaw Fen and see details of this and other events on and off the reserve at www.rspb.org.uk/strumpshawfen.
Follow us on Twitter: @RSPBFens and @RSPBintheEast