The 4.5 acre slope we were going to flatten to the ground and plant with trees is now an area of natural regeneration. With some compartments being managed as heathland/scrub. This was a HUGE decision for us to make. I LOVE planting trees and always thought it was better to plant trees, than not. However, I have learned a thing... sometimes it's better not to plant trees. It's true, honest! I won't be able to explain our thinking fully in this post but hopefully I can give you a wee insight...
I'm in my 4th year of observing this area and it has taught me just how much LIFE there is in scrub. Adders, newts, slow worms, badgers, foxes, red deer, roe deer, bugs, beetles, loads of butterflies, moths and fabulous looking flies, goodness knows how many wild flowers & approximately a million nesting birds (including Woodcock, Grasshopper warbler, Dartford Warbler, Stonechat, Whinchat.. etc...).
Talking about birds... it's the tiny little Grasshopper Warbler we have to thank for stopping us clearing this area. It chose to nest here, the RSPB have given it Red Status, so we chose not to destroy it's habitat. It does mean however that we will have to freeze regeneration in time and manage a reasonably sized area for them to breed in. I'm happy with that.
There are now areas towards the bottom of the regeneration slope full of young trees, birch, hazel, hawthorn, oak, rowan. As you head up it has more of a heathland feel, with heather hiding amongst the bracken and gorse. Towards the top it's mainly the odd tree, scrub and wildflowers all spilling out of the ancient stone bank with a mixed hedge on top. An incredible mosaic of habitat!
This year I am picking my way through the undergrowth like Mayweed out of Duncton Wood, snouting out the best pathways and finding so many treasures it's hard to contain myself. Here are some I have found today. It was late and the light low but the adventure was great!
hen xx
Lovely pics Hen!
ReplyDeleteSo much diversity, I lost count in one pic!
Keep up th good work, it must feel great to know you are managing the land well.
Blessings,
Sandie xx
Those photos are fantastic! Its nice to see someone else who stops to get close ups of nature. It's hard work taking close ups of flowers & insects - to start with, there's the zoom v wind factor, never mind an insect or bird waiting patiently for you to get ready! Well done!
ReplyDeleteI love doing that as well, we even had a skink visit our allotment the other day & pose for me!
Nature holds diversity in all that she does. There is good reason that there is Woods, Thickets, Meadows, Wetlands, Alpine Land, etc. She wants to create habitat for all her beautiful children, and of course this can't happen without diversity. So many beautiful creatures love brushy areas. It provides such vital protection from predators, and so much food!
ReplyDeleteI love that you are creating diversity on your land. It is clear that you have a very healthy wildlife population because of it!