Visiting a woodland reserve this spring? Wildlife Trust BCN issues these reminders
Amy Gerhard, of the Wildlife Trust Beds, Cambs and Northants, has the latest updates for us.
After a few bright, sunny days, March has begun to get us excited for spring. Daffodils, blossom and even a few bluebells are starting to add a burst of colour to the wild spaces outside. With the clocks changing this month too, March brings lighter evenings and more time to explore and enjoy nature on our patch.
Woodland management in spring
We have seen visitors to our woodlands increase over recent years, with more people seeking the spectacle of bluebells, wood anemones, wild garlic, oxlips and other wildflowers.
Alongside this we have experienced much milder, wetter winters. These two factors have meant that woodland closures throughout winter and into spring have been required, or access restricted, in order to protect the wildlife within.
The trust is working on techniques to help mitigate the pressures woodlands are facing, through reprofiling and widening rides. But closures are sometimes required as an essential step towards futureproofing the woodlands for nature and people.
Matt Hamilton, reserves manager for Cambridgeshire, explains: “Climate change is leading to less cold periods, a lack of snow and less frozen ground. So the heavy clay ground sits wet, creates lots of puddles and takes months and months to dry out.”
There are also times when woodland soils can easily be impacted and plants such as bluebells get destroyed through people wandering off from and widening paths in wet weather. While we aim to keep woodlands open, sometimes we have to restrict access in order to protect wildlife. But if possible we will try to make sure alternative routes are available.
Wistow Wood and Lady’s Wood are both currently closed. The rest of our woodlands are still open. However, despite the recent sunshine we have experienced, they are still sitting very wet. Please be mindful if visiting the woodland reserves this spring - remember to wear sensible footwear and ensure you stay to the paths and refrain from picking any of the wildflowers.
You can read more about futureproofing our woodlands on the Wildlife Trust BCN website: https://www.wildlifebcn.org/news/futureproofing-our-woodlands
Become a hoverfly hero
The Royal Horticultural Society and The Wildlife Trusts are calling on gardeners across the country to help save hoverflies, the second most significant pollinator after bees and the unsung heroes of many of our ecosystems.
Hoverflies pollinate crops and protect them by eating sap-sucking aphids. They also pollinate wildflowers, are food for birds and even help break down organic matter in gardens. Yet, they are under increasing pressure from intensive agriculture, harmful pesticides, urban development and climate change.
Hoverflies are masters of disguise. With an appearance that mimics wasps, hoverflies can gain protection from predators keen to avoid being stung, even though hoverflies themselves are stingless. Although on closer inspection hoverflies can be clearly distinguished from wasps, with smaller antennae, larger eyes, wider bodies and only one pair of wings, they are often mistaken for one another.
Vicki Hird, author of Rebugging the Planet and strategic agriculture lead for The Wildlife Trusts, says: "They can thrive in well-managed woodlands and wetlands, but there is also so much we could be doing in our gardens to help. Providing a range of flowers to feed on through the year, ponds for larvae to grow in, dead wood to lay eggs in and even a few aphid pests for them to feed on, and you will have these gardeners' friends for life. And they are so helpful, and don't bite or sting.”
A series of projects have been designed for gardeners to help hoverflies in spaces large or small which include creating pollinator plant boxes (ideal for small-space gardens or balconies), hoverfly lagoons (the perfect breeding ground for many hoverfly species) and larvae nurseries.
Visit our website to find a comprehensive guide to becoming a hoverfly hero! https://www.wildlifebcn.org/take-action/wild-about-gardens.
Danielle Page, communities and education officer, also shares her experience of making homemade hoverfly lagoons online at https://www.wildlifebcn.org/blog/guest-post/homemade-hoverfly-lagoons
Fleam Dyke discoveries
Fleam Dyke is an impressive earthwork monument running between Fulbourn and Balsham in Cambridgeshire.
A significant length of the dyke was bought into the trust’s ownership in 2023 thanks to a highly successful appeal. Since, we have been working hard to begin the creation of a new chalk grassland habitat to benefit the chalk flora and fauna, and enable more sustainable management of the site.
The long-term goal will be for Fulbourn Fen and Fleam Dyke to become a single site, managed through conservation grazing with a mixture of cattle and sheep.
During recent visits, whilst carrying out surveys, Iain Webb, community conservation officer at the trust, has come across some interesting finds. Excitingly he found two harvest mice nests. Harvest mice are an indicator species for grassland – their presence indicates grassland habitats are working for a range of plants and animals. They are difficult to spot so looking for their nests before spring is a great way to gauge the health of the site.
A few miles away at Lower Wood near Balsham, Becky Green, senior ranger, recently found a scarlet elf cup mushroom for the first time. Folklore describes wood elves drinking the morning dew from the cups. It is relatively uncommon, but widespread and can be found in damp woodland areas, on ditch sides and stream banks.
Have you found any exciting discoveries as we move into spring? Share your images with us on social media, or email us at communicationsteam@wildlifebcn.org.
