The wood on the farm is now an official County Wildlife Site, "due to the presence of Culm grassland and wet woodland, both rare and declining habitats in Devon; although the areas are relatively small they are of sufficient quality and wildlife interest to meet the CWS criteria." So says Devon Biodiversity Records Centre.I'm rather excited about this recognition plus having responsibility for managing the wood sympathetically, knowing that there are fabulous and rare species to be enjoyed within the farm itself, developing knowledge about the various species and the ooh aah factor. Especially the ooh aah factor. That happens when you count a dozen more orchids than in the previous season.
Four other sites across the farm that were also surveyed are "not currently of CWS standard, though with time and continued sympathetic management there is clearly the potential for them to improve further in quality and ecological value." So room for improvement then. I like a challenge.
If you want to hunt through the history of this process, click on the culm label at the bottom of this post.
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10 comments:
Well done. Take care of it. You've got something very precious there. (I know - you know that!)
This is very exciting - and such a responsibility (though I know you're up to the challenge).
You may soon be a SSSI.
Congratulations. Mopsa's land sounds a wonderful place to be wild.
Congratulations on this recognition. You have worked hard for it and deserve it.
Thank you all; yes, I am pleased. I don't mind being an SSSI Kaz, as long as they don't start calling me an ancient monument!
Bravo Mopsa. Do you have any fritillary in your wood?
ah, memories, I had a fridge at university with a similar biodiversity designation mopsa
WW - no, I haven't seen fritillary yet - the snakeshead is probably my favourite flower ever.
Rilly, you raver.
Good stuff mopsa - great to see your enthusiasm.
Paula - it's not difficult to be enthusiastic when you see the wood in the spring.
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