Planting over 3000 wildflower plugs is no mean feat. But in order to create a wildflower meadow on the reserve, that's the task faced by Assistant Warden David Aitken over the next couple of weeks.
So we decided to ask our local primary school if they'd like to lend a helping hand. Fortunately they said , yes. So on a sunny morning in early June, a 'walking bus' of 30 pupils from Class 4 set off down the lane ready to go to work on the reserve.
After a dibbing demonstation from David (which, for non-gardeners out there, is pushing a pointy stick into the ground to make a hole for the seedling to sit in), it was off to the meadow for some serious planting.
With funding from a Higher Level Stewardship Agreement with Natural England, the mix of Ox-Eye Daisy, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Salad Burnet, Meadow Cranesbill, Marjoram, Cowslip, Betony and Small Scabious will attract a host of bees, butterflies and other insects to an area that is already home to birds such as skylarks and meadow pipits.
We also hope it will attract the children back to see how the flowers are progressing - and learn about the wildlife that the meadow will support.
Class 4 with teacher Matthew Clark and RSPB Bempton Cliffs' Education Officer, Steve Race.
Assistant Warden David Aitken demonstrates the fine art of dibbing.
Team Flower Power ready for action.
Hannah, Courtney, Shannon and Stephanie put in the first of many birdsfoot trefoil under the watchful eye of RSPB Volunteer Alan Bellaby.
The class managed to plant over 240 wildflowers - a big thank you to them all.