Blog - species

What's it like to go on a deer management course?

What’s it like to go on a deer management course?

by Peter, 31 October, 2014, 3 comments

The UK’s rapidly growing deer population is causing problems for the managers of woodlands of all sizes. The Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 is a four-day course about how a deer population can be managed. Teaching ranges from lectures on deer biology and diseases to rifle safety and marksmanship. The course I went on at Alice Holt Forest, in Hampshire, was run by Steve Wooley, a veteran stalker who has worked as a gamekeeper on a Scottish estate for 25 years - looking after a ‘patch’ of Forestry Commission land - being 10,000 acres of land. All four days were fast-paced, so it was essential to have previously studied the manual which was sent out before the course started. However, it isn’t all theory: one day Steve turned up with a deer he’d shot that morning and “gralloched” it in front of us to show us how to check for signs of disease. Read more...

Native dominants or botanical 'thugs’ in woodland.

Native dominants or botanical ‘thugs’ in woodland.

by Lewis, 28 March, 2014, 2 comments

Much has been written recent in recent years about the ‘dangers’ posed to our native flora & ecosystems by ‘alien’ invasive species. Introduced species such Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), and Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) have been cited as ‘drivers’ of ecosystem change – alongside habitat loss, pollution and over-exploitation. However, voices have been raised to express concern over certain native species that can grow rapidly producing large amount of biomass (or indeed necromass – think bracken dying down in late autumn) and how they may be impacting on our flora, particularly plants of the woodland herb or field layer. Read more...

Leaf variation - Holly (and Ivy).

Leaf variation – Holly (and Ivy).

by Lewis, 17 March, 2011, 5 comments

Holly leaves are prickly. But the leaves of the lower twigs and branches are said to have more prickles than the those higher up the tree. Ivy (Hedera) has lobed leaves but entire leaves can be found on the projecting branches (which bear flowers and fruits) – again often high up and in the light. The range in variation in any species can be considerable – thinking about holly, their leaves may vary in : The number of spines on a leaf The number of spines on each side of the leaf The length of the leaf (do longer leaves have more spines?) Read more...

Hedgerows

Hedgerows

by Chris, 11 April, 2006, 2 comments

Do you have hedgerows on your land? Have you ever thought of trying to date them? It is sometimes possible to give an approximate age to a hedge using the ‘hedge dating’ system devised by Dr Max Hooper in the 1970's. This is explained in a number of books, such as The Living History of Our Hedgerows: A Guide to Dating Hedgerows - Lesley Chapman, Brian Steffens (Illustrator) Orchard Publications - paperback - April 10, 2001. Have a look on Amazon.co.uk or similar The basic formula for dating a hedge is as follows: First measure out a 30 metre length of hedge. Work along the hedge systematically recording each woody species. Repeat this process with two or three 30 metre sections of hedge. Calculate how many woody species on average you find in your hedge. Generally speaking, a new species is added every hundred years. Read more...

Wild Flower Guide

Badger

Read our guide to wild flowers of woodland and hedgerow

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