The students that join us at Dropping Well Farm get up to all sorts of activities to help us manage the site. For example, they help to keep paths clear by removing the fast-growing broom, which helps visitors access the trails and stops the broom from out-competing other plants. In the past, school groups have installed bird boxes for robins, great tits and blue tits. Surveys show us that these boxes are already being used, which is great for the students and even better for the birds!

As the new school year is underway, I thought I'd let you know more of the plans we have for students coming out to visit a Dropping Well Farm in the coming months.

Following on from our successes, we'll be putting up a new selection of bird boxes. This year we'll be adding several boxes for redstarts in the hope that we can attract them to the site. Alongside this we'll also be installing a kestrel box and an owl box. 

We'll also be installing a collection of insect hotels across the site; these will be key habitats for lots of different species and we look forward to discovering what makes their home there next year. 

Providing homes for wildlife isn't just about putting up boxes. We'll also continue habitat management, such as controlling the growth of scrub around the site. After completing our target area from last year, we are moving to a new zone this autumn and winter.

The work we do with schools has been key not only for the project but also in helping local young people better understand their local area, the amazing value that it holds for local nature and its rarity on a national level. The students we've been working with now understand the value this site holds and how it can be used to benefit young people’s education. 

As we go through the year, we'll keep you updated about the great work they get up to. If you work with a school or youth group around the Kidderminster area and would like to know more about what we're doing or would like to join us on site for a session, we'd love to hear from you.