Biodiversity Projects at Oxford Island
Hazel Coppicing
A project has been ongoing involving large areas of hazel growing at Oxford Island. These have been left untouched for over thirty years, have begun to topple over and in some cases are dying out. A programme of work which began in early 2008 and has continued since has seen the remaining hazel coppiced. This will aid the regeneration of the hazel stools and improve the range of habitat in the woodlands involved. Initial signs are that the hazel stools have responded well and have put on healthy new growth. This work has been carried out by Conservation Service staff from the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre with the help of local volunteers.
Himalayan Balsam Removal
Himalayan balsam is a beautiful plant from Asia, which can reach up to three metres in height and has large bright pink flowers and distinctive “popping” seed heads. It may be pretty, but causes a range of problems in damp habitats across the British Isles. Himalayan balsam was first introduced to the British Isles in 1839 as a garden plant, and by 1855 it had escaped gardens and was growing in the wild. It is now found along riverbanks and in other areas with damp soils, including marsh and woodland. It is widespread right across Northern Ireland.
Himalayan balsam can take over large areas. As well as causing problems for native species, Himalayan balsam increases the risk of riverbank erosion because it stops the more long-lived plants such as grasses, which bind the soil with their roots, from growing. This means that when the balsam plants die in the autumn they leave bare patches of soil, which can be more easily washed away by rain.
Large areas of the woodland at OxfordIsland were covered with Balsam and so the Conservation Service planned a programme of removal spread throughout the summer months. In conjunction with this a series of ‘Balsam Bash’ days was organised to gain extra help and raise public awareness of the problems of introduced species. The first of these events took place in 2009 and ran in partnership with CVNI and a band of local, enthusiastic volunteers. The Balsam Bash which ran over two days saw the intrepid team pulling up the plants by hand and placed into large sealed bags to stop the seeds escaping and spreading.
The Balsam Bash and programme of removal proved to be highly successful and has continued through 2010. The Balsam at Oxford Island is now well under control, although the process will be an ongoing one in the coming years mainly due to the fact that Oxford Island is beside the Lough and the Closet River which means that Balsam seeds are constantly being transported into the reserve.
So keep your eyes peeled for these introduced species in your own area. Pictures of them can be found on the Invasive Species Ireland website: www.invasivespeciesireland.com
Wildflower Seed Collection
Staff from the Conservation Service based at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and staff and volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland (CVNI) collected Yellow Rattle seeds from the meadows at OxfordIsland.
Yellow Rattle or Hay Rattle is one of the plants found in a healthy meadow. It is a semi-parasitic plant, taking nutrients from the roots of stronger grasses. In the past this plant was a serious pest for farmers as it weakens grasses and can reduce hay yields by up to 50%. In a wildflower meadow however this suppression of grass growth is welcomed as it produces a better display of other wild flowers. Yellow Rattle is also an important source of pollen for bees throughout the summer months.
The meadows at Oxford Island are full of Yellow Rattle and this work by CVNI and Craigavon Council concentrated on collecting the seeds from the plants in one area and sowing these elsewhere on the reserve in order to expand the on site meadows and increase the diversity of the sward in the new area.
Willow Scrub Clearance
Staff and volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland (CVNI) and Craigavon Borough Council’s Conservation Service lead a project to remove willow from the meadows at OxfordIsland.
Kinnego meadow at OxfordIsland is a fantastic example of a species rich meadow habitat. In recent years in the UK we have lost 95% of our wildflower meadows which makes this area all the more precious.
Craigavon Council carefully manages the meadow, grazing it through the winter and removing any trees and shrubs which naturally start to colonise the area. Conservation Volunteers spent some sunny winter days cutting and removing willow which has self seeded into the meadow. Left to nature the willow would grow at a fast rate and dry the ground out, changing the species composition leading, over time to the area reverting back to its natural state of woodland.
While scrub is an important habitat for breeding and feeding birds its encroachment into species-rich grassland must be controlled and such work continues at Oxford Island.
Conservation Grazing
One of the ways in which wildflower meadows are kept in peak condition is through the process known as conservation grazing. Animals, primarily cattle, are allowed to graze the meadows at certain times throughout the year. Traditional breeds of cattle which can cope with local conditions are used as these can prosper on grassland which would be too poor in nutrients to support modern breeds. At Oxford Island Irish Moiled Cattle and Dexter cattle graze the fields, keeping dominant plant species in check and allowing wildflowers to flourish. Grazing also helps to control the spread of invasive scrub and by trampling the ground the cattle help to produce small pockets in which wildflower seeds can germinate.
Irish Moiled
These are the rarest surviving breed of Irish cattle. Being hardy they can survive outside during most winters. They are usually reddish with a white stripe running along their back but can vary in colour, some being mostly red.
Dexter
The Dexter is an ancient breed and is extremely hardy. They can adapt to a wide range of conditions and will thrive even on sparse vegetation. Being a smaller animal they are suited to grazing lowland wet meadows which would quickly become poached if grazed by larger breeds.
Oxford Island Wildlife Garden
The wildlife garden by the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre was developed to demonstrate wildlife-friendly gardening to school groups and the general public.
The garden has a species-rich hedgerow of native trees and a wildlife pond fringed with willow. Insect friendly bushes such as buddleia are planted in the borders. Habitat piles provide shelter for invertebrates.
The garden has adjacent willow trees which are regularly coppiced. Coppicing is a traditional technique encouraging multi-stemmed re-growth. Local communities formerly used coppiced material for basket weaving and it is currently used at Oxford Island in a number of willow weaving projects. Coppicing also provides increased cover for birds.
Coppiced willow is evident in the wildlife garden in the form of a willow dome. This is a living structure which makes the wildlife garden more interactive for young children. A wattle-and-daub shelter shows the former more practical use of willow as a building material.
