Woodland hedges

With most of the deer cull plans now complete, I’ve been finishing off some hedge work. The hedges have been neglected since the woodland was planted, following advice to leave the hedges. After a couple of decades of just trimming, the hedge had become hollowed out with most tree species starting to decay. The benefit to fauna and flora was limited. By cutting out most of the old material, this hedge should grow back to a state where it can be laid properly. Some hazel and hawthorn whips have been left as has a holly bush.

The woodland edge has the maximum biodiversity value as this is where the transition between habitat types supports a wider range of species. Managing hedges helps to improve this biodiversity value. It also helps to ensure access to wood is easier around the outside edge. It will be interesting to monitor this hedge bank over the next 2-3 years to see how it changes. The increase in light levels into the wood is already noticeable. With birds starting to consider nesting sites, and some flora species starting to emerge, the job has been completed just in time. Cost is always a consideration with these projects and that prevented the full hedge being completely restored and laid.

Change of Business Direction

The original concept for the business, which was formally known as Artemis Deer Consultancy, was to focus purely on deer management. The Artemis Deer Consultancy business was moth-balled early last year.

Capreolus Ecology is the new direction, built on knowledge gained during my study for an MSc in Wildlife Biology and Conservation and changes to government grants supporting woodland and forestry. Whilst deer conservation and management remains the bedrock of the business, Capreolus Ecology is focused on the complete forest ecology and conservation. It is a massive subject and I continue to learn and develop skills which enhance the overall package that I can offer to support clients.

Woodland Ride Seed Mixes

Having had a bare patch of earth on the lawn and no grass, I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to try out the Bright’s Seed Deer Grazer Mix. This seed mix contains Amelia Vetch, Choice Chicory, Buckwheat, and Alberobello crimson Clover. It was planted in late March and grew really well with very little tilling and seed bed maintenance. Once established the insect life was significantly more ‘busier’ than the surrounding ‘lawn’ area. What was particularly interesting was how the Choice Chicory appeared to thrive in the very hot conditions when the grasses and other flora where deminished.

Whilst diversionary feeding has mixed success as part of deer management strategy, with hotter and more drought like conditions forecast to be more frequent, perhaps this seed mix may do well as part of an adaptive management approach to woodland rides and deer lawns where the intention is to promote natural regeneration of trees and shrubs in the nearby area, and also support other deer management objectives. The benefits to the wider ecosystem management would need further research to quantify the value added if any, but may be worth a go.

Some of the photos below where taken of the flowers and plants in May and the burnt grass comparison was taken in August after the second of the heat waves.

Deer Activity and Habitat Impact Surveys

We’ve been out over the last week carrying out deer activity and habitat impact assessments on estates in Hampshire. The spring is the ideal time to get them done, however sometimes this is not possible and it is better to gather the data at some point than not at all. This allows us to trend against previous years and to ensure the deer management plan is updated along with any other recomendations. The hot weather and lack of rainfall has certainly taken it’s toll on the flora. The photos below are ones which we include in the surveys and analyse to determine what impact the deer are having and what the activity level is. We are able to identify which deer species is having the most impact and which are having negligible impact. We can identify if other mammal species are having a negative on the trees.

The red and white survey pole is graduated at 0.5m intervals to record the depth of cover and height of browse lines.

Low Impact Timber Extraction

Following the loss of some Larch through wind blow, the owner wanted the wind blown trees felled and extracted. The area is wet and as the woodland is weighted heavily towards conservation we wanted to leave minimal sign and impact. We hand cut the wind blow larch with a combination of hand winch and chainsaw and then used a compact tractor and small timber trailer to extract the 2.5m lengths to the yard for onward sale.

The trailer, whilst simple is perfect for this type of operation. Carrying 1500kg of timber a time the impact on the ground was very low. By ensuring the hand cutting left low and tidy stumps, access is well within this set ups capabilities, even when the trees where originally planted on plow lines.

Trail Camera Survey

This is a montage of one week’s trail camera footage collected recently. As can be seen the Red Stags are rapidly growing this year’s antlers. These youngsters are all looking in good condition.

Countryside Stewardship Grants - Deer Control and Management

Grants are now available for Deer control and management as well as grey squirrel control. Worth checking out and discussing with your local FE Woodland Officer.

https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/ws1-deer-control-and-management

https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/ws3-squirrel-control-and-management

We can help out with deer management plans and habitat impact assessments, as well as taking on the deer and squirrel cull where required.

Deer Health and Welfare

Regularly walking around and watching the deer is still the most important part of deer management. Looking at the numbers, condition, how they are reacting, what they are eating is all vital information and is key to ensuring the deer management plan is being continually reviewed.

Repairs to failing deer fencing.

The deer fencing in this area is getting to the point where it is failing in various places as the posts rot and the wire fails. This area had seen a heavy use by Red deer. We repaired the fence to make it secure for livestock and security. We placed horizontal railings either side of the hedge to ensure the deer can jump with a reduced risk of getting snagged in the wire. The wire beneath this has been opened up sufficiently to allow young deer to cross as well.

Using deer fencing to protect woodlands should be carefully considered and should only really be used as a last resort. Other methods of deer management, can achieve a better result.

Tree planting last Autumn

Last autumn saw us out tree panting following the clear felling of a commercial crop. we acted for our client in a supervising capacity for some Canadian sub-contractors who where planting this area. Ensuring the logistics of these jobs are well set up makes the job efficient.

Wind Blown Larch

This was an area of Larch planted approximated 20 years ago. Unfortunately is was the wrong sub species planted and the root structure is not sufficient to withstand the winds for wet clay soils. The owner was keen to have it cleaned up, but did not want it all removed. There where also other tree species within the area which had been planted at the same time which attracted a sentimental value. We felled the vast majority of the wind blown larch to make the area safe and usable. Root plants where returned to the horizontal and stumps where taken as low as possible. The timber was hand stacked in areas accessible for extraction by tractor/trailer reducing the impact on the remaining trees. Dealing with multi stem wind blow can be time consuming and complex, but with the right approach, is not too onerous. We try to ensure the costs involved can be offset to some degree by selling the timber. This is already seeing natural regeneration of other tree species including oaks.

Sitka Thinning and Ride Improvement

This small area of Sitka required first thinning. The area is relatively small and prone to strong winds. The ride had become overgrown and little light was entering it and thus reducing the biodiversity value of the ride. We removed a sufficient amount of timber to open up the ride. We left the ends narrower to allow for a reduction of wind velocity once through the wind hardened edge trees. The brash was matted across the ride to allow for minimal ground compaction once the area was dry enough for extraction. This allowed the main work to be done outside the nesting season, and the timber was left for a couple of months until it was dry enough to extract by tractor/trailer combination.