Sherwood Forest

An amazing place for people Our work so far and for wildlife There is a strong culture of co-operation From micro moths to mighty stag-headed between landowners, local authorities, oaks, Sherwood is home to a variety of conservation groups, government special plants, birds, insects and mammals. agencies and other partners in the Set in the heart of , the Sherwood Sherwood area. We’re all working together Forest Futurescape covers a stunning area to make big changes throughout this of 36,900 hectares, a unique landscape landscape and support the pursuit of made up of a mosaic of woodlands, Regional Park recognition and the work heathlands, acid grasslands, river corridors, of the Sherwood Habitats Forum. man-made lakes and farmland. This area boasts a rich history with much of the The Heathland Extent and Potential (HEaP) ancient woodland having formed part of mapping project was an essential piece of a royal hunting forest, not to mention its work in helping to identify areas suitable legendary status as home to . for heathland re-creation. We have been working to expand and link-up these vital Many different bird species call the areas of habitat to enable wildlife to move Sherwood Forest and its unique habitats more freely across the landscape. home. Nightjars and woodlarks live on DECLINEChurring nightjars of the heaths; lesser spotted woodpeckers, The Bird Conservation Targeting Project the Capercaillie marsh and willow tits and hawfinches can also helped to pinpoint the distributions Nightjars are mysterious summer be found in the woods; and there are still of birds of conservation concern. This has Capercaillieinhabitants, arefinding woodland their homesgrouse, on healthy numbers of birds that rely on been a great tool for focusing our work. confinedheathlands, to conifernative clearfellspine forest and and farmed land, such as tree sparrows. someyoung commercialplantations. coniferAbout the size of The RSPB has identified Sherwood as plantations.a cuckoo, their Their plumage needs areis a notmixture But if the ancient oaks could tell their tales an Important Bird Area and that nightjars straightforwardof mottled browns, as they blacks require and buff,vast as guardians of the forest over the last and woodlarks should qualify for special expansesperfectly camouflaging of suitable habitat. them Males against few hundred years, sadly they would be protection here. In order to help achieve aretheir black, habitat. huge Male and nightjars unmistakable, are of a shrinking world. Woodland areas have this vision we have provided information especiallyfamous for so their when strange they gather“churring” to reduced and become separated, while on these charismatic birds to the Joint performsongs that their start mating at dusk ritual – their at most heathlands have decreased by 95% in the Nature Conservancy Council, the traditionalactive time lek of sites.day. But They sadly, spend a a lot last 150 years. Further threats are posed government body responsible for ofreduction time feeding of their on former blaeberries habitat on by pollution and climate change. designating Special Protection Areas. therange ground, has put but nightjars may also on be the found Red inList, trees, making feeding it a threatenedon pine needles. species We’re working together to combat these We are working closely with landowners Theand ofUK heightened capercaillie conservation population and threats and create a Sherwood Forest to give advice on wildlife-friendly woodland rangeconcern. has There declined are rapidly,approximately and the that is rich in wildlife and robust to management and, together with the species70 breeding is now pairs at inrisk the of Sherwoodextinction. climate change. We’re working together Forestry Commission, we are delivering ConservationForest. We hope and to restoration increase thisof the with resourceful communities and key the Woodland Biodiversity habitatnumber is and essential see even if they more are birds to partners to achieve this vision for a Project that will benefit a suite of declining thrivenesting once on heathlandmore. sites. sustainable and thriving landscape. woodland wildlife for generations to come.

Edwinstowe Sherwood Forest

“ Living and working in Sherwood, I feel it is vital that the inspiring landscape, Produced by RSPB CDMU © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787 with its rich heritage and ecological diversity, is properly conserved and Rainsworth promoted for current and Kirkby-in-Ashfield future generations to enjoy, and to provide a vibrant, Ravenshead sustainable rural economy for local inhabitants.” KEY Nick Brown, main road Thoresby Estate Futurescape area

What’s next? Get in touch We will continue to work closely with landowners and We want to hear your ideas about how we can work together partners on the Regional Park Board and Sherwood Habitats to make Sherwood Forest even better for people and wildlife: Forum to find even more and better ways to build a wildlife- friendly landscape across the Sherwood area. Midlands RSPB Conservation RSPB Conservation Officer and Futurescapes Manager Carl Cornish As part of this ambition we will continue to advocate the Frank Lucas T 07850 722835 need to link and expand areas of heathland to secure a better T 01295 676465 E [email protected] future for nightjars and woodlarks. This will include creating E [email protected] heathlands and other appropriate habitats on former mineral sites through our partnership project with Natural England and Nature After Minerals (afterminerals.com). This work will benefit from our experience in restoring heathland habitats in other parts of the country, such as the Dorset Heathlands Project.

We will strive to further develop sustainable management practices for woodlands by encouraging more woodland managers to enter into grant schemes that will deliver biodiversity gains for both people and wildlife. We strongly support the development of a Sherwood Forest Regional Park to provide a showcase and a focal point for this special place, its wildlife and local activities.

Futurescapes is the RSPB’s contribution to Natura 2000 – Europe’s Futurescapes is The RSPB is a member landscape-scale conservation throughout the UK. nature for you. We are generously supported of BirdLife International, working together across the by the EU Life+ a partnership of conservation The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) EU to safeguard Europe’s rich Communications organisations working to give and diverse natural heritage Programme nature a home around the world is a registered charity: England and Wales no. for the benefit of all 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. Images: Nightjar by David Tipling (rspb-images.com); Sherwood Forest by redmark (istockphoto.com). Maps produced by RSPB CDMU © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787. 020-1-1223-13-14