Autumn 11:Layout 1

See www.ashdownforest.org and follow
news on the Forest via Facebook and Twitter!
DIARY DATES
7 October 2011 Nature Stripped Bare
an exhibition of artworks by Pamela Hurwitz, Tom Morgan and Paul Humphrey.
The exhibition will run until 31 December.
26 October 2011 Fungi Identification Day
From 11.00 to 16.00 (and from 12.00 onwards there will be clay model making
and fungi fun with Lynn Merrick) at the Forest Centre.
5 November until 18 December 2011 Ashdown Forest Woodturners
Ashdown Forest Woodturners selling exhibition just in time for Christmas.
1 April 2012 Photographic artworks by John Lanteri Laura
FRIENDS DIARY DATES
20th October 2011 A Talk by Dr. Peter Scott - “Why are plants the source
of so many medicines?” 8.00 pm Nutley War Memorial Hall. All very welcome.
For non-members we invite a donation of £5 (or join on the evening).
Thursday 3rd November 2011 Members' Annual General Meeting
8.00 pm Nutley War Memorial Hall.
Thursday 23rd February 2012 A Talk by Michael Blencowe from the
Butterfly Conservation Society “Butterflies and Moths of Sussex with particular
emphasis on Ashdown Forest.” 8.00 pm Nutley War Memorial Hall.
Forest Centre Exhibition
Recent visitors to the Forest Centre Information Barn will have seen and
enjoyed our brand new exhibition which was made possible by generous
funding from the Rotherwick Foundation with very kind support from
the Weald Forest Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme.
Designed to be an interactive experience,
it highlights not only the flora and fauna
to be found on the Forest but also the
history and archaeology of the area.
ISSUE NO 12
AUTUMN/WINTER 2011
il fe
ASHDOWN FOREST
Celebrating 125 years of care for the Forest www.ashdownforest.org
We hope that you come and see the
exhibition and learn more about our work
on the Forest which will help you enjoy
your visit even more.
There will be Hebridean lamb for
sale from the end of September –
please call the Office for details.
For information on how to join the Friends, see our website
www.friendsofashdownforest.co.uk or email [email protected]
SHEEP NEWS
Editorial: Paul Cooper, [email protected]
Design and production: Studio 4, [email protected]
Photography: Tracy Buxton, Paul Cooper, Chris Marrable
Only printed on paper from sustainable forests.
All paper used is FSC Certified and produced only at mills holding ISO 14001 certification.
THE CONSERVATORS OF ASHDOWN FOREST
Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5JP
T: 01342 823583 E: [email protected]
www.ashdownforest.org
This site is part of the European Natura 2000 Network. It has been designated because it hosts some of
Europe’s most threatened species and habitats. All 27 countries of the EU are working together through
the Network 2000 Network to safeguard Europe's rich and diverse natural heritage for the benefit of all.
See www.natura.org.
DOG ATTACKS
FLORA AND FAUNA
FOREST CAR PARKS
FOREST CENTRE NEWS
DIARY DATES
Cover - An early marsh orchid
Welcome...
...to the autumn/winter issue of Ashdown Forest Life.
Having worked at the Forest Centre for over 17 years and
seen the many positive changes in that time, I am absolutely
delighted to have become the first ever female Clerk to the
Board of Conservators. My aim is to continue to work with all
who care for this unique environment and to communicate
with all interested parties to ensure that our work is
understood and embraced.
In this issue we highlight the growing problems associated with dog owners losing
control of their animals in areas where livestock are grazing; we draw attention to
some of the species of flora and fauna that make the Forest heathland so special;
we highlight the Forest car parks that offer special views, walks or are best for
picnics and we round up the latest news from the Forest Centre and give you
some important dates for your diary.
I also hope that you come and enjoy our brand new exhibition in the Information
Barn. It is our aim to make the Forest Centre a place where you can come and
learn about the work we do and to pick up tips and literature to inform and
help you make the most of your time in this wonderful area.
I know that, like me, you love the Forest and I’d like to take this opportunity to
thank you for your continued support for the vital work of preserving this important
area for future generations.
Ros Marriott Clerk to the Board
[email protected]
Left: Please be aware of grazing animals
Below: Some of our Hebridean sheep
Sheep news
The Forest’s flock of Hebridean sheep, together with those belonging to Commoners, have been busily grazing on the
heathland throughout the summer and it’s been an eventful and sometimes distressing season.
As detailed in the spring issue of Ashdown Forest Life,
grazing was undertaken with the sheep being protected
for the first time by electric fencing. This allowed us to
increase the number of grazing hours and number of
grazing sites out on the heath. So far, the flock has spent
a considerable time in a large enclosure in Wren’s Warren
Valley, on the edge of the Ashdown Forest Golf Club and
at a location near Jumpers Town.
Some of the sheep located within the permanently fenced
grazing area were victims of horrendous attacks by dogs.
Several were badly mauled and others killed. Despite the
relatively remote locations, lots of warning signs and the
electric fencing, one of the Hebridean sheep was also
severely injured, but fortunately, was
saved by the vet. We considered
publishing the pictures in this issue, but
decided they were simply too horrific.
Indeed, injuries to one of the ewes
were so severe it made the local news
headlines and elicited messages of concern and
support from across the region.
Farmers do have a right to shoot dogs attacking or
worrying sheep. We all sincerely hope that it doesn’t
come to that. So, once again we are asking dog walkers
to take special care to ensure their dogs are on a lead
when approaching livestock out on the heath and
when in the grazing area.
Our team of volunteer sheep wardens have been doing a
great job throughout the summer months and are being
informally supported by horse riders (who have the best
view of all!) local residents and visitors alike and we are
extremely grateful for their input.
Now we are approaching the winter season and we are
looking for winter keep for the flock and for places we can
store hay, feed and straw – so if you know of anywhere
please get in touch. If you would like find out more about
being a sheep warden please contact the Forest Centre.
3
FUNGI
Flora and fauna on the Forest
One of the main responsibilities of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest is to
conserve the Forest’s heathland, which is a rare and endangered habitat.
Recent involvement in the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme has meant that we have been able to manage the heath much more effectively.
We are grateful as well to Natural England for sponsoring this publication so that we may better explain why we are taking a certain course
of action (such as clearing trees and invasive species) in order to preserve this special place.
We hope you take the time to visit the Forest Centre before you set out so that you can pick up the necessary information to make the most
of your visit. Here are just a few things to look out for during the coming weeks:
GORSE
Ignoring the small
patch of Western Gorse
which was planted at
Hindleap in some kind
of botanical experiment,
there are two species of
gorse on the Forest:
Dwarf Gorse and
European Gorse.
Dwarf Gorse is smaller,
finer and softer than the
robust European Gorse
but they are both
European gorse in flower
widely distributed across the Forest heathland.
European Gorse is the subject of this article
because it is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde plant.
The Mr Hyde (bad!) part of its character is
associated with its ability to invade, especially
where the ground has been disturbed, its ability
to use atmospheric nitrogen and increase soil
fertility, contrary to the goals of heathland
management and its high flammability when old
and leggy. This has to be balanced against the
Dr Jekyll (good!) features: the attractiveness of
flowering gorse along with the coconut smell and
its high value for wildlife. Gorse flowers when
there are few other nectar sources available,
so it is important for some invertebrates but it is
perhaps more important for the structure and
shelter that it provides. Dense gorse provides cover
for a range of species, including Dartford warblers,
wood mice and reptiles. Old gorse, though
beginning to lose some of its wildlife value,
gives a framework for spiders to build webs
and supports bird nests. In management terms,
it is desirable to have a mosaic of gorse at all
ages, from seedling to geriatric.
To paraphrase Winnie the Pooh, or perhaps
it was Piglet:
“How do you find gorse on the Forest?”
Answer: “Sit down”.
There is much debate about whether collecting
fungi affects the total population. On the one
hand, it is likened to picking blackberries, where
collecting the fruit doesn’t reduce the plant.
On the other hand, increased collection over the
last decades has coincided with an apparent
reduction in abundance and variety of species.
Other Forests have taken action - the New
Forest bans commercial picking, puts a 1.5 kg
limit on personal collecting and entirely bans
collection in some sensitive woodlands;
Epping Forest issues a licence to anyone
who wishes to collect fungi and bans all
commercial picking.
On Ashdown Forest, our policy is to allow
collection for personal use but commercial
collection is not permitted.
Whether or not there is a direct effect, over
collection not only reduces a food resource for
wildlife but also prevents other visitors from
enjoying the amazing range of fungi which
can occur on the Forest.
Fly agaric fungi
5
Cold winters can be
hard on wildlife
DARTFORD
WARBLERS
Two hard winters have had a serious impact on
Dartford warblers on the Forest, with numbers
crashing from around forty pairs to perhaps the
single pair found last summer. Vulnerable because
they do not migrate south like most other
insectivorous warblers and because their small
size leads to rapid heat loss, their numbers can
fluctuate widely according to weather conditions.
They can cope with moderate winters, foraging for
spiders and other invertebrates under the foliage
of dense gorse and heather and probably survive
while the snow forms a blanket over the vegetation.
When the snow melts however, but the cold persists,
they struggle to survive.
Dartford warblers and nightjars are the two breeding
bird species which are responsible for Ashdown Forest
being designated as a Special Protection Area under
European conservation regulations.
On an optimistic note, Dartford warblers can have up
to three broods of four eggs each summer, so there is
an opportunity for rapid population growth, if the
weather is kind.
From left to right: Bird’s-nest orchid;
Bee orchid; Heath fragrant orchid;
Heath spotted-orchid; Early marsh orchid
DORMICE
Hazel dormice seem to have had a good year on the
Forest. The two long-term monitoring schemes have
revealed decent numbers of animals, including a
mother and four young from a box in the Vachery
woodland. The dormouse boxes are also particularly
popular with blue and great tits, with nearly half of
the boxes occupied with nests, eggs or young at the
May check. They only seem to have one brood and it
is not unusual to find an old tit nest being used by
dormice later in the summer. One box at Cackle
Street was home to a family of woodmice, which not
only explode out of the box when the inspection takes
place but also bite given half a chance. So far, there
have been no boxes with bee, wasp or hornet nests
to contend with!
ORCHIDS
Heathland is probably not the first choice for botanists who want to go out and look for orchids.
However, with its range of habitats and some luck, it is possible to find nearly a dozen species on the Forest.
Chris Marrable, Forest Superintendent
Frequency on the Forest
Location & comment
Violet and Broad-leaved helleborine
Rare
Roadsides & clay soils e.g. Cackle Street
Bird’s-nest orchid
Rare
Roadsides at Twyford lane and Priory Road
Uncommon
Roadsides at Priory Road and Hindleap
Pyramidal orchid
Very rare
One plant in Churlwood carpark appears irregularly since 1991;
second plant near Roman Road car park on imported road stone
Bee orchid
One plant
One plant occurs irregularly by the Visitor Centre car park
Heath fragrant orchid
Very rare
A group of plants near the Visitor Centre probably equates to a site described in Coleman’s flora of 1836
Occasional
Some plants on improved grassland especially on roadsides
Heath spotted-orchid
Frequent
Most common species on the Forest, notable for its spotted leaves
Early marsh-orchid
Occasional
Few persistent plants in a bog near the Old Lodge boundary
Early purple-orchid
Occasional
Few plants in Cackle Street, in the coppice and in the hedgerow
Common twayblade
Common spotted-orchid
7
The Forest Car Parks
One of the things that visitors to the Forest comment on are the numerous, free, parking areas. All have something different to offer whether it
be for the views, the access to wonderful heathland walks, stunning picnic areas or for the ease of boxing your horse for that exhilarating ride
(having first purchased your permit from the Forest Centre of course!) Here we pick out just a few and summarise the advantages to be
had from starting your visit there. Don’t forget that there is a full range of walks leaflets available from the Forest Centre.
FOREST CENTRE, BROADSTONE AND LINTONS
Far reaching views over to the distant North Downs. A good place for a picnic
as tables, loos and the Information Barn are close by.
DUMPYS AND RIDGE
For exploring an interesting mix of woodland and finding some very large beech
trees and chestnut coppice. Some good picnic spots.
GILLS LAP
Best for exploring Pooh Country including Wrens Warren Valley with Eeyore’s
Gloomy Place and glorious far-reaching views. Great for flying kites!
GOAT
For exploring a section of the ancient Pale ( the fence that surrounded the original
Royal hunting ground), finding the Meridian redwood and enjoying the woodland.
HOLLIES AND STONEHILL
Wide distant views across the low Weald. On a fine day Firle Beacon
(16 miles away) and the South Downs can be seen. Wonderful open
heathland with a beautiful walk down to the Airman’s Grave –
a quiet and peaceful spot.
HINDLEAP AND TWYFORD
Discover ancient pillow mounds (rabbit warrens) and enjoy a peaceful section
of the Forest.
FRIENDS
Next to the iconic Friends’ Clump. Streams at the bottom of the valley that
you can follow as far as the lovely Garden of Eden. Great for paddling and
splashing about. Close to Nutley Windmill that is open to the public
on a regular basis.
TREES AND VACHERY
Walk to the interesting lost Vachery woodland garden with species rhododendron,
splashing waterfalls, bubbling streams and deep ponds.
LONG AND RESERVOIR
Discover some of the Forest’s military history with a walk down a WWII airstrip
to some pretty ponds.
Tracy Buxton
A typical Forest view
9
Below: Controlled clearing and burning
Out of control and devastating
Forest fires
Information Barn
Visitors are often surprised that the Forest Bye-Laws allow the use
of picnic stoves in the car parks in the middle of summer but forbid their use
in the winter and spring. Surely the risk of Forest fires is greatest in the summer?
A day in the life of..... a Forest volunteer.
Actually, the majority of fires start in the previous
year’s dead vegetation where bracken and purple
moor grass are dried out by sunny, windy days
in the spring. It is not unusual to be fighting a
serious Forest fire over ground which is completely
waterlogged! By the end of June, the vegetation
is lush and green and will only burn if there has
been an exceptionally dry period.
With almost no exceptions, fires are started by
people, occasionally maliciously but normally
due to carelessness or disregard for the Bye-Laws.
Rangers and Fire Fighters have frequently found
a half-finished barbecue as the source of a
Forest fire.
The impact of heathland fires is complex: properly
planned and controlled small fires at the right
time of year and over the appropriate vegetation
(as seen here on a fire-fighting training day)
can actually be beneficial, coppicing over-mature
vegetation and controlling scrub invasion.
Unplanned fires, however, which can quickly get
out of control at the wrong time of year, can be
devastating – destroying birds’ nests, killing
reptiles and threatening properties.
For full details of the Bye-Laws please visit our
website www.ashdownforest.org
Toby, accompanied by his father, came into the Information Barn at the
Ashdown Forest Centre carefully holding a tissue cupped in both hands.
He walked straight to the counter (which he could barely see over) and
gingerly placed the tissue down. ‘Please could you tell me what this is?’
he said, gently unwrapping the tissue. My heart sank. There was a beautiful
iridescent insect. I hadn’t the faintest idea what it was. However, some
minutes later, after the three of us had trawled through a number of
reference books on insects we agreed that it was a blue shield bug.
Toby was thrilled and tottered off to release it back into the wild.
The next visitor who came into the Barn wanted to know where he and his
wife could enjoy a fairly level walk with far reaching views. Hurrah, I knew
the answer to this! They were directed to Reservoir car park and given the
walk leaflet which incorporates the Old Airstrip. They popped back in a few
hours later to say how much they had enjoyed the walk and to thank me.
These are typical examples of the sort of questions which Volunteers get
asked. Our role is to educate and help people maximise their enjoyment
of the Forest, and to promote the work of the Board and staff.
You don’t have to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the Forest, but a
willingness to learn and to engage with our visitors is important. If you can
spare a few hours and would like to help, why not contact us?
Hilary Randall, Volunteer
11