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4 March 2008
Burning bushes for buzzards
Corporate volunteers get stuck in to scrub clearance
Seven willing volunteers from local company, Carillion-URS, visted Twywell Hills and Dales on Friday 22 February to hack down and burn unwanted scrub on the reserve.
The work is part of the Wildlife Trust’s Buzzard Project, to improve nationally rare limestone grasslands and benefit buzzards at the reserve. The charity was recently awarded £3,000 by the Carillion Natural Habitats Fund to help it to manage the reserve for biodiversity on behalf of its owner, East Northamptonshire Council.
A century ago, the buzzard had disappeared from many parts of Britain after persecution. Since then attitudes have changed towards birds of prey. In recent years, the population of British buzzards has exploded and they are making a welcome return back to Northamptonshire.
As with all wild birds, the buzzard is protected by law. It is also listed as a priority species in the local Biodiversity Action Plan (for Lowland Calcareous Grassland), which also highlights Twywell Gullet. These striking birds thrive here thanks to the mosaic of habitats; trees to nest and perch in and grasslands that support large numbers of rabbits - their favourite food.
Without management Twywell reserve’s rare limestone grasslands would soon be choked with scrub. The volunteers removed some hawthorn, rose, blackthorn, bramble and sycamore, to prevent them from covering the grasslands. The volunteers also cleared pathways so that visitors can explore the reserve and hopefully catch a glimpse of these impressive birds soaring on thermals high above them.
If your company is interested in supporting The Wildlife Trust please contact Anna Bradnam, corporate partnerships officer, on 01954 713549 or email anna.bradnam [at] wildlifebcnp.org.