The Woodland Inspectors Call

 

Bluebells in Entrance coppice in Thornton Wood

The Cheshire Wildlife Trust reserves of Foxes Wood and Thornton Wood are both units that lie within Dibbinsdale Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and as such are inspected by Natural England to assess their condition. The lowest point of these woods converges at the hump backed bridge at the bottom of Thornton Common Road, near Raby Mere.

They are designated as part of an SSSI because they are classed as an ancient woodland and the question is do they still match this criteria? Do they match up to the natural communities of species that one would expect in a semi-natural woodland? Two Officers from Natural England, came to carry out a condition survey. I was delighted to be invited to take part in the survey to understand the process. Pre-determined quadrats were taken, five in Thornton Wood and four in Foxes Wood. (See map for the locations of the quadrats and woods.)

Location of quadrats in Thornton Wood and Foxes Wood

Once in the centre of the 100m² quadrat, the following measurements were recorded:

• percentage of canopy cover and species composition
• extent and species composition of under storey
• spread of age and classes of trees
• presence of over mature trees
• extent of dead wood, standing and fallen

The sapling species composition arising is also recorded and the regeneration of Sycamore. This has to be less than 50% and Beech, Laurel and Rhododendron have to be less than 10% of the quadrat to pass. The species of plants on the woodland floor were also assessed with 95% of the coverage needing to be native species to pass.

A packed lunch was enjoyed in the freshly cut Entrance Coppice where the woodland inspectors were impressed by the dense bluebell display and the several butterflies fluttering in the coppice. This survey was in mid-May when the days are getting warmer but just before the canopy opens and shades and cools the coppice floor. Wirral Wildlife spring walks are held in the woods in late April to catch the primrose and wood anemone in flower. However, it is too early to catch the woodland butterflies. Sadly, none of the four coppice areas in Thornton Wood were included in these predetermined quadrats. Luckily one clump of wood anemone was picked up in the survey, which is one of the largest clumps in Thornton Wood, approximately 2m diameter. The extensive area of Variegated Yellow Archangel in the southern tip of Thornton Wood could hardly be missed and was picked up in the survey.

Foxes Wood passed on 14 of the 16 criteria, failing due to Ash die back affecting more than 20% of the canopy and the presence of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS). In Foxes Wood the INNS are Himalayan Balsam, Pink Purslane, Yellow Archangel, Fringe Cups, Sycamore, Beech and Scots Pine. Thornton Wood passed on 13 of the 16 criteria, failing due to Ash dieback affecting more than 20 % of the canopy and INNS such as Himalayan Balsam, Variegated Yellow Archangel, Pink Purslane, Sycamore and failed a further criteria because in one quadrat 60% of the regeneration of the trees in the quadrat were Sycamores. Very few ancient woodlands in England are in favourable condition, largely because of INNS and Sycamore.

Although the official results for both woods were “declining unfavourable”, the part of Foxes Wood managed by Cheshire Wildlife Trust and local volunteer, Tom McCullough, was in good condition and one quadrat passed all the categories. It did not even fail due to Ash die back as there are no Ash trees in that part of Foxes Wood, this area being dominated by oak. However, most of Foxes Wood which is not under CWT management was in an unfavourable declining condition. There are a few honey pots of biodiversity in Thornton Wood, in particular the coppice areas where Primrose, Greater Stitchwort, Barren Strawberry, Wood Anemone and Wood Sorrel occur. It is hoped that these areas are improving as nutrients are cropped at each coppice cut. 

Some of these favourable areas within the woods can be viewed on a guided spring walk with the Wirral Countryside Volunteers on Saturday 26th April at 9.30 am. Places are limited so booking is essential via the Ticket Tailor link below:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/wirralcountrysidevolunteers/1468284

Note: there are no defined paths in the wood and it is steep in parts so stout footwear is required.


Paul Loughnane
Thornton Wood Reserves Manager and Secretary of Wirral Countryside Volunteers