The Mosaic of Habitats
An outstanding feature of Croft Close Nature Reserve is the range of habitats contained in such a small area. Importantly these are in sufficiently large blocks to attract and support species dependent on the specific habitat type. There is also a considerable length of “edge habitat” – which adds to the species richness.
Site management is currently aimed at retaining this mosaic of habitats as it is both good for biodiversity and it provides visual interest for visitors, no doubt contributing to wellbeing and engagement.
At Croft Close Nature Reserve this variety of habitat appears to be one of the key attractions for the Turtle Doves.
Turtle Dove shows the steepest decline of any breeding bird in England, a staggering crash in numbers of 96% in the last 24 years while Willow Warblers have shown a decline of 45%. This alone makes a site that supports both these birds special. Professor Juliet A Vickery, CEO, British Trust for Ornithology (May 2021).
This mosaic has developed over the years due to three factors:
A natural colonisation by the flora. Sometimes this is from windblown seeds – as is the case with ash saplings and annual plants. In other cases, seeds have been introduced by squirrels, jays, or even attached to a rambler’s boot
A programme of coppicing which shaped some of the habitats
Browsing pressure, principally from muntjac deer and rabbits.
There has been no deliberate planting to date nor is there any intention to do so. There are, however, especially along the eastern edge, some garden escapes, some of which are benign additions to the site and some not!
In recent years the escapes have included some non-native species which are listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: control measures have been taken accordingly.