Spaces for Nature

Summer 1 (S1) – April, May, June

This quarter marks the start of our summer season – Engage and Observe

School Visits

The influx of school sessions begins to increase as part of our environmental and outdoor education strategy, reaching around 4 days a week in late May and June. Providing this space for children to learn about nature, ecology, and their connection to it, is vital as they grow and form the next generation of researchers, councillors, CEOs.

Invasive Species Control

As the borough begins to burst with life and leaves, we must undertake invasive species control for plants such as Hemlock (pictured), Japanese Knotweed, and Himalayan Balsam. This is important, as without this management, these species would outcompete our natives and can cause a decline in biodiversity.

Bird Nesting Season

We are well into the nesting season for many UK native birds. Hedgerows are an important habitat during this time with over 30 species using various hedge heights and types for nesting; Robins prefer nests on, or close to, the ground and Bullfinches favour nests over the 4m mark. Therefore, it is crucial to leave hedgerows uncut during this time (March – August), with active birds’ nests protected by law under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. We do not cut our hedgerows during this period, and you must check carefully for active nests either side of the season.

Come volunteer with us at Allen’s Field with Wildlife in Ascot and Rangers Rosie & Tom!

• Learn a variety of skills
• Meet new people
• Improve biodiversity in your local wildlife site

No experience needed.

Meet every second Saturday of the month in the Allen’s Field carpark 9.30am-12.30pm

Pollution can find its way into urban rivers via surface water outfalls (drains) as a result of misconnected plumbing. We are looking for volunteers to help conduct Outfall Safari surveys in the waterways in Maidenhead. This involves bankside surveys of stretches of the river to map and record the impact of outfalls.

The training session will take place at:

Braywick Nature Centre, Hibbert Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1UU,

on Thursday 20th April 13:30-15:30.

Register at: https://MaidenheadOutfallSafari.eventbrite.co.uk

For more information please email: sam.facey@zsl.org

An action plan to increase biodiversity in the Royal Borough through positive habitat management measures and partnership working has been agreed by Cabinet.

The Biodiversity Action Plan aims to provide 30% of land in the borough as a space for nature by 2030 - in line with the national Wildlife Trusts ‘30 by 30’ campaign - and signals the council’s commitment working with partners to improve the natural environment.

It sets out an action plan covering the next four years and has been jointly developed with local wildlife and conservation groups with input from the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). Feedback has also been sought from residents as well as the borough’s farming community.

Action Plan to increase biodiversity in the Royal Borough agreed by Cabinet | Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (rbwm.gov.uk)

At Ockwells last week the team cleared a section of bramble and thorny scrub. This area will be further uprooted and disturbed by the Windsor and Maidenhead Conservation volunteers throughout the year ahead.

Disturbance doesn't sound great for nature, but actually is an essential conservation process to maintain the wonderful dynamism of biodiversity. In historic times, large grazers would trample areas of vegetation, allowing space for new ones to grow. If this doesn't regularly happen, only the more dominant few species, such as brambles, ever get a chance.

By mimicking this natural disturbance in areas of thick vegetation cover, woodland glades are created. These sun dappled spots will hopefully be perfect for numerous sensitive wildflowers and herbs.

Various groups including the Windsor and Maidenhead Conservation Volunteers have been tirelessly working on creating a dead hedge fence to mark out a path through the bluebell woodland of Thriftwood, Ockwells Park. Thanks for all their hard work!

This area of bluebells has increased in recent years due to our work in the only ancient woodland we manage. With the help of our volunteers we have discouraged the growth of invasive species allowing space for more wildflowers and bluebells to grow. This work forms part of our plans to manage woodland in the Biodiversity Action Plan (See Biodiversity Action Plan project for more details).

We also have a fabulous living fence, created by the Windsor and Maidenhead Conservation Volunteers, outlining a wide path which has plenty of room for you to enjoy being surrounded by these beautiful flowers.

Just remember to stick to the path as bluebells are very easily damaged by trampling under foot or dog paw. It can take up to seven years for seeds to develop into flowering bulbs and they only have a small window each year to gain enough energy to flower the following year.

Bird and bat box assembly with Wildlife in Ascot. ✅

Ready to go up into the woods. We will be back on Saturday 10th December at Allen's field, Ascot from 9.30-12.30. We would love some extra help! No experience necessary. Come and learn more about bird boxes and their importance. We are a friendly bunch. Biscuits provided too!

The Causeway path at Battlemead is now closed as of 1st November until 1st April.

This is part of the seasonal habitat plan for Battlemead, to allow migratory birds a refuge over the winter months. All other paths at Battlemead are still accessible year round. We will be monitoring the wildlife in the wetland area with a winter bird survey and look forward to the wildlife that decides to call Battlemead home this winter!