The Rocky, Kempsey - A Natural Networks Case Study

The Rocky is a small public park in the village of Kempsey. It was formerly part of Kempsey House’s ornamental gardens in the 19th century and has the Hatfield Brook flowing through its centre, an adjacent pond and mixed woodland full of spring bulbs. 

Kempsey Parish Council wanted to improve The Rocky for local wildlife, as well as eradicate their invasive Himalayan balsam issue. The Natural Networks officers identified the site as likely used by fish, otters and kingfishers for travelling and foraging, especially given its close proximity to the River Severn.  

The project received funding in 2021 and the site has been enhanced for wildlife by:  

• Clearing the litter from site   

• Removing the invasive, non-native Himalayan balsam

• Planting over 150 native bulbs and wetland plug plants

• Pollarding and coppicing the willow and alder trees to let light into the brook

• Installing eight bird boxes, a tawny owl box and four bat boxes

The completed works have greatly improved the site’s biodiversity, with the planted bulbs and wetland plans providing an excellent source of nectar for native pollinators. The improved light levels have seen a resurgence in ground flora across the site, providing further food sources and cover for pollinators and other insects.  

Whilst the removal of the Himalayan balsam happened over both summers of 2021 and 2022, the invasive plant will need to continually be removed every year. Removing individual balsam plants is easy but to completely eradicate it from a site requires constant removal year on year.  

The parish councillors are keen to continue enhancing The Rocky, by planting more spring bulbs and continuing to do community litter picks, and wish to encourage the local primary school to visit and engaged with the wildlife on site.  

Although only a small site, The Rocky at Kempsey has shown how enhancing land for wildlife can be achieved in the easiest of ways: by removing litter, planting some bulbs and native plants for pollinators and through installing bird boxes for our feathered friends.