Wildlife & Conservation at Mortimer Forest
The topography of Mortimer Forest gives rise to a varied landscape of hills and valleys, open heath land and dense woodland.This creates a multitude of environmental conditions from exposed swathes of former Common grazing land, to sheltered copses and still, deep ponds.
Whilst the shaping of the land by earlier settlers has left remnant hedges, ditches and sculpted embankments, the two principal features of the Forest are the extensive conifer plantations and a few residual native deciduous woodlands.
Here are male and female wood white butterflies seen in Mortimer Forest. They were performing their unusual courtship display in which antennae are waved and heads nodded at each other.
The oak, beech and birch woods provide a rich habitat for flora and fauna sustaining both common and rare species of plant, insect and animal life.
These include the Hazel Dormouse, the Wood White Butterfly, Drab Looper Moth, Long-haired Fallow Deer, Pine Marten, Adder, Wall Lizard, Slow Worm, Marsh Tit, Red Start, Goshawks and Ravens
The Friends of Mortimer Forest together with other interested organisations will support and implement projects which enhance and extend the natural woodlands to reinforce and expand bio-diversity and habitat provision. This will include improving existing nature reserves and creating new areas through tree planting schemes and the encouragement of sensitive management practices across the whole Forest.
The Friends will work with specialist arboricultural companies and individuals to monitor the condition of the Forest and its component species and support research and projects which address the impact of climate change and disease amongst native trees and plants.
The Friends will use the web site and Facebook platforms to record and share knowledge of Mortimer Forest and its special environment for the benefit of all.
*Deer photos courtesy of Alan Rubery-Jones