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Writer's pictureDave Valler

Sulham Woodmeadows Project: Update

BioCap is working with Sulham Estate to transform 130ha of arable land into a wildlife haven on the borders of Tilehurst. Read more about the progress.


 

September 2024 Update


It has once again been a busy time on the farm and the establishment phase of the project is in very good shape. The meadows on Stoneham's, sown last autumn, have successfully germinated with a good display of grasses and wildflowers including some annual arable species in the existing seedbank.


Sulham Woodmeadows in Spring 2024
A view of Stoneham's - June 2024

Of particular note has been a great display of wild carrot, poppies, scattered corn flowers, yellow rattle (important for future diversity) and a good number of meadow grass species. Large numbers of Skylarks continue to nest in the grasslands, dragonflies and butterflies are busy exploring and, in the last few weeks, a large flock of swallows have been feeding over the area. The new hedgerows and trees are growing well, helped by the very wet spring.




The wetland area in Railway field, funded by the Mend the Gap project and delivered by Action for the River Kennet, is nearing completion and there will be a permanent water feature in the Thames Valley flood plain - Read more about this part of the project.


Sulham wetland
Sulham wetland takes shape

'Green hay' has been cut from the nearby BBOWT Moor Copse nature reserve and spread on the land adjacent to the wetland. This method of transferring seed from one field to another provides the best opportunity for species that are well adapted to local conditions to thrive and helps reverse the decline of one of our most valuable and threatened habitats. Hopefully we will see some of the species present in the Moor Copse meadows establishing on this new wet grassland area next spring.


Spreading green hay
Spreading 'green hay'

The majority of stock fencing is in place on the central area (Stoneham's) and deer fencing is now around two of the larger fields in preparation for woodland planting.

Over the next few weeks the remaining fields will be cultivated and seeded which will mark the end of the beginning of the 80ha grassland establishment. A large network of water pipes have begun to be laid to enable grazing on Stoneham's this autumn.


Tractor installing water pipe
Installing water pipe for livestock

This winter will see the largest tranche of woodland planting with over 25,000 trees. These new woodland areas augment the existing pockets of surrounding ancient woodland and will be sympathetically (and in some areas) sparsely planted to create a woodland/grassland mix, increasing diversity and true to the 'Woodmeadows' project name.


Sulham Estate is about to enter into negotiations with West Berkshire Council to legally secure all the habitat work and its ongoing management for a 30 year period via a section 106 agreement.



 

May 2024 Update


A winters work bears fruit - the autumn reseeding of 50ha has all successfully germinated with a first flush of early growth flowers such as vetches, yellow rattle and more! Some annual species such as poppies that were already in the seed bank displaying well. Fences are up ready for extensive grazing, hedges are growing well and the small area of woodland planted also looks healthy. The skylarks are singing overhead and it will be fascinating to see, via our volunteer led butterfly transects and bird monitoring, which species are the early colonizers of this restored habitat.




 

February 2024 Update

It's been a busy year at Sulham. Designs have been finalised and work on the ground began back in September. The first (and largest) area of seed was sown with a bespoke mix of grasses and wildflowers to suit the varying soils. Whilst arable production continues elsewhere on the estate, there were no crops sown in the project area this year which marks a significant change to these fields. Over 2km of hedgerow has now been planted and we obtained Forestry Commission approval in January to go ahead with our woodland scheme. A hectare has already been planted but the largest tranche is planned for next winter.



Stock fences have been going in as part of the grazing management and ditches have been dug to create boundaries and banks for further hedge planting next year. Two new ponds have been created by the Freshwater Habitat Trust with further trial pits planned for this year. The large area of wetland has been subject to planning permission with a decision due at the end of the month.


Our volunteer bird, butterfly and moth surveyors completed extensive surveys throughout the spring and summer months providing an excellent baseline for these species that we can monitor over the coming years.


The Biodiversity Net Gain scheme also (finally) became 'live' in England on February 12th 2024. This is a milestone in the way planning law looks at ecological cost and we hope this flagship project at Sulham sets a standard for 'habitat banks' in the region and beyond.


The work will continue this year, but barring unexpected delays and some planned tree planting, we anticipate the majority of the establishment to be completed within another 12 months.


 

January 2023 Update

At the start of 2023 the Sulham Woodmeadows project is progressing into the final planning stage. BioCap has been working closely with the estate and the Woodmeadow Trust to draw up detailed habitat maps and develop a timeline for implementation. The estate will be undertaking their final year of planting crops with reduced or no inputs to help prepare the soil for meadow seed and tree planting.

The Freshwater Habitat Trust has been on site to dig test pits for new ponds and are advising on suitable locations and how best to manage these areas for great crested newts and other species in future years. We are seeking advice on a proposed wetland creation to the north of the site. Members of the local community are involved in the monitoring of the site and special care has been taken within the planning stage to maintain or improve public access.


By analysing extensive survey results and working with the landscape a plan has been developed that takes advantage of existing topography, soil condition neighbouring woodland, public access, historical features and existing species that occupy the site. The resulting plan is a mosaic of habitats that will create a haven for wildlife for decades to come, transforming the levels of biodiversity and carbon sequestration at the same time.

It’s an exciting time for the project and we are looking forward to sharing the plans with the community.


 

Overview (2022)

The aim will be to restore soils, reduce inputs, promote biodiversity and facilitate the well being of local people though access to the land and perhaps continued involvement in the monitoring and management of the area.


The plans aim to create a diversity of habitats in a mosaic of woodland, meadows, hedges, scrub and wetlands. This summer has seen the area thoroughly surveyed to ensure we know what is present now and in order that the future plans can take account of important existing species and habitats. Old maps have been perused and important features that have been lost will be reinstated where possible. Hedgerows will provide wildlife corridors and new woodland with glades, rides and scrub edges will planted. With the help of the Freshwater habitats Trust new ponds and wetlands will be created and established ponds managed.


The area is likely to be managed by traditional methods with modern equipment to produce abundant wildlife and continued beef production.

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