Hello All,
I’ve got some updates to give you on some essential work the team will be completing in line with government guidance at both Swell Wood and Greylake between the 18 – 22 January.
Swell Wood
Over at Swell Wood members of the team will be working on our programme of thinning out the oak trees that were originally planned as part of a timber plantation. These trees are along part of the woodland trail which means that the woodland trail will be closed during the dates above.
Removing these trees will open up the canopy providing light and openings for ground flora and the promotion of natural regeneration of the woodland. At present our trees are of a similar age and this work will help improve the age structure of the woodland, safeguarding its future. At least five orchid species have been found in the area of the work previously, as the woodland has become shadier these have not been seen in some time (though hopefully will be again soon after the works have been completed). The felled trees will mainly be left as a rich source of deadwood rather than being “tidied up”, this will give visitors the chance to get up close to the many important invertebrates and fungi that will colonise the woodland. Another benefit of the work will be that the thinning will allow space for more natural growth of the remaining trees meaning they are less prone to canopy damage in the future.
This work was originally meant to be carried out last year but had to be delayed because of covid. It is important that we complete it now to meet our cross-compliance requirements and more importantly we need to get this work done before the Herons return to their nesting area. Removing these tree’s isn’t the only part of the Woodland Stewardship scheme programme of works we need to complete this year. We also have 890 metres of fencing to install – that’s a lot of fencing!
RSPB Staff
Greylake
Next week (18 – 22 Jan) a contractor will be coppicing willows along the path leading to the reedbed loop screen. This means the reedbed screen and the path to it will be closed during this time. The willows act as screening for the path and they have to be managed regularly in order to maintain them as small coppiced trees rather than fully grown willows. Please be aware that large machinery may be in and around the car park at times whilst this work is carried out. Again, this is work delayed early in the year by covid that needs to be completed as part of our HLS agreement before the breeding season starts soon.
A quick reminder that in line with Government guidance for #lockdown, the following facilities are OPEN at Greylake and Swell Wood for local, essential, daily exercise only:
Car park (dawn-dusk)
Trails (dawn-dusk)
The following facilities are CLOSED:
Hides
We strongly urge you to follow the legislation around non-essential travel and please visit your most local nature reserves and green spaces only. Please also follow all current government guidance around social distancing, group sizes, hygiene and follow all signage on site.
For the latest RSPB Covid-19 updates please visit: www.rspb.org.uk/reservesupdate
Stay safe,
Paul – Assistant Warden, Somerset Reserves