Snipes Dene regeneration 19 September 2012

 

Back in May, the Conservation Team planted a hundred or so oak saplings and a handful of other species left over from another job on a patch of Snipes Dene. The Dene had been left largely denuded when the Forestry Commission’s non-native conifers were felled about three or four years ago. In a not particularly thorough search, we found maybe a couple of dozen young oaks – many showing signs of nibbling. Presumably many others have not survived the rabbits.



Snipes Dene



One of the surviving Oak saplings

 

In September last year, we designated a small area of the Dene to monitor for natural regeneration. A work party did its best to rid the patch of Western Hemlock saplings which were growing profusely. A year later this invasive, foreign conifer is flourishing and will have to be uprooted soon if it is not to take over.

 

A patch of Western Hemlock

However, other, more welcome, native trees are also taking hold: oak, beech, holly and, quite extensively, birch. Much of the ground is bare and hard-packed, or is deep in brashing woven through with bramble.

Bramble  with blackberries

 

Although the area still has a barren look about it, foxgloves – now long skeletal fingers pointing skyward - are abundant and more than twenty other flowering species have appeared over the past twelve months, along with numerous hard ferns and male ferns, and more than seven identifiable species of fungi.

A Holly Tree becoming established

Hard Fern

Foxglove

Enchanter's Nightshade

Red Campion

Hawkweed sp.

Animal life seen here over the summer includes five species of butterfly and the common carder bumble bee, but some things that might be expected are missing: we have seen not one ant or woodlouse, though this embryonic woodland floor abounds with two small species of spider which must be eating something. Bones of rabbits and other small mammals are dotted around; Ranger Phil, on his early morning patrols, has often seen a fox family here who are most likely responsible. Life – and death – is returning to Snipes Dene.