Fingle Woods: Then and Now

As the years pass, gradual changes in the landscape may go unnoticed but, sometimes, as we walk through the woods, we may dig deep into the recesses of our memories to recall what it was like before the Fingle Woods restoration began. Perhaps we try to remember what particular parts of the woodland looked like, but our memories may not be as precise as we would hope. Those of us that know Fingle well can see the woods are changing and really want the restoration and conservation work to succeed. The regular thinning of conifers and habitat improvement projects across the Plantation on an Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS) is having a positive effect on wildlife – we know it is, but how do we show it? Where is the evidence? We have ever-growing species records of woodland plants and birds. These show some interesting results and tell us where these species are spreading and thriving but, what does that actually look like?

 by Matt Parkins2015 photos – Paul Moody