Forestry Commission Liaison Meeting, April 2017
Eleven members joined Phil Rudlin of the Forestry Commission for our annual outdoor liaison meeting in the forest. Phil led a small convoy of cars along the forest tracks and across Dowles Brook to Wimperhill where we were shown three areas where work has been ongoing as part of the 50 year plan.
Our first stop was an area of woodland which had been cleared to create a heathland reptile habitat. The Adder population in the Wyre Forest has declined considerably in recent years and these reptiles are no longer as common as they once were. Known to be able to travel 1km away from their hibernation spots, it is hoped that the nearby known adder population will be encouraged to extend into this new area.
Adjacent to this cleared area is a mixed woodland which has proved to be successful in attracting dormice to its nesting boxes.
On the opposite side of the forest track we were shown an extensive area of new oak coppice. Groups of oak saplings have been planted to replace felled trees and is part of a long term commitment to integrate more commercial native tree species.
Further along the track we visited another area of Wimperhill. Originally covered with Lawson Cypress and Western Hemlock, this area has also been cleared with a view to creating more high forest. (A high forest is a type of forest originated from seed or from planted seedlings. In contrast to a low forest, a high forest usually consists of large, tall mature trees with a closed canopy. Wikipedia)
Lastly we drove further into the forest in the direction of Button Oak to the Earnwood section of Wyre. En route we paused at an area known as The Eye where Chris spotted a muntjac deer in the distance. Our final destination was the old deer lawn which we accessed by walking through a delightful beech wood with its newly emerging bright green foliage. The clearing at the far side is planned to be left as rough grassland with seasonal use of cattle to deliver a conservation grazing programme to help restore the traditional meadows and orchards of the Wyre.
