Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers

Newsletter No. 1

This Newsletter will be an occasional thing intended to keep members and others informed of what has gone on and the future plans for the Group. It is not intended to be a forum for members to air controversial issues but if you do have a short report about the activities of the Group or, more importantly, about the Copse and its wildlife, please send or give it to Jack Meatcher.

Group News

Following discussions concerning the best way to establish the Group as a credible organisation it was agreed that, alongside affilliating the Group to the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and having a documented Constitution, any proposed work would have to be sanctioned by the owners of the land, the Wokingham Town Council. To this end, four members of the Group visited the Copse in early October to formulate a number of Work Plans that were consistent with the Management Works documented in the Action Plan produced for WTC and WDC in 1997. Four Work Plans were prepared, two of which were for surveys on the flora and fauna. These were submitted to the Town Council along with the application for permission to carry out conservation work in Holt Copse. The Council approved the establishment of the Group at their October 1999 meeting and appointed the Parks and Amenities Superintendent, Colin Hook, as Liaison Officer.

November Working Party

This work party took place over two days, Saturday 20th November and Sunday 21st. The reason for the two days was to determine the most popular day in a weekend for volunteers. Saturday produced six volunteers and Sunday three (one of whom had also attended on the Saturday). So, in future, work parties will take place on Saturdays. It was good to see Councillors Jack Earnshaw and Nigel Howarth getting involved and doing a goodly share of the work. During the weekend, the Group was joined by four new members.

The work itself was confined to removal of laurel and rhododendron seedlings and bushes . These are invasive species which are quite "sterile" in terms of food sources for birds and other wildlife. Oak trees support some 287 different creatures that provide food for those a bit further up the food chain! Laurels also create dense shade that precludes anything growing underneath them such as bluebells and wood anemone. It is interesting to note that shredded laurel leaves give off enough cyanide to be useful for killing butterflies after collectors have netted them - old books on butterfly collecting advise this technique.

So, other than a number of piles of laurel branches and seedlings (to be burnt at a later date), visitors to the Copse won't see a lot of difference. However, we feel that we have made a useful start and look forward to the next phase due to be started at the Work Party organised for the end of January 2000.

Surveys

Two of the Work Plans submitted to the WTC for ratification were for surveys in the Copse. Surveys were an underpinning feature of the original Action Plan produced for the WTC/WDC by Mike Needham some years ago and it was felt that if we didn't "measure" the flora and fauna as time went on, we wouldn't know if our efforts were of any benefit. Also, the results of surveys could provide additional input to the Berkshire Biodiversity initiative. A botanical survey is planned for May 2000 while bird and nesting bird surveys are to be carried out in January and May 2000. The January survey will identify Winter visitors such as Redwing, Fieldfare and, possibly, Siskin. It is worth noting that, over the years, we've had some very interesting birds in the Copse including Tawny Owl, Woodcock, Red-legged Partridge, Pied Flycatcher, Wood warbler, and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Bullfinches, Song Thrushes, Blackcaps, and Sparrow Hawks regularly breed in the Copse and surrounding Joel Park. As far as flora go there is certainly Guelder Rose, a yew tree, bluebells, wood anemone, and, in a survey carried out in the mid-1980's, a Wild Service Tree was recorded. This type of tree is of sufficient interest and rarity as to be plotted as individual trees on a map of Berkshire! Where is it now? Is it still there? Indeed, where in the woods was it?

If you are interested in getting involved in surveys in Holt Copse and Joel Park, even if time or health preclude physical copse management, please contact Jack Meatcher on 979 0359.

Management Survey

A new face, new ideas! Andy Glencross, who has taken over from Mike Needham as WDC Woodland and Environmental Officer, believes that it is too simplistic to treat all of the Copse as old coppiced woodland. Some parts obviously were while other areas have no hazel in them at all. He has therefore proposed an on-site review of the management plan to identify what is the best way to handle each of the eight different areas into which the Copse is divided on the Management Works Action Plan map.This review has the support of Colin Hook (see Group News above) and will take place on Friday, December 3rd. We will meet at 2 pm in Jubilee Avenue. Anyone is welcome to come along and air their views. It will also be an opportunity to question Andy about Copse flora, fauna, and conservation.

Training

It is very important for the future viability of the Group that a number of us have some training in Work Party Leadership. This would cover a range of practical functions such as health and safety, work assessment techniques, eg., coppicing, etc., in which we need to be able to demonstrate a basic competency. We are talking to BTCV about such a course which would involve either a half or full day. If you are interested in attending such a course, please contact either Nick Hopkinson or Jack Meatcher. It would be better for us if the course was oversubscribed rather than the opposite. So, don't be shy.

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