DOWN TO EARTH in The City

waters from the woodland, bunded and pooled The woodland slopes westwards towards the River Rea, hence the west of the site is wet for most of the year . Developing new habitats The emerging waters have been pooled to develop shallow open-water scrapes gathering waters from woodland springs 1989 Just a reminder of the woodland origin; 25 years ago the site was unwanted allotment land, and previous to this, open farmland. Alder Buckthorn The lower west side retains the spring waters to form wet woodland and, at times, impassible boggy paths. These conditions suit plants such as Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) and Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus). The wood of Alder Buckthorn is used for making gunpowder - is this still made? Not sure if the berries have the same purgative properties as those of Buckthorn (Rhamnus cartharticus), the specific name referring to this. Allan's corded paths are most useful, constructed with coppiced hazel from the woodland. ...

possibly a cat skull; not to scale with magazine image backdrop,  for that would be  a frightening prospect for sure

Dan checking boxes at Centenary Woods The Birmingham University nesting box scheme is being monitored by Dan and Jon for the second year, and while few boxes were occupied last year, probably because of late installation, indications so far suggest greater occupancy, although far from 100% take up. Dan will provide further details as they arise. Birds seen in and around Centenary Wood since Winter 2013 - Sparrowhawk Kestrel Merlin Wood pigeon Tawny Owl Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Wren Dunnock Song Thrush Redwing Blackbird Blackcap Chiffchaff Goldcrest Great Tit Coal Tit Blue Tit Long Tailed Tit Nuthatch Tree Creeper Magpie Jay C Crow Raven (flying over, between CHP and Holders Woods) Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Siskin Bullfinch http://www.cannonhillpeoplespark.net/

The hedgerow leading to Centenary Woods, laid in 2010 and flourishing with Alder Buckthorn, providing a food plant for the Brimstone Butterfly Guelder Rose (Viburnam opulus) planted in the woods 2011 Guelder Rose flowers just developing Alder The old oak (around 250 years old) A wet flush, of which there are many. Herb Bennet or Wood Avens Japanese knotweed (uprooted) Cow parsley Wild garlic The southern edge of the woods bordering Moor Green Allotments South of the woods A tree nursery, planted winter 2013-14 with trees from the Woodland Trust including, Rowan, Elder, Dog Rose and Hazel One of the veteran Apple trees A dead Apple tree; many of the Apple trees require pruning Woodland thinned during December 2013 Dead hedges resulting from the brash arisings from tree felling Bluebells in the woods, although they are Spanish and will be eradicated as part of the management . English Bluebells w...

Brimstone butterfly spotted on 14 April 2014 by Ranger Warden Allan Watkins Dunnocks too were most active at this location on the 14th and are probably nesting nearby Chiffchaff are busy staking their territory with distinctive calls at the edge of Centenary Wood, often making excursion to the hinterland as they forage for early grubs and other morsels. This image depicts a light phase generally found in southern breeds and in my experience resident warblers  are not quite as yellow overall. There is variation of course. This is the best time to locate Chiffchaff as they call from prominent positions blah blah - you can find all this in a book.

Where there's Ravens there's witches, and one Moor Green Witch informed me today that the Ravens had raided a Crow's nest and were seen murdering and carrying away the chicks, no doubt before devouring them. One of the Crows, whom the Witch calls Dodger, was behaving with peculiarity today following his loss, but knowing something of Crow resilience, I tried to reassure her that the clever Crow is unlikely to fall victim to the Ravens a second time and will undoubtedly raise young before the season is out. This, she knew. At least six Ravens have been seen above Centenary Woodland over the past few days and for sure the Crow wars will continue for some weeks ahead, for the Ravens are also clever and they've caused a stir. This article from the internet sheds some light on a shadowy subject, and whilst there may be some sentimentalising, there is clearly an understanding of Raven behaviour based on observation, reading and learning. Raven  The Raven is the...

I'm intrigued by the various users and uses people make of Centenary Woodland, sometimes the evidence is left behind, drinks cans, tissues, used condoms and so on, and the site is categorized by the Police as an area in which anti-social behaviour takes place. I would suggest however that the ASB is declining based on a decreasing number of items found, such as those listed above. This is partly due to the increasing usage from people carrying out socially acceptable practices, thereby deterring unsociable behaviour; one such practice being the beating of a tree with forearms as part of a Shaolin discipline. The guy carrying out this practice didn't want a photograph and was horrified at the suggestion, but declined in a gentle manner. I'll no doubt see him again and aim to further my understanding. I was satisfied however that no harm was done to any tree by this practice, it was more of a slow gentle pummeling rather than beating. Woodpecker at Centenary ...