DRAFT

Turbary Common LNRManagement Plan

November 2010

Preliminaries

This management plan is based on the policies and principles set out in a number of documents. These are listed below with the relevant sections.

Bournemouth Vision 2026 - Sustainable Community Strategy (Click here)Theme 4, Section 4.5.4. Improve the biodiversity of green spaces.

Corporate Plan (Click here)Priority 1. Improving our environment.

Cultural Strategy (Click here)Aim 5. Conserve, enhance and promote access to Bournemouth’s environment and heritage.

Leisure Strategy (Click here)Paper 2. Parks,Gardens, Countryside and Open Space in Bournemouth. Policy Statement J. Objectives J3, J4, J5, J7 and J 11.

Bournemouth District Wide Local Plan (Click here)Section 3. The Natural Environment.

Green Space Strategy (Click here)

Nature Conservation Strategy (Click here)

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Summary

This Management Plan is the third revision of the original Plan written in 1990. It sets out to describe and evaluate Turbary Common LNR and to prescribe a workable management programme.

While it is taken into account that the site has a high amenity and recreational value, the plan is geared towards habitat management whilst seeking to minimise the inevitable conflicts that arise on such sites.

The Management Plan is divided into three stages:

STAGE 1 gives an overall factual description of the site, providing a general background on which to base a management policy.

STAGE 2 is an evaluation of the site from an ecological as well as a cultural aspect. Management objectives are then discussed from both

aspects.

STAGE 3 describes the actual management requirements of the site and how these will be put into practise.

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PrefaceSince the last management plan revision in 2003, a considerable amount of work has been carried out on Turbary Common. This work has benefited both the wildlife and the people using the site.

Some of the main achievements during this period were:

GrazingInstallation of perimeter stock fence, access gates and water supply in 2004.Introduction of pony grazing (Exmoors) in April 2005.Introduction of cattle grazing (Shetlands) in November 2006.

Scrub managementGorse control in compartments 5, 8, 11 and 12.Birch and willow control in compartments 1, 3, 4, 5 and 11.

Bracken, ragwort and Japanese knotweed controlContinued herbicide treatment programme.

MonitoringHabitat monitoring is ongoing and a National Vegetation Classification survey was carried out in 2003.The livestock are monitored, particularly in respect of their diet and preferred forage areas.

Environmental StewardshipA successful application was made for entry into Environmental Stewardship in 2008. Turbary Common is included in the scheme at the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). Through the scheme, funding is available to carry out habitat management work and capital projects such as fencing.

InterpretationA new interpretation board giving information about the wildlife of the common has been installed by the main access gate off Turbary Park Avenue.

Community InvolvementVarious groups have been involved with practical conservation work including; a youth offending team, King’s High School, Oakmead College and the Friends of Turbary Common.

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Contents

Stage 1 Description

1.1 General Information 1.1.1 Location 1.1.2 Land tenure 1.1.3 Map coverage 1.1.4 Photographic coverage

1.2 Environmental Information 1.2.1 Physical 1.2.2 Biological 1.2.2.1 Habitat types 1.2.2.2 Flora 1.2.2.3 Fauna 1.2.3 Cultural 1.2.3.1 Previous land use 1.2.3.2 Present land use 1.2.3.3 Education and research

1.3 Present management1.3.1 Management for conservation1.3.2 Management for amenity

Stage 2 Evaluation and Objectives

2.1 Conservation Status

2.2 Evaluation of Features 2.2.1 Ecological Evaluation 2.2.1.1 Primary Habitat2.2.1.2 Flora 2.2.1.3 Fauna 2.2.2 Cultural Evaluation 2.2.3 Conflicts arising between Conservation and Recreation Interests 2.3 Objectives of Management 2.3.1 Ecological 2.3.2 Recreational 2.3.3 Educational

2.4 Management Constraints

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Stage 3 Prescription

3.1 Working Compartments 3.1.1 Daws Avenue Bank 3.1.2 Fox Bank 3.1.3 Tussock Bog 3.1.4 Coach Road Heath 3.1.5 Old Orchard 3.1.6 Dead Dogs Scrub 3.1.7 Little Heath 3.1.8 Overton's Heath 3.1.9 Pine Plantation 3.1.10 Bramble Patch 3.1.11 Old Plantation Heath 3.1.12 Winter Pond Heath 3.1.13 Pottery Woods 3.1.14 Amenity Area 3.1.15 Fernheath Valley

3.2 General items 3.2.1 Grazing 3.2.2 Fire plan 3.2.3 Perimeter gorse 3.2.4 Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 19963.2.5 Dorset Urban Heaths Grazing Partnership (DUHGP)3.2.6 Environmental Stewardship3.2.7 Urban Heaths Partnership (UHP)3.2.8 Friends of Turbary Common3.2.9 Japanese knotweed

Appendices

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STAGE 1 DESCRIPTION

1.1 General information

1.1.1 Location and Summary Description

Site Name : Turbary Common District : Bournemouth County : Dorset Local Planning Authority : Bournemouth Borough Council National Grid Reference : SZ 061 948 Area : 45 ha

Turbary Common is a small relic of the once extensive heathland that covered most of SE Dorset. It is located in the north-west part of the Borough of Bournemouth and is completely surrounded by urban development; both residential and industrial. (See Map 1).

The Fernheath Valley site lies to the north-east of Turbary Common and includes another small fragment of heathland habitat.

For the purposes of the Management Plan, the two sites will be considered as one area, all of which is designated Public Open Space (POS). (See Map 2 and Photo1). Turbary Common is designated a Local Nature Reserve (see Map 3 and Photo 2), the majority of which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). (See Map 4 and Photo 3).

1.1.2 Land Tenure

The whole area was purchased by the Borough of Bournemouth between 1932 and 1956 on a freehold basis.

It is given some legal recognition in that under the provisions of Section 22 of the Commons Act 1899, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries consented to the Grant under the Public Health Acts 1875-1925 for the purposes of Public Parks and Pleasure Grounds, of Turbary Common transferred from Lord Wimbome to

Bournemouth Corporation providing the land be preserved in perpetuity by the Corporation for the purposes stated.

An area measuring 16' x 16' to the north of Riggs Gardens was leased to Southern Electricity Board on 8 January 1974 with access and cabling rights for a term of 99 years from I January 1974.

1.1.3 Map Coverage

OS Sheet 1: 50000 - 195 Second Series 1987 OS Sheet 1: 10000 – SZ 09 SE

1.1.4 Photographic Coverage

Bournemouth Borough Council owns the copyright of aerial photography of the whole Borough undertaken in 1998. Further aerial photographs were produced in 2000 and updated in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008. The copyright of these is owned by Ordnance Survey.

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1.2 Environmental information 1.2.1 Physical

The geology of the site comprises Branksome sand and Parkstone clay of the Bracklesham group that is overlain by Plateau gravels. An area was used for tipping from 1950 to approximately 1968, the tip land being covered with gravel and topsoil. 1.2.2 Biological

1.2.2.1 Habitat Types (See Map 5).

The area is predominantly heathland, but activities such as tipping and tree planting have led to the creation of a variety of habitat types. An NVC survey was carried out in 2003

Dry Heath occurs on the highest part of the Common and on the dry, sandy slopes. Characteristically, the vegetation is dominated by heather Calluna vulgaris and western gorse Ulex gallii. The other predominant plant species are bell heather Erica cinerea and bristle bent Agrostis curtissii.

Humid and wet heath is found on lower lying areas where the water table is near the surface. Here the vegetation is dominated by purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea with cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix, heather and deer-grass Trichophorum cespitosum.

Valley Mire. Towards the eastern edge of the Common is a large, waterlogged area with a very rich and varied community of typical bog plant species including a number of less common species.

Scrub occurs over much of the area that was formerly tipland, with common gorse Ulex europaeus and bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. dominating throughout along with willow Salix spp. and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna.

Willow carr is represented as a narrow strip bordering each bank of the small stream that bisects the bog.

Woodland is a minor component in the habitat structure of Turbary Common. There is a small area of semi-natural deciduous woodland between Turbary Park Avenue and the boundary of Elliott Road Industrial Estate, with a variety of tree species represented including silver birch Betula pendula and pendunculate oak Quercus robur. In the late 1960s, a programme of tree planting was initiated on the Common. The remaining evidence of this is a small pine Pinus spp. plantation bordered by a number of deciduous species, both native and non-native.

Grassland. Interspersed among the scrub are small areas of grassland. Most of this has been grazed to a short sward by ponies and rabbits as has the old amenity area towards the centre of the Common.

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Open Water occurs in the form of shallow bog pools and as a small stream that flows through the bog. Two small ponds have been created, one towards the eastern edge of the Common and one towards the western edge.

1.2.2.2 Flora

The variety of habitat types on the Common support a diverse range of plant species. Typically, the areas of dry heath are botanically poor but the wet heath and bog areas have diverse plant communities with a number of interesting species including the insectivorous sundews Drosera rotundifolia and D. intermedia and the less common pale butterwort Pinguicula lusitanica. Botanical information is concentrated almost totally on the vascular plants. Information is required for other plant groups such as mosses, lichens and fungi.

1.2.2.3 Fauna

One of the main features of the site's fauna is the presence of all six of Britain's reptiles. Dartford warbler Sylvia undata are present throughout the year with up to three pairs nesting, whilst many more common species have been recorded.

Of the invertebrate groups, most attention has been paid to the butterflies and dragonflies with good numbers of both recorded including some notable species.

1.2.3 Cultural

1.2.3.1 Previous Land Use

Records exist of the discovery of a Mesolithic site in 1970 (Lands 1980). A limited excavation was carried out by members of the South Wessex Archaeological Association over an area of approximately 100 square metres on the north side of the Common, yielding a number of flint artefacts.

The site was probably a hunters' base camp dating back to 4000 BC and could have belonged to the nomadic Maglemosion people who had spread from north-west Europe. The camp would have been of a temporary nature only; the flint artefacts recovered reflecting the gearing of the Mesolithic economy to the hunting of smaller mammals and birds and to fishing.

More recently, consent was given for an area of the Common to be used for the tipping of domestic refuse in 1950. The tipping was carried out in two phases.

(See Map 6). Tipping ceased sometime around 1970. The result of this activity has been the infilling of a shallow valley running west to east along the southern edge of the Common.

1.2.3.2 Present Land Use

Turbary Common is designated Public Open Space (POS) with unrestricted pedestrian access. Because of its situation in a predominantly urban area, the Common is

easily accessible to a large number of people who use the area for a number of informal recreational activities. By far the most popular recreational activity on the Common is dog walking, but the semi-natural habitats provide scope for

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other activities such as bird watching and general adventure play, for which the woodland areas especially provide plenty of scope.

1.2.3.3 Education and Research

Turbary Common has provided an ideal resource for several higher education research projects for students at Bournemouth University but there is potential to increase the use of the site by school-age students.

Most educational projects have concentrated on the ecological aspects of the site, but there is scope to investigate the archaeology and present day cultural aspects.

Good biological records have been compiled for the Common over the years. These are being continually updated, particularly in respect of the botany, birds, butterflies and dragonflies. A comprehensive National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey was

carried out in 2003 and a reptile survey was initiated in 2010.The development of a borough-wide Environmental Advisory Team has

enabled more research work to be undertaken including a survey of the valley mire at Turbary Common with subsequent report. A grazing monitoring programme was initiated in 2009.

1.3 Present management 1.3.1 Management for conservation

Habitat management work began on Turbary Common in winter 1988. The work has been undertaken by the Countryside Officers, various contractors and voluntary groups such as Friends of Turbary Common and BTCV. The work has concentrated on the important heathland areas and has included projects such as scrub control, gorse coppicing, bracken control and Japanese knotweed eradication.

Grazing management using Exmoor ponies and Shetland cattle was implemented in 2005.

Management work on the Common is presently grant-aided through a Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme. (See para. 3.2.6).

1.3.2 Management for amenity

In the 1970s an area of the Common was reclaimed from the heathland to provide amenity grassland and 3 tarmac tracks for model car racing. A fair also visited the site annually. More recently it was recognised that these activities were inappropriate for a Local Nature Reserve with Site of Special Scientific Interest designation. Therefore, the tarmac was removed and the amenity area allowed to revert to acid grassland.

People are still very much encouraged to use the site and to appreciate its value as an important natural asset.

At various points around the perimeter, easy access gates have been installed which allow pedestrian and mobility vehicle access but prevent motorcycles being ridden onto the site.

Main footpath routes are kept clear of encroaching vegetation.A play area is provided in the south-west corner of the site.

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STAGE 2 EVALUATION AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 Conservation status

Heathland is a rare habitat, both locally and nationally. Because of this rarity, a large proportion of the remaining heathland is now afforded legal recognition by being notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The heathland of Turbary Common was notified as a SSSI under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 by the Nature Conservancy Council (now English Nature) on 8 July 1988. For the purposes of notification, the heathland of Turbary Common was included with an area of the nearby Kinson Common as one site. (See Map 4 and Photo 3).

The official description of the SSSI (as detailed on the Citation Sheet) is shown in Appendix 1.

As a member state of the European Community, the UK has agreed to, and is bound by, the EC Council Directive (Birds Directive) of April 1979 on the

conservation of wild birds. The Directive particularly requires the government of member states to designate the most suitable areas for rare and migratory birds as Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

To this effect, most of Dorset's heathland SSSIs were proposed as SPAs in 1993 and subsequently classified as such in 1998. Turbary Common is included in this classification due to the presence of breeding Dartford warbler.

At the same time areas of the Dorset heathlands, including Turbary Common, were listed as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention of 1971.

Under the Habitats Directive of 1992 it was proposed to consider certain SSSI areas as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). Most Dorset Heathland SSSI's were included for this proposed designation including Turbary Common and have subsequently been designated.

2.2 Evaluation of features 2.2.1 Ecological Evaluation

Sites of high nature conservation value are rare in urban areas. This in itself imparts a considerable degree of importance upon this area of semi-natural open space that supports a wide range of wildlife, including nationally rare species. It is important that the management of the site aims to maintain and, where possible, enhance the existing biological diversity.

To help achieve these aims and to raise the general awareness of the site, Turbary Common was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1996. (See

Map 3 and Photo. 2).Parts of the site are designated as Site of Nature Conservation Interest

(SNCI). (See Map 4 and Photo. 3). 2.2.1.1 Primary Habitat

Although a number of habitat types have been identified on the site, it is the heathland that is the most rare and important. The importance of this habitat has been recognised in the site’s designation as an SSSI and through its status as a Special Area for Conservation, a Special Protection Area and a

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Ramsar site. Represented on Turbary Common are areas of dry heath on the higher ground that are gradually replaced by humid and then wet heath as the ground becomes progressively more waterlogged towards the lower ground. Where the ground is permanently waterlogged, a valley mire system is evident which retains an interesting floral community with associated invertebrate populations.

2.2.1.2 Flora

Botanical records for Turbary Common are continually being updated and to date, surveys have revealed approximately 220 species including:

Bog asphodel Narthecium ossifragum Bog myrtle Myrica gale Round-Ieaved sundew Drosera rotundifolia Oblong-leaved sundew D. IntermediaPale butterwort Pinguicula lusitanica Lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica Early marsh orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata Heath spotted orchid D. maculataGreen winged orchid Orchis morio Heath milkwort Polygala serpyllifolia Star sedge Carex echinata White beak-sedge Rhyncospora alba Bog pondweed Potamogeton polygonifolius

A full list is shown at Appendix 2.

2.2.1.3 Fauna

There has been considerable monitoring work in respect of the animal life of the site particularly with respect to the reptiles, birds, butterflies and dragonflies and damselflies.

All six species of British reptile occur on Turbary Common, namely:

Adder Vipera berus Grass snake Natrix natrix Smooth snake Coronella austriaca Common lizard Zootoca vivipara Sand lizard Lacerta agilis Slow worm Anguis fragilis

Both Sand lizard and Smooth snake are nationally rare species. The presence of both on a site therefore afford it considerable importance. These species and their habitat are given special protection under Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and via the UK's obligations to the Berne convention.

Over 70 bird species have been recorded to date with at least 30 of these breeding, including:

Stonechat Saxicola torquata Linnet Carduelis cannabina

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Dartford warbler Sylvia undata Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchus

Turbary Common is an overwintering site for a variety of species including:

Snipe Gallinago gallinago Teal Anas crecca

A checklist of the birds is included at Appendix 3.

There are undoubtedly large numbers of invertebrate species on Turbary Common due to the variety of habitats represented. To date, surveys have been concentrated on the butterflies and the dragonflies and damselflies. A few examples are given:

Orthoptera Bog bush cricket Metrioptera brachyptera Long-winged conehead Conocephalus discolor

Odonata Scarce blue-tailed damselfly Ischnura pumilio Small red damselfly Ceriagrion tenellum

Lepidoptera Green hairstreak Callophrys rubiGrayling Hipparchia semele

Silver-studded blue Plebejus argus (poss. extinct)

Araneae Swamp spider Dolomedes fimbriatus

A checklist of the butterflies is included at Appendix 4 and of the dragonflies at Appendix 5.

2.2.2 Cultural Evaluation

There is archaeological evidence of early human use of the area in the form of flint artefacts from the Mesolithic period. In fact, worked flints continue to be found on the site and further archaeological research is required.Today, Turbary Common is primarily used by local residents for dog walking although it also popular as an informal playground for children living nearby.A formal play area is provided to the rear of Riggs Gardens in the south-west corner of the site.Until recently, Turbary Common was associated with many forms of anti-social behaviour, typically arson, motorcycle riding and fly tipping. However, a combination of perimeter fencing, high profile management projects including the introduction of grazing and a general increased awareness through regular patrolling and the activities of the Friends of Turbary Common group have resulted in a dramatic reduction in anti-social issues.

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Surveys of local residents would prove useful in providing an insight into the way Turbary Common is perceived.

2.2.3 Conflicts Between Conservation and Recreation Interests

Turbary Common survives as a relatively large area of semi-natural habitat within an urban setting. Because the majority of the urbanisation in the immediate vicinity is residential, the Common is inevitably subjected to human disturbance in a variety of forms.

Both the conservation value and the amenity value of the Common are high which leads to conflict between the needs of the wildlife and those of the local human population. Even passive recreational pursuits such as walking can cause problems on the fragile heathland. Heather has very little resistance to trampling and loss of vegetation over poor, sandy soil can lead to erosion problems especially on slopes where gullying can result. Mountain biking, especially on sandy paths can be very damaging, particularly in respect of sand lizards and their egg clutches. Turbary Common is a very popular dog-walking area. Dogs under proper control pose no serious problems for wildlife and grazing animals, but when allowed to run loose can cause considerable disturbance. Dog faeces causes soil enrichment and subsequent invasion by non-

heathland grasses along footpath edges. Management of the site along with appropriate interpretation and educational initiatives will aim to minimise these conflicts.

2.3 Objectives of management 2.3.1 Ecological

1. Maintain and, where possible, enhance the existing wildlife value of the site through appropriate management regimes and techniques.

2. Achieve a favourable condition assessment for the SSSI units.

3. Continue grazing management with Exmoor ponies and Shetland cattle. Assess regime and modify as necessary, dependent on monitoring data. (See para. 3.2.1).

4. Investigate and implement a solution to the eutrophic degradation of the valley mire.

5. Continue programme of scrub management, bracken control and eradication of invasive alien species, notably Japanese knotweed.

6. Continue to monitor the effectiveness of management initiatives and to carry out research programmes as required.

7. Continually update biological records and submit to the Dorset Environmental Records Centre via the Bournemouth Environmental Advisory Team (BEAT).

8. Ensure that site users are aware of the ecological importance of the site and the need for it to be managed.

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A desired state condition for each working compartment has been produced and shown in map form. (See Map 8). Future management policies will aim to achieve this desired state. However, it is possible that the desired state condition may have to be modified as more data from survey work becomes available and, therefore, management policies will require a certain amount of flexibility.

2.3.2 Recreational

1. Maintain cycle route, main paths, gates, seats, signage and other features to an acceptable standard.

2. Maintain play facility at Riggs Gardens.

3. Monitor site usage through regular visitor surveys.

4. Increase general awareness of the sensitive nature of the site and of the potential detrimental effects of even passive recreational pursuits such as walking.

2.3.3 Educational

1. Raise awareness of the site through the provision of accessible interpretation.

2. Continually upgrade and, where required, provide additional on-site interpretation.

3. Provide a warden service supplemented by Urban Heaths Partnership (UHP) staff. (See para. 3.2.7).

4. Organise and run a programme of guided walks.

5. Continue to encourage students to use the site as an educational resource.

6. Continue to offer opportunities for student placements.

7. Provide up to date information about the LNR on the Council website.

2.4 Management Considerations

1. Turbary Common is Public Open Space.2. The land is subject to Byelaw control.3. Most of the site (including virtually all the heathland habitat) is

designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

4. The SSSI heathland is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Ramsar site.

5. Two small areas are designated as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).

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6. The timing of any practical work, especially on the heathland, is very important. Most of the work is carried out between October and March (except for bracken control). The Dorset Heathland Forum has compiled a Heathland Management Calendar that is used as a guide for the timing of specific management tasks. (See Appendix 6).

7. A sewer traverses the Common. The exact location is not known.8. A small area is leased to SEB with access and cabling rights (para.

1.1.2).

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STAGE 3 PRESCRIPTION

3.1 Working compartments

For the purposes of the management plan, Turbary Common has been divided into a number of convenient units or working compartments. The boundaries between adjacent compartments are either physical, for example established footpaths or, alternatively, relate to a distinct change in habitat type. (See Map 7).

The working compartments have been numbered and named as follows:

1. Daws Avenue Bank 2. Fox Bank 3. Tussock Bog 4. Coach Road Heath 5. Old Orchard 6. Dead Dogs Scrub 7. Little Heath 8. Overton's Heath 9. Pine Plantation 10. Bramble Patch 11. Old Plantation Heath 12. Winter Pond Heath 13. Pottery Woods 14. Amenity Area 15. Fernheath Valley

For each compartment, a brief description is given along with a summary of available information regarding the flora and fauna. Key objectives are set out along with a work programme.

3.1.1 Daws Avenue Bank (Compartment 1)

Description

This is a west facing bank on the eastern edge of the Common that is bounded by properties on Daws Avenue. It exhibits a gradation from dry heath at the top of the bank through humid heath to wet heath in some of the lower areas. The northern-most part comprises dense willow and common gorse scrub. There are also stands of snowberry Symphoricarpus albus. Throughout the rest of the compartment there are further areas of gorse and small birch. There are several larger birch trees, especially towards the top of the slope and there is also a group of the non-native false acacia Robinia pseudoacacia. The grazing effect of the Exmoor ponies is evident. There is a good diversity of vegetation structure and patches of open ground.A post and rail stock fence runs along the top of the bank and incorporates 2 pedestrian access points and a field gate. This is part of the perimeter fence that encloses the site. The strip of land between the fence and the boundaries of properties on Daws Avenue is maintained as a firebreak. The compartment is within the SSSI designation.

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Flora

On the more open areas, common heather dominates bell heather is also evident. In parts, the habitat is dominated by the typical grasses, purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea and bristle bent Agrostis curtisii. Towards the bottom of the slope, the soil becomes waterlogged and here cross-leaved heath is prevalent. In some of the wettest areas, there is bog myrtle, bog asphodel and Sphagnum mosses. Western gorse occurs throughout and parts of the bank tend to be dominated by bracken Pteridium aquilinum. Apart from birch, tree species found on the bank include rowan Sorbus aucuparia and pedunculate oak, with willow occurring on the wetter areas towards the bottom of the slope.

Fauna

The heathland area provides an ideal habitat for reptiles. Common lizard and slow worm are relatively abundant and there are smaller numbers of adder and sand lizard. Dartford warbler and stonechat are occasionally seen here along with other, more familiar birds including long-tailed tit, chiffchaff and song thrush. There is a badger sett within the compartment.

Objectives

1. Manage SSSI to favourable condition.2. Retain willow copse at northern end of compartment.3. Reduce scrub cover to approximately 20%.4. Remove the non-native species, snowberry and false acacia.5. Maintain bracken coverage to an acceptable level (5-10%).6. Continue grazing management.7. Maintain fence and access features.8. Maintain firebreak to a width of 4-5m.9. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Cut back birch & willow and treat stumps with appropriate herbicide * * *Clear snowberry & false acacia – follow up herbicide treatment if required * * * *Monitor bracken growth & treat with appropriate herbicide as required * * * * *Coppice common gorse (approx. 20% bi-annually) * * *Mow firebreak on regular basis and clear encroaching scrub as necessary * * * * *

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Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.2 Fox Bank (Compartment 2)

Description

A north facing bank at the far south-east corner of the Common, the top of which is dominated by a dense stand of gorse and bramble. Below this there can be seen a gradation down the slope from dry heath to humid heath. There are some reasonably extensive areas of heather on the slope along with some large blocks of common gorse and some birch regeneration. A section of the site perimeter fence runs along the top of the bank.The compartment is within the SSSI designation.

Flora

The heath is dominated by common heather with bell heather occurring on the drier parts giving way to cross-leaved heath on the damper areas lower down the slope. Bristle bent is prevalent where there are gaps in the heather sward. Bracken is tending to colonise some areas.

Fauna

Sand lizards can be found here but their preferred habitat has degraded in recent years due to scrub encroachment. Common lizard, slow worm, adder and grass snake have all been recorded

here. The dense gorse and bramble provides good nesting, feeding and roosting

habitat for a number of bird species. Many invertebrate species occur here but of particular note is the grayling butterfly.There is a large, active badger sett.

Objectives

1. Manage SSSI to favourable condition.2. Reduce scrub cover to approximately 10%.3. Divide common gorse & bramble into smaller blocks.4. Control birch regeneration, leaving occasional mature tree.5. Maintain bracken coverage to an acceptable level (5-10%).6. Continue grazing management.7. Maintain fence.8. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Cut back birch and treat stumps with appropriate * * *

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herbicideClear areas of gorse/bramble and treat stumps/regrowth with appropriate herbicide * *Coppice gorse blocks on rotational basis * *Monitor bracken growth & treat with appropriate herbicide as required * * * * *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.3 Tussock Bog (Compartment 3)

Description

The bog is an extensive valley mire system towards the eastern end of the Common. It has developed as a result of poor drainage and peat accumulation. The area is bisected by a small stream, the flow of which is impeded. This has resulted in ponding and, hence, areas of very slow flowing open water. The water is of poor quality and is nutrient enriched due to a proportion of it flowing through the old tipland to the west of the compartment and discharging directly into the mire. There is a heavy precipitation of iron oxide associated with the tip effluent. A consequence of the nutrient enrichment is the gradual establishment of a higher pH fen habitat in the wetter parts of the mire. An obvious feature is a reed bed that is gradually expanding at the expense of species more typical of an acid mire such as cotton grass.To the north and south of the reed bed there are a number of shallow, acid bog pools. The western edge of the compartment is fringed by willow.Grazing management has had some notable benefits. For example, bog pools have been opened up and light poaching has created ideal habitat for pale butterwort and sundews. The animals are also grazing the periphery of the reed bed, slowing down its expansion rate.The compartment is within the SSSI designation.

Flora

Throughout the drier parts of the bog, the dominant plant species is purple moor grass that has formed large tussocks.

In the wetter areas, there is an extremely rich and varied bog flora which includes oblong-leaved sundew, round-leaved sundew, bog asphodel,

white beak-sedge, pale butterwort, early marsh orchid, heath-spotted orchid, flea sedge and bog mosses Sphagnum spp. The bog pools contain species such as common cotton-grass and bog

pondweed and there are stands of bog myrtle.Common reed now dominates a large part of the wettest areas where there is also a significant stand of reedmace.

Fauna

The area supports a rich invertebrate fauna. The habitat is particularly attractive to dragonflies and damselflies, two of the more notable species being scarce blue-tailed damselfly and small red damselfly. Bog bush cricket and swamp spider also occur. Until 2004, a small colony of silver-studded blue butterflies was present but there have been no recent sightings.

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The rich invertebrate fauna of this area attracts common lizards that are found in large numbers in the drier parts of the bog. Adder and grass snake also hunt amongst the Molinia tussocks for small mammals, lizards and amphibians.

The permanently wet conditions found in this area attract overwintering snipe with counts of over 100 birds. Occasionally, jack snipe Lymnocryptes minimus can be seen with the snipe flock. Woodcock Scolopax rusticola are seen most winters along with teal. Other bird species recorded include reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus, sedge warbler A. schoenobaenus and meadow pipit Anthus pratensis. The drier areas are a favoured hunting ground for kestrel Falco tinnunculus.

Objectives

1. Manage SSSI to favourable condition.2. Improve the water quality in the wetter parts of the valley mire.3. Monitor water quality.4. Reduce the size and vigour of the reed bed.5. Continue grazing management.6. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

With Natural England, assess options to divert polluted tip water away from the valley mire system

* *

Cut reeds and remove from site * * * * *Ecological and chemical monitoring * * * * *

3.1.4 Coach Road Heath (Compartment 4)

Description

This is an extensive area of dry heathland with some scattered birch scrub and common gorse. It is located in the north-east of the Common running west from the Daws Avenue Bank to the old amenity area, with a narrow strip between the old amenity area and Turbary Park Avenue. There is a sizeable block of common gorse towards the eastern end. This merges into a block of mixed scrub.Four sand strips were created in May 2002 to provide egg laying sites for sand lizards.A section of the perimeter stock fence runs along the northern edge of the compartment. This incorporates 4 pedestrian access points and 2 field gates. There is a cattle grid situated inside each of the field gates.The compartment is within the SSSI designation.

Flora

The dry heath is typically species-poor being largely dominated by common and bell heather and western gorse. Other species present

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include bristle bent, heath milkwort Polygala serpyllifolia and common dodder Cuscuta epithymum, with a small amount of bracken.The mixed scrub comprises common gorse, bramble, dog rose and willows, with some oak and hawthorn. There are a number of pines in the strip of heath between the road and the old amenity area.

Fauna

The area of open dry heath is important for reptiles, notably sand lizard. There are also common lizard, slow worm, adder and the occasional grass snake.

The birds occurring on the site include stonechat, that regularly nest in the vicinity, and Dartford warbler. Other small passerines such as linnet, wren Troglodytes troglodytes and meadow pipit Anthus pratensis frequent the area which, in turn, attract the raptors, kestrel and sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. Grayling butterflies are found throughout and green hairstreaks are

regularly seen.

Objectives

1. Manage SSSI to favourable condition.2. Maintain scrub cover on heathland to maximum of 5%.3. Maintain bracken cover to maximum of 5%.4. Maintain areas of bare sand for sand lizard egg laying.5. Continue grazing management.6. Monitor coverage of western gorse. 7. Maintain fence and access features.8. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Cut back scrub regrowth (mainly birch) * *Monitor bracken growth and treat with appropriate herbicide as required * * * * *Rotavate sand strips and dig sand patches (in May) * * *Assess options for management of western gorse * *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.5 Old Orchard (Compartment 5)

Description

The compartment is bounded to the east by the stream and runs westwards to the main path/cycleway bisecting the Common. To the north is the heathland of compartment 4 and to the south it borders properties along Canford Avenue and Tozer Close.

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It is an area of mixed scrub and grassland that has developed on tipland. The majority of the scrub comprises common gorse but there is also a large area dominated by apple Malus domesticus.A section of the perimeter fence runs along the southern edge of the compartment with 4 pedestrian access points and a field gate. There is a cattle grid situated inside the field gate.A stock handling facility has been constructed in the south west corner of the compartment where there is also a water trough.Apart from a small area along the southern edge, the compartment is within the SSSI designation.

Flora

Apart from the dominant gorse and apple, there are several other shrub species including bramble, rose Rosa spp., broom, willow, hawthorn and birch. The open areas of grassland tend to be dominated by tall grasses such as cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata and Yorkshire fog Holcus lanata. Examples of herb species present are pale flax Linum catharticum, perforate St John's wort Hypericum perforatum, sulphur cinquefoil Potentilla recta and bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus. One plant of green-winged orchid was found in 1994 but has not been recorded in recent years. There are some small patches of heath, especially towards the north-west

part of the compartment, with common heather, bell heather and western gorse.

The non-native Michaelmas daisy Aster novi-belgii is also established.

Fauna

This site is attractive to a number of bird species, especially small passerines, as it provides nesting, feeding and roosting sites both amongst the dense scrub and on the open grassland. Birds known to have bred in this area include Dartford warbler, nightingale, long-tailed tit and common and lesser whitethroat Sylvia communis and S. curruca. Butterflies are prevalent in this area, the species occurring including

meadow brown Maniola jurtina gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus, speckled wood Parage aegeria, comma Polygonia c-album, peacock Inachis io and common blue Polyammatus icarus.

There is evidence of small mammal activity and rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus are numerous, resulting in some of the open areas being heavily grazed. There is also a badger sett.

Objectives

1. Manage SSSI to favourable condition.2. Reduce and maintain scrub cover to a maximum of 50% with discrete

blocks merging to grassland or heathland. 3. Increase area of dry heathland especially on slope adjacent to

compartment 4.4. Continue grazing management.5. Maintain fence, access features, handling area and water trough.6. Monitor the effects of management.

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Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Clear scrub (including apple) and treat cut stumps/regrowth with appropriate herbicide * * *Clear exposed litter and tip material * *Monitor potential spread of Michaelmas daisy * * * * *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.6 Dead Dogs' Scrub (Compartment 6)

Description

This is an area of mixed scrub and grassland running westwards from the main path/cycleway to the plantation areas. The vegetation has established on the site of an old tip. The compartment is bisected by a bound gravel track that is a shared footpath and cycleway. There is a small area of tarmac that is the remains of an old play feature.A section of the perimeter fence with 2 access points runs along the southern boundary of the compartment. The compartment is not part of the SSSI designation.

Flora

There are some dense areas of scrub dominated by common gorse and bramble with hawthorn, rose, oak and apple.

The grassland areas tend to be dominated by tall grasses such as cocksfoot and Yorkshire fog. Other species occurring on the site include wild carrot Daucus carota, perforate St John's-wort, evening primrose Oenothera biennis, oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare and teasel Dipsacus fullonum.

There are some small patches of heath with common heather, bell heather and western gorse. Towards the southern edge of the compartment is a small area of dry heath where, in 1993, four flower spikes of green-winged orchid were found. The plants have produced flowers intermittently since.

Fauna

This is a good area for butterflies with species such as meadow brown, gatekeeper, speckled wood, peacock, red admiral Vanessa atalanta and comma being recorded. Birds, especially small passerines, are attracted to the site by the

availability of nesting and feeding sites; for example goldfinches Carduelis carduelis can be seen feeding on the teasel during the winter.

There is evidence of small mammal activity throughout the site and there are numerous rabbits.

Objectives

1. Reduce and maintain scrub cover to a maximum of 50% with discrete blocks merging to grassland or heathland.

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2. Increase area of dry heathland.3. Continue grazing management.4. Maintain fence, access features and footpath/cycleway.5. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Clear scrub and treat cut stumps/regrowth with appropriate herbicide * * *Clear exposed litter and tip material * *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.7 Little Heath (Compartment 7)

Description

This is a small area of dry heathland adjoining the south-west corner of the old amenity area. A stand of mature oak and sycamore forms the western boundary of the compartment. This area is not included in the SSSI designation but it is designated a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).

Flora

The site is dominated by western gorse with common heather, bell heather, bristle bent and purple moor grass. There is a stand of common gorse at the southern edge of the site.

Fauna

Slow worm are particularly common with common lizard, sand lizard and adder also recorded. The dense gorse provides cover and feeding sites for small birds such as stonechat and Dartford warbler, both of which have nested in the vicinity.

Objectives

1. Maintain area of dry heathland.2. Remove sycamore.3. Continue grazing management.4. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year

25

1 2 3 4 5Coppice common gorse (50% every 2-3 years) * * *Fell sycamore and treat stumps with appropriate herbicide *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.8 Overton's Heath (Compartment 8)

Description

A small area of dry heath in the south-west corner of the Common running from the south of the pine plantation to Wallisdown Road that is divided into two blocks by a grass strip and a footpath/cycleway. The southern block is outside the grazing unit and is divided from the northern block by post and rail fencing. There is a field gate and a pedestrian access gate in the south western corner. The compartment is not included in the SSSI designation but is designated a SNCI.

Flora

The north block is dominated by bristle bent, common gorse and western gorse with some common and bell heather. Heath dog violet Viola canina occurs here and the less common pale dog violet V. lactea has been recorded (1993).

The south block has a similar vegetation structure with broom and silver birch more evident.

Fauna

Common lizard and adders are found in the compartment, as are small numbers of sand lizard. Stonechat have bred here and Dartford warbler have been recorded.

Objectives

1. Maintain area of dry heathland.2. Maintain 3-4 metre wide strip of dense gorse along Wallisdown Road.3. Maintain common gorse cover to a maximum of 20% and other scrub to

a maximum of 10%.4. Maintain fence, access features and footpath/cycleway.5. Continue grazing management of northern block.6. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Cut common gorse (50% every 2-3 years) and treat stumps/regrowth with appropriate herbicide * * *

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Clear birch and treat stumps with appropriate herbicide * * *Create and maintain sand patches/strips * *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.9 The Plantation (Compartment 9)

Description

A predominantly coniferous plantation on the western side of the Common planted over part of the tip land during the late 1960s. The trees are even-

aged and close planted to silvicultural specifications. The canopy is mostly closed and hence the shrub layer is limited. The eastern part is a more native mix of oak, birch, willow and various shrub species. The compartment is not included in the SSSI designation.

Flora

The dominant tree species is Scots pine with a few shore pine Pinus contorta, Austrian pine P. nigra and mountain pine P. montana. In the southern part of the plantation there are some Japanese larch Larix leptolepsis, Lawson cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Oregon Douglas fir Pseudotsuga mengiessii and Lombardy poplar Populus nigra var italica. The periphery of the area and the eastern part has a mix of deciduous species including pedunculate oak, grey willow Salix cinerea, silver birch, rowan, ash Fraxinus excelsior, sycamore and horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum. The shrub layer under the pine consists almost entirely of elder Sambucus nigra and bramble.The more open scrub areas have dog rose, bramble, elder, common gorse, western gorse and immature birch and oak. There are small areas of grassland that are dominated by coarse grasses such as cocksfoot with tall herbs including rosebay willowherb Chamerion angustifolium and wild parsnip Pastinaca sativa.

Fauna

The plantation is used as a feeding and nesting site by a number of bird species including goldcrest Regulus regulus, coal tit Parus ater, green woodpecker Picus viridis, siskin Carduelis spinus, redpoll C. flammea and sparrowhawk. The more open scrub and grassland areas attract a number of bird species and are favourable for butterflies such as speckled wood, gatekeeper, comma and peacock. Adders are regularly seen in this area, particularly in spring and early autumn, suggesting the presence of a hibernation site.

Objectives

1. Create a predominantly native, deciduous woodland with a small element of Scots pine.

2. Exclude grazing animals during establishment phase.27

3. Retain existing dead wood unless it is an unacceptable health and safety risk.

4. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Clear all sycamore and Lombardy poplar & treat stumps with appropriate herbicide * *Clear conifers except for agreed single or small groups of Scots pine * *Follow up treatment of regrowth and removal of unwanted seedlings * * * *Construction of stock fence with vehicle & pedestrian access points *Tree planting (900-1200mm whips) – native species including oak, birch, rowan, hazel and alder buckthorn.

* * *

Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.10 Bramble Patch (Compartment 10)

Description

This is an area of old tip land that was originally fenced off (1960s) and planted with trees.

Apart from a small group of sycamores, the trees on the site have failed to establish and the site has developed into a mixture of scrub, tall herbs and open grassland. The compartment is not included in the SSSI designation.Flora

The scrub is dominated by bramble with gorse, willow, hawthorn, oak, apple and rose. The areas of tall herb are dominated by nettle Urtica dioica, with hogweed Heracleum sphondylium, rosebay willowherb and bracken. Fauna

The large areas of scrub provide cover, nesting and feeding sites for a variety of birds. Several common butterfly species can be seen in this area, often nectaring on the bramble. Nettle is the foodplant for small tortoiseshell, peacock and red admiral. Rabbits are particularly abundant here.

Objectives

1. Remove the sycamore. 2. Continue grazing management.3. Maintain scrub cover to a maximum of 50%.4. Monitor the effects of management.

Management 28

Year1 2 3 4 5

Clear sycamore and treat stumps with appropriate herbicide *Monitor bracken growth & treat with appropriate herbicide as required * * * * *Monitor scrub development and clear as necessary * *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.11 Old Plantation Heathland (Compartment 11 )

Description

This is a large block of dry heath extending westwards from the amenity area to the Elliott Road Industrial Estate boundary. Two areas of this site were fenced off and planted with pines and rhododendron in the early 1970s. However, a probable combination of fire and vandalism resulted in the vast majority of trees failing to establish. There are occasional pines but the few surviving rhododendrons have been removed.

Grazing management over the last 5 years has resulted in a varied habitat structure with a mix of dense, mature heather, western gorse, acid grassland, bare ground and a small element of scrub (birch and common gorse. The compartment is within the SSSI designation.

Flora

The site is dominated by typical dry heath species: common heather, bell heather, western gorse and bristle bent. Other plants found here include heath milkwort, common dodder and sheep’s sorrel.

Fauna

This is a particularly important area for reptiles with good populations of common lizard, slow worm and adder. Sand lizards occur throughout and smooth snake has been recorded here. Birds recorded from this area include Dartford warbler, stonechat, linnet

and meadow pipit, all of which nest in the vicinity. Small mammals abound throughout the area, providing a food source for

adders and kestrel. Rabbits are numerous.Small heath and gatekeeper butterflies are abundant as is the grayling (a priority species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan) and green hairstreak. The rare silver-studded blue was recorded here until 2005 but there are no, more recent, records.

Objectives

1. Manage SSSI to favourable condition.2. Maintain scrub cover on heathland to maximum of 5%.3. Maintain bracken cover to maximum of 5%.

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4. Maintain areas of bare sand for sand lizard egg laying.5. Continue grazing management.6. Monitor coverage of western gorse. 7. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Cut back scrub regrowth (mainly birch) * *Monitor bracken growth and treat with appropriate herbicide as required * * * * *Rotavate sand strips and dig sand patches (in May) * * *Assess options for management of western gorse * *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.12 Winter Pond Heath (Compartment 12)

Description

There is a mix of heathland habitats with dry heath, wet heath and bog pools. Intensive rabbit grazing has created some areas of short sward ‘lawns’. There are areas of maturing birch and willow woodland and a strip of dense gorse bounds the compartment along the roadside. A programme of gorse management was initiated in winter 2009/10.A section of the perimeter stock fence runs along the northern edge of the compartment.The compartment is within the SSSI designation.

Flora

The drier areas are dominated by common heather with bell heather, western gorse and bristle bent. On the lower ground the soil is waterlogged and in these wetter areas are found cross-leaved heath and purple moor grass with bog asphodel and lousewort.

There is a small area of bog with associated species including round-leaved sundew, common cottongrass and Sphagnum moss. There is bog pondweed in the bog pools.

Birch and willow are tending to invade the compartment and bracken is prevalent over parts of it.

Fauna

This is a good area for reptiles with populations of common lizard, slow worm and adder. Sand lizards have been recorded and there have been occasional sightings of grass snake.

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Dartford warbler and stonechat are regularly seen here and the areas of scrub provide ideal nesting and feeding habitat for several other small passerines.

Objectives

1. Manage SSSI to favourable condition.2. Reduce woodland cover by approximately 50%. 3. Continue gorse management programme (20% coppiced annually).4. Maintain scrub cover (willow, birch, hawthorn) to maximum of 10%.5. Maintain bracken cover to maximum of 5%.6. Continue grazing management.7. Maintain fence.8. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Clear birch & willow and treat stumps with appropriate herbicide * *Coppice gorse * * * * *Clear scrub (birch, willow, hawthorn etc.) regrowth * *Monitor bracken growth and treat with appropriate herbicide as required * * * * *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.13 Pottery Wood (Compartment 13)

Description

A narrow strip of naturally regenerated secondary birch/oak woodland running north-west between Turbary Park Avenue and the industrial estate to Ringwood Road and bisected by Elliott Road. The woodland dates from around the 1930s-1940s and has developed on

the site of a demolished brickworks. There are some open areas with scrub and tall herbs.

The compartment is not included in the SSSI designation.

Flora

A wide variety of deciduous tree species is found including elm Ulmus procera, pedunculate oak, silver birch, sycamore, hawthorn, grey willow, goat willow Salix caprea, hazel Corylus avellana, crab apple, blackthorn and rose, along with holly Ilex aquifolium.

There are areas of scrub with common gorse, bramble, broom and bracken.

The ground flora consists predominantly of ivy Hedera helix with bluebell Hyacynthoides non-scripta, snowdrop Galanthus nivalis, common toadflax

Linaria vulgaris, greater stichwort Stellaria hollostea and honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum.

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Fauna

Although data is lacking for this compartment, it undoubtedly provides good habitat for a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates. For example, it provides food and nesting sites for typical woodland birds.

Objectives

1. Minimal intervention allowing natural woodland development.2. Retain existing open glades.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Clear scrub regrowth from glades * *Monitor bracken growth and treat with appropriate herbicide as required * * * * *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.14 Old Amenity Area (Compartment 14)

Description

This area was, until recently, managed as amenity grassland. Three tarmac tracks for model car racing and a building with storage space and toilets were constructed in the mid 1970s. All of these have now been removed, as have two sets of swings that stood on the eastern edge of the compartment. The whole area has been left unmown since 1999 and has been grazed since 2005, the effect of which is the creation of an expanse of short grass resembling a New Forest ‘lawn’.It is not included in the SSSI designation.

Flora

The sward generally is dominated by grasses but there are several herb species associated with light, sandy soils such as slender trefoil Trifolium micranthum, knotted clover Trifolium striatum and bird’s-foot Ornithopus perpusillus.Common heather and bell heather are becoming established.

Fauna

The open grassland is utilised as a feeding area by small birds such as meadow pipit, linnet and stonechat.

Objectives

1. Vary grazing management regime.32

2. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Assess options for future grazing management *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.15 Fernheath Valley (Compartment 15)

Description

A shallow valley to the north-east of Turbary Common which is included in the Turbary and Kinson Common SSSI designation.

The southern end of the site is wet and has a small stream running along the western edge. The stream is subsequently piped underground via a culvert to emerge again on Kinson Common. A pond was created here in 1992. It is being excessively shaded by willow.The remainder of the site is drier and consists of a mix of open grassland and scrub, with a small area of dry heath in the north-west corner. The heathland has been degraded by a combination of scrub encroachment and fire and is in a poor condition. A network of bound gravel footpaths traverses the site.

Flora

The southern area is dominated by willow scrub with some holly, silver birch, hawthorn, sycamore, ash, bramble and rhododendron. The grassland is dominated by coarse grass species such as cocksfoot and perennial rye grass. The scrub species include broom, common gorse, hawthorn, willow, rose and bramble. There are several large ash and sycamore trees.There is a stand of Japanese knotweed towards the southern end of the compartment.

Fauna

The different habitats within this small area provide suitable conditions for a variety of birds, reptiles, small mammals and invertebrates. A variety of small birds use the area for feeding and nesting and a number of

butterfly species are found including small copper Lycaena phlaeas, common blue, small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae and comma. Until recently, the heathland supported a population of common lizard, with slow worm also recorded. However, in its present state, it does not provide suitable habitat for these species. Sand lizards were recorded here until the 1980s.

Objectives33

1. Manage SSSI to favourable condition.2. Restore dry heathland. 3. Increase area of grassland.4. Reduce bramble cover by approximately 50%.5. Reduce shading of pond.6. Eradicate Japanese knotweed and Rhododendron.7. Introduce grazing management.8. Maintain path network.9. Monitor the effects of management.

Management

Year1 2 3 4 5

Assess options for future grazing management *Clear scrub and from heathland area * * *Monitor bracken growth and treat with appropriate herbicide as required * * * * *Flail bramble * * *Clear small sycamores (< 6m) *Spray Japanese knotweed with appropriate herbicide * * * * *Cut Rhododendron and treat regrowth with appropriate herbicide * * * * *Coppice willow on pond edge * *Maintain footpaths, access points and culvert grill * * * * *Ecological monitoring * * * * *

3.1.16 The management regime for Turbary Common is given in map form, with Map 8, showing the desired state of the site and Map 9 giving a summary of the

management required to achieve this state.

3.2 General items

3.2.1 Grazing

It is now widely recognised that grazing is an effective and sustainable method of managing conservation sites. This has been clearly demonstrated on sites throughout the borough, including Turbary Common. The vast majority of site users also find large grazing animals such as

cattle and ponies aesthetically pleasing.Grazing management has been employed on Turbary Common since 2005 using Exmoor ponies and Shetland cattle.

34

In general, this has been very effective and successful and, in the short term, the existing 6 Exmoor ponies will continue to graze all year round with up to 6 Shetland cattle grazing between May and September.However, monitoring has shown that some refinements are required. For example, compartment 14 (Old Amenity Area) is becoming overgrazed whereas other areas of the site would benefit from increased grazing pressure.Ideally, the site should be divided into 3 or 4 units to allow a greater flexibility and focus of the grazing management. This approach would necessitate the construction of additional fences as shown on Photo. 4. These would have little impact on access but it is intended to carry out a public consultation exercise before any work is carried out.The feasibility of extending the grazing regime to include Fernheath Valley will be explored.

3.2.2 Fire Plan

A comprehensive fire plan has been prepared for the benefit of the Fire Service showing access points, routes and vehicle ‘no-go’ areas. Local fire brigades are familiar with Turbary Common and its access points and have been issued with keys to the gates. (See Map 10).

3.2.3 Perimeter Gorse

Much of the northern edge of the site bordering Turbary Park Avenue is bordered by a dense strip of common gorse. The gorse will be regularly flailed to a height of approximately 2m to maintain a dense hedge.

3.2.4 Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996

This legislation applies to all Open Space in the Borough and requires any dog owner to collect their dog’s faeces and dispose of it appropriately. On Turbary Common there are dog waste bins provided for this purpose.

3.2.5 Dorset Urban Heaths Grazing Partnership (DUHGP)

Bournemouth Borough Council is one of nine partners that make up DUHGP. The stated vision of DUHGP is; “A consortium of stakeholders working in partnership to re-introduce traditional extensive grazing onto urban heaths to improve the quality,condition and public appreciation of the nature conservation features for which the heathlands are designated.”

The key aims of the partnership are:

Sustainable management of the heathland landscape utilising extensive grazing by traditional livestock to ensure that heathland biodiversity is protected and enhanced.

Favourable conservation status of the designated wildlife sites (SSSI) is to be secured by the partners to meet the Public Service Agreement

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(PSA) target of 95% (unfavourable recovering or favourable) by area in 2010.

Good practice – increasing understanding and promotion of the use of traditional livestock as a conservation tool, developing the economic and marketing opportunities for heathland products and building upon experiences of integrating people and recreation with agricultural management through community involvement.

Environmental quality – raising the quality and public perception of local heathlands through active involvement and improving educational opportunities for local people.

Achieve the highest standards of livestock husbandry for all parties.

3.2.6 Environmental Stewardship

Environmental Stewardship is an agri-environment scheme funded by the UK Government and the European Union (EU). Farmers and land

managers across England enter into voluntary management agreements with Natural England in order to deliver the scheme. In return for looking after England’s countryside – our wildlife, landscapes, historic features and natural resources (soils and water) – and providing new opportunities for public access in some cases, ES provides farmers and land managers with a financial incentive that supports and rewards them for this work. ES is managed by Natural England on behalf of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Most of Bournemouth’s countryside sites, including Kinson Common, are included in the scheme at the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). In return for carrying out agreed HLS options such as grazing and scrub clearance, an annual area payment is received. In addition, funding is provided for carrying out an agreed capital works programme.

3.2.7 Urban Heaths Partnership (UHP)

Bournemouth Borough Council is one of ten partners that make up UHP. It’s stated vision is; “A consortium of stakeholders working in partnership to improve the quality, condition and public appreciation of the Dorset heaths within the context of a multi-functional countryside.”

The key aims of the partnership are:

Undertake the work to mitigate development pressures on the heaths as agreed in the implementation plan for the Dorset Heaths Interim Planning Framework.

Provide an agreed strategy for community education and outreach. Provide an agreed wardening strategy. Maintain standardised fire plans for the heaths and keep these updated. Maintain a standardised incident recording system for the heaths. Maintain a Dorset heaths website. Promote a landscape level approach to nature conservation and

countryside management, seeking funding for projects that will add value to work included in the Interim Planning Framework and produce the green infrastructure for a sustainable, multi-functional countryside for future generations.

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3.2.8 Friends of Turbary Common

The Friends of Turbary Common were formed in 2001 as a local residents’ group working in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council. The group played a positive role in caring for the Common and in reducing arson and anti-social behaviour but, unfortunately, it folded in 2009. It is important that such a high profile site has a dedicated ‘Friends of’ or ‘Supporters’ group and efforts will be made to establish a new group as quickly as possible.

3.2.9 Japanese knotweed

There are several stands of Japanese knotweed throughout the site. These have been regularly sprayed and cut for a number of years and are gradually reducing in size and vigour. This management will continue until the plant is completely eradicated.

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APPENDIX 1

Official description of the SSSI (as detailed on the Citation Sheet)

Site Name : Turbary and Kinson Common District : Boumemouth County : Dorset Status : Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)

Local Planning Authority : Boumemouth Borough Council National Grid Reference : SZ 061948 SZ 067960 Area : 37.3 ha Ordnance Survey Sheet : 1:50000: 195 1:10000: SZ 09 NE, SE Date Notified (Under 1949 Act) :Date of Last Revision :Date Notified (Under 1981 Act) : 1988 Date of Last Revision :Other Information : A new site

Description and Reasons for Notification This site comprises the Public Open Spaces of both Turbary Common and

the nearby Kinson Common, which overlay the acidic deposits of Plateau gravels and Bagshot Beds. The richness of these relic heathland communities, both in terms of their vegetation and associated fauna, is made even more significant by their urban location.

Characteristic of the Bournemouth and Poole areas, the heathland of the higher ground and dry slopes is dominated by Heather Calluna vulgaris and Western Gorse Ulex gallii; also present are Bell Heather Erica cinerea and Bristle Bent Agrostis curtisii, this being especially abundant in areas of frequent accidental burning. On the lower lying ground there is humid and wet heath which is largely dominated by Purple Moor-grass Molinia caerulea with Cross-leaved Heath Erica tetralix, together with varying amounts of Heather and Deergrass Trichophorum cespitosum. Impeded drainage and peat accumulation within the valley bottoms of both Turbary and Kinson Commons have led to the development of valley mire systems with the associated bog communities. These areas hold a rich bog flora with frequent Oblong and Round-leaved Sundew Drosera intermedia and D.rotundifolia, Bog Asphodel

Narthecium ossifragum and White Beak-sedge Rhynchospora alba; also present is the uncommon Pale Butterwort Pinguicula lusitanica. Bog mosses Sphagnum spp including S. cuspidatum and S. papillosum are frequent throughout these areas. Shallow bog pools contain Common Cottongrass Eriophorum angustifolium and Bog Pondweed Potamogeton polygonifolius. Drier parts of the bog contain tussocks of Purple Moor-grass and, within the Kinson mire system, nutrient enrichment and siltation give rise to swamp conditions with Bulrush Typha latifolia, Hemlock Water-dropwort Oenanthe crocata and Rush Juncus spp.

Areas of dense scrub vegetation with much Common Gorse Ulex europaeus and Bramble Rubus fruticosus are common on both areas of heathland, with willow Salix spp. a frequent component on Turbary Common. Fringing the streams, bog and wet heath are areas of willow carr, with much Birch Betula spp. and Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur within the wet woodland of Kinson Common.

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The fauna of the site reflects the range of habitats present. The dry heathland of Turbary Common supports a breeding population of the rare and protected Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis, and the Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca is also know to occur here. The invertebrates of Kinson Common have been well recorded, with many of these being present also on Turbary Common. Of the 18 species of dragonfly noted, 15 of these are known to breed, including Scarce Ishnura Ischnura pumilio and Small Red Damselfly Ceriagrion tennellum, both species of very restricted occurrence. The damper areas have good populations of the local Bog Bush Cricket Metrioptera brachyptera, with the rarer Long-winged Conehead Conocephalus discolour found in slightly drier conditions. Other nationally scarce heathland insects present include Silver-studded Blue Butterfly Plebejus argus and Swamp spider Dolomedes fimbriatus.

The NCC also produced a list of operations that are considered likely to damage the features of special interest - potentially damaging operations (PDOs). These are as follows:

Standard Ref No Type of Operation

1. Cultivation including ploughing, rotavating, harrowing and re-seeding.

2. The introduction of grazing. 3. The introduction of stock feeding. 4. The introduction of mowing or other methods of cutting

vegetation.5. Application of manure, fertilisers and lime.6. Applications of pesticides, including herbicides (weedkillers).7. Dumping, spreading or discharge of any materials.8. Burning.9. The release into the site of any wild, feral or domestic animal*,

plant or seed.10. The killing or removal of any wild animal*, including pest

control.11. The destruction, displacement, removal or cutting of any plant

or plant remains, including tree, shrub, herb, hedge, dead or decaying wood, moss, lichen, fungus, leaf-mould and turf.

12. The introduction of tree and/or woodland management (including afforestation, planting, clear and selective felling, thinning, coppicing, modification of the stand or underwood, changes in species composition, cessation of management).

13a. Drainage (including moor-gripping and the use of mole, tile, tunnel or artificial drains).

13b. Modification of the structure of watercourses (e.g. streams, ditches, drains), including their banks and beds, as by re-alignment, re-grading and dredging.

13c. Management of aquatic and bank vegetation for drainage purposes.

14. The changing of water levels and tables and water utilisation (including irrigation, storage and abstraction from existing

water bodies and through boreholes).15. Infilling of ditches, drains, ponds, pools, marshes or pits.16a. The introduction of freshwater fishery production and/or

management including sporting fishing and angling.

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20. Extraction of minerals, including peat, clay, sand and gravel, topsoil, sub-soil and spoil.

21. Construction, removal or destruction of roads, tracks, walls, fences, hard-stands, banks, ditches or other earthworks. Or the laying,

maintenance or removal of pipelines and cables, above or below ground.

22. Storage of materials.23. Erection of permanent or temporary structures or the

undertaking of engineering works, including drilling.24. Modification of natural or man-made features (including cave

entrances), clearance of boulders, large stones, loose rock or scree and battering, buttressing or grading rock faces and cuttings, infilling of pits and quarries.

26. Use of vehicles or craft likely to damage or disturb features of interest.

27. Recreational or other activities likely to damage features of interest.

28. Introduction of game or waterfowl management.

*"animal" includes any mamma1, reptile, amphibian, bird, fish or

invertebrate.

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APPENDIX 2

Vascular plants

Norway maple Acer platanoidesSycamore A. pseudoplatanusYarrow Achillea millefoliumGround-elder Aegopodium podagrariaHorse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanumAgrimony Agrimonia eupatoriaCommon bent Agrostis capillarisBristle bent A. curtissiiCreeping bent A. stoloniferaSilvery hair-grass Aira caryophylleaEarly hair-grass A. praecoxGarlic mustard Alliaria petiolataWild onion Allium vinealeMeadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensisScarlet pimpernel Anagallis arvensisBugloss Anchusa arvensisWild angelica Angelica sylvestrisBarren brome Anisantha sterilisSweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratumCow parsley Anthriscus sylvestrisParsley piert Aphanes arvensisLesser burdock Arctium minusHorse radish Armoracia rusticanaFalse oat-grass Arrenatherum elatiusMugwort Artemesia vulgarisLords and ladies Arum maculatumAsparagus Asparagus officinalisMichaelmas daisy Aster novi-belgiiLady fern Athyrium felix-feminaDaisy Bellis perenisSilver birch Betula pendulaDowny birch B. pubescensHard fern Blechnum spicantSoft brome Bromus hordeaceusBuddleja Buddleja davidiiCommon heather Calluna vulgarisHedge bindweed Calystegia sepiumShepherd’s purse Capsella bursa-pastorisWavy bitter-cress Cardamine flexuosaMusk thistle Carduus nutansGreen-ribbed sedge Carex binervis

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Grey sedge C. divulsaStar sedge C. echinataGlaucous sedge C. flaccaHairy sedge C. hirtaPrickly sedge C. muricataCommon sedge C. nigraFalse fox sedge C. otrubaeOval sedge C. ovalisCarnation sedge C. panaceaPendulous sedge C. pendulaPill sedge C. piluliferaFlea sedge C. pulicaris Dotted sedge C. punctataRemote sedge C. remotaCommon yellow sedge C. viridulaBlack knapweed Centaurea nigraCommon centaury Centaurium erythraeaSea mouse-ear Cerastium diffusumCommon mouse-ear C. fontanumSticky mouse-ear C. glomeratumLittle mouse-ear C. semidecandrumLawson’s cypress Chamaecyparis lawsonianaRose-bay willow-herb Chamerion angustifoliumFat-hen Chenopodium albumCreeping thistle Cirsium arvenseMusk thistle C. nutansSpear thistle C. vulgareField bindweed Convolvulus arvensisSwine-cress Coronopus squamatusHazel Corylus avellana Cotoneaster Cotoneaster sp.Hawthorn Crataegus monogynaSmooth hawk’s-beard Crepis capillarisBeaked hawk’s-beard C. vesicariaMontbretia Crocosmia x crocosmifloraCommon dodder Cuscuta epithymumCrested dogstail Cynosurus cristatusBroom Cytisus scopariusCocksfoot Dactylis glomerataEarly marsh orchid Dactylorhiza incarnataHeath-spotted orchid D. maculata ssp. EricetorumHeath-grass Danthonia decumbensWild carrot Daucus carotaFoxglove Digitalis purpureaTeasel Dipsacus fullonumOblong-leaved sundew Drosera intermediaRound-leaved sundew D. rotundifoliaScaly male fern Dryopteris affinisNarrow buckler fern D. carthusiana

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Broad buckler fern D. dilatataMale fern D. filix-masCommon spike-rush Eleocharis palustrisFloating club-rush Eliogiton fluitansCommon couch Elytrigia repensGreat hairy willow-herb Epilobium hirsutumBroad-leaved willow-herb E. montanaCommon horsetail Equisetum arvenseBell heather Erica cinereaCross-leaved heath E. tetralixCommon cotton grass Eriophorium angustifoliumCommon stork’s-bill Erodium cicutariumSpindle Euonymus europaeusHemp-agrimony Eupatorium cannabinumSun spurge Euphorbia helioscopiaCaper spurge E. lathyrisPetty spurge E. peplusJapanese knotweed Fallopia japonicaSheep’s fescue Festuca ovinaMeadow fescue F. pratensisRed fescue F. rubraFennel Foeniculum vulgareAlder buckthorn Frangula alnusAsh Fraxinus excelsiorCleavers Galium aparineHeath bedstraw G. saxatileCut-leaved crane’s-bill Geranium dissectumDove’s-foot crane’s-bill G. mollisHedgerow-crane’s-bill G. pyrenaicumHerb-Robert G. robertianumWood avens Geum urbanumGround ivy Glechoma hederaceaIvy Hedera helixHogweed Heracleum sphondyliumHawkweed Hieraceum umbellatumYorkshire fog Holcus lanatusWall barley Hordeum murinumHop Humulus lupulusGarden bluebell Hyacinthoides hispanicaBluebell H. non-scriptaRose of Sharon Hypericum calycinumTrailing St. John’s-wort H. humifusumPerforate St. John’s-wort H. perforatum Slender St. John’s-wort H. pulchrumCommon cat’s-ear Hypochoeris radicataHolly Ilex aquifoliumStinking iris Iris foetidissimaYellow iris I. pseudacorusSharp-flowered rush Juncus acutiflorus

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Jointed rush J. articulatusToad rush J. bufoniusCompact rush J. conglomeratusSoft rush J. effususHard rush J. inflexusSlender rush J. tenuisPrickly lettuce Lactuca serriolaWhite dead-nettle Lamium albumRed dead-nettle L. purpureaLarch Larix deciduaEverlasting pea Lathyrus latifoliusMeadow vetchling L. pratensisAutumn hawkbit Leontodon autumnalisField pepperwort Lepidium campestreHoary cress L. drabaOx-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgareLyme grass Leymus arenaniusGarden privet Ligustrum ovalifoliumPrivet L. vulgarePale flax Linum biennePerennial ryegrass Lolium perenneHoneysuckle Lonicera periclymenumCommon bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatusGreater bird’s-foot-trefoil L. pedunculatusField wood-rush Luzula campestrisHeath wood-rush L. multifloraGipsywort Lycopsis europaeusCreeping-Jenny Lysimachia nummulariaCultivated apple Malus domesticaMallow Malva sylvestrisPineapple weed Matricaria matricarioidesBlack medick Medicago lupulinaPurple moor-grass Molinea caeruleaField forget-me-not Myosotis arvensisChanging forget-me-not M. discolourBog myrtle Myrica galeBog asphodel Narthecium ossifragumRed bartsia Odontites verna Evening primrose Oenothera erythrosepalaScotch thistle Onopordium acanthiumGreen-winged orchid Orchis morioStar of Bethlehem Ornithogalum angustifoliumBird’s-foot Ornithopus perpusillusRoyal fern Osmunda regalisField poppy Papaver rhoeasWild parsnip Pastinaca sativaLousewort Pedicularis sylvaticaGreen alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirensTimothy Phleum pratense

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Common reed Phragmites australisMouse-ear hawkweed Pilosella officinarumPale butterwort Pinguicula lusitanicaCorsican pine Pinus nigraMaritime pine P. pinasterScot’s pine P. sylvestrisBuck’s-horn plantain Plantago coronopusRibwort plantain P. lanceolataGreater plantain P. majorAnnual meadow-grass Poa annuaFlattened meadow-grass P. compressaWood poa P. nemoralisSmooth meadow-grass P. pratensisRough meadow-grass P. trivialisHeath milkwort Polygala serpyllifoliaEqual-leaved knotweed Polygonum arenastrumKnotgrass P. aviculareWhite poplar Populus albaLombardy poplar P. nigraBog pondweed Potamogeton polygonifoliusSilverweed Potentilla anserinaTormentil P. erectaSulphur cinquefoil P. rectaCreeping cinquefoil P. reptansSelfheal Prunella vulgarisWild cherry Prunus aviumCherry plum P. cerasiferaCherry laurel P. laurocerasusBlackthorn P. spinosaDouglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesiiBracken Pteridium aquilinumFleabane Pulicaria dysentericaPedunculate oak Quercus roburMeadow buttercup Ranunculus acrisBulbous buttercup R. bulbosusLesser celandine R. ficariaLesser spearwort R. flammulaGreat spearwort R. linguaCreeping buttercup R. repensWild radish Raphanus raphanistrumRhododendron Rhododendron ponticumWhite beak-sedge Rhynchospora albaBlack currant Ribes nigrumRed currant R. rubrumGooseberry R. uva-crispaLocust tree Robinia pseudoacaciaWater-cress Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticumField rose Rosa arvensisDog rose R. canina

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Japanese rose R. rugosaBramble Rubus fruticosusRaspberry R. idaeusCommon sorrel R. acetosa

Sheep’s sorrel Rumex acetosellaClustered dock R. conglomeratusCurled dock R. crispusBroad-leaved dock R. obtusifoliusAnnual pearlwort Sagina apetelaProcumbent pearlwort S. procumbensGoat willow Salix capreaGrey willow S. cinereaCrack willow S. fragilisCreeping willow S. repensElder Sambucus nigraCommon ragwort Senecio jacobaeaWood groundsel S. sylvaticusRed campion Silene dioicaWhite campion S. latifoliaHedge mustard Sisymbrium officinaleBittersweet Solanum dulcamaraCanada golden-rod Solidago canadensisPrickly sow-thyistle Sonchus asperSmooth sow-thistle S. oleraceusWhitebeam Sorbus ariaRowan S. aucupariaCorn spurrey Spergula arvensisSand spurrey S. rubraHedge woundwort Stachys sylvaticaLesser stitchwort Stellaria gramineaGreater stitchwort S. holosteaSnowberry Symphoricarpus albusDandelion Taraxacum officianale agg.Wood sage Teucrium scorodoniaSmall-leaved lime Tilia cordataLime T. x europeaGoat’s beard Tragopogon pratensisDeer-grass Trichophorum cespitosumHare’s foot Trifolium arvenseLesser trefoil T. dubiumSlender trefoil T. micranthumFenugreek T. ornithopodioidesRed clover T. pratenseWhite clover T. repensKnotted clover T. striatumSubterraneum clover T. subterraneumScentless mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorumColtsfoot Tussilago farfara

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Common reedmace Typha latifoliaCommon gorse Ulex europaeusWestern gorse U. galliiWych elm Ulmus glabraEnglish elm U. proceraCommon nettle Urtica dioicaWall speedwell Veronica arvensisGermander speedwell V. chamaedrysPersian speedwell V. persicariaThyme-leaved speedwell V. serpyllifoliaGuelder-rose Viburnum opulusHairy tare Vicia hirsutaCommon vetch V. sativa ssp. nigraCommon vetch V. sativa ssp. SativaBush vetch V. sepiumGreater periwinkle Vinca majorField pansy Viola arvensisHeath dog violet V. caninaSweet violet V. odorataCommon dog violet V. rivinianaSquirreltail fescue Vulpia bromoides

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APPENDIX 3

Birds

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Grey heron Ardea cinerea Teal Anas crecca Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Common buzzard Buteo buteo Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Hobby Falco subbuteoQuail Coturnix coturnixPheasant Phasianus colchicus Water rail Rallus aquaticus Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Snipe Gallinago gallinago Jack snipe Lymnocryptes minimusWoodcock Scolopax rusticola Green sandpiper Tringa ochropus Black-headed gull Larus ridibundus Lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus Herring gull Larus argentatus Great black-backed gull Larus marinus Wood pigeon Columba palumbus Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Tawny owl Strix aluco Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeusSwift Apus apus Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Hoopoe Upupa epopsGreen woodpecker Picus viridis Great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos major Skylark Alauda arvensisSwallow Hirundo rustica House martin Delichon urbica Meadow pipit Anthus pratensis Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea White/Pied wagtail Motacilla alba Waxwing Bombycilla garrulusWren Troglodytes troglodytes Dunnock Prunella modularis Robin Erithacus rubecula Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

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Stonechat Saxicola torquataWheatear Oenanthe oenantheBlackbird Turdus merula Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Song thrush Turdus philomelos Redwing Turdus iliacus Mistle thrush Turdus viscivorus Reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Sedge warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenusDartford warbler Sylvia undataWhitethroat Sylvia communis Lesser whitethroat Sylvia currucaBlackcap Sylvia atricapilla Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Goldcrest Regulus regulus Spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata Long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus Willow tit Parus montanusCoal tit Parus ater Blue tit Parus caeruleus Great tit Parus major Jay Garrulus glandarius Magpie Pica pica Jackdaw Corvus monedula Rook Corvus frugilegus Carrion crow Corvus corone Raven Corvus coraxStarling Sturnus vulgaris House sparrow Passer domesticus Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Siskin Carduelis spinus Linnet Carduelis cannabina Redpoll Carduelis flammea Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

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APPENDIX 4

Butterflies

Small skipper Thymelicus sylvestrisLarge skipper Ochlodes venataClouded yellow Colias croceaLarge white Pieris brassicaSmall white P. rapaeGreen-veined white P. napiOrange tip Anthocharis cardaminesGreen hairstreak Callophrys rubiSmall copper Lycaena phlaeasBrown argus Aricia agestisCommon blue Polymattus icarusSilver-studded blue Plebejus argusHolly blue Celastrina argiolusRed admiral Vanessa atalantaPainted lady Cynthia carduiSmall tortoiseshell Aglais urticaePeacock Inachis ioComma Poligonia c-albumSpeckled wood Parage aegariaMarbled white Melanargia galtheaGrayling Hipparchia semeleGatekeeper Pyronia tithonusMeadow brown Maniola jurtinaSmall heath Coenonympha pamphilus

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APPENDIX 5

Dragonflies

Emerald damselfly Lestes sponsaLarge red damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphulaAzure damselfly Coenagrion puellaCommon-blue damselfly Enallagma cyathigerumBlue-tailed damselfly Ischnura elegansScarce blue-tailed damselfly I. PumilioSmall red damselfly Ceriagrion tenellumCommon hawker Aeshna junceaMigrant hawker A. mixtaSouthern hawker A. cyaneaEmperor dragonfly Anax imperatorGolden-ringed dragonfly Cordulegaster boltoniiScarce chaser Libellula fulvaBroad-bodied chaser L. depressaKeeled skimmer Orthetrum coerulescensCommon darter Sympetrum striolatumBlack darter S. danae

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APPENDIX 6

HEATHLAND MANAGEMENT CALENDAR

ACTIVITYsee

notes below

J F M A M J J A S O N D

SCRUB CONTROL

Gorse cuttingA 10 10 7 1 1 1 1 1;7 10 10 10 10

Other cutting10 10 6; 7 6;7 1 1 1 1 1;7 10 10 10 10

Stump treatmentB; C B B B B 9

MOWING/ FORAGING

Annual maintenance 2 2 2 2 2

New site6; 8 1; 3 1; 3 1; 3 1; 3 1; 3 3 8 D D

ROTOVATING/DIGGING

On mown siteI 2 2 2 2 2

Unmown site4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 4; 5 4 4 4

Re-rotovation4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 4; 5 4 4 4

BURNING F 6 1; 3 1; 3 1; 3 1;3 1; 3 3 3

BRACKEN CONTROL

CuttingG; H

SprayingE; H E E E J J

UNACCEPTABLEACCEPTABLE WITH CARE; see notesACCEPTABLEACCEPTABLE, AND MOST EFFECTIVE

NOTES REASONS FOR UNACCEPTABILITY

A Successful re-growth most likely in MarchB Sap rising spring/summer; treatment likely to be ineffectiveC Most effective results September to November, but note with warmer winters, sap running most of time. To be effective need cold weather before during and after for several days, so sap not running. D Opportunity for maximum harvesting of mature heather seedE Period between unfurling of fronds and die back, which is earlier on exposed southern slopesF Not suitable for key reptile sitesG Three cuts per annum required for maximum effectivenessH Nightjars maybe present in bracken sites; wherever possible Survey control sites in May for Nightjars establishing territoriesI Avoid rotovating sandy sections; reptiles maybe hibernating or egg- layingJ Only still effective, if bracken has not started dying back and would be mainly in areas sheltered from the sun

1 Bird nesting season (April to end August)2 Sluggish Smooth snakes at heather interface3 Active reptiles above ground (February to October)4 Hibernating reptiles below ground (Sept to April)5 Reptile eggs incubating

RESTRICTIONS

6 Woodlark nesting season begins early, March 7 Dartford warblers nesting season begins early and

extends late in year (avoid favoured areas)8 Active retiles possibly above ground in February and

October (check with HCT re site)9 Nightjars maybe nesting in bracken or leaf litter by

stumps. Avoid work at this time if possible10 Sluggish reptiles may be above ground on warm days

in winter months on banks and foci, may be vulnerable to hand machine tools

Note this is a general guide, different sites and different parts of sites may have varying timings. Also as much is weather dependent, there may be differences between years. If in doubt seek advice.

The Heathland Calendar was compiled by the Dorset Heathland Forum.

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