Description of site: Copse of ancient woodland, containing mature beech, ash, sycamore. Relatively poor under-storey. The hedgerows are generally in reasonable condition. Many are species rich, containing hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, holly, dog rose and wych elm.
Long term aim: Eliminate sycamore, control dense ash saplings, plant further beech and shrubs to increase structural diversity of copse and develop a graded edge. Provide additional rough grass habitat for benefit of invertebrates which are food sources for the song thrush, pipestrelle bat and skylark chicks. To maximise their landscape and wildlife value by careful management. To reduce, as far as possible, any adverse impact of pesticides & insecticides on non target species. Improve the value of set-aside for wildlife.
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Site ID |
Site Description |
Long Term Aim |
Operation |
Year |
 |
Z |
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Ashtead Hills copse, site of clay pigeon shoot |
Copse of ancient woodland, containing mature beech, ash, sycamore. Relatively poor under-storey |
Eliminate sycamore, control dense ash saplings, plant further beech and shrubs to increase structural diversity of copse. |
Woodland Management: Fell sycamore. Remove ash seedlings where they are dominating the under-storey. Plant 15-20 beech trees and shrubs, including holly & hawthorn |
2001 |
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Marshal Hills and Ashtead Hills copses |
Copse of ancient woodland, containing mature beech, ash, sycamore. Relatively poor under-storey |
Develop a graded edge |
Coppice hawthorn and other shrubs at the copse edge. |
2001 |
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Marshal Hills copse |
Copse of ancient woodland, containing mature beech, ash, sycamore. Relatively poor under-storey |
Provide additional rough grass habitat for benefit of invertebrates which are food sources for the song thrush, pippestrelle bat and skylark chicks. |
Establish a grass field margin from the far corner around the copse. Include common sorrel in the grassland mix. |
2002 |
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Whole farm |
The hedgerows are generally in reasonable condition. Many are species rich, containing hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, holly, dog rose and wych elm. |
To maximise their landscape and wildlife value by careful management. |
Cut all non-track/roadside and internal boundary hedges on a two or three year rotation. |
On-going |
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Z |
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Whole farm |
The hedgerows are generally in reasonable condition. Many are species rich, containing hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, holly, dog rose and wych elm. |
To maximise their landscape and wildlife value by careful management. |
Aim for a gradual âAâ shape hedge 6-8 feet tall. |
On-going |
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Z |
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Whole farm |
All arable fields |
To reduce, as far as possible, any adverse impact of pesticides & insecticides on non target species. |
Demonstrate careful consideration for impact on wildlife when choosing products to be used on crops. |
On-going |
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Z |
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On-going |
All arable fields |
To reduce, as far as possible, any adverse impact of pesticides & insecticides on non target species. |
Only undertake spraying in the correct conditions to ensure minimum spray drift. |
On-going |
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Z |
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Set-aside |
Select set-aside fields |
Improve the value of set-aside for wildlife |
Leave approximately 20% un cut per year where this does not contravene tenancy arrangements. |
On-going |
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Z |
