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The available annual reports are available to view below. The latest news items can be viewed via the named site links at the bottom of this site’s home page
Date: February 2013 – Report_on_Cock_Robin_Wood
Date: February 2012 – Report of Management
Scalloping along the field edge has been mostly completed. Probably two more to do towards the estate will see this job finished and hopefully we can do this by the end of March.
Hazel coppicing is work in progress and more to do.
Bird boxes were checked last autumn and though most showed signs of use, many had failed nests, mostly blue tit with chicks.
Hedge-laying is in progress along the road – lots of local interest!
Pond surveys have shown the main pond to be in excellent health with all the appropriate ‘mini beasts’ -present. (Dragonfly and mayfly larvae, water shrimps and smooth newt among the most notable).
A plant survey in July revealed most of the previous year’s species together with a few additional ones. The seeding project has yet to bear fruit but the Council cut the ride edges too early and this may well have accounted for the failure to flower. I must remember to ask them not to cut the edges this year!!
Thanks go to Rugby Council for their work on the access gates following vandalism and forced vehicle intrusion last summer.
Thanks also to the merry band of faithful volunteers who have turned up rain or shine to help maintain the wood and rides, over the past year.
Derek Lill
Voluntary Warden
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Date: 21st February 2011
Report of Management at Cock Robin Wood
Activities
The management Plan expires this year and most of the plan has been actioned. There is still a little more work to be completed along the field edge to remove trees or create further scallops. This will be done next winter. The external hedge needs cutting or laying and this task will be considered next autumn.
Work compelled this year has involved a severe coppicing of the Gelder Rose, further thinning of trees below the main pond, and a total clearance of the scallops. The car park has been opened up and further work is needed here. The main rides have been seeded with a suitable mix.
A plant survey has revealed some sixty species and this will be repeated next summer.
The fencing along the field edge has been repaired: posts were made from the trees felled and work has started on laying the hedge along the field edge. Felled timber has and is being extracted by prior arrangement.
Rugby Council, through Steve Cook, has repaired the pedestrian gates. The first repair was vandalised and they have been re repaired and seem to have so far survived the vandals. We have expressed our thanks to the team who did this work and Steve has also supplied a further 6 bird boxes which will be placed in the oaks along the field edge as we lay the hedge.
The bird boxes erected last year were all used for some purpose or other. The boxes were all cleared out a few weeks ago and all but one was still in place!
Despite our best endeavours, New Zealand pigmy weed has migrated from the small pond to the main pond. This will need to be cleared regularly from the big pond or it will swamp all else.
Two of the volunteers attended the latest hedgelaying course at Brandon and we are now well supplied with the skills needed to lay the hedges. We will supply stakes and binding from our own supply of hazel.
Finally I offer a big thank you to all the volunteers who come every Monday morning, rain or shine, to help maintain and improve the wood for wildlife and for those who pass through. We receive many complimentary comments during work parties, from others using the wood.
Derek Lill (Volunteer Warden)