Earlier in the week I took part in an ecology survey at Headingley Campus, to measure the current floral biodiversity at Queen's Wood, a section of campus woodland managed by the
university grounds team.
The aim is to determine the plant species present, where they are and in what numbers. The information will then be compared with previous and future surveys of the area to see how biodiversity changes over time.
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| Native bluebells in Queens Wood |
Following an initial briefing from the arboricultural consultant overseeing the project, I accompanied Peter Griffiths, Grounds Maintenance Manager on a walk around the south section of Queen's Wood. Provided with a species guide and checklist of wildflowers to look out for, we recorded those encountered and the frequency in which they appeared, and enjoyed a good natter along the way.
Peter pointed out examples of grounds work projects. Selective bramble clearance to encourage the spread of native bluebells, removal of diseased and strucuturally unsafe trees, leaving the felled trunks to provide resources for woodland wildlife, removal of invasive species, planting hedgerows of native fruit bearing shrubs and trees, maintaining piles of shredded and composted material, installing nesting boxes for bats.
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| Solomon's Seal, Lords and Ladies, Red Campion |
First section complete, followed by a well earned cup of tea, I surveyed the second area myself, focussing on the section of woodland adjacent to our office. Favourite sights of the days included carpets of English bluebells in dappled shade, Red Campion, Lords and Ladies, Solomon's Seal, a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the treetops, a Wren perched briefly on a diagonal branch, Speckled Wood butterflies danced in sunspots in a woodland clearing, the sound of a Chiffchaff on the margins. I returned my findings, and came away refreshed and with a much greater understanding of the woodland, the work of the Grounds and Woodland Management Team and the challenges involved in managing the area.
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