The Centre > Woodland Conservation
Conservation at Blithfield
Woodland | Bracken Clearance | Wildflower Meadow Development
Woodland
|Blithfield Education Centre is located in a picturesque woodland setting known locally as Stansley Wood. The buildings sit between two woodland compartments which are environmentally important owing to their classification as Ancient Semi-natural Woodland. This means that the woods date back to 1600 AD or earlier, indicating that they have been a woodland habitat for at least 400 years. Maps are not as reliable beyond this point in history so although the area may have been woodland for much longer than 400 years, we can only say with confidence that they are at least 400 years old.
Stansley Wood makes up part of the 205 acres of mixed woodland that surrounds Blithfield Reservoir, with most of this woodland being located around the reservoir's northern lake. The Stansley Wood compartments of Blithfield Woodlands are a good example of native British Woodland and are mostly broadleaf in composition, the predominant species being Oak, Sycamore, Beech, and Birch, with an understorey of Hazel, Holly and Bramble.The April to June period brings a wonderful woodland floor full of English Bluebells. There has been a very significant loss of this type of habitat over the past century and even now it is still under increasing pressure. The Company carefully manages the woodlands at Blithfield Reservoir to ensure its sustainability.
In 1988 the reservoir and most of its surrounding woodland gained the status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and this has been maintained to the current day. This designation was given owing to the abundance and variety of bird life that lives on and around the reservoir, which is now nationally important for its noted species such as widgeon and goosander. The reservoir also pays host to a number of rare visitors during the year including Little Egrets and Osprey.
The woodland offers a wide variety of habitats which have been developed into learning environments, allowing activities such as pond dipping, bird watching, nature trails, mini-beast hunting and a whole host of other activities to be undertaken by visitors to the Education Centre. These activities are carefully managed so they minimise the impact on the habitats whilst maximising the opportunities for children and adults to learn more about such a wonderful environment. This careful balance helps to ensure the sustainability of this picturesque area so it can be enjoyed by the many generations of future visitors.
Bracken Clearance
|Bracken clearance has proved very successful in Stansley Wood with a pilot project involving four experimental areas being commenced in 2002. Each of the four areas is located in a different part of the wood and collectively adds up to just under a hectare.
In August 2002 all four areas were sprayed using a chemical called ‘Asulox’, which is a fern-specific herbicide. The effect was dramatic, with the following year showing virtually no re-growth of bracken in two of the four areas, with some re-growth in the other two.
As part of the experiment, the two areas with virtually no re-growth received further treatment. One of the areas was scarified using a chain and harrow to chop up the dead bracken from the previous year and break up the ground. It was then flattened, allowed to grass over, and was mown regularly throughout the summer. The second area had the dead bracken left where it had fallen, with any new bracken fronds being removed by hand.
The effect of this was that the first area saw the emergence of ground flora such as Bluebells whilst the latter area saw the development of naturally regenerating tree saplings, a very desirable outcome for the site.
In line with the woodlands management plan objective of extending the particular area of native woodland, regenerating Oak saplings were located and fitted with guards and stakes to protect against damage by rabbits, squirrels, or wind. In addition to the Oak saplings, naturally regenerating birch saplings are also being managed to provide a faster growing woodland crop that will eventually give way to the maturing Oak trees.
Besides encouraging the natural regeneration of Oak trees, clearance of the bracken and subsequent further routine management of the area has also successfully increased the abundance of Bluebells in the woodland compartment, improving the biodiversity of the site and adding to the picturesque beauty of the woodland landscape.
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Wild Meadow Development
|Following consultation with English Nature the Company entered into a Countryside Stewardship scheme with one of its tenant farmers. The scheme involved provision for the conversion of 5-acres of arable land to a wildflower meadow. The purpose for this was three-fold. Firstly, it would help to enhance biodiversity. Secondly, it would afford greater educational opportunities at the Company's nearby Blithfield Education Centre, and thirdly, it would provide a wonderfully picturesque landscape, further enhancing the amenity value of the area.
The field was sown with a crop during 2002, which was harvested in the autumn. However, in preparation for the development of the wildflower meadow the crop was grown without the use of fertiliser, so as to reduce the nutrient index of the soil. Discussions took place with other tenant farmers and an agreement was reached that would allow adequate grazing of the field at the appropriate times of the year. This agreement formed part of the management plan for the Blithfield Reservoir estate.
In early 2003, the 5-acre field was sown by the tenant farmer with a wildflower seed mix. The first signs of life showed through at the latter part of April as cornflower shoots started to emerge. By mid May the cornflowers had flowered to provide a wonderful, blue hue across the entire field. This change was accompanied by a noticeable difference in the number and range of insect species, with butterflies emerging in abundance. The project was promising to offer blanket coverage of wildflowers across the entire 5-acre site.
By mid June the next host of developing flowers had emerged with an abundance of wild poppies bursting into flower to provide a sea of red amongst the blue hue of the cornflowers. Other flowers also developed including oxide daisy, to provide a natural display of vibrant colour that was nothing short of breathtaking.
The wildflower meadow was truly an awe inspiring sight and attracted interest from a wide range of people including local residents, the Wildlife Trust, and local photographers. Many commented on the noticeable increase in insect and bird life on and around the meadow.
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