Spring bursts forth providing boundless opportunities to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. As the days grow warmer and longer, a symphony of life unfolds before our very eyes.
At Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, anticipation brims as they eagerly await the spectacle of flowers blooming and fresh leaves adorning the trees. Yet, witnessing the birth of a new generation of woodland animals is just as exciting. From the playful antics of young roe deer and rabbits frolicking in secluded corners to the melodies of nesting birds echoing through the treetops, every inch of Westonbirt teems with life and vitality. Did you know that a single majestic oak tree at Westonbirt is a bustling haven for over 2,000 different flora and fauna?
This spring, Westonbirt invites you to embark on an exhilarating journey into the realm of wildlife superheroes. Join them as they unravel the extraordinary superpowers of the animals and insects that call the arboretum home. Get ready to be awed, inspired, and enchanted by the marvels of nature like never before!
How about the composing superpower of birds? It is said that the song thrush can sing up to 100 different tunes. Consider the speed a squirrel can run and climb, scurrying down a tree at speed without falling. Rhinoceros beetles living in rotting logs in the arboretum have the strength to lift nearly 850 times their weight.
As custodians of a globally important collection of amazing trees, Westonbirt not only has a duty of care and responsibility to protect the trees, they also carefully manage the natural environment to promote a wide variety of biodiverse habitats that help a variety of flora and fauna wildlife species thrive.
Although Westonbirt is a beautiful place, there are some key threats to its wildlife.
Ross Martin, Wildlife and Conservation Ranger at Westonbirt says: “A major threat to wildlife that I’m concerned about here at Westonbirt Arboretum is invasive species such as Muntjac deer and grey squirrels, both of which are damaging to UK woodlands and the arboretum as they have no natural predators and feed on trees and vegetation. In line with standard woodland management practices, this does mean that our team need to control certain pest mammals. Pests and diseases, such as Chalara ash dieback, are also invasive species and, sadly, when trees need to be removed this can eliminate whole ecosystems. On a brighter note, we will always plant another tree to replace those we remove, fighting to preserve our wildlife.”
An increasing threat that Westonbirt faces to its wildlife and trees is the climate crisis, causing changes with the flora and fauna. Some trees are flowering in winter, which means the pollinators don't have access in spring and the team have noticed that animals are behaving out of step with the seasons. For example, Westonbirt’s team were surprised to see pregnant squirrels in December 2023.
A further threat to wildlife can be dogs. Westonbirt has a huge amount of responsible dog owners who visit daily and keeping dogs under control shows a duty of care to the resident wildlife and other dogs. This is particularly important during spring when a higher number of vulnerable newborn and younger wildlife is moving within the arboretum.
Controlling certain wildlife to protect against the threats of nature is part of a bigger plan to sustain a vital haven at the arboretum, which brings conservation, biodiversity and protecting the future of trees and nature’s wildlife superheroes together.
In the words of Theodore Roosevelt: “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.”
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