Woodland skill support Rhyl nature reserve wildlife

Traditional woodland management at a Rhyl nature spot is providing new habitats for local wildlife.

Denbighshire County Council’s Countryside Service team is working with volunteers supported by Nature for Health to carry out seasonal work at Bruton Park nature reserve.

The group are carrying out coppicing on the reserve to open up areas of the woodland, especially around fruit trees that are growing on the site

Coppicing is a traditional technique for woodland management. It involves trees or shrubs repeatedly cut at the base to create a coppice stool, leaving enough for regrowth and a sustainable supply of wood.

Hazel is one of the trees found at Bruton Park undergoing the traditional management which will provide a reusable supply of wood.

Countryside rangers are using the offcuts from the work to create new habitat piles to support nature’s residents on the site.

These piles can support returning birds by providing nesting material and to also provide more suitable habitats for the local reptile population around the reserve.

Other reuses for the hazel include the building of natural guards for the base of trees using a traditional weaving technique and also the creation of fencing areas using similar methods.

Sasha Taylor, Countryside Ranger, said: “This is such a great traditional method of providing materials for reuse by our local nature on the reserve and also for us to protect and support the habitats around Bruton Park. It’s been really good to work with our Nature for Health Volunteers to open up more of the woodland areas by carrying out coppicing and give these fantastic fruit trees we have on site more room to thrive as well.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are grateful to the rangers and Nature for Health volunteers for working to support and improve the biodiversity around his fantastic Rhyl nature reserve. “