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Bigger and better - Abernethy Forest

Hedgehog
Have you seen a hedgehog out and about in winter?

Having lived and worked in the countryside for over fifty years, one becomes tuned in to the rhythm of the seasons and the yearly cycles.

As a farmer's boy and a keen gardener, I find this to be particularly true at planting and harvesting times.  We watch the weather perhaps more than we ask 'what's for tea'! I only go to bed once I've seen tomorrow's forecast.

Bitten by the bug

For me,  there can be no question that climate patterns are changing. Around New Year time here at Forest Lodge, Abernethy, I was bitten by a mosquito. In all my fifty plus years I have never before seen a mosquito in December.

'In all my fifty plus years, I have never before seen a mosquito in December.'

I saw wood ants active and clustered on top of their nest on 1 Feb! On the same evening, I saw a hedgehog out and about. We normally don't see hedgehogs here until May.

On the reserve we have agreed that things are changing. We are trying to do ‘our bit’ both as individuals and also as responsible and precautionary managers.

We are in the process of expanding our forest habitat, because larger habitats are generally more robust than smaller, fragmented units.

Berry nice

We're also heavily involved in improving the quality of these habitats.

'For me,  there can be no question that climate patterns are changing.'

Within the woodland, we are increasing the deadwood elements and the proportions of blaeberry on the forest floor. Each of these are ‘drivers’ or keystone species within the ecosystem. The deadwood supports an incredibly high range of invertebrates, which provide crucial food sources on which many higher animals and birds depend.

Blaeberry plants and berries are a favoured food of our endangered capercaillie, which eats different parts of the plant throughout the year.

If these habitats become larger and are in very good condition, then this buffers and safeguards all the inhabitants against harsh weather events including conditions brought about by future climate change.

Last modified: 09 June 2009

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