A Woodland Awakening at the Saline Lagoon
Over the winter, our reserve warden Kate and the team has been hard at work restoring the woodland next to the Saline Lagoon and the results are already transforming the landscape.
In January, armed with a scythe and supported by a dedicated group of volunteers, Kate cut back the bramble regrowth that takes over the woodland. The team also removed the sycamore saplings that were smothering the ground layer and preventing native species from thriving. This careful, targeted work has opened up the understory.
What has followed is a remarkable burst of life.
This spring, the woodland has flourished into a carpet of wild garlic, dog’s mercury, English bluebells, and, most exciting of all a small but significant patch of Wood Anemone. This delicate white flower hasn’t appeared in our species records for a decade.
Its return is more than just a pleasant surprise. Wood Anemone is a classic ancient woodland indicator. It spreads extremely slowly, often taking centuries to move even a few metres. Its presence tells us that the soil here has remained undisturbed for a very long time, a sign that this part of the site is truly ancient and has never been dug up, developed, or heavily altered.
If you're visiting the site now, you’ll be greeted by the beautiful sight (and scent) of wild garlic in full flower, a sure sign that the woodland is thriving once again.
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Come down and have a look, smell for yourself and explore WWT Washington Wetland Centre, find out more and plan your visit below!
