Work has been carried out at a Rhyl reserve to improve the area for local nature and residents.
Denbighshire Countryside Services and volunteers supported by Nature for Health have carried out an age-old technique to help build stronger habitats for nature and improve community experience at Brickfield Pond Nature Reserve.
Rangers and volunteers have started hedge laying at the site due to moving into the prime time of the year to carry out the by-gone skill.
The site has seen ongoing development work which has opened up a new community orchard and pond, improvements to the walkways, removal of dead trees and the tidying up of the view points around the main waters.
Areas have also been improved around the nature reserve to encourage more water voles to make their home at the site.
Hedge laying was historically applied by the majority of farms and landowners as part of their winter boundary management until mechanical hedgerow maintenance took over. However, studies have shown how much more effective this older method is for the important regeneration of hedgerows to increase support for local nature.
Using this traditional craft the rangers and volunteers have partially cut a hedge and laid at an angle which results in regrowth of the hedge coming from the bottom and allows the hedgerow to thicken at the base providing a dense habitat for local nature at the reserve.
The work was carried out near one of the fishing platforms at the reserve, allowing for improved views of Brickfield Pond for those walking the path next to it.
Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, and Biodiversity Champion, said: “It’s great to see this additional traditional work taking place at this fantastic Rhyl nature reserves it will add more support for nature habitats at the site and benefit those using the paths on site as they can watch and learn as it develops over time into a deeper habitat.”
