There are over 280 species of Hoverfly in the UK and they are some of the most important pollinators for a wide range of plant species. Many of these hoverfly species lay their eggs in stagnant water, normally in rot holes in trees but because the trees on Barnes Common are relatively young, they have yet to develop the cavities needed to form these rot holes.
By carving a hollow into a tree stump, we create an artificial rot hole which hoverflies can use to lay their eggs in.