Place To Be at Parndon Wood: How Harlow’s Ancient Woodland Inspires the Sculpture Project
I wanted to take a moment to appreciate Parndon Wood, for hosting my Place To Be project.
Parndon Wood is one of Harlow’s most biodiverse habitats, home to ancient Oak and Hornbeam trees, delicate fungi, thriving insect life, and a wide variety of protected wildlife. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and protected by Natural England to ensure these precious ecosystems can flourish.
A welcoming hand-painted sign marks the entrance to the “Wild Space” at Parndon Wood — a playful reminder of the reserve’s natural charm and creativity.
🐛 Species Spotlight
The Parornix Anglicella (Leaf-Mining Moth)
The Parornix Anglicella, or leaf-mining moth, is a small but fascinating resident of Parndon Wood—its unique cocooning habits are a quiet symbol of transformation in nature.
Life in a Cocoon
The Leaf-Mining Moth - lays its eggs often in Hawthorn trees.
Its larvae mines through a leaf and then creates a cone-like shape which eventually forms a silken cocoon. These cocoons are sometimes tucked under a folded leaf edge to create a safe space for pupation.
Pupation takes place between July and September. This pale-yellow-brown pupal cocoon is delicate, often hidden in plain sight—an earthy metaphor for the transformation always taking place within the undergrowth.
This fascinating little moth is often overlooked—but its life cycle and behaviour help illustrate the rich biodiversity of Parndon Wood Nature Reserve.
What makes Parndon Wood so special is its gentle balance between protection and accessibility. This ancient woodland is not only a safeguarded habitat, but also a welcoming, peaceful space for people to slow down, explore, and reconnect with the natural world. Parndon Wood offers a rare invitation: to be present, to be still, and to be part of something much older and wiser than ourselves.
