As a reserve team we are now well into our winter works programme. This includes clearing various invasive non-native plants and trees from the moorland and woodlands around the reserve. Due to breeding birds and the time of year they nest, we have a window of 6 months from the start of September to the end of February where we are able to fell trees without the risk of disturbing the population of birds that breed here.
One of the main focus areas of our felling has been on various parts of the moorland around the reserve. A quick view of a map of the reserve will show vast upland areas but mostly bordered by large blocks of planted conifers. Inevitably, these coniferous trees will self-seed onto the reserve we are managing. These self-sown conifers aren’t native and are a negative indicator species of dry heath, a habitat which is a feature of the Berwyn SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) that the Lake Vyrnwy reserve falls under, thus the removal of these trees is essential.
A number of staff and volunteer days have been put towards the clearing of these trees as hundreds have been removed by hand pulling, bow-sawing and chain sawing. Anyone who has ever worn chainsaw trousers or walked up a heather clad hill will be able to imagine that these two factors added together equals hard work (!) and the areas we have cleared so far have been done so through the effort of our volunteers and staff. There is however something special about these uplands of Vyrnwy. The peacefulness (once the saws have stopped!), remoteness and fine views of surrounding hills, lake and the Aran ridge are worth the walk alone!
Some of the conifers to be removed from a broad-leaved woodland
Another key area of felling work is beginning to take place in our managed woodland, where we are removing mature invasive non-natives coniferous trees and rhododendron with the goal of creating a deciduous/broad leaf woodland of native tree species. Such a woodland would have the potential to support bird species such as pied flycatchers, redstarts and wood warblers. Ground flora would also benefit from the clearance as more light would be allowed onto the woodland floor.
I have always found winter my favourite season working for conservation organisations because of the type of practical work we do. You know you're making a positive difference on the ground to habitats and come the spring/summer when the days are longer, you can physically see the difference, which can feel very rewarding. When the sun is shining at the height of summer, I often miss cold, wet, windy days doing habitat management work in the woods or on the hill.
Torrin Stone, Estate Worker
Here’s what one of our new interns, Ben, has been getting up to since he started in October…
Having recently finished a season of monitoring seabirds on the offshore island The Skerries coming to volunteer at Lake Vyrnwy is a very different experience.
From cleaning out birds boxes for next year’s chicks, to removing non-native conifers from the moor, the work has been varied. Here a few of my experiences from my first few weeks at the reserve.
This area of ffridd has recently been cleared of non-native conifers which will aid species such as the Welsh clearwing moth. This moth specialises living on downy birch in open areas.
The above picture shows the remains of a long dead tree amongst a standing of pines. Dead wood can provide valuable habitat for a variety of species such as wood peckers and willow tits to insects and fungus making them a great source of biodiversity.
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