Wildlife Corridor Resident Consultation

As you know, GreenSquare Estates maintain the public open spaces at Windrush Place.

You will recall we wrote to you regarding a customer consultation day to look at how we can look to improve aspects of wildlife on site at Windrush Place.

On Wednesday 27th August, representatives from GreenSquare and our site contractors – Tony Benger Landscaping (TBL) met with a number of residents from across the estate.

Whilst on site we installed a number of wildlife features along the hill that runs parallel to the A40 beyond the playing fields. These were quick wins and very much what we hope to be the start of an ongoing initiative.

We put in two hibernacula which can be defined as:

”natural or man-made shelters that provide refuge for animals, particularly amphibians and reptiles like frogs, toads, newts, and snakes, to overwinter. They are essentially "winter quarters" where animals can hibernate and escape cold weather and predators, and can be as simple as a log pile or a hole filled with rubble, or more complex, specially constructed structures”

We also installed 11 small wildlife features to help at various points along the same hill.

Your feedback

We received lots of feedback and all kinds of suggestions as to things we could do to enhance wildlife – both flora and fauna across the site. Details of some of the ideas shared are listed below.

Leave a mowers width uncut at the base of hedges in the spring time.

This was suggested as people often plant bulbs such as crocus and snowdrop adjacent to hedges.

We have already been doing this on Clare Place for a couple of years but we will ask TBL operatives to keep an eye of for additional bulbs but also being mindful to return to full cutting to the base of the hedge once the flowers have gone over.

Install owl boxes

We did install a number of bird boxes but it was noted that there had been various sightings of owls on the estate and the installation of owl boxes was suggested.

Install bat boxes and specific bird boxes

Similarly, bats roost on site so installation of bat boxes was suggested. 

Starlings, swifts and swallows were also reported to have been seen on site, so specific bird boxes were suggested.

It was also noted that a number of deer have been seen on site but they’re fairly difficult to help – especially when you want your planting to establish!!

Why limit location?

One site resident queries why we appeared to be limiting ‘operations’ along the hill and not making use of the established hedgerows – particularly the bridle track.

Whilst a very worthwhile point, it is worth noting that we need to mindful of putting things in hedgerows as we don’t want to damage them when using the tractor and flail on the hedges like you’ll have hopefully recently noticed.

Replace dead trees with bushes that will have berries.

It was suggested that instead of replacing trees with more trees (notably along the hill where it is very windy) we plant bushes with berries as they’re lower to the ground and more likely to survive the strong winds whilst also providing food for wildlife.

School involvement

We had initially reached out to the local primary school to see if they had any interest in getting involved, but sadly we didn’t hear anything back.

We did however have one site resident who is the head of a neighbouring primary school who would love to get her pupils involved.

This ranged from getting the children to build additional hibernacula to creating a trail for school activities.

Signage

A number of residents suggested having a sign(s) or information board(s) installed at each end of the hill.

The board could have information on local wildlife, ecology and even maybe something about RAF Brize Norton.

Next steps and follow up actions

• Look at purchasing and installing bat boxes, an owl box, and other specific bird boxes.
• Install them at various locations around site rather than just on the hill.
• There are 19 dead trees along the hill, we’ll remove the dead ones but we won’t re-plant trees, instead we will plant 19 bushes that will hopefully establish and grow berries.
• We will be planting 47 trees across the rest of the estate to replace those that have died in more prominent/focal positions within the open space.
• Collaborate with Aston & Cote Primary School to look at helping to facilitate children’s activities however possible.

We hope this gives you a good summary of what we have done so far and what we intend to do moving forward.

If you have any follow up questions then please do get in touch with us at the email address below.

GreenSquare Estates
publicopen.space@greensquareaccord.co.uk