Working Together to Improve Norfolk's Wildlife
Access
Post-code: NR21 0QG
What3Words: knees.slope.offer
OS Map Reference: TG 005 367
Directions: The site is on the North side of Lower Common Road leading west from crossroads by Bale Church.
Parking: There is no parking by the surveyor’s allotment. We recommend parking by the church. The site is approximately a quarter of a mile from the church.
There is no public access at this site while habitat restoration work is underway
Habitat
The site comprises two acres of mixed woodland and scrub, with Field Maple, Alder, Small Leaved Lime, ancient Hawthorn, Elder and ferns. The deep steep-sided pit contains a small patch of water in the deepest corner. No management has been carried out within the surveyor’s allotment for many years and as a result the area is very overgrown. Although it already represents a haven for wildlife within North Norfolk’s intensively farmed landscape, with sympathetic management, the area has the potential to support a wider range of species.
Habitat Management
Habitat management work will begin in the autumn of 2023.
As a starting point for our habitat management plans, we have begun a programme of species monitoring
What are our future plans?
Create safe access into the site to allow habitat management work to be carried out
Create and maintain a network of paths which provide access for conservation and monitoring work
Install pedestrian gate
Secure boundary with post & wire fencing as necessary
Gap up hedge around perimeter where necessary, using appropriate local native species, to create dense hedge from the base, providing suitable nesting and sheltering sites for birds, and a wildlife corridor for mammals
Appropriate management of existing hedgerow
Dispose of any historical fly-tipping waste
Selective thinning or coppicing to let in light and produce a progressive age range in species, resulting in a mosaic of maturity to benefit wildlife
Selective clearance to create grassland/wildflower area and habitat for butterflies
Removal of garden escapes
Remove debris and overgrown vegetation from pond
Selective felling/pruning of trees over pond to allow light to penetrate
Create log piles from felling/coppicing to provide habitat for invertebrates
Other felled or sawn branches to be left in situ to encourage fungi and invertebrates
Selective ivy control/removal
Erect bird and bat boxes as appropriate
Erect relevant interpretive signage, subject to funding and any approvals
Continue species monitoring