An already busy year for the Buckenham Ancient Woodland Trust is about to get even busier. The recent employment of a consultant conservation arboriculturalist has seen the progression of a management plan and long-term strategy for the woodland. The Trust held two public consultation events, one at Lingwood’s Community Hall, the other at Strumpshaw. A ‘woodland user’ survey is also being carried out online and in person. Trustees and Wood Warden Volunteers will be at the wood in the coming weeks to seek views and explain proposed plans for the wood’s future management. Some essential work has already been carried out, and the felling of a few trees at risk of falling was undertaken near the footpaths. Any major work will not commence until the end of the bird-nesting season.       

Update on the Buckenham Wood management plan:

Away from the unenviable task of Trust administration, the wildlife and serenity of the woodland continues to delight all who visit Buckenham Wood. The woodland’s old-age and heritage means it is exceptionally important for wildlife, because of this it has been recognised as a County Wildlife Site. Thoughtful management has the potential of greatly increasing its significance and importance as a sanctuary for nature, and this will be at the forefront of our plans. 

Many people know the wood for its fantastic carpet of 🪻bluebells, but this uniquely British woodland landscape is sadly in decline. This year the very hot dry spring saw the bluebells suffer, and most regulars to the wood felt that they were less vibrant. This may become an accumulative long-term problem for all ancient bluebell woods in Britain. At Buckenham Wood the increasing number of visitors meant that, unfortunately, the bluebells were trod down in places, paths have widened and compacted, and new ‘desire line’ paths have emerged across the bluebell carpet. Our proposed management plan will be addressing these issues by enhancing the main paths. The non-native muntjac deer can also have a detrimental effect on bluebells, and other ancient woodland flora, so enclosure of some areas may be necessary. A priority will be the removal of non-native invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed, bamboo and variegated yellow archangel which has already been removed from the area near our sign by volunteers. In response to our request for feedback we received some comments about the significant number of grey squirrels in the wood. There will be discreet and humane localised control of the ubiquitous grey squirrels if colonies expand to create a risk to the whole woodland. This will reduce bark stripping damage to trees and protect nesting birds and roosting bats from squirrel predation.  

Scheduled and completed surveys contribute to the management plan:

🐦 Breeding bird and 🦋butterfly surveys are being carried out, and bat surveys will also follow. An impressive list of 🍄fungi has already been recorded, and a number of significant ancient woodland plants have been identified. These include ransom, dog’s mercury and wood anemone, and we have a lone small-leaved lime tree too. The lime is important for lime hawkmoth, vapourer and peppered moth. The variety of moth species can be an excellent indicator of an ancient woodlands health. On-going survey work of the wood’s wildlife will help inform our management and long-term strategy, and act as a benchmark for our progress.    

The Trust’s consultant has mapped and recorded the state of all our🌳 veteran trees, included our wonderful lapsed coppiced hornbeam and hazel. A comprehensive plan for their care will be prepared, and will see the removal of a great deal of the invasive sycamores. It is vital the wood isn’t too tidy, as an important feature of an ancient woodland is the standing and fallen dead wood. It is great for fungus growth, and the rotting wood forms a ‘pantry’ of invertebrates; an essential food source for birds and mammals. 

Seasonal highlights:      

🦋July and August are the best months for dragonflies and butterflies, with the nationally scarce Norfolk hawker dragonfly having been spotted in the wood in June. Speckled wood, large skipper, gatekeeper and comma butterflies are present, an occasional white admiral is seen too, and the silver-washed fritillary is also a possibility. Careful and considered management may find the monarch of ancient woodlands, the emperor butterfly, grace humble Buckenham!