On the Ground

Breadcrumbs

If you go down to the woods today, be sure of a big surprise... as the project enters its third winter, look out for coppicing and ride widening works across the project area... creating sunny, flower-rich habitats for butterflies to enjoy...

Thanks to a £45,000 Biffaward grant awarded to Butterfly Conservation in July 2009, and a generous contribution from a private donor, practical works to complete an ambitious programme of works - The Denge Woods Habitat Restoration Project -are well underway.

New glade areas, wide rides and coppice areas will be created on Woodland Trust and Forestry Commission land at Denge Woods for the benefit of woodland butterflies and moths.

Area opened up to the south of Bonsai Bank, Forestry Commission Glades created on the slope above Bonsai Bank, Forestry Commission Machinery used to create glades, Forestry Commission

This forms part of a long-term programme to continuously provide more, better quality, better connected habitats.

Coppice undertaken by hand on Woodland Trust land, in previous years vegetation has been flailed and mulched at this site Woodland Trust ride in winter 2008 Woodland Trust ride opened up (winter 2009)

The Denge Woods support a wide array of woodland specialist wildlife including five conservation priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan - Duke of Burgundy, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, White Admiral and Drab Looper moth.

Duke of Burgundy - Photograph by Robert Thompson Grizzled Skipper by John Bogle White Admiral by Robert Thompson

The project has been funded by Biffaward, a multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), which utilises landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services.