Astons Nature Recovery Group - Lopping and Popping in The Picks Field

Pick's Field is a much-loved wild space for many villagers, whether walking dogs, running kids or simply connecting with nature. Beyond amenity, the field is also an important haven for biodiversity, as prime chalk grassland. The UK has lost 97% of its chalk grassland since 1930; less than 41,000 ha remains, patchily distributed across South East England. Pick's Field is one such fragment. 

Over the last 15 years, the field has been ungrazed and left to nature, which is wonderful! However, dominant grasses and shrubs are now taking hold. To ensure the rare chalk grassland species can thrive, the land needs management.  With permission from the owners, a group of us are working to recover the rich biodiversity of Pick's field as a chalk grassland meadow, whilst maintaining and enhancing the amenity value for the local community. 

On a sunny morning in February, we held our first management activity in the field to start clearing the European privet, which is taking over at the far western end. We were a small band of nine people (plus a small person) but we managed to clear a respectable area of scrub. Removing the dominant scrub reduces competition and allows the chalk-grassland species to flourish; it’s important to clear the scrub before the spring growth is in full swing.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us.