Improvement plans taking shape
Over the last 3 months I have visited the wood many times and am lucky enough to have some very knowledgeable friends. I have read about rewilding and other people's experiences. I am beginning to develop a plan to promote biodiversity while keeping the best bits of the site and increase the number of trees growing here and so increase carbon sequestration.
1. Gorse: To clear or not to clear the gorse?
There is too much and it is too dense and too tall. I understand that birds and butterflies do value gorse but when it is so dense and high and solid it becomes an area of monoculture. There is a case to clear some but not all and to keep the newer, lower growing areas as rough pastureland while removing the very large and rather overwhelming sections.
Gorse as a monoculture
Gorse as part of a variety of planting structure offering places for nests, nectar and stopping point for birds flying passed. Here is is part of a rough patch with quite a variety of plants living together and this will remain.
2. Bracken
Some bracken will be helpful but there are areas where is dominates and it is difficult to move around the site in summer months. Some of these areas lend themselves to be converted to woodland. There is an area above the road creating an apron round the site - gently sloping in a concave curve. More trees here could reduce water runoff to the road and add variety. There are hazels along the road and a lovely grown (but not mature) oak tree inside the wall. Some fruit trees would work well and be accessible.
Apron of bracken that can be planted up
The road running along the bottom flooded after heavy rain - any improvement in holding the water on the slope would help this situation.
3. Water
The beck offers real value to the site both as a thing of beauty and for wildlife.
However there is little standing water. There are areas which are waterlogged and appear to be fed by water runoff from the fells above. It may be possible to scrape these out to create ponds which will greatly enhance the biodiversity on the site.
This area (The Swamp) has potential to be scraped out. It is not deep with rock about 30cm below the surface. It runs off into a grassy boggy area and that may have greater potential as it is deeper but this is a useful thoroughfare. These areas need to be explored further. It may be possible to tackle both areas over time.
The area called 'the graveyard' at the bottom of the site is fed by water from higher up and it has had standing water at all times that I have visited. However it is a dark and cold area with a steep slope (see to the left of the photograph below) and some very tall trees (willow loving the wet) and this capsized willow which is still alive. This area does not lend itself too improvement for encouraging insects due to the lack of sunlight penetrating to the water surface making this area a few degrees cooler than areas higher up the slope. Also the water doesn't appear to leave so while it may add value, it may stagnate. The wall running along the road is on the right here.
4. Margins
Instinctively it makes sense to plant the edges of the plot for privacy and because on 2 sides the adjacent fields are completely bare from intensive grazing. That gives a new margin for birds who are attracted to the edges of woodland and like the open space.
Neighbouring land to the south is a typical Lake District landscape and heavily grazed by sheep which prevents any rewilding. This does have 3 beautiful oaks (below) and gorse around the margins.which will be providing habitat for fauna and flora
5. Preserving open areas
The plan has always been to create a woodland to increase carbon sequestration, support biodiversity and hold more water on the land where possible. There are options to plant intensively but this may not promote greater biodiversity for example butterflies need wider rides and some birds prefer edges rather than dense canopies. Enjoying the site is also important and so areas for sitting & bird watching with a view above the canopy, having the odd fire and sleeping out occasionally would be more enjoyable with some open spaces. The slope gives natural outlooks on terraces of flat land and so preserving some of these will be important. There is a 'feel' to the site which is hard to describe and I want to build on that rather than intensively plant the whole site.
Large open area that will need the bracken to be tackled. Where bracken has been cleared this will need to be maintained.
6. Giving nature a chance
Feeders
Electric fences and a shooting hide
There are signs of natural rewilding with hawthorn trees and broom becoming established despite the presence of red and roe deer. Gorse and brambles are acting as nature's barbed wire. Some areas will be left to rewild naturally.
First plan - schematic of the wood with new features proposed in colour
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