While storm after storm hits our campus, it is important to remember the beautiful habitats surrounding us and the amazing wildlife.By Beatrice Trascau
While storm after storm hits our campus, it is important to remember the beautiful habitats surrounding us and the amazing wildlife living alongside us. Even though winter is never kind to Campus East, it is actually defined as a wetland habitat of conservation significance within the Vale of York. But what does this actually mean in terms of the fauna and flora found on Campus East? And how is the University and Connecting East working to protect and enhance biodiversity on our campus?
Woodlands
While Campus East may not look particularly woody, the University estimates that an approximate 70,000 trees and shrubs have been planted across Campus East, with Pedunculate Oak and Ash being the main species planted. The University Estates team estimates a minimum of 80% success rate in the establishment of the trees and hopes that over time, as the tree canopy closes, species such as Bluebell, Wood Sorrel, Ground Ivy, Foxglove, Red Campion, Wood Avens and Archangel will establish in the understory.
The patches of woodland created could be used to introduce wildlife roosting and breeding boxes, and should provide habitat for species such as Son Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher and Bullfinch. Some of the bird species that have already been observed on Campus East include Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Chaffinch and Long tailed Tit. Aside from bird species, hedgehogs have also been recorded in the planted woodland blocks and bats are also expected to use the woodlands for foraging.
Grasslands
One of the main aims of the Heslington East Ecological management plan was to create species rich hay meadows. In the summer, grasslands are a colourful and biodiverse combination of grasses and wildflowers, which support communities of butterflies, moths, grasshoppers and crickets. However, grasslands are also very important for providing different food sources to bees, a group of invertebrates which is severely affected by current climatic changes. Apart from invertebrates, the grasslands on Campus East are a good habitat for Song Thrushes, Linnets and Yellowhammers, with Skylarks having been observed to use them as well.
Waterbodies
The best-known waterbodies on Campus East are the lakes, which make up 8% of the total area. These lakes have been colonised by fish which attract fish-eating birds, such as Grebe, Heron and Kingfishers. According to the Ecological Management Plan available on the University’s Estates Team website, there has also been a confirmed sighting of an otter in December 2017. Some waterfowl species which are very well known to us are the Greylag and Canada geese, the Mallard ducks, the swans and the ever-persistent seagulls. But bird species such as Sedge Warblers, Reed Buntings and Kingfishers have also been recorded at the site have also been attracted to the wetland area created in the South West part of the campus, which is also likely to attract Dragonflies, Damselflies and water Beetles.
Where to next?
With the current developments taking place on Campus East it is important to ask ourselves how this will affect the biodiversity and habitats here? While the construction site might not be used by any species at the moment, it is without question that the university has put together an environmental management plan to ensure the conservation of the habitats and biodiversity on campus east. In the meantime, Connecting East will be putting on plenty of free events and workshops to ensure our campus is doing its part in looking after the environment. The University’s Grounds Maintenance webpage (which you can access here) gives more information on the Landscape and Ecological Management Plan, but also the wildfowl species that can be seen on campus and a very interesting Campus East nature walk which you can download and do on your own.
(The information presented in this article has been from the University’s Ecological Management Plan, available here).
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