Join our woodland wildlife event on 2 September

On Friday 2 September from 5pm to 6pm, local woodland ecologist Martin Woolner and other local wildlife enthusiasts, will be hosting a Woodland Nature event along the public footpath that crosses Maidenhead Golf Course.

The 55 hectares (132 acres) of publicly owned greenspace and woodlands, leased by Maidenhead Golf Course, are home to over 10,000 mature trees, providing habitats for a rich array of wildlife, including dozens of protected species.  The golf course woodlands include 2 hectares of Ancient Woodland at Rushington Copse.

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, which owns the Maidenhead Golf Course land, is planning to develop the area with over 2,000 new flats and houses, threatening the habitats of roe and muntjac deer, foxes, woodpeckers, jays, woodland birds, butterflies, moths, bees, bumblebees, stag beetles, grass snakes, moths, owls, kestrels, red kites, hedgehogs, slow worms, sparrowhawks, and at least eight species of bats.

Martin Woolner, local conservationist and woodland ecologist, says:

“Biodiversity and well-functioning ecosystems are critical for human existence, economic prosperity and a good quality of life.  Around 40 per cent of the publicly owned land at Maidenhead Golf Course is broadleaved woodland and scrubland, making it an important place for nature in Maidenhead.

“There are hundreds of oak trees of around 100 years in age which provide vital habitats for many species, including butterflies, moths, woodland birds, bees and beetles. Numbers of insects and birds have declined dramatically in the last 20 years.  If we are to halt this decline in our natural world, we must stop the destruction of woodlands and other habitats that support biodiversity. 

“We are looking forward to welcoming local families to our Guided Nature Walk, to enjoy finding out more about the animals, birds and insects that rely on the trees and grasslands of the golf course.  We hope that the more people who understand the importance of this place for local wildlife, the more will call for the protection and better management of these important few remaining woodlands in Maidenhead.  By taking action to better manage them for wildlife, there will be significant benefits for both local people and wildlife.”

Tina Quadrino, chair of the Maidenhead Great Park campaign group, adds:

“Because for most people, the golf course is only accessible via a public footpath, many local people have never visited this beautiful area of woods and greenspace.  We hope lots of local families will take the chance to join our Guided Nature Walk to find out more about the wildlife that depends on this space.  This land is owned by the people of Maidenhead and it was bought by our council in 1953 to preserve it as open space.

“Despite the fact we face a climate emergency and other local authorities are taking steps to green their towns and cities, our council is promoting plans to sell our vital greenspace off for a highly dense development that will concrete over thousands of mature trees and most of the greenspace.

“Last month’s heatwave is yet another warning that we must take the vital steps needed to mitigate the effect of climate change now.  This includes protecting and making the most of the woodlands and greenspace in and around our town.

“Communities with lots of trees are less likely to experience the heat dome effect which further intensifies the temperature and high pollution events we are increasingly experiencing. Trees provide shade and they also transpire, giving off water vapour which acts like a natural air conditioner. The temperature difference between neighbourhoods with a heavy tree canopy and those with no trees can be as much as four to five degrees Celsius.

“If the golf course land was to stay green and wooded, and in public ownership, our community could use it for water storage, biodiversity and shading, as well as a place for physical and mental health and wellbeing.

“If the golf course development goes ahead, not only will we lose the opportunity to better protect people and wildlife in our town, we will also lose the last of Maidenhead’s woodlands which have been quietly helping reduce pollution, temperatures and the depletion of biodiversity in our town for decades.”

Event Details

To take part in Maidenhead Great Park’s Woodland Nature event along the footpath of Maidenhead Golf Course, on Friday 2 September from 5pm to 6pm, people can access the golf course footpath from Shoppenhanger’s Road next to Frederick’s Hotel (SL6 2PZ), or via the end of Clifton Close. The event is free and no booking is required.