Hollybank Woods, Emsworth, Hampshire.

July 2009

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Thursday 25th June 2009

Foxgloves. Blue skies and summer weather in Hollybank Woods this week.
(PHOTO: AB)

Habitat restoration in the conifer plantation.

Friday 12th June 2009 Report by AB

You will notice some tree work going on within the conifer plantation in the north eastern part of the woods. This will involve selective removal of trees to allow the Western Red Cedar, Oak and Beech to prosper. The work has been approved by the Forestry Commission and Havant Borough Council. The work will be carried out by a local training organisation, so there is no cost to us or the Council. Chris Bain, who runs Forestry Training Services Ltd, is committed to sensitive woodland management using both traditional and modern forestry and woodland management techniques. Chris is a regular walker in the woods with his family, a member of the Friends of Hollybank Woods and is a serving committee member.

The work will be carried out by skilled professional woodsman, as part of their training by Chris, in the craft and practice of a more environmental approach to habitat restoration and conservation. Chris not only instructs on the art of plantation management, but challenges students to understand how their actions impact on the environment. They will take these skills back to the woodlands they manage, and both Forestry Training Services Ltd and Friends of Hollybank Woods hope that the experience of working in a modern plantation, within an ancient woodland, will seed a future generation of skilled craftsmen who will be encouraged to manage their own woodlands with a greater understanding of both habitat and wildlife conservation. Chris has a unique approach to woodland management, one that will contribute greatly to the flaura and fauna of the woodland. All work is carried out under full professional guidelines and public liability insurance.

John Bond, Chairman of Friends of Hollybank Woods, emphasises that this is not a short term project, but a long term forest regeneration scheme that will benefit future generations, and the woodland itself. Over the next ten years the plantation which has become a dark and sterile area within the greater woodland, will be opened up. The increase in light within the plantation, creation of wildlife corridors rich in grasses, will all contribute to the biodiversity and in doing so benefit the ancient woodland of Hollybank that surrounds it.

John Bond (Friends Chairman) and Chris Bain (Friends Forestry Officer) in the Plantation. (PHOTO: AB)

Chris Bain runs Forestry Training Services Ltd and will be carrying out the plantation management
without cost to us. The project will provide trainees with experience of forestry management
techniques and provide invaluable habitat restoration in the plantation area.

You may be alarmed to see a lot of trees coming down and logs being stacked, but be assured that the spoils from these fellings will be used within the plantation to create wildlife rich habitats. Also for a few weeks there will be obvious signs of vehicle movement on the main bridleway. Again please do not be alarmed, this is the movement of one vehicle on site to ensure safe movement of tools to and from the plantation. In a few weeks an access point will be opened up directly by the plantation area, and the main tracks will no longer be used for vehicle movement. Only one 4 wheel drive vehicle will be on site within the plantation area, this is required for health and safety reasons.

All parties involved have taken extensive steps to limit the impact of current felling on the wildlife within the plantation area. Even caterpillers are being moved, by hand, to safe locations! Please be assured that this is not a commercial logging and extraction operation, but a major and skilled long term habitat restoration project. The combination of several organisations with one objective, sympathetic well planned long term habitat restoration to reverse the negative effects of the conifer plantation's lack of recent management.

Warning signs will be placed on paths entering the plantation area when felling is in progress, so please be aware of the need to proceed with caution during tree felling both now and in the coming years.

We would respectfully remind horse riders that there is no bridleway through the plantation or on Longcopse Hill. Bridleways are clearly marked within the main woodland.

The importance of Bees...

Every 3rd mouth full of food consumed by the worlds population has been pollinated by bees... Bee populations are in heavy decline, not good news given how important they are!

Bee on Garlic mustard flower head. Also the larval food plant of the Orange Tip butterfly.
(PHOTO: AB)

Bees on ragwort in the Hollybank Lodge clearing. (PHOTO: AB)

With every 3rd mouth full of food consumed by the worlds population pollinated by bees, Hollybank's abundant flush of ragwort plays an important role in the ecology of our local bees during the spring, summer and autumn months.

And also!

As we head into July, keep an eye out for the multitude of Dragonfly on the wind now in the woodland.

Female Broad-Bodied Chaser Dragonfly. (PHOTO: AB)

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Meeting point for work days and walks.

Meeting point for work party days and guided walks / events 2009 | Back to top |

Diary dates 2009.

Woodland Walks:
Summer

All guided walks meet at the top of Hollybank Lane and are free.
scroll to bottom of page for map

SUNDAY JULY 19TH
BUTTERFLIES
10am - 12.00 midday
Leader: Leader Mike Bridger
We should see many varieties of butterfly, last year in July we recorded Peacock, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Large and Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Comma, Silver-washed Fritiliary, and White Admiral.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1ST
FUNGUS FORAY
10am - 12.00 midday
Leader: Rosemary Webb
Come and explore the woods and discover the fascinating world of fungi with our local expert, Rosemary Webb.

All walks start at the top of Hollybank Lane, meeting by the Friends of Hollybank Woods information board. Walks last 2 hours and start at 10am finishing about midday. (With the exception of the moth and bat evening which starts at 8pm and finishes at about 11pm.) All welcome. Children very welcome, but need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please wear sturdy footware/boots.

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Work Party dates Winter 2009/2010

Dates will be listed here in September.

Work Party days run during the autumn and winter months. From April onwards, work days cease. This allows the nesting birds and breading animals the spring and summer months undisturbed.

Meet at the top of Hollybank Lane by the Friends of Hollybank Woods information board. All welcome. Woodland work tasks for all ages and abilities, from path clearing to litter picking. Children very welcome, but need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please wear sturdy footware/boots.

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Weekly walks in Hollybank Woods:

Walking To Health.

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Short, free and safe guided walks in Hollybank Woods. Meet at 10.15am, SYRCH Centre, Cotton Drive, off Southliegh Road in north Emsworth. (SYRCH Centre is sign posted and there is a free car park).

A great way to keep fit, all ages welcome! Improving your health whilst enjoying an autumn/winter walk in the woodland.

Organised by Walking to Health.
(Supported by the British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Agency.)

Don't forget to visit our stand at the

Emsworth Show 2009

August Bank Holiday

Emsworth Show. (PHOTO: AB)

Two young Friends of Hollybank Woods
members checking out the stand in 2007.
(PHOTO: AB)

Robert and Jill with David Willetts. 2007.
(PHOTO: AB)

Friends of Hollybank Woods

About and how to join:
The Friends of Hollybank Woods are a group of local residents who formed in the Spring of 2001 to promote the protection of Hollybank Woods. The wood is owned by Havant Borough Council and managed on its behalf by the Friends of Hollybank Woods who organise regular work parties and themed walks run by local naturalists. The group formed a management committee and undertake well planned conservation work in the woods for the benefit of both wildlife and people using the woods.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved, not just for those who want to do practical work. We need your support!

To receive a Membership Application pack and become a Friend, please contact the Friends of Hollybank Woods membership secretary. Membership costs £1.50 for an adult and £3.00 for a family. Under 16's free.

Anna Williams
Membership Secretary
Friends of Hollybank Woods
Hollybank House
Emsworth
PO10 7UN

Telephone Anna on (01243) 375502

Website Update:

(May 2009)