Places to see birds

BroadWater Warren

Acquired in January 2007 Broadwater Warren is a new reserve outside Tunbridge Wells. Currently a mixture of Woodland and heathland the reserve will be restored over time to its original state as a prime example of heathland and mature woodland over a ten year period. As the reserve develops it is hoped that it will attract heathland species such as dartford warbler, woodlark and nightjar. Please see read further for key information:

The RSPB acquired Broadwater Warren in January 2007. The reserve covers 180 hectares (445 acres) and is a remnant of the ancient Waterdown Forest, one of the four medieval hunting Forests of the High Weald Forest Ridge. In the 1990s it was earmarked as a landfill site, but this was defeated by local people. Our plan is to restore the reserve to its original heathland and ancient woodland mosaic. It also has rare valley mire. It is a key project identified by the Weald Forest Ridge Partnership to resurrect the once well-known Forest Ridge name and celebrate the area's local distinctiveness. Without the RSPB's intervention, it is extremely likely that Broadwater Warren would have been sold in small plots and public access lost. With the RSPB, you get our commitment to protect and manage it in the best interests of wildlife, and to maintain and enhance access for visitors.

Lowland heathland is one of the world's rarest habitats—the UK holds 20% of the global total, but an
estimated 85% of UK heathland has been destroyed in the last 200 years. As a consequence, heathland restoration is one of the top national conservation priorities. The work will involve clearing some (but not all) of the conifer plantations which were planted as a timber crop.

The restoration will take about ten years. We intend to provide a small car park and nature trails but there will be no visitor centre or toilets on this 'quiet enjoyment ' site. The main work is due to start in 2008 once an Environmental Impact Assessment has been completed. Until then, there is no official car park, although there is permissive access to the paths.

If you would like to find out more about Broadwater Warren, please contact:

Caroline FitzGerald, Broadwater Warren Site Manager
RSPB, Unit 10, Sham Farm Business Units
Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9JA 01892 752 430
caroline.fitzgerald@rspb.org.uk
or check out: www.rspb.org.uk/broadwaterwarren