New Kids on the Block!
Walkers on Trust land may notice some new members of the team in the coming months. Five rare breed goats have been purchased by the Trust
to aid invasive scrub control across the estate (in particular at our Bovingdon Brickworks site). They are Old English goats and are bucket-trained wethers (gelded billy goats). We think they will be a great addition to our conservation-grazing livestock.
Please remember to keep your dogs on a lead AT ALL TIMES NEAR ALL LIVESTOCK and to regularly check our stock map via the website to check where all of our animals are on the estate: www.boxmoortrust.org.uk/visit-us/stock-map/ If you don’t see them at first, look again – they will be around as they are good at hiding!
Water Vole Surveys
Some of our dedicated volunteers have recently been out in all weathers to survey for signs of water voles.
We released water voles across the estate in two stages, firstly in 2018 and secondly in 2020. It is important for us to survey for field signs (latrines, evidence of feeding) to monitor the success of the project. So far results are promising and it is clear that this iconic short-lived vole is breeding happily in places, but we must be careful to protect it.
We have great opportunities for volunteers to join us for wildlife monitoring (surveys include but aren’t limited to small mammals, water voles, amphibians, grassland) – visit our website for more information:
www.boxmoortrust.org.uk/support-us/volunteer/
Conservation Work at Gadespring
In November, our volunteers were back at Gadespring Cressbeds, continuing with winter maintenance work. The main jobs included pollarding willow and cutting and clearance of reedbeds. Pollarding is a traditional management technique for fast growing tree species such as willow and involves regular cutting of upper branches back to the main trunk during the dormant season (late September to early March).
Benefits of pollarding for wildlife conservation include increasing light levels to improve conditions for ground level plants to thrive and extending the healthy lifespan of the tree. With some species, older trees can be rejuvenated by pollarding.
Donating made easy
As a charitable Trust, we are most grateful to our supporters and beneficiaries who kindly make financial donations towards our work. If you would like to donate then please use the button below. Thanks to everyone who has generously donated so far.
www.boxmoortrust.org.uk
01442 253300
