This post shares some, hopefully interesting, facts about the nature in our village.
Binfield has at least 170 veteran trees. These are trees that are of interest biologically, culturally or aesthetically because of their age, size or condition. In addition to ancient oak trees that often mark old parish boundaries, the village also contains old trees that were part of rich landowners’ collections or part of the landscaping in the parkland surrounding their houses.
If you want to find out more about the woods and copses in the village, have a look at the “find a wood” option on the Woodland Trust’s website (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/).
The northern part of the parish is also part of a Biodiversity Opportunity Area. This is an initiative to improve the biodiversity of our wider countryside rather than just focusing on nature reserves. It is intended that there will be projects in our area to extend, and improve the management of, existing woodlands.
The way that land is designated is an important tool in protecting and improving those areas that are special for nature. One of the highest levels of protection in the UK is given to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which are considered important because of their fauna, flora, or geology. Various laws protect SSSIs from development, from other damage, and from neglect. We have one SSSI in the village, Wykery Copse, protected for its rare flora. Wykery Copse is an amazing haven of tranquillity surrounded by houses and close to an industrial area.
Another designation that is important in Binfield is the Suitable Alternative Natural Green-space (SANG) that I wrote about last month.
At least three quarters of the species identified as priorities in the Bracknell Forest Council biodiversity action plan can be seen in Binfield, but not all of these make their homes here. Binfield Environment Group have a notice board in the entrance to the new parish office / Foxes’ Den and there is a sheet for you to tell us which of the species have been seen in the village.
In February, I wrote about Binfield’s bats. I have subsequently noticed two more sets of bat boxes in the village. We are also talking to the borough council about what we might do for bats in Popes Meadow.
The village is also home to a number of larger mammals including roe deer, muntjacs, foxes and badgers. Binfield Badger Group (http://www.binfieldbadgers.org.uk/) have been monitoring and protecting the village’s badgers for several decades.
More than 30 people have joined BEG tasks in the last year. Some of the villages younger residents have given us some ideas for a BEG logo. We have not yet found a logo that works on social media and in print, but one possibility is the logo at the top of this piece, designed by Bethany. Thank you for all your support!