UNAUTHORISED paths created by visitors to Tiddesley Wood nature reserve will be closed to the public in order to protect wildlife, says Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT).
Over the past few years nearly six kilometres of green rides have appeared so there is almost no part of the ancient woodland where flora and fauna isn’t subject to disturbance from people.
Last year the trust erected signs asking visitors to stop using the paths and is now taking steps to block access, allowing vegetation to grow and seal them off naturally.
Chiffchaff at Tiddesley Wood. Picture by Kim Golding
Protection of this nationally-significant habitat has been made even more important by the recent shock decision to permit the development of 300 houses on fields alongside the wood’s eastern boundary.
Rob Allen, reserves team leader for WWT, explained: “Tiddesley Wood is a very special place for wildlife and we already offer four kilometres of nature trail and permissive paths for people to enjoy the peace and quiet of the woodland.
“By asking people to keep to the paths and to keep dogs on leads at all times, we’ll help to ensure that wildlife here has the space it needs.
“We’re in the midst of an ecological crisis and the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Our wildlife is having a hard time and nature reserves are the last bastions for species to have some peace and quiet to breed, feed and to thrive.”
Tiddesley Wood is a SSSI (site of special scientific interest) and is home to woodland bird populations, locally uncommon species of bats and important wildflowers.
Other species include the greater butterfly orchid, white-legged damselflies along with the nationally-rare noble chafer beetle.
“Balancing public access to nature against the needs for the protection of wildlife is a difficult tightrope to walk but if we are to turn around the ongoing declines we see in many of our long-established and loved species then we need to make sure there are places where wildlife comes first,” Rob added.
Visit worcswildlifetrust.co.uk for more information.
READ – Devastation as homes allowed to be built near ancient woodland at Pershore
