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Monitoring the impact of the English Woodland Grant Scheme
Woodland Improvement Grants exist to improve habitat in woodlands. Currently there are several grant scheme targeted at improvements for woodland birds. Assessing the effectiveness of these grants is essential to demonstrate good practise, good value for money and where necessary making improvements to the schemes. Baseline monitoring before management, followed by repeat surveys at 3-5 year intervals will allow us to measure the bird response to the grants. Project objectives
- To set up baseline monitoring of woods in the grant scheme before any management takes place.
- To pair woods in the grant scheme with similar woods with no current plans for management. This will allowed the impact of the grant on bird populations to be assessed.
- To assess habitat in woodlands to be managed under the targeted grant.
- To conduct periodic repeat surveys to assess changes in bird populations and habitat associated with habitat management carried out under the grant.
Work planned or underway
Survey work began in March 2010 in the Sherwood Forest area of Nottinghamshire.
Surveys include CBC territory mapping, point counts and special surveys for woodcock, nightjar, willow tit and lesser spotted woodpecker.
Baseline surveys will continue in 2011 and 2012, with upland sites possibly being surveyed in 2011.Who to contact
Dr Elisabeth Charman
Conservation Officer
E-mail: elisabeth.charman@rspb.org.uk
Partners
Forestry Commission EnglandFunding
Forestry Commission England