Winter is a busy time for restoring and conserving special habitats on the Malvern Hills and Commons.
Througout January and February we have been working hard to provide open glades on the wooded slopes of the Hills. Providing sunny, open areas within dense woodland is important for many local species including insects, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and birds. A diverse habitat supports a diverse range of species.
Watch a video of local amphibian and reptile expert Nigel Hand talking about this work and how it benefits wildlife.
Our thanks go to Severn Trent and Herefordshire Amphibian and Reptile Team for supporting this project.
Creating a more diverse mosaic of habitats is also taking place on other parts of the Hills. On the very steep slopes where it is difficult for machinery or staff to access, a Robocut - a remote controlled machine - is creating open grassland areas within dense gorse and scrub patches. Allowing more light to reach the ground encourages other plant species to grow including food plants for butterflies.
More information about the special habitats and species we care for and how we conserve them can be found in our Land Management Plan.
