Heathland

Heathlands

what are they and why are they so important to certain species of wildlife ?

As one of our most 'at risk' habitats, the origins of today’s remaining heathlands can be traced back to the earliest farming communities of the bronze age, some 3,000 years ago.

Areas of woodland were cleared of timber for construction of early settlements and then these areas used to graze domestic livestock.

Grazing halted the natural colonization of these open areas by ‘pioneer’ tree species like Silver Birch and Alder. As a result, nutrients were washed from the exposed top-soil – only the hardiest shrubs such as gorse broom, heather and some grasses survived and flourished.

Man then harvested the surviving plants and managed these areas well into the first half of 20^th Century. Heathlands are only found in North Western Europe with around 30% of these being found in the UK.

Unfortunately due to changes in land use, population growth and neglect there’s been a huge decline in these habitats. If Heathlands were lost forever it would be a conservation disaster as these areas are now home to many rare species that simply cannot live anywhere else.

These range from birds like the Dartford Warbler, and the Woodcock, (there are more details about this sighting on our Woodland Bird page). Heathlands are also home to insects such as the Blue Studdied Butterfly and amphibians like the Natterjack Toad and reptiles like the Common Lizard, Slow Worms, Adders and grass snakes are all species that rely on heathlands in order to survive. Although we've yet to spot a Dartford Warbler or hear a Natterjack Toad all of the other creatures listed here have been spotted in Monkmead Wood.

Monkmead Wood Volunteer Group are now working on the Heathland area for longer periods of time - we're calling it our Heathland Restoration Project and each year the group work on the site from September through to November when ground nesting birds like the Woodcock have finished raising any young. We're trying to clear small birch saplings and bracken which can change the soil acidity - so essential the the heathland.

The heathland in Monkmead Wood is also home to a rare species of fungi 'Scarlet Bonnet' not to mention many species of wild flower and two species of heather'

Even plants like th Scrape

e Sundew with its sticky hairs that trap insects only live here.

What are the strange fenced off areas on the heathland?

These are known as 'scrapes'.

Horsham District Council have recently fenced off several areas - these are to create seasonal ponds to give local biodiversity a helping hand by supporting some of the more rare species that have called the woodland their home.

There's some more information about scrapes in our Spring & Summer Newsletter.

We will be updating this page with more exciting updates towards the end of 2011/early 2012.!

Winter Warmers

For our smaller bird species keeping warm in winter can mean the difference between life and death.

Some species however have come up with some ingenious ways of increasing their survival rates - by simply 'getting close to the neighbours'.

Wrens for example are well known for sharing nest boxes in particularly cold winters - over 60 have been counted emerging from one nest box!

Monkmead Wood Volunteer Group try to erect at dozen or so bird boxes every couple of years not just to provide nest boxes for Spring but simply because they are invaluable roosting sites for our smaller species of bird like the Wren during Winter.

It you're able to place a bird box in a quiet place in your garden (not in direct sunlight though) you'd be supplying our wildlife with both a Spring and Winter residence!