Nature Symphony
The Middlewick Ranges is rich in biodiversity, yet we are at serious risk of loosing this incredibly important greenspace, home to many species of wildlife, including rare and important species of flora and fauna. We have surveyed, recorded and submitted records of the species we have found. Below are some examples of the species that depend on the wick.
Fantastic Birds
Avian Paradise: Middlewick Ranges, a haven for bird enthusiasts, is abuzz with the melodious songs and vibrant presence of numerous bird species. This area is a critical nesting ground for the Skylarks, renowned for their aerial displays over the grasslands, and the melodious Nightingales, preferring the tranquility of Birch Brook’s adjacent woodlands. Notably, the ranges serve as a vital green flyway, connecting the Colne to Abberton, allowing diverse bird species to thrive.
Residents and visitors alike have reported sightings of an eclectic array of birds, from the exotic Blue Indian Ring-Necked Parakeet, a surprising yet delightful resident, to the majestic Egyptian Geese soaring overhead. The rich avian tapestry includes Sparrowhawks, Buzzards, Kestrels, Tawny Owls, and more, each contributing to the ecological vibrancy of the Wick.
Sparrow Hawkes
Buzzards
Kestrels
Tawney Owls
Hen Harriers
Herons
Woodpeckers
Pheasants
Partridges
Fieldfares
Gulls
Geese
Egyptian Geese
Woodcock
Wheatear
Whinchats
Lapwings
Blackcaps
Goldcrests
Kites
Long Tailed Tits
Whitethroats
Blue Tits
Great Tits
Cuckoos
Wagtails
Goldfinches
Redwings
House Martins
Sparrows
Chiffchaffs
Carrion Crows
Coal Tits
Jays
Jackdaws
Rooks
Magpies
Starlings
Blackbirds
Robins
Pidgeons
Turtle Doves
Collared Doves
Chaffinches
Hawfinches
Sky Larks
Song Thrushes
Nightingales
Swallows
Swifts
Wrens
Reptile Refuge
Middlewick Ranges’ unique habitats provide a sanctuary for an array of reptiles. Notably, comprehensive surveys by the Save the Middlewick Ranges group have uncovered substantial populations of common lizards and slow worms, making Middlewick a ‘Key Reptile Site’ as per Froglife/CIEEM guidelines. The common lizard, with its swift movements and sun-basking habits, is a delight to spot. Slow worms, often mistaken for snakes, reveal Middlewick’s rich ecological tapestry.
The presence of grass snakes, particularly near residential areas, underscores the importance of this habitat as a bridge between human and natural worlds. Each reptilian species plays a pivotal role in the ecosystem, from controlling pests to maintaining the soil structure.
Sand Lizards
Common Lizards
Grass Snakes
Adders
Slow Worms
Spiders
In Britain there are over 650 species of spiders – most of these are small and secretive and consequently overlooked by the majority of people. However, we have been able to spot a few different types on the Wick. Starting with the Neoscona adianta!
Neoscona adianta
Pardosa monticola
False Widow Spider
Amphibious Allies
Frogs
Common Toads
Newts
The damp and diverse habitats of Middlewick Ranges are a paradise for amphibians. Frogs, with their chorus of croaks, particularly after a rain, add a vibrant auditory layer to the landscape. Common toads, with their distinctive warty skin, are often found in moist hideaways, playing a crucial role in controlling insect populations.
Newts, with their intricate life cycle transitioning from water to land, are fascinating indicators of a healthy aquatic and terrestrial environment. Each amphibian species contributes to the delicate balance of Middlewick’s ecosystem, acting as both predator and prey, and are essential for maintaining biodiversity.
Mammalian Haven
Middlewick Ranges offers a rich habitat for a diverse range of mammals. From the nimble wood mice and secretive moles to the playful weasels and stoats, each species adds to the complexity of the ecosystem. The presence of roe deer and muntjacs, with their gentle demeanor, highlights the area’s significance as a wildlife corridor.
These mammals play critical roles in seed dispersal, soil aeration, and as part of the food web. However, they face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, making the preservation of Middlewick Ranges more crucial than ever.
Wood Mice
Mole
Field Mice
Weasels
Field vole
Bank vole
Stoats
Pygmy Shrews
Brown Rats
Voles
Grey Squirrels
Common Shrews
Roe Deers
Muntjacs
Scientific name: Muntiacus reevesi
The small, Chinese muntjac deer was introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire at the start of the 20th century and rapidly spread into the surrounding area. It is now a common animal across South East England and can be found in woodland, parkland and even gardens. Muntjac deer are notorious browsers, eating the shoots from shrubs, as well as woodland herbs and Brambles. Male Muntjacs have short, unbranched antlers that slope backwards, and a pair of long canine teeth. They breed all year-round, but females usually only have one kid at a time. Muntjac deer are also known as ‘barking deer’ because of their dog-like calls.
(Muntjac Deer | Essex Wildlife Trust, 2021)
Moles
Scientific name: Talpa europaea
Moles are very rarely seen as they spend most of their lives underground. They are stocky animals, with a wedge-shaped body and short tail. They use their spade-like paws to dig tunnels and hunt for their favourite meal of earthworms. They also like to eat underground grubs that would usually feed off crops, so moles can help to control unwanted visitors!
By digging up the earth, moles help make the soil healthier by aerating it. This allows more types of plants to grow, which in turn feed more insects. Not only this, their tunnels improve soil drainage, which helps stop flooding and huge puddles forming on the ground.
Moles truly are the unsung heroes of the animal world!
(Mole | Essex Wildlife Trust, 2021)
Rabbits
Scientific name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
Most people have spotted these adorable animals grazing in long grasses looking for their favourite foods. They were first introduced to the UK by the Normans for food and fur but are now a common sight for many. They live in large groups in underground burrow systems known as ‘warrens’. Female rabbits, called ‘does’ produce one litter of between three and seven babies every month during the breeding season – that’s a lot of little ones! Rabbits make a tasty snack for stoats, buzzards, polecats and red foxes, which is why having a warren to hide in for shelter is so important.
(Rabbit | Essex Wildlife Trust, 2021)
Bats
Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)
Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)
Noctule (Nyctalus noctula)
Barbastelle (Barbastelle barbastellus)
Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii)
All UK bats are nocturnal, feeding on midges, moths and other flying insects that they find in the dark by using echolocation.
The findings of this report represent a limited ‘snapshot’ of bat activity within the site arising from a 2 man, 2-hour single visit survey, confined to a relatively small part of the site containing limited habitat diversity.
Of these, common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle were the species most frequently detected and widespread within the survey area. Both species were also observed foraging along hedge-lines and scrub, and over adjoining open grassland.
Noctule were also widespread but less frequently detected; recordings of barbastelle and Daubentons were uncommon and restricted to the east of the site close to mature tree-lines and a large water body immediately to the east of the site.
Potential bat roosts were not sought, assessed or subject to close inspection, but it was noted that several mature trees present to the boundary and internal hedge-lines had voids and niches that appear suitable roosting habitat. Further roosting opportunities will be present within mature trees and woodland adjoining the site to the south (Birch Brook Wood, LoWS Co.128) and to the east, as well as to housing, buildings and structures adjoining the North, East and West site boundaries.
(Bat Survey | Save The Middlewick Group 2020)
Badgers
Scientific name: Meles meles
The black-and-white striped badger is a well-known species in the UK. It is our largest land predator feeding on small mammals, birds’ eggs, worms, fruit and plants. Badgers live in large family groups in burrows under the ground called a ‘sett’. You know if a sett is lived in as it is usually neat and tidy with clean doorways marked with piles of used bedding (hay and leaves). There will also be a particularly smelly pit nearby that the badgers use as a toilet! They have strong front paws, which they use to dig for food. Cubs are born in January or February but spend the first few months underground only coming out in spring when it is a little warmer.
(European badger | Essex Wildlife Trust, 2021)
Red Foxes
Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes
The red fox, famed for their cunning and stealth, is our only wild member of the dog family. These orangey-red dogs with their bushy tails, are not fussy eaters and will happily munch on small mammals, birds, frogs, worms as well as berries and fruit, all found on the wick!
(Red Fox | Essex Wildlife Trust, 2021)
Hedgehogs
Scientific name: Erinaceus europaeus
Round, brown and famously covered in spines, the hedgehog is the UK’s most familiar wild animal. They can be spotted in parks and garden where bushes provide the perfect daytime getaway! They love long grass full of insects to feast on once the sun has set. Hedgehogs hibernate over winter from around November to April, usually choosing to nest in piles of leaves or logs.
Hedgehogs eat all kinds of invertebrates, as well as amphibians, birds’ eggs and anything else they can catch; they particularly like big, crunchy beetles, earthworms and slugs, making them a gardener’s best friend. Hedgehogs hibernate over winter, from about November to April, in a nest of leaves or logs called a ‘hibernaculum’.
(European Hedgehogs | Essex Wildlife Trust, 2021)
Hazel Dormouse
Scientific name: Muscardinus avellanarius
The hazel dormouse (or just ‘dormouse’) is an agile climber and mainly nocturnal, so is rarely seen. It lives in deciduous woodland, hedgerows and dense scrub, and spends most of the spring and summer up in the branches, rarely coming down to the ground. It eats buds, hazelnuts, berries and insects. Hazel dormice build nests out of grasses, stripped honeysuckle bark and fresh hazel leaves, in which the female will give birth to up to seven young. They hibernate during the winter months, either on the ground (under logs, leaves, in grass tussocks and at the base of trees) or just beneath the ground where the temperature is more constant.(Hazel Dormouse | Essex Wildlife Trust, 2021)
Sticklebacks
Inspiring Insects
The Middlewick ranges is especially known for insects, with seven nationally threatened (Red Data Book) and eight Nationally Scarce species being recorded.
Insect Wonderland:
Middlewick Ranges is a bustling hub of insect activity, hosting an array of species from the majestic to the minute. Seven nationally threatened and eight Nationally Scarce species find refuge here, underscoring the area’s national ecological significance.
Caterpillars weave their magic, transforming into beautiful butterflies, while beetles scuttle through the underbrush, playing a vital role in decomposing organic matter. Dragonflies dance over water bodies, their iridescent wings catching the light. Bees busily pollinate flowers, sustaining the vibrancy of our ecosystem. The presence of these insects is not only a sign of a healthy environment but also a crucial component of the food chain, supporting birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
Hungry Caterpillars
Middlewick’s lush vegetation provides a perfect haven for diverse caterpillars. From leafy banquet to cocoon cradle, it’s a paradise for these vibrant transformers!
Buzzing Beetles
MiddleWick buzzes with beetle life, from tiny soil-turners to majestic stag beetles. Their life cycle, from larvae to adults, plays a key role in ecosystem health.
Dancing Dragonflies
Middlewick’s waters are a stage for dragonflies, whose aerial acrobatics and lifecycle—from water nymphs to sky dancers—enchant and enrich the ecosystem.
Busy Bees
MiddleWick’s flowers buzz with bees, vital pollinators that sustain the ecosystem’s vibrancy and ensure floral abundance.”
Beautiful Butterflies
Butterflies add splashes of colour to MiddleWick, fluttering from flower to flower, vital in pollination and symbolising nature’s delicate balance.
Magnificent Moths
At dusk, MiddleWick’s moths emerge, unsung heroes of pollination, playing a critical role in the nocturnal life cycle of the ranges.
Patience Young Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers’ gentle symphony fills MiddleWick, indicating healthy grasslands and playing a vital part in the ecological food chain.
Blooming Beauty
Floral Tapestry
The Middlewick Ranges are adorned with a rich tapestry of plant life, ranging from common meadow grass to the delicate purple-winged orchid. Each species contributes uniquely to the ecosystem, providing food and habitat for countless creatures.
The area is renowned for its acid grassland, a rare and diminishing habitat nationally, offering a home to specialized flora. The diverse array of plants includes everything from the humble nettle, vital for caterpillars, to the majestic oak, a symbol of strength and endurance. Wild raspberries provide food for wildlife, while bluebells create a stunning visual display in spring. This botanical diversity is not just aesthetically pleasing but is fundamental to the survival of many species and the overall health of the ecosystem.
Wild Flowers
Middlewick Ranges burst with blooming beauty, a botanical wonderland from delicate wildflowers to stately trees. Each bloom contributes to a rich tapestry of life, offering sustenance and shelter to wildlife, and painting the landscape with a kaleidoscope of colors. This floral abundance is not just a visual feast but a critical foundation of our local ecosystem, supporting a myriad of species and maintaining ecological balance.
Common Meadow Grass
Stinging Nettle
Cow Parsley
Spear Thistle
Bullrush Grass
Bluebell
Snowdrop
Dandelion
Rose
Cornflower
Daisy
Daffodil
Clover
Gypsophila
Orchids
Blackberry
Doc Leaf
Fox Glove
Cowslip
Scabious
Broom
Hawthorn
Blackthorn
Ragwort
Mugwort
Hog Weed
Vetches
Yarrow
Bindweeds
Speedwells
Buttercups
Willow Herbs
Groundsells
Shepherds Purse
Sorrels
English Ivy
Hawkweed
Elder Flower
Butter And Eggs - Toadflax
Rosehip
Acid Grass
Hazelnut
Purple Winged Orchid
Common Mallow
English Walnut
Wild Raspberries
Horse Raddish
Yellow Toadflax
Spring Beauty
Spring Beauty
Black Knapweed
White Dead Nettle
Red Dead Nettle
Sallow
Common Centaury
Ladies Bed Straw
Heather
Goose Grass
Primrose
Plantains
Ox Tounge
Creeping Thistle
Sow Thistle
Poppy
Black Horehound
White Horehound
Green Alkanet
Honeysuckle
Sloes
Cuckoo-Pint
Timothy Grass
Oak
Cherry Chase
Middlewick’s Cherry Chase is a delightful spectacle, where cherry plum trees blossom in spring, creating a breathtaking display of pink and white, a feast for the eyes and a haven for wildlife.
Cherry Plum
The cherry plum trees at Middlewick Ranges are a remarkable sight, particularly in spring when they burst into a profusion of pink and white blossoms. These trees, known scientifically as Prunus cerasifera, are not only aesthetically pleasing but also play a crucial ecological role. Their early blossoms provide one of the first nectar sources for bees and other pollinators, kickstarting the pollination cycle each year.
The cherry plum’s fruit, a favorite among birds and small mammals, offers essential nourishment throughout the summer. Species such as blackbirds, thrushes, and squirrels often feast on these fruits. The trees themselves serve as habitats, offering nesting sites and shelter. Additionally, the foliage of cherry plums supports various caterpillar species, which in turn attract birds and contribute to the biodiversity of the area.
By supporting such a wide range of species, cherry plum trees at Middlewick Ranges are more than just beautiful—they’re a cornerstone of the local ecosystem, fostering a vibrant and interdependent community of flora and fauna.
An Apple A Day
Middlewick celebrates the humble crab apple, a wild gem that not only delights the eye but sustains a myriad of wildlife, embodying the essence of natural interdependence.
Crab Apples
Crab apple trees, with their scientific name Malus sylvestris, are a vital and enchanting feature of Middlewick Ranges. In spring, their blossoms create a mesmerizing display of pink and white, attracting a host of pollinators. These trees are among the first to flower, providing an early and crucial nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other insects.
As summer turns to autumn, the crab apples, though tart, become a vital food source. Birds like thrushes and blackbirds, along with mammals such as badgers and foxes, relish these fruits. The trees also serve as important habitats, offering nesting sites for birds and shelter for various wildlife.
Crab apple leaves host several caterpillar species, thus playing a significant role in supporting local bird populations. The presence of these trees enhances the biodiversity of Middlewick Ranges, making them not just a source of beauty, but also a key contributor to the ecological health and balance of the area.
Middlewick's 'Mushrooms
Marvel showcases a myriad of fungi, integral to the health of East Coast British ecosystems. These species, ranging from the humble decomposers to the rare mycorrhizal varieties, form symbiotic relationships with plants, aiding in nutrient absorption and soil health. Their presence boosts plant growth, supports insect life, and provides crucial food sources for animals. Each mushroom plays its part in this intricate network, maintaining the delicate ecological balance that sustains the flora and fauna of Middlewick Ranges.
Gorse Of Course
“When gorse is out of blossom,”
(Its prickles bare of gold)
“Then kissing’s out of fashion,”
Said country-folk of old.
Now Gorse is in its glory
In May when skies are blue,
But when its time is over,
Whatever shall we do?
O dreary would the world be,
With everyone grown cold—
Forlorn as prickly bushes
Without their fairy gold!
But this will never happen:
At every time of year
You’ll find one bit of blossom—
A kiss from someone dear!
Common gorse (Ulex europaeus), with its vibrant yellow flowers and coconut aroma, is a cornerstone of Middlewick’s ecosystem. This hardy shrub provides year-round shelter and nesting sites for birds and insects, while its blossoms are a vital nectar source in colder months, supporting a range of pollinators. Its presence contributes significantly to the biodiversity and beauty of the Wick.
Habitat Harmony
Middlewick Ranges’ habitats are as diverse as they are vital. The acidic grasslands, a rare gem in the national landscape, support a plethora of specialised species. The heathlands, with their unique flora and fauna, remind us of the importance of preserving these dwindling habitats.
The deciduous wet woodlands, carved out by ancient geological forces, now serve as a lush, water-rich environment supporting a myriad of life forms. Each habitat, from Birch Grove to the scrub oak heathland, plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological balance and serves as a stepping stone for wildlife, ensuring connectivity and survival.
Habitats (Biotopes)
Middlewick consists of mainly Acidic Grassland, This type of habitat has been reduced, nationwide to about 25% of that we once had. It occurs on sand and ballast soils that are well-drained. The Alluvial Gravels in the area were laid down by unique recent geology when the river Thames flowed past Colchester and the estuary was at Clacton on Sea, also by torrents of meltwater from the last ice age Glacier the Southernmost point of which was at Tiptree in Essex.
Heathland. Small patches occur within the boundaries of Middlewick, due to the same alluvial gravels. This type of habitat is also in serious decline.
Deciduous Wet Woodland. Probably the same meltwater carved out the valley in which Birch Grove sits. The gravel in the fields either side drain into the valley and keep it constantly wet, countless years of fallen trees and leaves have decayed and contributed to a layer of rich soil on the floor. This woodland would not be developed but would be seriously affected by any development nearby.
Birch Brook
Birch Grove
Middlewick
Scrub Oak
Heathland
Stepping Stone Biotypes
A biotope (habitat) is a place where life exists, it can be as small as a window box or rotten log or can involve many hectares of land.
The illustration Matt has provided demonstrates stepping stone biotopes, the text is in German but it is self explanatory, for examples he has used four species, the Hermit Beetle with a radius or range of only 400 metres, the Stag Beetle with a radius of 2 km and the Woodpecker with a radius of 50 km and the Lions Mane Mushroom which can spread spores over hundreds of kms.
We can see at once from the illustration that the Hermit Beetle can never escape the biotope it is in if that biotope is cut off from the surrounding countryside. The Stag Beetle can escape provided that the next biotope is near enough. The Woodpecker with a 50 km radius is able to escape to another area. The Lions Mane Mushroom may have a large radius but would depend on wind direction and strength and has no control over its destination.
If there are species on Middlewick with a radius similar to the Hermit Beetle they could cease to exist in the event of any development.
This brings us to the importance of biotope networking, they need to be connected by hedges and swathes of untouched land between them, this way species with a small radius can work their way along such corridors to the next area where they can exist, albeit at 400 metres at a time. This is especially important for rare creatures such as Dormice as they will not cross open ground. It is with some sense of irony I say the M25 is an excellent example of networking corridors with wide untouched verges for miles connecting one biotope to the next.
The Delicate Balance of Nature
In the intricate web of life at Middlewick Ranges, every species, common or rare, plays a crucial role. The common species, often overlooked, form the foundation of our ecosystem. They are the primary food source for the rarer species, maintaining the balance of nature. When common species like the Meadow Brown Butterfly decline, it puts pressure on rare species like the White Letter Hairstreak Butterfly, leading to a cascading effect on the entire food chain. This delicate balance extends beyond fauna to flora, where common plants keep invasive species in check. Understanding this interdependence is key to preserving the richness and diversity of life in Middlewick Ranges
Common vs Rare
Common or rare, all cut and dried as far as planners and developers are concerned, only protected or endangered species will be considered. Not as simple as that is it?
If we allow common species to decline what do the rare feed on? The answer is, of course, the rare, they still must eat so if a bird cannot feed on the caterpillars of the very common Meadow Brown Butterfly it has no choice but to put more strain on ever-dwindling species such as the White Letter Hairstreak Butterfly, eventually, these common birds will decline through food shortage then the Raptors, the Owls, Kestrels, in turn, will decline as a result of the lack of common prey species, if the Wood Mouse and Bank Voles become scarce then the very rare Dormice will come under fire and so it goes on. To go one step further common species that keep invasive plants in check would no longer do so with the result that these species would take over and choke out other vegetation, an example of this is the Cinnaber Moth which is in decline and Ragwort.
The balance of nature is a very delicate thing and we mess with it at our peril. Live for the moment and let tomorrow take care of itself? Tomorrow could well take care of us, our children and grandchildren due to food shortage or even famine brought about by lack of pollinating insects.
A Call to Action
The Middlewick Ranges are more than just a piece of land; they represent a complex and vibrant ecosystem, a haven for a myriad of species, and a crucial part of our natural heritage. As we stand at a pivotal moment, the choices we make today will resonate through generations. It is not just about preserving a green space; it is about safeguarding the intricate web of life that thrives within it. Join us in our efforts to protect and preserve the Middlewick Ranges, ensuring that this natural symphony continues to play for years to come.