In recent weeks when I have told people about the roles I have taken up in Stevenage I have had the same reaction over and over. Those who don’t live in the town and only visit for the Leisure Park, the gym, or just to pass through to get somewhere else always seem to write it off as an ugly, bland new town.
Well, I want to say to them, open your eyes and ears! The place is teeming with all sorts of wildlife, from the ubiquitous verge bunnies, foxes, grey squirrels and muntjacs to the less expected.
Several of the woodlands are remnants of Ancient Woodland, although they have had plantations added (often referred to as PAWs). There are lots of hedgerows, which although they aren’t as dense and continuous as you would find in, say, Devon, they do provide habitat and food sources for a variety of species.
There are lots of existing records of bat and badger sightings, sparrowhawks and kestrels are known to nest in the area, buzzards are seen frequently and the occasional red kite has also been seen. Add to this the wide variety of other birds including jay, skylark, hobby and plenty of the more common species, the area has plenty to offer to the observant.
I have also spotted brown hare, weasel, pheasant, partidge whilst driving around the edge of the Knebworth estate on my way to work, and of course, there are also the roe deer to be seen in the park itself. One evening as I parked my car outside my block of flats I found myself in the middle of a conversation between two tawny owls, close enough to make out their silhouettes in the trees.
There is also a wide range of bug life too, plenty of butterflies around the woodlands and lots of moths too.
OK, I admit, with all it’s roundabouts and frankly rather stark buildings in the town centre Stevenage possibly wouldn’t win any beauty contests and it’s clipped verges don’t seem to offer much for wildlife other than those rabbits, but it’s all about knowing where to look. Believe me, it’s all out there.
I am about to start surveying one of the woodlands as part of the Tree Warden role, I’m hoping to come up with a study along the lines of the one I carried out for Hartham Common. If you fancy getting involved, whether you have expertise or not, drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you!