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Ecology

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Path to second tee

As well as the highly managed areas of the Golf course, the tees and greens and to a lesser extent the fairways, there are significant areas of natural habitat for wildlife. Club members are keen to improve the local environment whilst continuing to develop a high quality golf course.

Much of the non-playing areas of Ruthin Pwllglas golf course are woodland which are managed to improve the playing experience of the course whilst enhancing the ecology and wildlife on the site.A Conservation and Woodland Management Plan is being developed that complements the golf course and we would hope to increase habitat variety, enhance biodiversity and be a positive influence on the environment.

The woodland areas of the golf course provide a series of habitats for many species of wildlife from the tree layer to the ground. Mature Silver Birch, Ash and some Oak provide a canopy. Hawthorn, Bramble, Holly and Hazel make up most of the shrub layer.At field height there are many grasses, wild flowers and herbs with mosses and fungi on the ground.

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Bluebells

As part of the Management Plan of the golf course, recent activity has included a thinning out of the canopy and removal of shrub. This has resulted in a much more varied field layer of wild flowers with native bluebells and orchids appearing in abundance this spring.

Areas of nettles and bramble away from the playing area will be allowed to flourish for the benefit of butterflies and small mammals. Log piles will be left for insects and birds.

We are in the process of surveying the flora and fauna we have around the course. In addition to the abundant spring flowers, a number of birds, including a red kite, have recently been observed. Members are encouraged to record what they see on the blackboard outside the men’s locker room or tell Wendy Roberts or Eleanor Roberts.