The Woodlands.co.uk Blog - July 2011
Red squirrels in Scotland.
Threats to red squirrels.
The red squirrel is a delightfully charismatic species, which was once a common native over the whole of the UK, but in England is now restricted to a few small areas. In Scotland, the situation is better, but even here there are only about 120 000 individuals. They represent 75% of the total UK population and are under serious threat, so any actions to protect them are to be welcomed. There are two key threats,
- changes to the woodlands in which they live, and
- the so far relentless spread of the similar, but larger American grey squirrel. Read more…
The national vegetation classification
The Nature Conservancy Council commissioned the National Vegetation Classification in 1975. Its aim was to provide a clear and systematic catalogue / description of the many plant communities of the United Kingdom. After many years of work, a five volume account of the Classification of the National Vegetation was produced by Cambridge University Press.
- Woodlands and scrub
- Mires and heaths
- Grassland and montane vegetation
- Aquatic swamps and tall herb fens
- Maritime communities and vegetation of open habitats.
Details of the methodology and sampling techniques can be found here Read more…
Small woodlands compete for top award at Excellence in Forestry Competition 2011
For the first time in the history of the prestigious Excellence in Forestry Competition, small woodlands were in the running for prizes this year. A new category for small woodlands attracted strong entries, with the winner’s prize being awarded to Rawhaw Wood in Northamptonshire, a Runner Up prize to Red Lodge Wood in Leicestershire and a Certificate of Merit to Vera’s Spinney in Nottinghamshire. Read more…
Road kill top 10
Continuing with my theme of meat for free ….. roadkill
- It is illegal to remove an animal that you have killed on the road. (This is aimed at preventing people deliberately trying to kill animals on the roadways).
- The dead animal is the property of the landowner. Read more…
Hunter Gatherer
In my 2011 quest to only eat meat which I have hunted or gathered myself, I’ve learned a lot. Most people ask me “how” I do it, so I thought I would share a bit more on the actual tasks of finding the food. Read more…
Food for thought
So it’s late December 2010 and one of those innocent New Year’s ideas comes to my mind - “I wonder if I can pledge to only eat meat that I have hunted or gathered for a year?”
Meat is a well discussed topic in my home. My partner is Vegetarian, my daughter does eat meat but can be a bit uncomfortable with meat on a bone or meat that resembles the actual animal. We have regularly eaten a fair proportion of vegetarian dishes and always choose veggie sausages and burgers over the real meat versions. Read more…