Habitat Enhancement at Lock Lane Reserve

This former railway ash tip has developed into an important mosaic of grassland and thorn scrub, a designated UK Priority Habitat. The scrub areas have been very important for a number of bird species at different times of the year. But the scrub has become too dense and undesirably uniform in age and height, with the loss of ground flora and autumn berry production, becoming increasingly unattractive to both invertebrates and birds.

The project aims to create one if not two glades which are opened-up warm, sunny patches for encouraging flowering plants and attracting increased numbers of insects and birds. The first phase will be a site inspection to locate fruiting trees, knotweed and to mark out potential areas. Then a volunteer team will open up glades and coppice the scrub to achieve height variation. Chainsaw training will be offered to volunteers. An interpretation panel will be installed which explains the importance of scrub and the need for site management.