News archive

Wednesday, 5 January 2011

Broadwater Warren update December 2010

The area of previously impenetrable conifer cleared last Autumn will be monitored closely for signs of heathland recovery. We could start to see the first heather shoots emerging as early as Spring 2011.

Woodlark, which have been absent for several years, could make a quick return. This bird likes secluded areas recently cleared of tall conifers and has an amazing ability to find such areas within a landscape. It will also be fascinating to see how our nightjar population reacts to these new areas.

Our dormice monitoring programme will continue; over 200 dormouse nest boxes and tubes will be checked by trained volunteers both in Spring and Autumn. These charismatic little creatures tell us a lot about how we are managing the woods.

A new All Ability Path will be in place by Summer (just in time for the nightjar season). This path will guide people from the car park to the new area of heath, and we're planning a series of nightjar events for people of all ages and abilities to come and listen out for this most unique bird.

A new History Trail will be set up in the Spring. This will guide visitors around the reserve, interpreting the many lumps and bumps which we're uncovering through the restoration work. There'll also be bird events, fungi forays, butterfly walks and even moth breakfasts.

Coppicing will take place in the woodland over the winter to create valuable future habitat for dormice. The regrowing, shrubby birch area will be enhanced by planted saplings of oak, goat willow, alder buckthorn and mountain ash, paid for by a kind donation from Diana Bideleux.

In the Autumn the next phase of the heathland restoration work will take place. The dense conifer on either side of the All Ability Trail will be removed to reveal wide views and a landscape that has been obscured for fifty years. The tall conifers which dissect the route will be felled to reveal one of our most impressive archaeological features - the old firing range used in World Wars I and II.

It will be a year of considerable transformation and we hope you will regularly visit the reserve and encourage others to come and enjoy the wildlife that Broadwater Warren has to offer. We'll try to keep everyone informed of progress and hope to see you on the reserve or at one of the many events.

Steve Wheatley, Sites Manager, RSPB Weald Reserves