Sirhowy Hill Woodlands https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk Nature Reserve Tredegar Mon, 26 Jun 2023 17:41:39 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-android-chrome-512x512-1-32x32.png Sirhowy Hill Woodlands https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk 32 32 Woodlands: A Triumph for Conservation https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/woodlands-a-triumph-for-conservation/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 17:41:31 +0000 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/?p=8126 Introduction

In an exciting development at Sirhowy Hill Woodlands, we are thrilled to reveal some remarkable recent discoveries made within our local nature reserve.During a visit by Liam olds of Buglife to advise us on how best to manage our grasslands and wood edges in our diverse colliery spoil habitats, we had the privilege of witnessing the presence of two extraordinary bee species: the Tormentil Mining Bee (Andrena tarsata) and the Bilberry/Whimberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola). These findings shed light on the ecological significance of Sirhowy Hill Woodlands and the success of our conservation endeavours in Blaenau Gwent County, Wales.

Background

The Tormentil Mining Bee, a nationally scarce bee species of conservation priority in Wales and England, has now graced our woodlands with its presence. Notably, this elusive bee had previously been observed in only one other location within Gwent. The inaugural sighting in Blaenau Gwent County bolsters our understanding of local biodiversity and solidifies Sirhowy Hill Woodlands as a sanctuary of exceptional ecological value.

The Tormentil Mining Bee (Andrena tarsals)

Photo curtesy of Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative

Happily for us the Tormentil Mining Bee (Andrena tarsata) has taken its rightful place in our woodlands as a captivating species with significant conservation importance. As a nationally scarce bee, its population has experienced a decline throughout the United Kingdom, necessitating focused efforts for its protection and preservation. We are honoured to provide a habitat conducive to the survival and prosperity of this vital pollinator and Liam has advised us on making sure the patches of tormentil which it depends on and is its preferred forage, throughout our woodland don’t get  diminished by scrub and woodland encroachment. The presence of the Tormentil Mining Bee at Sirhowy Hill Woodlands stands as a testament to our dedication to conservation and the extraordinary biodiversity harboured within our local nature reserve.

The Bilberry/Whimberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola): 

Curtesty of Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative

During our walk, we were blessed with yet another remarkable discovery—the Bilberry/Whimberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola). This magnificent species, known to inhabit upland areas, faces a concerning decline in its population. Each sighting holds immense significance as we strive to monitor and protect this invaluable contributor to our ecosystem. The observation of the Bilberry/Whimberry Bumblebee within Sirhowy Hill Woodlands not only adds to our understanding of its distribution but also underscores the rich variety of habitats fostered within our woodlands.

Conservation Triumph

The disvovery of the Tormentil Mining Bee and the Bilberry/Whimberry Bumblebee at Sirhowy Hill Woodlands represents a momentous triumph for conservation. These findings exemplify the success of our ongoing efforts to safeguard and restore colliery spoil habitats. By providing a nurturing environment for these rare bee species, Sirhowy Hill Woodlands serves as a vital cornerstone in upholding local biodiversity and bolstering the broader ecological well-being of Blaenau Gwent County.it also underscores how necessary it is to get some baseline in depth  surveys done as we may have lots more special species there that we don’t yet know about,as the last ecological survey was done in 2013 !!!

Conclusion

The presence of the Tormentil Mining Bee and the Bilberry/Whimberry Bumblebee within Sirhowy Hill Woodlands fills us with immense pride and renewed determination to improve the grassland habitats for the benefit of  invertabrates theseextraordinary discoveries not only emphasise the significance of our woodlands as a refuge for rare and threatened bee species but also demonstrate the positive impact of our conservation endeavours. We are also very grateful to the entire Sirhowy Hill Woodlands community and volunteers for their unwavering commitment to preserving our natural heritage. Together, we hope to continue to safeguard and conserve the ecological wonders and their habitats that grace our local nature reserve for now and for the future.

]]> Another Brilliant Session at Our Community Woodlands: Planting for a Bountiful Harvest https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/another-brilliant-session-at-our-community-woodlands-planting-for-a-bountiful-harvest/ Sat, 24 Jun 2023 18:31:45 +0000 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/?p=8100 Introduction

In our vibrant community woodlands, every session is filled with enthusiasm, teamwork, and a shared love for nature. Recently, a group of dedicated individuals including Olga, Oleana, Jacqueline, Susy, Miss Goode, and the enthusiastic pupils from St. Joseph’s school joined forces to engage in a fulfilling gardening session. Their main focus was on preparing the beds and planting sweetcorn, along with the exciting addition of a pumpkin patch. Let’s dive into the details of this wonderful endeavour and discover how our community is fostering growth, sustainability, and connection through gardening.

Preparing the Beds

The first task at hand was preparing the garden beds, ensuring the soil was nutrient-rich and ready to embrace the upcoming plants. Our hardworking team donned their gardening gloves and set to work, raking over the beds previously filled with rotted horse manure and straw and then covered with fresh compost and raking it leveli. This created the perfect foundation for a successful growing season.

Planting Sweetcorn

With the beds ready, it was time to plant the young sweetcorn which susy and Tom had grown in root trainers. Sweetcorn, with its tall stalks and deliciously tender cobs, has always been a favourite among our community members. Guided by experienced gardeners, the pupils from St. Joseph’s and Jacqueline, Olga and Oleana eagerly took part in the process, learning about proper spacing,  and watering techniques. 

The Pumpkin Patch

Adding a touch of autumnal magic to our community woodlands, the team at St. Joseph’s embarked on a delightful venture by planting pumpkins. These vibrant orange fruits, beloved for their versatility and association with Halloween, were carefully placed in a dedicated pumpkin patch. Under the watchful eyes of Olga, Oleana, Jacqueline, Susy, and Miss Goode, the pupils lovingly nestled the pumpkin plants into the hot soil, imagining the future jack-o’-lanterns they would create come harvest time. This addition to our community woodlands promises to bring a sense of seasonal wonder and anticipation for all members to enjoy and will hopefully supply us with pumpkins for our autumn pumpkin carving event.

The Importance of Community Involvement

The success of our community woodlands lies not only in the seeds we plant but also in the connections we cultivate. Collaborative projects like these provide invaluable opportunities for people of all ages to come together, share knowledge, and work towards a common goal. As the pupils from St. Joseph’s interacted with experienced community members, they gained practical skills, nurtured a sense of responsibility towards the environment, and formed lasting bonds. The invaluable lessons they learned extend beyond the garden, fostering empathy, teamwork, and an appreciation for the natural world, oh and they were adventurous in trying new tastes such as , cavola Nero, chives, sugar snaps and , chard

Looking Forward

With the sweetcorn and pumpkins now planted, our community woodlands hold the promise of an abundant harvest. As the seasons progress, we eagerly anticipate the sight of the cornstalks reaching for the sky, and the pumpkin vines sprawling across the patch, gradually transforming into plump and vibrant fruits. These upcoming moments of growth and abundance will not only serve as a testament to our collective efforts but also provide an opportunity for celebration and shared joy.

Conclusion

The recent gardening session at our community woodlands was yet another inspiring chapter in our ongoing journey towards fostering a sustainable and connected community. The dedication of Olga, Oleana, Jacqueline, Susy, Miss Goode, and the pupils from St. Joseph’s brought life to the garden beds as they planted sweetcorn and created a delightful pumpkin patch. This endeavour exemplifies the power of community involvement, as we nurture not only the land but also the connections that bring us together. As we eagerly await the coming seasons, we anticipate a bountiful harvest that will serve as a reminder of our collective achievements and the beauty of our community gardens

The captivating images showcased above capture the vibrant array of fresh produce thriving in our community allotment and greenhouse. These flourishing gardens play a vital role in supporting Charlie’s fabulous food on a budget sessions at the Sirhowy community centre, providing an abundant supply of vegetables for her engaging and educational free cookery demonstration sessions.

]]> Purple Moor-grass & Rush Pasture https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/purple-moor-grass-rush-pasture/ Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:20:43 +0000 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dev/?p=6657

Purple Moor-grass & Rush Pasture

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Purple Moor-Grass & Rush Pasture

The marshy grassland known as purple moor grass and rush pasture occurs on poorly drained, mainly acidic sites in lowland areas with high rainfall and wet soils. It is often found with other habitats, such as wet heath, scrub and dry grassland, making up a patchwork of diverse places that support a wide range of insects. It mainly occurs on gently sloping land or on floodplains where it may be periodically flooded during the winter.

 

In the past, purple moor grass and rush pasture was cut for hay during dry summers, but this practice is now in decline. Today, only a few sites are managed as hay meadows, and most are kept as rough grazing for cattle and horses.

Purple Moor-Grass & Rush Pasture at the Sirhowy Valley Woodlands

Purple moor-grass & rush pasture is a characteristic habitat of the South Wales coalfield, where they are referred to locally as ‘rhos pastures’. The category encompasses a very wide range of vegetation types, all of which have nature
conservation value. Rhos pastures have been extensively reclaimed for agriculture, lost to development or allowed to deteriorate through lack of management in recent decades, however, and there are now estimated to be only approximatel about 35,000ha of this formerly widespread and common habitat remaining in the whole of Wales, about 160ha of which occur in Blaenau Gwent county borough.

 

This habitat type can support a diverse and characteristic invertebrate fauna, which may include the rare and protected marsh fritillary butterfly (Eurodryas aurinia) as well as a
number of geographically restricted plant species such as whorled caraway (Carum verticillatum), wavy St John’s-wort (Hypericum undulatum) and petty whin (Genista
anglica). However, none of these species has been recorded to date from the site. Only a very small area of this habitat was present within the site, and this was species-poor and degraded.

Population

Purple moor grass and rush pastures are most frequent in the west of the UK, extending eastwards where wet soils are found. It is estimated that less than 70,000 hectares remain with important concentrations in Cornwall, the Somerset Levels, the New Forest, East Anglia, South Wales and Pembrokeshire.

Other Wildlife

]]> Dry Acid Grassland https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dry-acid-greenland/ https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dry-acid-greenland/#respond Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:17:22 +0000 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dev/?p=6649

Dry Acid Grassland

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Dry Acid Grassland

Often associated with lowland heathlands, parklands or coastal cliffs, lowland acid grassland typically occurs on nutrient-poor, free-draining soils with a pH ranging from 4 to 5.5. These soils overlie acid rocks or deposits such as sands and gravels. Lowland acid grassland is found below an altitude of 300 metres and is normally managed as pasture.

 

Lowland dry acid grassland is extremely variable in terms of its species richness, but it’s not uncommon for plants such as heath bedstraw and sheep’s sorrel to grow alongside heather, grasses and sedges. The uplifting song of the skylark fills the daytime air, while the distinctive churring of nightjars disrupts the summer evening quiet. In summer, the sands buzz with the burrowing of solitary bees and wasps, and in autumn, brightly coloured waxcaps poke up through the turf.

Dry Acid Grassland at the Sirhowy Valley Woodlands

The dry acid grasslands within the site are in a degraded condition, having been afforested. The U1 acid grassland community which is recorded on the site is a rare community on natural substrates in Wales, although is relatively frequent on secondary substrates such as colliery shale. The acid grasslands support three plants which are considered to be local in the region, and eleven species considered indicative of speciesrich acid grasslands in the Guidelines for the Selection of Wildlife Sites in South Wales
(SWWSP 2004).

Population

Dry acid grassland remains reasonably widespread in the uplands of Wales (CCW 2003), and it is the scarcer lowland form which is considered to be of greatest conservation significance in the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent. This habitat may support a range of scarce vascular plants species such as bitter-vetch (Lathyrus linifolius), moonwort (Botrychium lunaria), upright chickweed (Moenchia erecta) and shepherd’s-cress (Teesdalia nudicaulis).

Other Wildlife

]]> https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dry-acid-greenland/feed/ 0 Upland Heathland https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/upland-heathland/ https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/upland-heathland/#respond Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:14:08 +0000 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dev/?p=6637

Upland Heathland

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Upland Heathland

Often thought of as windswept and bleak, upland heathland is more commonly known as ‘moorland’. An iconic landscape full of drama and intrigue, upland heathland is distinguishable from its lowland counterpart by both the higher altitude (over 300 metres) at which it is generally found and the different plants and animals which it supports.

 

Upland heathland occurs on nutrient poor, acid, peaty soils. Although it is characteristically dominated by woody-stemmed dwarf shrubs, upland heathland is usually found as part of a mosaic of habitats including wet and dry heath, blanket bog and acid grassland.

Upland Heathland at the Sirhowy Valley Woodlands

The heathland within the site is classed as upland heathland, being above the 250m contour line. There is an estimated 79,000ha of this habitat extant in Wales, 1400ha of which occur within the Blaenau Gwent county borough (CCW 2003). This habitat type is, however, relatively scarce within the rest of Europe and has its stronghold in the UK. This habitat type often supports notable bird species including species such as hen harrier, red grouse and black grouse, although none of these species have been recorded to date at Sirhowy Hill.

 

The heathland habitats of the site are in a degraded condition, having been afforested throughout the site, and are now suffering from succession. The heathland habitats support seven plant species which are considered local in the region, and sixteen species considered indicative of species-rich heathlands and acid grassland mosaics in the Guidelines for the Selection of Wildlife Sites in South Wales (SWWSP 2004).

Population

The UK’s 3.7 million hectares of upland heathland are of international importance for nature conservation: this habitat is confined to north-west Europe, especially the UK. It provides the basic resource for hill farming and for grouse shooting. The wild nature of upland heathland is a much-loved feature of the landscapes of Devon, Cornwall, Wales, the Pennines, Lake District and Scotland. In many places, upland heathland harbours a rich archaeological heritage.

Other Wildlife

]]> https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/upland-heathland/feed/ 0 Ponds https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/ponds/ https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/ponds/#respond Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:08:01 +0000 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dev/?p=6627

Ponds

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Ponds

Still waters covered with fine duckweed, the eyes of a common frog just visible on the surface… This is many people’s impression of a ‘pond’. But ponds can come in all shapes and sizes, and occur in a variety of habitats.

 

In the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), ponds are defined as small, permanent or seasonal water bodies that are up to two hectares in size (less than three football pitches). To be considered as a priority habitat, the pond must be of high conservation or ecological importance, be home to species that are particularly scarce, have exceptional groups of plants and animals, or have other attributes such as being rare, old or part of a special landscape. It’s thought that around 20% of the UK’s 400,000 ponds (not including those in gardens) might meet one or more of these criteria.

Ponds at the Sirhowy Valley Woodlands

Ponds are identified as a key habitat for conservation in the Blaenau Gwent LBAP, and certain specific types of ponds are also recognised as being of significance at the county, Welsh or UK level. Pond habitats may support rich assemblages of flora and fauna, including many rare plants and invertebrates as well protected fauna species such as great crested newt.

 

The site contains one large permanent pond (Cardiff Pond) and two smaller ponds, all of which are considered potentially suitable for great crested newt although this species has not been recorded on the site to date. Upland ponds elsewhere within the county borough have been found to support rich dragonfly assemblages which include scarce blue-tailed damselfly (Ischnura pumilio), black darter (Sympetrum danae) and keeled skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens). Only one dragonfly species, common hawker (Aeshna juncea) was recorded from the site by the present survey, but it is likely that a range of others are also present. No rare or declining plant or invertebrate species have been recorded to date.

Population

Ponds are widespread throughout the UK. However, currently only about 500 ponds of high conservation value are listed on the National Ponds Database. In certain areas, high quality ponds form significant elements of the landscape such as the Cheshire Plan marl pits, the pingos of East Anglia, mid-Wales’ mawn pools, and the machair pools in the Western Isles of Scotland.

Other Wildlife

]]> https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/ponds/feed/ 0 Rock Habitats https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/rock-habitats/ https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/rock-habitats/#respond Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:03:22 +0000 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dev/?p=6615

Rock Habitats

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Rock Habitats

Rock habitats are identified as a key habitat for conservation in the Guidelines for the Selection of Wildlife Sites in South Wales, and also in many of the LBAPs for the south Wales region, although not currently that for Blaenau Gwent county borough. These habitats may include natural and quarried exposures, and may support a range of plant species considered local or rare in the region. However, the open rock habitats within the site appear to support comparatively undifferentiated communities similar to those recorded in the nearby acid grassland and heathland habitats.

Other Wildlife

]]> https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/rock-habitats/feed/ 0 Neutral Grassland https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/neutral-grassland/ https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/neutral-grassland/#respond Tue, 28 Jun 2022 17:56:15 +0000 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dev/?p=6608

Neutral Grassland

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Neutral Grassland

There are several different types of grassland, characterised by their soil types. Acid grassland can be found in both upland and lowland areas where fine-leaved grasses like red and sheep’s fescues and common bent grow, alongside wild flowers like sheep’s sorrel, heath bedstraw and pretty blue harebells.

 

Neutral grassland is associated with clays and silty soils. Green-winged orchids dot the grass with purple, and pepper saxifrage and adder’s-tongue fern flourish here. The unforgettable song of the skylark fills the air and butterflies like common blue and meadow brown dance from flower to flower.

 

Chalk grassland develops on shallow, lime-rich soils that are poor in nutrients. In spring and summer, these special habitats come to life as swathes of wild flowers, such as cowslips, clustered bellflowers and bee orchids attract butterflies like striking Adonis blues and clouds of marbled whites.

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Statistics

Other Wildlife

]]> https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/neutral-grassland/feed/ 0 Heritage Orchard Project https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/heritage-orchard-project-2/ https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/heritage-orchard-project-2/#respond Tue, 28 Jun 2022 15:39:19 +0000 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dev/?p=6346

Started in 2016, with mostly welsh heritage trees provided by Tai Calon, the orchard has survived its first winter with only one or two losses, could we have deer in the woodland?. Some of the tree guards have had chunks bitten out of them!! Jayne Hunt came last Saturday 11th march and gave them their first light pruning, and later we hope to do some wild flower planting along the margins

 

Simon from BTIC ( business in the community ) visited the woodlands today 14th March to look at possible projects for their volunteering day in May, proposed brush thinning in copse opposite orchard, removal of obsolete wire fencing and mending of various stonework about the site, possible clean up of top pond and putting a bench there were subjects discussed.

 

 

]]> https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/heritage-orchard-project-2/feed/ 0 Woodland and Path Work https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/woodland-and-path-work/ https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/woodland-and-path-work/#respond Tue, 28 Jun 2022 15:11:20 +0000 https://www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk/dev/?p=6322

Project Overview

Woodlands have been essential to people for thousands of years. They are used for timber, fuel and shelter, and more recently for public recreation as well.  We know woodlands play an important functional role in securing carbon, purifying the air we breathe and also helping prevent flooding.   

 

Historically much of the woodland in Wales has been lost. That which remains may have suffered through both lack of management or wholesale removal of trees. In addition, the planting of and or colonisation of non-native trees may have reduced the native wildlife that woodlands can support.

 

Our area is now among the least wooded in the UK, which as a country is one of the least wooded in Europe. This makes our remaining ancient and young urban woodlands precious and important within the landscape.

 

We’re committed to maintaining and enhancing the woodlands under our management, and where appropriate restoring those woodlands.

 

Maintaining Walking Paths & Trails

As part of our management plan, we aim to create safe walking paths and routes for everyone to enjoy; from avid dog walkers to cyclists. It is our aim to ensure that overgrowth of trees and foliage is maintained regularly to ensure safe and clear passage through Sirhowy Hill Woodlands.

 

By donating to this project, you ensure that we have the required tools and resources to regularly maintain existing walk paths and to create new walking paths to enable new view points for our visitors to enjoy.

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