Heathland Management and our Welsh Mountain Sheep

Traditional Norfolk lowland heathland has been disappearing at an alarming rate, largely due to changing farming practices. Animals are no longer commonly grazed on heaths, leading to the heathers and grasses being taken over by more aggressive vegetation and eventually turning it into scrub woodland. Hence the expansive views, for which Norfolk is especially famous, are gradually disappearing.

At Kelling Heath, our flock of Welsh Mountain Sheep are used to help wage war on the ever-encroaching scrub and tree growth.

Our journey of environmentally sensitive land restoration started in 1999, when a flock of Hebridean Sheep were introduced on the Park to help manage the heathland.

Red Squirrel Breeding Programme

Since 1999, Kelling Heath has been involved in a conservation scheme to help boost the numbers of native red squirrels in the UK by keeping a captive breeding population whose monitored release through projects across the country supports established colonies of wild squirrels to thrive.

Our priorities at Kelling Heath are to maintain our breeding pair and make sure that our kittens find good homes within other specialist breeding programmes in the UK.

By having the red squirrels on Park for guests to see up close, alongside interpretation boards, we hope to inspire and educate the public on this magnificent species and raise awareness of the plight that the species has faced.

Pond Management

The Countryside Team are always very busy looking after the unique environment at Kelling.

Native aquatic plants are often fast-growing, and, if left unchecked, can take over a pond. The removal to prevent encroachment is essential, and October to December maintenance allows us to restore balance without compromising the wildlife.

Management of aquatic plants is essential, and we aim to keep plenty of stock with a good mix of variety. Between them, the plants attract insects, oxygenate the water, filter the water, provide habitat and food for pond inhabitants and are aesthetically pleasing.

The root systems and submerged stems of the plants also provide sanctuary for the fish. This is particularly vital in the Fishing pond, which is predated by otters, Cormorants, and Herons. You may notice semi-submerged fallen trees with complex branch structures - combined with the reed beds, these give our fish the best chance of surviving the winter.

The ponds at Kelling Heath are used to educate School children, utilised throughout the summer with Guest events, and enhance the biodiversity on the Park. The ponds are just one part of our Countryside management plan. This exists to ensure that we are doing the best we can for the Park’s outdoor space and the wildlife.

Managing the Grassland

Where possible, all the road verges across Kelling Heath Holiday Park are managed in a way that mimics the pattern of traditional hay meadow management.

They are cut in late summer once the plants have bloomed and seeded. The cuttings are all removed. This will gradually reduce the fertility of the soil and prevent a build-up of nutrients. This allows the plant biodiversity of the area to increase. The more fertile the area is allowed to become the more a few plant species will dominate and then swamp and smother everything else, something the Park is trying to avoid.

It is a long-term plan and it will take many years before a good mixed sward of grasses and wildflowers is established.

An increase in the plant biodiversity will then help to support more wildlife, for example, crucial pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Managing the Woodland

On park we take preserving our beautiful
trees very seriously, our Countryside team work to a 10 year management plan to ensure the longevity and preservation of the Parks woodland.

In line with the 1975 Woodland Preservation Order, all trees are protected from wilful damage and destruction. Any work that we do on Park must be approved by the district council and in some cases, the Forestry Commission.

Part of our Woodland management plan includes Coppicing. Coppicing is a woodland management technique which has been practiced in Britain for centuries. It involves the process of cutting native broadleaf trees down to ground level and allowing the stumps to regrow.

Coppicing is currently being carried out during the winter months in blocks across the Pine Belt Woodland. The woodland management technique offers benefits to both wildlife and the trees themselves. It should increase the biodiversity, because more sunlight can reach the ground, allowing other species to grow. Lots of these species are food sources for butterflies and other insects, which can then provide food for birds, bats and mammals. Trees also naturally shed their branches to extend their lifespan. Coppicing can simulate this and increase the life of a tree.

Recently, four saplings have been replanted on Park, including Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar and Coastal Redwood grown by Arboriculturist of Forestry Student Elliot Case. These trees are some of the best Carbon Sequesters and are a wonderful addition to our existing woodland areas.

We are so happy to be supporting Elliot in his work and look forward to seeing these trees grow and flourish along with his knowledge and enthusiasm.