It’s well known that, in the UK, insects are disappearing at an alarming rate – something like 60% of the insect population has been lost in the last forty years. The main reasons for this include loss of habitat and the use of pesticides.
Insects come in huge variety – beetles and bugs, flies and wasps, bees, moths and butterflies. They all need different places to over-winter, either as adults or as eggs or maybe even as a larva or pupa. They like different places to lay their eggs and they have different tastes in food plants.
Insects matter because they are a vital part of the food chain and because they pollinate plants that produce the fruit and veg we need. It has been said that if people disappeared from the planet, insects would manage very well, but we could not survive without them.
To do our bit to help the insects, we’re gradually changing the planting around Moor Pool Halls. You’ll see more plants for pollinators and several log piles. Log piles are great for insects that live on the ground or in the soil and for micro-organisms too.
Our new bug hotel offers all sorts of nooks and crannies for insects to shelter in. Some will spend the winter here. The tubes, especially the straws, should attract Mason Bees to lay their eggs in spring. It’s warm, it’s dry, and it’s south-facing – all important factors for the discerning insect.
Our new bug hotel is architect designed, echoing the Arts and Crafts style of the Moor Pool buildings. It uses recycled materials, including genuine Moor Pool roof tiles. Special thanks go to Colin Brain, to Saaed Ghinai and the Kings Heath Shed, to the Chair of Moor Pool Wildlife, Mike Foster, and to MPHT Education Officer, Justine Marklew.
The fillings were supplied by members of Moor Pool Wildlife and added by local children during the summer holidays. The bug hotel was officially unveiled at the Moor Pool Heritage Festival on Sunday 14th September 2025 by Moor Pool Heritage Trust Trustee, Phil Simpson, with the assistance of Chloe and Finn, who had helped to fill it up. We have named the bug hotel ‘Bug-ingham Palace’, as suggested by local residents.
Cathy Perry, Moor Pool Wildlife
September 2025
Moor Pool Hall
37 The Circle, Harborne,
Birmingham, B17 9DY
Registered Charity Number: 1148252
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