Habitat Creation Highlights

06th December 2024

By providing safe spaces for wildlife to thrive, we help maintain healthy ecosystems that support pollination, natural pest control and carbon sequestration. It also ensures the survival of threatened species and fosters resilience against environmental changes. Our efforts not only enrich the natural landscape but also contribute to the global fight against biodiversity loss, ensuring a sustainable future for both wildlife and people.

Hedgerow Restoration at Goodwood Estate: Rosie, a local professional hedge layer and the Crumblies Conservation Group, a dedicated team of volunteers, have been revitalizing hedgerows across the estate. Their expertise in traditional hedge laying has not only improved the landscape but also rejuvenated hedgerows, extending their life and offering vital ecological benefits as sanctuaries for local wildlife.

Welcoming Sea Eagles: Following sightings of sea eagles on the estate, Forestry England suggested they might be scouting for breeding sites. To encourage their return, we built secure, potential nesting areas using organic materials. These nests, constructed in the tallest coniferous trees, began with sturdy branches and were finished with leaf mulch and moss, resulting in structures large enough for two people to sit in.

Bug Hotels, Brash Piles and Hibernaculums: Our grounds and forestry team have created more insect sanctuaries using waste wood, leaves and branches. These bug hotels and brash piles provide safe spaces for reptiles, insects and minibeasts, supporting biodiversity and pollination.

Ponds for Biodiversity: We are restoring and creating two ponds across the estate to boost biodiversity. This year, we completed both ponds using a bentonite liner, composed of bentonite clay.

Encouraging Ground-Nesting Birds: To support biodiversity, we maintained unmown verges and designated 10 hectares of unproductive farmland as rough areas, creating safe havens for ground-nesting birds and small mammals.

Chalk Downland Habitat Creation: We are in the process of transforming 100 acres of arable farmland into chalk downland, a rare and valuable habitat, using our own, native wildflower seedbank from neighbouring fields.

Innovative Wildlife Shelters: This year, a local supplier created 20 barn owl boxes from recycled ATV tyres, using sustainably sourced and recycled materials to install across the estate. We also partnered with the Aldingbourne Trust to design a pine marten box to encourage their presence on the estate.

Hedgerow Planting in Halnaker: We are planting 2,500 meters of mixed native broadleaf hedgerow species in Halnaker, enhancing wildlife connectivity and supporting local biodiversity.

Each of these initiatives reflects our commitment to enhancing biodiversity and preserving the natural beauty of the Goodwood Estate.  

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