Biodiversity
- Birch Grove Cabin
- Apr 19
- 1 min read
Updated: May 9
The managed grassland and woodlands at the croft provide a number of biodiverse habitats for a variety of wildlife.
New Woodland
The newly regenerated area of birch trees provides cover and home for small mammals, birds, insects and reptiles. Wildflowers are establishing along the margins and edges of streams and ditches. See the link for the more detailed journal post Woodland Regeneration.
Mature Woodland
The second area of trees on the croft is the wood pasture, it includes grassland interspersed with numerous large mature trees and newly planted trees. Predominantly broad leaf trees including, birch, rowan and oak with some Scotts pine. There is also a new orchard (see the link for more detailed journal post). The area is home to birds, flowers, insects, bats, pine martens, reptiles, lichen, mosses, ferns and fungi.
Grassland
Permanent ground cover with a range of grasses, including deep rooted varieties, enhancing soil structure, water retention and providing cabon sequestration. Wildflowers are also present in the margins of linear drainage ditches that cut across the grassland. Birds feed on the grassland beetles, worms and a wide range of other invertebrates. Small mammals and reptiles live in the margins of ditches providing food for raptors. Ferns, mosses and lichens are present among the stones and rock piles.
