An old countryside management skill is adding a new layer of support for nature at a site in Rhyl.
Located next to the playground area at Ffordd Elan, Rhyl, Denbighshire Countryside Services has developed a haven to support local nature on the estate.
The space consists of an established nature pond, wildflower areas and a variety of trees and hedgerows. Rangers are already finding many different butterfly and moth species at the site thanks to the habitat work they have carried out.
Countryside rangers manage the site during the seasons to make sure it offers support to local nature from the surrounding housing estates.
This month rangers, alongside volunteers skilled in an age-old land craft have helped increase the biodiversity support on the site and the look of the area for the surrounding communities.
The team has carried out hedge laying to rejuvenate the hedgerows at the front of the nature space by partially cutting and laying the stems at an angle to encourage regrowth and fill gaps in the hedge.
This skill was widely use by farmers and landowners as part of their winter boundary management. Mechanical hedgerow maintenance then took over, but studies have shown how much more effective this older method is for the much-needed regeneration of hedgerows.
As the hedges become fresher and younger in appearance, the skill also allows the hedgerow base to thicken providing a denser habitat for biodiversity to thrive.
Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, and Biodiversity Champion said: “Hedgerows are essential habitats for wildlife, and this will make such a big difference to the role this site carries out for supporting nature. It’s great to see also how this additional work is freshening up the appearance of the site which community members walking past will appreciate as well.”
