What we actually do is a cross between coppicing and pollarding, leaving a higher stump than traditional coppicing. This creates nesting habitat off the ground as well as giving the 'coppice stool' more chance of surviving amongst the deep grasses that might out-compete it early in the spring.
This is important work. Firstly it keeps the height of the belt of trees down, decreasing the edge effect on the adjacent wet meadows (and pool) which is better for breeding waders. It also creates much better habitat for warblers, my territory mapping exercise that I did a few years showed that warbler territories were a greater density in recently coppiced areas. It is also beneficial for our ringing activities, keeping more of the trees below net height.
Once the work was done, I did manage a brief wander around the patch. A long-tailed duck was on the big pool, but then flew off, maybe the noise from the chainsaw disturbed it? Other than that, only common species were added to the list.
32 long tailed duck
33 robin
34 blue tit
35 coot
36 tufted duck
37 stonechat
38 pheasant
39 feral pigeon
PWC Score: 45
6 comments:
I can remember Druridge before those bushes/trees were planted..
I remember Druridge when the main pool was a rubbish tip post RADAR opencasting...showing my age a bit!
You don't appreciate how big they are now. Got some photos from 2000 somewhere and they are just little bushes
Do you burn all the cuttings, or leave them as habitat piles Ipin ?
Warren - we leave them as habitat piles
Good to here Ipin :-)
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