"We all have a responsibility to protect the countryside now and for future generations, so make sure you don’t harm animals, birds, plants or trees and try to leave no trace of your visit."
The Countryside Code
The Countryside Code
FLEWG and Climate Friendly Bradford have come together to make a stand for Becky Addy Woods which is an important legally protected woodland. We are calling for an end to motorbike trails ripping up this highly fragile ecosystem.
Tom Harper Chair of FLEWG and Lou Barry a Wiltshire Tree Warden view areas damaged by motorbike trials.
"We all understand just why it is an exciting sport and an otherwise excellent location for this hobby... however this precious fragile ecology and the rare species here do not have a voice and their very survival is under very severe threat. Bikes and machines we will always have with us but the loss of this type of fragile ancient habitat is final.
The following from a recent report of a nature walk:
"Becky Addy Wood and Meadows, is a County Wildlife Site because of its rich biodiversity interest. It originally formed part of “Westwuda”, Bradford on Avon’s Western Woods, gifted by Saxon King Aethelred in 987 to his huntsman Leofwine!
Becky Addy is an ancient woodland site retaining some wych elm and it has a rich fungal diversity and ground flora indicative of ancient woodland. It has a Tree Preservation Order protecting the whole of the woodland - one of the largest blanket TPOs in the area. It is a valuable habitat for bats and is part of the Bath and Bradford on Avon Bats SAC Core Area. It is also rich in bird life and is home to at least seven Red and Amber listed bird species. The importance of protecting our ancient woodland for our breeding birds is highlighted by the most recent Birds of Conservation Concern report which states that: there are more birds of woodland on the Red list than of any other habitat (with a total of 16)" (See the full article at the end of this page which reports on a joyous dawn chorus nature walk through this area among the precious rare species including people from as far away as Devises. We must value and protect our priceless local habitat.)
Meanwhile each year the damage worsens. If this sport is important then funding to convert appropriate wasteland to some better purpose could and should be found.That new location might then have biodiversity added.This is a creative (as against destructive) way forward.
The following from a recent report of a nature walk:
"Becky Addy Wood and Meadows, is a County Wildlife Site because of its rich biodiversity interest. It originally formed part of “Westwuda”, Bradford on Avon’s Western Woods, gifted by Saxon King Aethelred in 987 to his huntsman Leofwine!
Becky Addy is an ancient woodland site retaining some wych elm and it has a rich fungal diversity and ground flora indicative of ancient woodland. It has a Tree Preservation Order protecting the whole of the woodland - one of the largest blanket TPOs in the area. It is a valuable habitat for bats and is part of the Bath and Bradford on Avon Bats SAC Core Area. It is also rich in bird life and is home to at least seven Red and Amber listed bird species. The importance of protecting our ancient woodland for our breeding birds is highlighted by the most recent Birds of Conservation Concern report which states that: there are more birds of woodland on the Red list than of any other habitat (with a total of 16)" (See the full article at the end of this page which reports on a joyous dawn chorus nature walk through this area among the precious rare species including people from as far away as Devises. We must value and protect our priceless local habitat.)
Meanwhile each year the damage worsens. If this sport is important then funding to convert appropriate wasteland to some better purpose could and should be found.That new location might then have biodiversity added.This is a creative (as against destructive) way forward.
PHOTOS SHOWING THE WOODS BEFORE AND AFTER BIKE TRIALS DURING APRIL 2018
The 'BEFORE' photos show the damage from previous years that has not recovered.
The protection status of this woodland
- A blanket Woodland TPO number (TPO number: TPO /07/00013/WOOD 2007) which protects in law the whole woodland and it's trees from damage - whatever age or size, including it's seedlings and saplings" (Town and Country Planning Act 1990)
- County Wildlife Site status
- Area of High Ecological Value,
- registered Ancient and Semi Natural Woodland on Natural England’s database, registration numbers
21738 and 21739 see link here
The location of the woodland as part of the CAONB which is within easy reach for nature enthusiasts from local cities and towns and therefore a vital river and canal valley corridor of tranquility and recuperation for many local citizens and visitors. More than that we in the UK have got to start valuing and protecting this type of fragile environment such that it will be still be available for future generations.
Firstly we must halt the destruction and then we should support the introduction of signs and guidance on such sites to help people appreciate and enjoy the precious ecology we have.
"If we cannot halt biodiversity damage and loss here then we cannot do it anywhere!" Lou Barry Wiltshire Tree Warden
- A blanket Woodland TPO number (TPO number: TPO /07/00013/WOOD 2007) which protects in law the whole woodland and it's trees from damage - whatever age or size, including it's seedlings and saplings" (Town and Country Planning Act 1990)
- County Wildlife Site status
- Area of High Ecological Value,
- registered Ancient and Semi Natural Woodland on Natural England’s database, registration numbers
21738 and 21739 see link here
The location of the woodland as part of the CAONB which is within easy reach for nature enthusiasts from local cities and towns and therefore a vital river and canal valley corridor of tranquility and recuperation for many local citizens and visitors. More than that we in the UK have got to start valuing and protecting this type of fragile environment such that it will be still be available for future generations.
Firstly we must halt the destruction and then we should support the introduction of signs and guidance on such sites to help people appreciate and enjoy the precious ecology we have.
"If we cannot halt biodiversity damage and loss here then we cannot do it anywhere!" Lou Barry Wiltshire Tree Warden
This fragile and highly vulnerable ancient woodland habitat is home, nest site and food provision to rare and threatened species including: marsh tits, song thrushes, and for other birds such as tree creepers and red wings. Soil and rocks are being dug up and ramped to create jumps whilst ground cover is destroyed along the routes. Typically 20 bikes annually rip up the subtle ecology during each event. A year after the event significant parts of the biodiversity remains disrupted and destroyed only for the bikes to come back and continue this destructive practice.
"The message from prominent environmentalists such as Sir David Attenborough is that all of us can do something to help protect biodiversity" Tom Harper Chair of FLEWG
Sir David Attenborough has told Prince William that people have never been more "out of touch" with the natural world than they are today.
In an interview with the prince at the World Economic Forum, the naturalist warned: "We can wreck it with ease, we can wreck it without even noticing."
Sir David said people must care, respect and revere the natural world.
Heeding his words, the prince said: "Work to save the planet is probably going to largely happen on our watch". BBC report Tuesday 22nd Jan 2019
REPORT ON A DAWN CHORUS NATURE WALK
Beck Addy Woods and Avon Valley towards Avoncliff
www.wiltshiretreewardens.co.uk
. Just before dawn on 28th May, on the Bank Holiday weekend, we were delighted to welcome nine intrepid local people who got up at 4am to join Rowena Quantrill of Wiltshire Ornithological Society for a dawn chorus bird walk in Westwood. The main aim was to help people learn to identify different birdsong and inform and enthuse local people about the birds in Westwood parish and woodlands.
Issue No.20 1313No.10No.10
The walk started in Westwood Park and then descended to the Ancient Woodland on the hillside above Avoncliff via an ancient pack-horse track. Much of this woodland, known as Becky Addy Wood and Meadows, is a County Wildlife Site because of its rich biodiversity interest. It originally formed part of “Westwuda”, Bradford on Avon’s Western Woods, gifted by Saxon King Aethelred in 987 to his huntsman Leofwine!
Becky Addy is an ancient woodland site retaining some wych elm and it has a rich fungal diversity and ground flora indicative of ancient woodland. It has a Tree Preservation Order protecting the whole of the woodland - one of the largest blanket TPOs in the area. It is a valuable habitat for bats and is part of the Bath and Bradford on Avon Bats SAC Core Area. It is also rich in bird life and is home to at least seven Red and Amber listed bird species. The importance of protecting our ancient woodland for our breeding birds is highlighted by the most recent Birds of Conservation Concern report which states that: there are more birds of woodland on the Red list than of any other habitat (with a total of 16)
Following a violent thunderstorm at dawn the morning before, we worried that the walk would be rained off (or that no-one would turn up!) but, one by one out of the dark, people arrived - one couple came all the way from Devizes! We all stood silently as the sky just started to lighten and, to our delight, at just
after 4am, the first robin started from a tree two or three meters away followed after a minute or two by a song thrush then, after an interval, the first blackbird and a few minutes later these three were joined by a blackcap. After ten minutes or so of an incredible performance from these four song-birds - with other thrushes and blackbirds joining them in the background - a wren added its piercing song from a thick hedge to one side of us, while agold crest joined in from high above in a conifer. Distant wood pigeons were starting to murmur and a male tawny owl and a crow called from the wood.
. As we set off into the woods, we heard the first chaffinch, some great tits, chiff chaffs and a dunnock. We stood on the pack-horse track above the steep slopes towards Avoncliff and, as we listened to male and female tawnies calling, we were suddenly treated to the rare sight of a tawny owl flying across the field in front of us,
mobbed vigorously by smaller birds.
We heard 27 species in all, including three Red- listed birds: song thrush, starling and house sparrow and three Amber listed birds: tawny owl, swift and dunnock. My personal highlight was a family of tree-creepers calling to each other in the woods.
Our sincere thanks go to Rowena for agreeing to lead an event at such an early hour and patiently helping us to identify and learn so many bird calls and songs. It was a memorable morning!
This fragile and highly vulnerable ancient woodland habitat is home, nest site and food provision to rare and threatened species including: marsh tits, song thrushes, and for other birds such as tree creepers and red wings. Soil and rocks are being dug up and ramped to create jumps whilst ground cover is destroyed along the routes. Typically 20 bikes annually rip up the subtle ecology during each event. A year after the event significant parts of the biodiversity remains disrupted and destroyed only for the bikes to come back and continue this destructive practice.
"The message from prominent environmentalists such as Sir David Attenborough is that all of us can do something to help protect biodiversity" Tom Harper Chair of FLEWG
Sir David Attenborough has told Prince William that people have never been more "out of touch" with the natural world than they are today.
In an interview with the prince at the World Economic Forum, the naturalist warned: "We can wreck it with ease, we can wreck it without even noticing."
Sir David said people must care, respect and revere the natural world.
Heeding his words, the prince said: "Work to save the planet is probably going to largely happen on our watch". BBC report Tuesday 22nd Jan 2019
REPORT ON A DAWN CHORUS NATURE WALK
Beck Addy Woods and Avon Valley towards Avoncliff
www.wiltshiretreewardens.co.uk
. Just before dawn on 28th May, on the Bank Holiday weekend, we were delighted to welcome nine intrepid local people who got up at 4am to join Rowena Quantrill of Wiltshire Ornithological Society for a dawn chorus bird walk in Westwood. The main aim was to help people learn to identify different birdsong and inform and enthuse local people about the birds in Westwood parish and woodlands.
Issue No.20 1313No.10No.10
The walk started in Westwood Park and then descended to the Ancient Woodland on the hillside above Avoncliff via an ancient pack-horse track. Much of this woodland, known as Becky Addy Wood and Meadows, is a County Wildlife Site because of its rich biodiversity interest. It originally formed part of “Westwuda”, Bradford on Avon’s Western Woods, gifted by Saxon King Aethelred in 987 to his huntsman Leofwine!
Becky Addy is an ancient woodland site retaining some wych elm and it has a rich fungal diversity and ground flora indicative of ancient woodland. It has a Tree Preservation Order protecting the whole of the woodland - one of the largest blanket TPOs in the area. It is a valuable habitat for bats and is part of the Bath and Bradford on Avon Bats SAC Core Area. It is also rich in bird life and is home to at least seven Red and Amber listed bird species. The importance of protecting our ancient woodland for our breeding birds is highlighted by the most recent Birds of Conservation Concern report which states that: there are more birds of woodland on the Red list than of any other habitat (with a total of 16)
Following a violent thunderstorm at dawn the morning before, we worried that the walk would be rained off (or that no-one would turn up!) but, one by one out of the dark, people arrived - one couple came all the way from Devizes! We all stood silently as the sky just started to lighten and, to our delight, at just
after 4am, the first robin started from a tree two or three meters away followed after a minute or two by a song thrush then, after an interval, the first blackbird and a few minutes later these three were joined by a blackcap. After ten minutes or so of an incredible performance from these four song-birds - with other thrushes and blackbirds joining them in the background - a wren added its piercing song from a thick hedge to one side of us, while agold crest joined in from high above in a conifer. Distant wood pigeons were starting to murmur and a male tawny owl and a crow called from the wood.
. As we set off into the woods, we heard the first chaffinch, some great tits, chiff chaffs and a dunnock. We stood on the pack-horse track above the steep slopes towards Avoncliff and, as we listened to male and female tawnies calling, we were suddenly treated to the rare sight of a tawny owl flying across the field in front of us,
mobbed vigorously by smaller birds.
We heard 27 species in all, including three Red- listed birds: song thrush, starling and house sparrow and three Amber listed birds: tawny owl, swift and dunnock. My personal highlight was a family of tree-creepers calling to each other in the woods.
Our sincere thanks go to Rowena for agreeing to lead an event at such an early hour and patiently helping us to identify and learn so many bird calls and songs. It was a memorable morning!