NATURE NOTES
Ecological Overview
The Habitats
The Millennium Green covers approximately 3.5 acres and occupies a northwest-facing slope on the boundary between the Magnesian Limestone and Lenton Sandstone. The site supports a range of habitats including neutral grassland, tall-herb stands, scattered trees and shrubs, scrub, hedgerows and broadleaved plantations.
It is part of an important wild life corridor and a link in a continuous chain of open spaces that stretch from the old Victorian cemetery that lies to west of the Green, through the Leeming Lane Recreation Ground to the current cemetery on Leeming Lane South. From there it is a short distance to the larger wild life area of the Maun Valley and open country. Take a look at the location map here.
The Plants
A 2013 ecological survey identified 19 different grass species which suggests that the Green has a long history as permanent grassland. Given the existing structural and plant diversity of the Green, it is considered that the grassland is of local importance for biodiversity. The trees and hedgerows support a diverse range of, for the most part, native trees and shrubs which, along with bramble, tall herbs and scattered scrub provide a rich tapestry of differing habitat. Check out images of some of these here.
The Animals
Such diversity of habitat and the network of hedgerows and plantations provide good opportunities for small mammals, amphibians, birds, bats and invertebrates. A specialist invertebrate survey in 2014 and observations in 2015 recorded 16 different species of butterfly including the Small Heath which is locally important. In 2016 the Trust started a programme to encourage the Brimstone Butterfly to breed on the Green by planting Buckthorn, the Brimstone caterpillar’s favoured food plant.
Tradition has it that the butter-yellow colour of the male Brimstone is the origin of the word “Butterfly”. The Green is also a haven for moths and other night flying insects, the survey in 2014 noting 34 different species. We have images of some of these here.
Let's look at a few of these in more detail:-
The Millennium Green covers approximately 3.5 acres and occupies a northwest-facing slope on the boundary between the Magnesian Limestone and Lenton Sandstone. The site supports a range of habitats including neutral grassland, tall-herb stands, scattered trees and shrubs, scrub, hedgerows and broadleaved plantations.
It is part of an important wild life corridor and a link in a continuous chain of open spaces that stretch from the old Victorian cemetery that lies to west of the Green, through the Leeming Lane Recreation Ground to the current cemetery on Leeming Lane South. From there it is a short distance to the larger wild life area of the Maun Valley and open country. Take a look at the location map here.
The Plants
A 2013 ecological survey identified 19 different grass species which suggests that the Green has a long history as permanent grassland. Given the existing structural and plant diversity of the Green, it is considered that the grassland is of local importance for biodiversity. The trees and hedgerows support a diverse range of, for the most part, native trees and shrubs which, along with bramble, tall herbs and scattered scrub provide a rich tapestry of differing habitat. Check out images of some of these here.
The Animals
Such diversity of habitat and the network of hedgerows and plantations provide good opportunities for small mammals, amphibians, birds, bats and invertebrates. A specialist invertebrate survey in 2014 and observations in 2015 recorded 16 different species of butterfly including the Small Heath which is locally important. In 2016 the Trust started a programme to encourage the Brimstone Butterfly to breed on the Green by planting Buckthorn, the Brimstone caterpillar’s favoured food plant.
Tradition has it that the butter-yellow colour of the male Brimstone is the origin of the word “Butterfly”. The Green is also a haven for moths and other night flying insects, the survey in 2014 noting 34 different species. We have images of some of these here.
Let's look at a few of these in more detail:-
Trees & Shrubs
The Green has a wide variety of native trees and shrubs. Hawthorn both as a hedging plant and tree is much in evidence and Hazel is widespread in the Greens hedges. Wild Privet is also here. Sycamore and Ash dominate the hedgerow trees with Horse Chestnut providing a specimen tree on the slope of the Green. Around the Green can be found Holly, Field Maple and a number of Spindle Trees which produce attractive deep pink berries in the autumn. Although Ash is common in the area the spread of Ash Die-back disease is likely to have a significant impact. The ribbon of trees and shrubs that extend in a line down the slope and border the Community Orchard are the remains of a field boundary. Photos in the gallery here.
Wildflowers
Many species of wildflower can be found in the grassland including Red Campion, Oxeye Daisy, Yellow Rattle, St John’s Wort and Rose-bay Willow Herb, with large areas of Cow Parsley & Hogweed dominating. The development of the Wildflower Meadow over 2015 - 16 is an attempt to introduce an even greater variety and increase feeding opportunities for invertebrates. This in turn will help provide food for birds, bats and small mammals. Photos in the gallery here.
The Community Orchard
The older parts of Mansfield Woodhouse were studded with small orchards up to the middle of the 20th century. All have disappeared under housing or commercial property. To help redress this situation the Trust planted a small Community Orchard that includes a number of traditional species that would have been grown by generations past.
If you would like to see how the orchard was planted and the people who helped make it happen check out the gallery here.
If you would like to see how the orchard was planted and the people who helped make it happen check out the gallery here.
Birds
Many common birds use the Green for nesting and insect eaters are particularly well catered for with an abundance of food during the breeding season. Great tit, Blue tit and Long-tailed tit can be seen foraging through the hedgerows along with Chaffinch and the rarer Green Finch. The patches of short grass attract Blackbirds & Magpies and the Kestrel can often be observed quartering the Green looking for small mammals. One bird often missed is the Dunnock which is a shy and solitary visitor to the Green. It can sometimes be seen working its way along the bottom of hedgerows and near scrub looking for insects. The Green is an important habitat for the Dunnock as it has been declining nationally for some years and is currently on the Birds of Conservation Concern, Orange List (2015).
Photos in the gallery here.
Photos in the gallery here.
Chainsaw Sculpture
In 2014 the Trust had to fell a large Ash tree which had become unsafe and had once been the tallest tree on the Green. We decided not to lose the tree completely and to put it to good use to enhance the area by being carved into a piece of public art.
A sculpture was carved by Mark Manders using designs produced by children from Bramble Academy and students from The Manor Academy. The image here shows Mark in the middle of the project.
The final carving shown below represents the fauna and flora, and natural history of Mansfield Woodhouse. Part of the tree has been left as wildlife habitat.
A sculpture was carved by Mark Manders using designs produced by children from Bramble Academy and students from The Manor Academy. The image here shows Mark in the middle of the project.
The final carving shown below represents the fauna and flora, and natural history of Mansfield Woodhouse. Part of the tree has been left as wildlife habitat.