Since end of last year (2023) the nature hikes in "our" moors have changed...
...most of the birches have been felled.
The same ground in past sommers: grassland and in the background a small wood with birches...
...where the dogs could cool down in the shadow.
Traditional grasslands are compared with tropical rainforest in terms of the numbers of species...
...and the importance of habitat to biodiversity.
National Park staff and volunteers were called in to prevent the further growth of large trees (and not native - as the birches) which dry out the moor.
Their task was to take out birches and other invasive scrub.
Rather than suddenly removing the scrub,...
...the birch stems were cut, treated,...
...and piled into concentrated habitat heaps...
...to provide some shelter for wildlife over the winter...
...before it is slowly rotting away. Ideal to provide a food source for wildlife inhabitats.
Change is a process!
And another change: Since over 20 years we marvel at this old tree.
