Ancient woodlands and trees are brilliant for biodiversity but it’s a real balancing act to plant the right tree in the right place. Trees are just one of the ways we can capture carbon and help combat the Nature and Climate emergency. At RSPB Nagshead, a mixture of veteran trees, new growth and lots of insect-rich decaying wood helps us boost biodiversity. We leave all decaying wood on the site where it is safe to do so, both standing and fallen. It’s great for wood boring insects, beetles, fungi, cavity nesting birds and bats.
On our Gloucestershire reserves, as well as on projects in the wider Forest of Dean, we have also worked to plant a diverse range of native tree species to provide food for declining birds such as the Hawfinch. Hawfinch are a seed eating species which struggle to find food at certain times of the year. We have worked with local partners to plant a range of native broadleaf trees, including Wych Elm, Hornbeam, Rowan, Cherry and Yew, all of which produce a high amount of seed and at different times of the year, helping to provide food all year round.
Image: RSPB Nagshead woodland path by Michael Harvey rspb-images.com
In Gloucestershire, a mix of ancient woodland, newer deciduous woodland and man-made conifer plantations make up most of the woodland habitat here, but it’s not as widespread as it used to be. Only around 2.5% of our wild isles are covered by ancient woodlands. Ancient woodlands are our most iconic, precious woods: old, beautiful and packed full of wildlife that need this special habitat to survive. If we lose them, they can be difficult to bring back. Though the trees can be replaced, the unique biodiversity they support may never be the same.
Our native woodlands are at a crisis point. A 2021 report from the Woodland Trust revealed that only 7% are in good condition for nature. But by protecting and restoring our surviving native woodlands, expanding them, and connecting them across our landscapes, they can be a source of recovery for nature across our wild isles.
RSPB Nagshead nature reserve in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire has around 100 hectares of mature oak woodland. The evocative towering trees are around 200 years old and were planted for timber use during the Napoleonic war. The site was set up by the Forestry Commission (FC) as their tree nursery in the 1930-40s. After an influx of caterpillars started to damage the trees, FC put up nest boxes around the woodland’s edge to encourage birds to come and eat the caterpillars. Local bird enthusiasts discovered that Pied Flycatchers were using the boxes, so FC installed more nestboxes within the oak woodland. This species is a migratory visitor, wintering in Sub-Saharan Africa. They are found in western and northern oak woodland in the UK but have been in steady decline since mid-90s, so giving them a home at RSPB Nagshead is really important. Today there are 410 trees with boxes on them and it’s the longest running nest box scheme in Britain. The RSPB took over the management of the nature reserve in the 1970s.
One of the many wonderful things about RSPB Nagshead is its incredible decaying wood, which is crucial for creating a healthy woodland environment. Lewis Thompson, RSPB Nagshead Site Manager said: “Woodland without deadwood is a dead woodland. It’s the life blood of the wood and the decay and species associated with it. We leave all standing and fallen decaying wood if it is safe to do so. Storm Arwen a few years ago hit the reserve hard, and we lost lots of mature oaks. But this has done the reserve a favour, because it’s creating even more decaying wood and opened up the canopy, letting in more light, which is better for the regeneration of the woodland.
Lewis continues: “Some visitors to the reserve have commented that the reserve looks ‘messy’ because of the decaying wood and have asked us to clear it up, but we’re working hard to help people understand its importance in the woodland ecosystem and that without decaying wood RSPB Nagshead and its amazing wildlife, wouldn’t be here for people to enjoy”.
Why is decaying wood so important:
Image: Fungi among the beech leaves at RSPB Nagshead by Andy Hay rspb-images.com
RSPB Nagshead is also home to Wild Boar, which are managed by the Forestry Commission. Wild Boar can help the woodland to grow healthily. During the autumn months the Boar dig and forage in the soil on the hunt for the tasty larvae of insects such as Leatherjackets (daddy-long legs) and Cockchafers (may bugs). When they break up the soil this opens the seedbed of the forest floor and helps woodland flora to grow. Ivy Leafed Bellflower have benefited from the Boar on site and Broad Leaved Helleborine has also increased where they’ve been digging. With so much digging it's little wonder that Robins are often close behind a soily snouted boar, hoping to snaffle any leftover worms – sometimes they can even be spotted perched on the boar’s back. Boar are also helpful during heavy winter snowfall – again they open up the forest floor and Redwings and Blackbirds can be seen congregating around them for their own foraging needs.
However, balance is key in nature and if the Boar dig over the same area of ground repeatedly this can cause issues for the regeneration of the woodland and damage growth. For more detail about the wild boar in the Forest of Dean, and important advice for visitors, visit: www.forestryengland.uk/article/wild-boar-the-forest-dean
Image: Wild Boar foraging in Forest of Dean by Ben Andrew rspb-images.com
Volunteers at RSPB Nagshead help with an incredible array of tasks, including practical habitat management, such as coppicing and non-native species removal, ecological surveys, like nest box monitoring and butterfly transects, visitor engagement at the visitor centre and on events, and maintaining visitor infrastructure.
Planting the right tree in the right place for wildlife can help in gardens too! Native trees provide the right food and shelter for our native species, and we’ve pulled together some expert advice to help you decide what tree is right for your space here.
Don’t have space for a tree? Even piles of decaying wood can be brilliant for biodiversity, make your own mini Nagshead here!
Main Image: Pied Flycatcher on branch with caterpillar in mouth by Ben Andrew rspb-images.com
very interesting facts.