Conservation & Ecology
become quite aggressive towards pretty much anything which approaches their nest site - most wildlife will do the same, but will rather make loud noises than actually starting a punch up - not these fellas - they’re rough and ready! There are many really old yew, beech and
oak trees on the course and, although some are reaching the end of their lives, most are in a healthy condition. There is a collection of rowans which have succumbed to a honey fungus infection and will be removed this winter by the team but, other than this, Mere is a healthy site for wildlife. Another great woodland project the team
have developed is a small habitat made from recycled pallets, wood etc. Gwynn mentioned that a wren used this area to nest and raise a family in - great recycling management and a great end result, I feel. For the past few seasons, the greenkeeping
team have been carrying out a project to thin the rough out. Whilst Gwynn suggests there is a small amount of chemistry involved in helping them to reach their end goal (which is to have playable rough throughout the site), it is now at a point where it is spot applied rather than the wall-to-wall blanket applications style. Almost all golf courses in the land apply
some form of chemistry to their environs, but it is the wise ones who are reducing their applications as I do not think it will be too long before there is nothing left to use here in the UK - then what? Mere’s rough thinning method is to run a
flail mower over it, collect any arisings and then scarify up the area to expose any underlying fescue and/or bent seeds which are present. This procedure does expose the fatter grass species which reside at Mere; however, these are severely reduced over time by the fact that the greenkeepers are systematically reducing their foodstuff at the source, which are actually the grass clippings themselves! A great method and one which produces good results time after time. Right, back to the wildlife. I noted twenty-
seven different types of birdlife over the two visits I made to Mere, including a fleeting glimpse of a colourful kingfisher. There are four different types of raptor (kestrel, sparrowhawk, buzzard and tawny owl) and many waterfowl present. If a bird survey was to be undertaken, then I am positive this number count would triple! Six types of butterfly were seen (Speckled wood, Gatekeeper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Copper and Meadow Brown) and more fungi than you can shake a stick at. If you are looking for wildlife on a golf
course, then look no further than Mere Golf Resort and Spa. One last thing to mention is that one of the beech trees has a carving from 1886 engraved on its bark. I always find these things fascinating and, even though the lovebirds who carved it are long gone, the tree will remain for another hundred years, minimum. Will the golf course still be here? Well put it this way, a golf course managed and maintained to this high standard is only going in one direction - and that’s upwards through the rankings!
Meadow brown butterfly Rough thinning area. Note the fescues
Almost all golf courses in the land apply some form of chemistry to their environs, but it is the wise ones who are reducing their applications as I do not think it will be too long before there is nothing left to use here in the UK - then what?
” Tree carving from 1886 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016 I 113
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