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Site Spotlight Senneleys Park, Birmingham
BY EMMA THOMPSON, HEAD OF FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATION
Managed by Birmingham City Council, Senneleys Park in Bartley Green is a public park comprising of large open spaces, hedgerows and a tree-lined stream. The park lies within the catchment of the River Rea between Woodgate Valley Country Park and Manor Farm Park, which have been key sites for habitat improvement and creation as part of our Natural Rivers and Green Corridors project, funded by European Union Regional Development Fund.
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In 2022, we worked with the Friends of Senneleys Park to increase biodiversity in a woodland area of the park by creating habitat known as rides. We also provided native woodland plants through our Growing Local Flora project.
Creating rides
Woodlands that are diverse in structure provide a wide range of microhabitats, which leads to an increase in number of species the habitat can support. A ride is an open linear area made up of several zones including a central pathway, taller grassland areas either side and shrubs grading into the taller woodland trees. Rides are created by removing scrub and by coppicing trees. Creating rides mimics the natural processes of grazing, fires and storms that open up areas of woodland. The sunlight that reaches the woodland floor allows plants to flourish, taller grassland areas to thrive, and fallen trees to rot down.
Many species benefit from the creation of glades:
• butterflies and moths benefit from the increase in wildflowers and grasses
• bumblebees benefit from the increase in nectar and pollen-rich plants
• bats benefit from foraging habitat
As well as support and guidance from the Trust, students from University of Birmingham joined local residents to plant 1,000 saplings to create an area of mixed woodland at the park back in March 2023 through the ‘Plant a Tree for your Degree’ initiative.
De-culverting the stream info
Natural Rivers and Green Corridors is a partnership project between Birmingham City Council and the Environment Agency and in 2022, work was also carried out on part of the Stonehouse Brook. Once in a culvert, the brook is now flowing through the park, adding a new and valuable habitat feature.
