Hello all, thanks for interest and replies, re the thinnning I think you perhaps have to look at all the factors and look at land issues case by case to know what should or shouldnt be done. I of course agree that generally speaking work should not be undertaken during the nesting season. We have three main area's that we never work in during nesting which are;
Sitka Spruce plantation, smaller compartment of Sitka and another area of Sitka with scrub, non of these are managed during the nesting season. The area in question is pre-thicket stage Sitka Spruce which is to be converted to native woodland, really cleaning and thinning to allow natural regeneration of the next several years and planting where appropriate depending on situation.
It is a mine field really to get everything right especially when altering land drastically, not to do more harm than good. Another example of when work is sometimes done during nesting season is perhaps the construction of a pool on an area that has scrub and there are millions of creatures inhabiting that space, the trouble is theres always going to some creature making use of the space at all times of year so if your site is more important for reptiles in one perticular area and supports few bids perhaps you should avoid work when the hibernation period is? Its just not clear cut to say that some shouldnt be done, so many factors to consider and unless you have looked at the land intimately its not easy to call. Certain things are of course right, I wouldnt dream of managing the area the way I am if it was native tree's with hi diversity, the fact is that the woods is supporting less and less with every season and all light will be blocked out. All the trees to be managed are non native sitka at the moment...anyway I must go have been burgled this weekend and just been told that the police are here! If anyone is still interested in helping out do give me a shout and I hope you understand that I am doing things in a very sustainable way here without leaving any stone unturned as to best practise....thanks
