The Silent Lands

The Mascalls Court Farm land is probably going to be the first area where new houses will start to spring up over the next few years. So on a sunny winters afternoon on 3^rd Feb 2016 I followed the public footpath from Church Road, at the northern edge of the proposed development and walked south towards Mascalls Court Road. I then followed this road westwards back towards the housing area along Green Lane.

Looking northeast from the public footpath

towards the Green Lane Spinney and houses.

Looking north over the hedge from Mascall Court Road.

Blackcurrant or redcurrant bushes in the foreground.

Overall impression

What struck me was the lack of wildlife. Yep, I know its winter, so many species will be tucked up warm hidden from view, but if ever there was an example of farmland offering few opportunities for wildlife, then this was it.

The main sign at the entrance to the farmyard.

As the sign says this land has been farmed for many, many years and no doubt it is a very efficient farm, designed to maximise its potential to feed the nation.

Unlike the nearby Church Farm, there are no wildlife buffer zones along the hedges and East Rhoden stream, every inch of the land is farmed, with the exception of a small area of rough grassland along the Mascalls Court Road, near to Green Lane.

Farmed right to the edge of the hedgerow, with no wildlife buffer zone.

So wildlife sighting were somewhat minimal on the day of my visit, restricted to a few small birds hopping about in the short cropped hedgerows.

Short cropped hedgerow

Ecological reports and local knowledge

When I got back home I downloaded and read the ecological surveys of the development land and surrounding area, which had been conducted in 2010 / 2012 & 2014.

These show that bird activity was mainly restricted to the hedgerows, which matched what I saw on my walk, although nesting skylarks in the middle of the farmed land had been noted in 2010.

Common bat species, mainly pipistrelles, had also been recorded feeding along the hedgerows. Badger trails were noted crossing the land, but no badger setts.  A small population of Viviparous Lizards had been recorded in the area of rough grassland.

Rough grassland, where the new primary school is planned to be built.

The most interesting find was a medium population of European protected Great Crested Newts, which were found in the main farm pond at Mascalls Farm House, adjacent to the land to be developed, along with further GCN’s in ponds in Mole Trap Wood, south of the development.

The main farm pond beside Mascalls Farmhouse, 

with a medium population of Great Crested Newts.

I personally know that there are also GCN’s in garden ponds along Green Lane and I suspect that the animals use the Spinney along Green Lane (also known as The Strikes).

I know the woodland spinney in Green Lane quite well and although small in area it does contain a surprising amount of wildlife and acts as an ark for surviving species in the area. It’s the best place to find Wild ServiceTrees (Sorbus torminalis)  in Paddock Wood (a rarity in the UK) and the ditch boundary along the edge of the wood and farmland is a good place to find early spring flowers. Indeed most of woodland floor provides a great floral display in the spring, before the trees gain their leaves. In summer bat species feed around the spinney and nearby attenuation pond in the sports field.

Future Wildlife

Accepting the land is currently intensively farmed and like so much of farmland in southern England devoid of a large amount of wildlife, the addition of gardens, ponds and open green spaces will probably increase its wildlife value from present. Granted it will be wildlife more accustomed to living in an urban landscape, but at least it will offer a limited selection from natures wide palette.

The adjoining land to the east is also intensively farmed. I am uncertain if this will remain the case, but if so, then the wildlife in this area will remain meager, in terms of number of individuals and variety of species.

Farmland east of the development land

Perhaps I should add a caveat here. Once the management of land is changed from farmland to an urban setting then there is no going back, for it will always remain a built up area, the change is irreversible.

Whilst the farmland I saw was intensively managed, this doesn’t always have to be the case.  Farming methods  change over time and if more wildlife friendly farming practices are adopted, in time the wildlife will return and occupy the available new habitats. 

I did see a good example of, with a little thought, space can be provided for wildlife. Close to the hedgerow and East Rhoden stream, near Church Road, a couple of large log piles had been created some years ago. Great places for insects, small mammals, mosses and fungi to find a home J.

A log pile providing wildlife with a place to call home.

I also noted in the ecology reports that space will be provided for the Great Crested Newt population to remain and possibly expand into the new planned ponds. Wouldn’t that be a  wonderful thing to see in years to come. Let's hope it comes to pass J.