Wildlife on the golf course

[nick_rowe]

I know golf courses and wildlife don't often go hand in hand, but we've recently played quite a few early morning games at Southampton Municipal course and have been pleasantly surprised...  I haven't seen such a concentration of thrushes and woodpeckers in a long time.  We saw both song and mistle thrushes, green and greater spotted woodpeckers.  I think it helped my game immensely a few weeks ago to be watching a group of fledgling great spots 15 feet away feeding around the base of their oak home as I was preparing to approach the 4th green. And no, they weren't disturbed by an errant golf ball!  Then last week, as I was preparing for another shot, my ears pricked up and I turned to watch a goldcrest feeding by hovering beneath a low oak branch literally 5 feet from my head.  I'd never before had the pleasure of seeing a goldcrest hover like that, almost as still as a humming bird.  I had a perfect view for about 30 seconds.

It's true that this course is blessed with many mature trees but it shows that wildlife can thrive on golf courses, to a certain degree, given sympatetic management.  Also, the fact that the wildlife is less cautious of humans gives a great opportunity for new people to see these rare treats and to perhaps stimulate a greater interest in nature. 

Nick Rowe
   

[Si]

Nice to see these big green spaces being used by wildlife. Some of them must be just like parkland. Do any of these golf courses put up nesting boxes or bat boxes? Wonder if we could introduce Sand Lizards in to the bunkers.......

[simoncurson]

When I worked in West Sussex I ran a project looking after local wildlife sites and these included several golf courses. If areas of rough are managed for wildlife and if tree and shrub planting is done with native species, then wildlife can thrive on golf courses.
It may be a good idea, Nick, to tell the managers of the golf course how pleased you were to see the wildlife. That may encourage them to look after it even better.
Simon Curson

[nick_rowe]

That's interesting to hear!  I've long considered the potential of enhancing golf courses for wildlife and now, following your promt, I've just written a letter to them so will see what response there is..

Nick