This is the first blog post since June , though visits to, and work in the wood, never stops and the seasons come and go more quickly each year, or so it seems to us. There is a natural rhythm of weather, growth and decline. Often there seems to be nothing much of particular note to report or record. A change of season when everything in the wood is making ready for dormancy seems like a good time to take stock of the work we've been doing, and future plans.
It's been a mild and mostly still, sunny, November . The leaves have lingered on the trees for longer than usual this Autumn, to be enjoyed as they gradually turned gold and russet. Old Copse is looking beautiful, a continuing, growing reward for our restoration work. The fallow bucks have been making their annual coughing, barking and belching, noises. There aren't many stags in the wood though there is one large buck who likes to hang about and groan loudly. Poor old chap. The wood is full of pheasant escapees from the pheasantry on the neighbouring estate. Silly birds, they will insist on flying back when they would be safe if they stayed at Old Copse.
Red Kite
We were pleased to see a Red Kite soaring above us in late Spring this year half a mile or so from Old Copse, and were thrilled to hear recently, for the first time, one calling overhead near the cabin.
'The Red Kite is an increasingly familiar sight in the skies above Sussex, soaring effortlessly over the South Downs on an almost-six-foot wingspan. These magnificent birds are still outnumbered by their Buzzard brethren but they share a similar story, both bouncing back from the brink of extinction'. (Sussex Wild Life Trust)
Restored Hazel Coppice
The derelict remnant hazel coppice which we restored last winter at the south end of Old Copse, has done phenomenally well. Success is down to temporary deer fencing and additional light. Felling to let in a little more light has allowed the ground flora to flourish, though thankfully no bracken has appeared so I think we managed to get the balance of light and shade correct. It looks very lush, almost jungly. We'll be planting more hazel this winter , doing some more holly felling and we hope to extend the coppice area. Come on in Dormice, your new home awaits! Here are (rather too many) photos.
Mushrooms and Fungus
Autumn is time for a visit from the West Weald Fungus recording group led by Dick Alder, renowned mycologist. They managed to record 82 species in just a very small section of Old Copse. This, he says is due to its rich diversity.
Just a few of the 82 varieties identified:
Chimney Sweep
We thought it time to get the cabin chimney swept as the log burner has been doing a magnificent job of keeping us warm and providing hot water for almost eight winters . We were pleased to be told it was in tiptop shape and remarkably clean, due to both its being being a short chimney, and the use of our own properly seasoned wood . So, it's all safe and certified for another eight years thanks to Matthew who, together with running the family chimney sweep business, works as a professional ballroom dancer and teacher during the 'off' season. Perhaps I shouldn't say that 'Half a Sixpence' came to mind.
(Or should that be Dick van Dyke in Mary Poppins...? ed.)
The Willow Grove
Last January we pollarded half of the willow regrowth in a wet part of the wood. We plan to cut the rest of the willows this winter and augment the area with homegrown willow 'whips'. We hope the Purple Emperor butterflies, and the Marsh and Willow Tits will like it.
Maintenance of Glades and Rides
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These must be actively managed to prevent the edges advancing. This would eventually narrow the open areas , which are crucial in maintaining the diversity and quality of the habitat mosaic which best encourages wildlife. We strim the herbaceous vegetation to prevent invasion, particularly by invasive bracken under which nothing grows. We start this in late August , doing the main Ride once a year, and glades,'scallops', and other open areas on a two year rotation.
Habitat
Old Copse has abundant supplies of felled timber, dead wood, both standing and fallen, brash, and other woodland debris, just lying about all over 30 acres, slowly decomposing, providing nutrients, food, nesting and shelter for many Old Copse residents. I love seeing heaps, piles, and stacks being colonised by small creatures. Numerous neat, circular 'entrances' of all sizes are evident if one looks closely at decaying brash piles, but not so close as to disturb the inhabitants. I often wonder who lives in them. Certainly invertebrates, also small mammals such as wood mice and voles, and perhaps stoats and weasels, all of which we've seen in the wood. Birds such as wrens and robins make good use of brash piles, and grass snakes and reptiles love a log pile.
Winter Work
This winter's agenda includes pollarding willow; thinning even - aged birch that are shading out regenerating young oaks, beech and other broadleaves ; and holly thinning . We'll also be tree planting, including a few different ones this year - Black Poplar and Aspen as well as our usual Oak, Beech, Wild Cherry, Hornbeam, Sweet Chestnut, Field Maple etc. Natural regeneration is springing up in all the places where we've managed to get rid of the bracken: oak,beech, alder - buckthorn, wild cherry, birch, rowan, are just part of the explosion of recent growth , and we have quite a few transplanted saplings growing on in the tree nursery. Looks like it'll be a busy winter.
