The late Earl of Onslow and the Beeb

[Bryn]

To continue the Ecology 101 aspect of this thread ( ), there's nothing succeeds like succession.

[Richard Tarleton]

To continue the Ecology 101 aspect of this thread ( ), there's nothing succeeds like succession.

Nice article, if a little grouse-centric! It's a bit rich to blame decline in grouse numbers even in part to "increased protection of birds of prey", when there are only a handful of breeding hen harriers in the UK and other avian predators of grouse are still mercilessly persecuted by gamekeepers on large private estates. What has happened, of course, is that in the absence of avian predators the numbers of grouse on managed moors have been artificially boosted and the economic pressures to keep them that way have resulted in a completely skewed ecosystem. In a more natural situation grouse would be scarcer, and the avian predators would eat a more varied diet, instead of this mass of grouse which the earls have provided for them.

Looking at that series of photos I know which I, and I daresay Flosshilde, would prefer.

[Bryn]

Well. I live in a fairly well wooded area, though we did lose rather a hefty swathe recently in the Swinley Forest fires. Round here more effort is being put into restoring heathland than woodland.

[Flosshilde]

Indeed - I've seen areas that have been fenced off to prevent sheep & deer grazing, & the regeneration of trees is amazing - it completely transforms the appearance of the hills & in a very short time there is appreciable coverage by birch (initially) followed by other species, including oak. There are also projects to re-create woodlands through planting.

However, I would probably agree with Bryn about the Downs, especially in Berkshire (my home county), but not as they are now, with monocultures (plant and animal) coming almost to the top. They need to be managed carefully to preserve wildlife habitats as well as the aesthetics of the typical downland.

People talk about 'natural' landscapes in Britain - there are very few (the highest Cairngorms for example) that are not influenced or created by humans.

[Richard Tarleton]

Bryn, to a great extent I think that's the point. Heathland is by its very nature an interim state of affairs that requires constant human intervention. Woodland can look after itself, and heathland (just like grassland, or reed swamp) aspires to be woodland. It's the climax vegetation for most of the UK. It's only 70 million people and their associated activities that prevent the entire country reverting to woodland

[Dave2002]

I have to say I prefer them deforested, naked moors of heather, sheep-nibbled turf, occasional bracken, rather than any Germanic ur-wald.

I prefer them covered with mills and factories, and in the 21st century roads and airports

[salymap]

i presume Onslow Village, a quiet 'suburb' of Guildford,was named for this gentleman. Did he once live there? i often stayed with a friend who lived there but it didn't seem his sort of place, reading this thread.

[Flosshilde]

Saly, his ancestral home (now owned by the National Trust) was Clandon Park, near Guildford. Presumably the Onslows also owned the land around South Ken in London, as there's an Onslow Square there. There's also an Onslow Drive in Glasgow - I've no idea if there were any connections to the Earl.