Brockley Grove - then and now

The RSPB woodland at Cannon Hill Park was planted in 1989 to mark the centenary of the

RSPB and the City of Birmingham

Further site details can be found in the Cannon Hill Park site conservation plan from 2008

Two trees within the woodland plantation predate the 1989 plantings, these being a 150+

year Oak and a 100 year old Sycamore, other than these all trees were either planted in

1989 or have developed from self sets since that date.

According to a report from 2008 the area is said to be approximately 5 acres.

Canopy species includes stands of -

• Oak 10%

• Hazel 10%

• Ash 25%

• Scots Pine 10%

• Silver Birch 25%

Other significant canopy cover consists of -

• Aspen 5%

• Alder <5%

• Cherry <5%

• Hornbeam

Other species include -

• Lime

• Prunus spp. (Blackthorn, Plum) <5%

• Willow spp

• Wayfaring Tree

• Yew

• Larch

• Sycamore

• Spindle

• Rowan

• Apple

Re-growth and self set species include -

• Ash

• Hazel (from previous coppicing)

• Cherry

• Oak (nothing older than about 3 years)

Previous management according to Allan Watkins (Ranger Warden)

• Selected hazel cutting

• Selected Scots pine lifting

• Dead hedging

• Thinning

Understory species, woodland structure and accessibility -

The understory is sparse over much of the site creating open woodland with a couple of

dense bramble thickets in the centre and around the perimeter.

Previously coppiced Hazel stools provide some shrub layer but these are few and far

between.

There is some oak succession in the Birch area in the north-east corner but nothing older

than three of fours years.

Ash regeneration is prolific on the northern side but again nothing more than about three

to four years growth.

Nettles are found to the north and grasses are found in some areas depending on canopy

type, grasses grow well in the Birch stand in the northeast corner and to some extent in

the ash plantation in the north.

A network of paths compartmentalise the site and seem to follow the boundaries of the

original planting stands with certain species dominating particular compartments.

Some paths are unused and overgrown due to wet conditions.

A dead hedge was created in memory of Spencer Reid, a Park Warden who died in 2008.

The hedge provides a valuable dead wood habitat and a number of frogs were found on a

Family Learning Day in august 2011.

Evaluation of diversity and species

Because of the network of pathways and lack of structured management to date the area

is of limited value to nesting woodland birds.

On previous visits during July and August flocks of mixed tits were seen in the canopy.

RSPB Woodland Plantation Management proposals for 2011-2012

Phase 1 Survey, 13th September 2011

Sunny glades and woodland edge to the east allow for grasses and flowers to flourish as

well as bramble and Speckled Wood butterflies were witnessed at the time of survey.

A flock of about six Jays were seen cavorting through the Ash canopy at the northern

edge.

A Green woodpecker was seen between woodland and allotments to the south

Two Spot Ladybird and Shield Bug spp seen on a Hornbeam.

Badger and Muntjac Deer are evident in the surrounding park and woodland

Grey squirrel was seen on the ground near the large Oak

The large Oak, south west of the woodland centre is the most significant tree and is

probably a remnant from a late 18th or early 19th century hedgerow.

A flowering plant, possibly Soapwort and probably a garden escape or introduction is

growing amongst the Birches in the south east corner.

Around a dozen Spindle trees, found along the pathway near Spencerʼs hedge, were in

flower and provide a valuable contribution to the woodland diversity.

Poor ground cover over much of the site is a result of closed canopy and shading.

There is plenty of character to the woodland as a whole with the species stands adding to

the diversity and creating a particular and varied atmosphere throughout. On the day of

the survey, for example, the Rangers were impressed by a green hue as the sun shone

through the Ash canopy in the north of the site.

The northern section is largely undisturbed in recent years because of the wet conditions

and this provides something of a sanctuary for fauna preferring little or no disturbance.

Much of the Hazel is overdue for cutting and therefore of limited value for products.

However a certain amount of Hazel has been identified for use as hedging stakes, hedging

binders and for wattled hurdles, and at the recent Cannon Hill Park heritage event

enquiries were made for a supply of Hazel rods for gardening purposes.

Further, enquiries are to be made with the adjacent allotment holders to see if any of the

materials could be of use to them.

Plan

The proposal for autumn/winter management 2011-2012 is to coppice a quarter acre hazel

stand near the southern edge of the site consisting of around 10-15 stools.

The cut materials will be used for the following -

• Hedging Stakes

RSPB Woodland Plantation Management proposals for 2011-2012

Phase 1 Survey, 13th September 2011

• Hedging Binders

• Wattling Rods

• Weaving Rods

• Dead hedging habitat

• Other

Survey carried out by Alf Dimmock and Allan Watkins (Birmingham Ranger Service)

Report made by Alf Dimmock; 13th September 2011