Stockland Turbaries

The big project at RSPB Aylesbeare at the moment is to ‘restore’ habitat in an area called the Stockland turbaries.  Historically, the Stockland turbaries were areas of bog or lowland heath where peat was dug and used for fuel.  Typically these areas are dominated by heather and gorse (gorse was also used for fodder).  But the area that we’re working in is also a stronghold for bog myrtle in Devon.  The decline of traditional heathland practices has resulted in a reduction of the wildlife associated with heathland.

This is a contentious issue.  I don’t want to use this blog as a tool to promote or knock heathland, but I can see that there are good reasons for protecting heathland where it exists, and hence preventing species loss if those species have evolved to live in such a habitat.  I have found it a little more difficult to come to terms with the removal of semi-mature woodland in the name of habitat restoration.  Whilst carrying out the work Dr David Allen has been out to view our progress on numerous occasions, and his enthusiasm is persuasive.  But I’ve still a lot to learn about these habitats, and I hope to better understand both sides of the argument before I move on to pastures new in a couple of months.

In the mean time, the work itself is a lot of fun.  I’m spending a lot of time on the chainsaw, working out cuts, wind direction, safety, etc, and then hauling about big lumps of wood.  I’m tired at the end of each day (most of us fall asleep in the LR on the way back to base), but it’s a good tired, and I’m sure my general strength levels have improved enormously.