Development Plans
We have already planted nine large trees (approx. 4 metres) around the site. Two 'community copses' which were planted on 2nd December 2003 each contain to 162 trees and include Birch and Field Maple in addition to Oak, Ash and Alder. Over time as the copses develop it is hoped that other trees and shrub species such as Hazel, Hawthorn and Crab Apple may be added. These may 'arrive' naturally as a result of bird and animals depositing seeds, but if not, could form part of another community planting event.
The bog garden has been created by lining a 'pond' and then refilling it with soil. Many of the plants we aim to grow in the bog garden were once common in the English countryside. However, largely due to land drainage and intensive agriculture many of them are now rarely seen. We hope to plant, among other flowers, purple loosestrife, marsh marigold, ragged robin and cuckoo flower. These plants are attractive to both people and wildlife and will help to make this site a truly enjoyable place to visit.Sadly, the vast majority of our wildflower meadows have been lost due to changes in agriculture and the expansion of towns and villages into the surrounding countryside. We hope to reclaim this little bit of countryside for some of the wildflower species which were once common but are now rarely seen.
Due to the past management and current dense grass cover of this site, few wildflowers will be able to establish themselves without any help from us. Many wildflowers are easily 'crowded out' by more vigorous grasses and weeds which beat them in the competition for light and water. High nutrient levels in the soil add to this problem by giving the stronger species a head start from which the wildflowers can rarely recover. In fact, wildflowers generally thrive in low-nutrient soils where conditions are not ideal for the more demanding grass and weed species.
We are aiming to plant 2 or 3 small areas of this site with native wildflowers. These areas will be mown more often than the rest of the site and the grass cuttings will be raked away. This will help to reduce the nutrients in the soil and the amount of grass competing with the wildflowers. It is hoped that over time, with a change in the timing and frequency of mowing, these flowers will spread into other areas of the site.
The bat boxes have been installed in pairs facing north and south, because bats are sensitive to temperature and use the north facing boxes in the spring and summer but move around the tree to the south facing boxes in the colder weather.
A Barn Owl box has been fitted in the eastern hedgerow which is carefully concealed in a tree. In a recent survey of Barn Owl boxes erected by the Ivel and Ouse Valley Project most had been used for roosting and one had been used to rear four chicks.