Did you see the amazing ancient woodlands in the first episode of Wild Isles? Ancient woodlands and trees are brilliant for biodiversity. In recent years there’s been a push to plant new trees across the UK, but despite this, our woodland wildlife is still declining. Species such as Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Willow Tits, Hazel Dormice and woodland butterflies are all in trouble – and planting trees isn’t enough to save them. We need to look after the native woodlands we have left, and when we do plant trees they need to be the right trees in the right places.
At Pulborough Brooks native woodlands provide a home for Badgers, Bats and native Bluebells. However, we’re also working to remove pine trees which don’t belong here so we can restore and maintain heathland habitat for rare species like Woodlark, Nightjar and Adders.
Woodlands consisting of native deciduous trees provide a valuable home for UK wildlife, including Badgers and native Bluebells, which can both be found here at RSPB Pulborough Brooks. However, trees growing in the wrong place can irreversibly change a fragile habitat. This could easily be the case if trees were allowed to take over the lowland heath here. A lack of trees is characteristic of this open landscape, allowing it to flourish with Heather and Gorse plants. This in turn provides the right conditions for specialist species to thrive, such as Woodlarks, Nightjars and Adders, all of which call Pulborough Brooks home.
Allowing Birch and Pine trees to grow in this sensitive heathland habitat would eventually turn it into a scrub and tree dominated landscape, causing the specialist plants and species to disappear. Nightjars, for example, which visit Pulborough for the spring and summer, make their nests in the heathland, and Adders, a cold-blooded species, require the open areas to bask in the sunshine and increase their body temperature. The free-draining sandy soil is great for these snakes as they hibernate underground in winter. As part of the Adder monitoring project here, which began in 2017, an incredible 125 unique individuals have been identified across the entire Pulborough Brooks reserve, many on the heathland itself.
Image: An Adder photographed at RSPB Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve © Gareth Hughes
At Pulborough Brooks, the dedicated conservation team maintain the fragile heathland habitat by controlling scrub and tree encroachment, while leaving more established character trees in place which provide valuable perches for heathland birds. Staff and volunteer groups remove Birch and Pine trees, aided by devices such as tree poppers, to prevent these fast-growing trees driving out specialist vegetation species, such as Heather plants, including Ling, Bell and Cross-leaved Heather, along with Heath Bedstraw and Tormentil. Pollen and nectar are provided by these flowering plants, which is valuable for specialist invertebrates that thrive on the heath like Mining Bees. However, it isn’t all just people power, as livestock are released onto areas of the heathland. This traditional grazing method helps prevent scrub developing, while assisting in creating a mosaic of habitats.
All of this specialist management has helped rare heathland species to flourish. Anna Allum, RSPB Visitor Experience Manager, said: “Since the RSPB started restoring this part of heathland, breeding populations of Woodlark, Nightjar and Woodcock have made this area home. Common Lizards now bask in sunny patches across the heath and a wide variety of dragonflies and damselflies have moved into the newly created heathland ponds. Rare and threatened Field Crickets have also been re-introduced to the site.”
Image: Field Cricket Gryllus campestris, adult post moult © Rowan Edwards (rspb-images.com)
At Pulborough Brooks, the conservation work party undertake management on the heathland to help maintain this precious habitat, along with leading events for visitors, such as night time safaris to listen to and see Nightjars.
John Oliver, volunteer at RSPB Pulborough Brooks, said: “Volunteering for the RSPB is great fun and it was fascinating to discover how much positive difference removing non-native trees made for nature. Restoring the heath has been hard work, but it's been amazing to be part of the transformation. In summer, there is now a carpet of pink and purple Heather busy with pollinating insects and an evening walk watching the Nightjars, and hearing their churring song, is magical.”
If you’re interested in volunteering at Pulborough contact pulborough.brooks@rspb.org.uk
Getting out into nature and enjoying the heathland landscape is a wonderful experience. To help us look after this fragile habitat, please keep to the paths, take litter home and be mindful of dogs disturbing the wildlife.
Volunteering with the RSPB is also a great way to help nature, no matter how much time you have to spare – you can find a volunteering opportunity near you on our website.
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.
Discover more about RSPB Pulborough Brooks: www.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughbrooks
Main image: Heathland at Pulborough Brooks © Pete Hughes