Completed Species Habitat Improvement Grants
Forest Town Nature Conservation Group
Forest Town Nature Conservation Group (FTNCG) was awarded a grant to create new habitats and restore existing habitats on Spa Ponds Nature Reserve. The project involved creating new woodland understory whilst diversifying the age structure of the wood resulting in the creation of new glade areas, which were enhanced by acid grassland and wildflower seed sowing. The woodland restructuring work gave opportunity to wood piles including dead hedges of various lengths, sizes, and styles across the reserve as well as creating more standing dead wood. The project also included hedgerow improvement / restoration work which involved hedge laying where possible and planting up gaps along a 100m length of hedgerow on the reserve. The increase in standing and ground level dead wood is beneficial to a number of invertebrates and the hedgerow restoration provides wildlife corridors for a range of invertebrates and mammals.
Birklands Ringing Group
Birklands Ringing Group working with Stud Farm was awarded a grant to improve woodland management on an area of the farm. Through tree clearance in a conifer block to create glades followed by improving the ground flora. Installing and creating desirable species features such as habitat piles, digging a pond and installing bird boxes and feeders which will benefit a range of invertebrates, amphibians and birds. They also constructed a hide structure to provide a base for specialist species groups to use when surveying the site and also for educational/training purposes.
Forestry England
Forestry England were awarded a grant to carry out pond improvements at Boundary Wood and Ollerton Pit Wood. This included removing trees from around the edge of the pond which were overshadowing the pond and introducing too much leaflitter when the leaves dropped. From the felled timber desirable features such as brash piles were created for amphibians and reptiles. A large area of reeds from both ponds was removed creating an area of open water, and allowing the reinstatement of the island where birds can nest.