Six keen volunteers planted 51 small trees in the Centenary Wood on the final planting session of the winter - 25 Hazels and 26 other native woodland trees.
We were saying that it was a pity that we didn't have more to plant, but as we walked down the weather changed and the rain started.
Following this planting session we have now fulfilled our replanting commitment for Ash Dieback affected trees under the 5 year Forestry Commission licence. In the five years we've planted 920 trees, though next winter we will have to replace a smaller number of trees that haven't taken.
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE - PREVIOUSLY ADVERTISED AS 22 MARCH
This workday will be a morning of native species tree planting to replace trees lost to Ash Dieback Disease and to enhance biodiversity, We will also have litter picking equipment for helpers who would prefer rather lighter tasks.
Please wear walking or wellington boots. Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00a
We’ve just finalised the latest edition of our Five Year Management Plan. Since our last management plan was produced five years ago, three new species have been formally recorded on the reserve. - one bird and two insects: the red kite, the emperor dragonfly and the purple hairstreak butterfly.
On this work morning we will be planting barrier hedges composed of native British tree and shrub species to close off several of the informal pathways to protect sensitive areas of the woodland. We will also have litter picking equipment for helpers who would prefer rather lighter tasks.
Please wear walking or wellington boots. Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.
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| Wapley Bushes map showing closed path in dark green |
Dodington Parish Council has taken advice from health and safety consultants to close temporarily the circular permitted access pathway through Wapley Bushes (Wapley Woods), following storm damage by the recent Storm Claudia. A number of trees have fallen onto the pathway, prompting Dodington Parish Council to call in an arborist to conduct a detailed survey of the remaining trees directly adjacent to the circular path. The report highlighted 19 specimens needing urgent works, of which 10 were classed as ‘critical’. Due to the high risk presented by these trees, they have taken a sad decision that temporary closure of the permitted access pathway is necessary, until the trees can be made safe.
Update - The tree surgeon should be on site 23 to 27 March, and all being well the path will be reopened in time for April.
The Council knows that the community loves and values the woodland, but they have a legal responsibility to make sure that visitors can enjoy it safely. All of the other footpaths around the site remain open, it is just the circular permitted access path in the Ancient Woodland that is closed. They will keep the closure as minimal as possible and will provide updates as things move forward.
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| A fallen tree on the pathway in Wapley Woods |
During the autumn we did two bat surveys at Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve, the Orchard and the Common. We found four species each time:
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| Merry Christmas from one of the Wapley robins |
The robin is a very appropriate bird to feature on Wapley's social media. They live in the woodland and hedges throughout the year, and one particular robin often sings to visitors approaching the reserve via the bridge over the railway.
