The exceptionally warm and dry conditions experienced this summer have been evident across our sites. Prolonged periods of little rainfall can place additional pressure on habitats, with dry soils, stressed vegetation and reduced water levels all affecting the plants and wildlife that depend on them. These changing conditions are something we continue to observe as part of our ongoing management work.
However, the summer has also coincided with a fantastic year for butterflies. We have recorded particularly high numbers across our sites, with over 500 butterflies on consecutive surveys at Robbs Nursery! Butterflies can be valuable indicators of environmental change, so keeping records of the species and numbers present helps us build a wider picture of the habitats we manage and how they are responding over time. Although their numbers this year have been positive, we will have to wait until next season to see if there will be any knock-on effects to the population from the prolonged heat wave.
We have also been increasing the number of Bat Surveys we complete, using handheld bat detectors as well as statics. A number of Bat species have been recorded, identified by the sound wave patterns and flight paths used such as the Common Pipistrelle, Noctule, Serotine and the Natterers. As we build up more and more data of the species of bats which use our sites, we will be able to better understand them and identify their patterns. Bats are important indicator species, they respond quickly to pressures that also affect many other species This makes them an invaluable barometer for the state of the natural world.
Our work on the water has also continued, with the removal of floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) forming a significant part of the team’s work across several of our sites the last 3 months. This involved extensive removal along two long stretches of river, as well as water bodies at some of our other sites.
Floating pennywort is a highly invasive non-native aquatic plant capable of extremely rapid growth. It can form dense mats across the water’s surface, outcompeting native vegetation, reducing light and oxygen within the water and negatively affecting aquatic habitats. Its growth can also obstruct waterways and impede water flow, making ongoing monitoring and management particularly important.
The primary method of removal we employ is hand-pulling. Working carefully along the affected stretches, the team manually removed the floating pennywort from the water and banks. Particular attention was paid to collecting smaller pieces of plant material, as floating pennywort can regenerate from even the smallest of fragments left behind. This makes thorough removal, alongside continued monitoring for regrowth, an important part of its ongoing management. By using this method, rather than using heavy machinery we reduce re-spreading the invasive as well as the disturbance to the river channel and the wildlife which call it home.
Across the two main river stretches alone, 800+ buckets of floating pennywort was removed, with further material removed during works at our other sites throughout the month. This work certainly wasn’t easy with some areas difficult to access and some rather heavy buckets- but it was incredibly rewarding seeing how much we’d removed by the end of the session.
Our services have also continued to be delivered beyond our biodiversity sites. For example, our Habitat Management Officer has been, cutting, clearing, and treating vegetation to keep areas on airside clear for our client – Southampton Airport. As well as this we have also revitalised 20 flower beds outside a local office building, removing weeds, vines, litter and roots and replacing it with vibrant native flowers such as English Lavender.
August and September have certainly been very varied and rewarding month for the team, we also had our Annual Honey Harvest at the beginning of August which you can find more out about here.
Stay tuned for more blog posts and updates as we continue to share our ecology and habitat management work throughout the year. Bring on winter works!