FAQ's for Grazing Project Sites
Why do you graze the sites?
Grazing is the most environmentally friendly, economical and efficient way to manage this wildlife reserve. The grazing animals eat all the saplings and bramble which are trying to take over the heathland and turn it into woodland. They also eat the grass and heather which means the heath never becomes overgrown. They do this without taking a wage and do not need petrol or diesel.
Once they have eaten all of this they produce lots of dung which makes an important habitat for beetles, flies and fungi. Lastly, because grazing animals are big and heavy they often churn up, or ‘poach’, the ground. Whilst this may look a little bit messy they are actually creating an incredibly important habitat, i.e. bare ground. Many new heathland wildflower seeds need bare ground to colonise and many species of insects use bare ground to create their homes, or ‘burrows’ in.
Why are you removing some of the trees from grazing sites, such as Ancells Farm, Foxlease Meadows and Bartley Heath?
Our sites have suffered from not being grazed or mowed sufficiently over the last 20 years or so. This led to neighbouring trees (such as birch), throwing thousands of seeds into the heath which very quickly became small saplings and eventually fully grown trees, shading out rare plants and creatures. To ensure we do not lose the extent and quality of the heathland and meadows, we need to cut these trees down. This means the important heathland grasses and flowers, and woodland wildlife including butterflies such as the Silver Washed Fritillary can survive and thrive.
What plants might I see at Ancells Farm?
This interesting reserve is full of unusual wetland plants that thrive in acidic soils. These plants include both round-leaved and oblong-leaved sundews, bog asphodel, bog myrtle, bog pimpernel, heath spotted and common spotted orchids, dyers green weed, lousewort and the very dainty petty whin.
What plants might I see at Foxlease Meadows?
The mixture of improved (i.e. once fertilised), semi-improved and unimproved grassland as well as fen and rush pasture means there is a wide range of specialist wildflowers found throughout the site. Fragmented populations of sneezewort, lady’s smock, tormentil, common spotted orchids, dyers green weed, yellow loosestrife and meadow thistle can all be found at varying times of the year.
What plants might I see at North Warnborough Greens?
You have a good chance of seeing both the Early and Southern Marsh orchid during May or June. The rare slender spike-rush may also be seen. Lawn camomile, a fragrant flower with daisy-like heads, grows here in June and July.
What else might I see at North Warnborough Greens?
Snipe, a medium-sized dull-brown wading bird with a long, straight beak, is among the species that have been seen here. The clear water of the River Whitewater might well attract a banded demoiselle, a large and sturdy damselfly with a metallic blue-green iridescent body and a dark thumbprint on each wing.
What reptiles might I see on Bartley Heath?
Bartley Heath has good populations of grass snakes and common lizards. Often the best time to see them is during the morning in April and May when they have emerged from hibernation but spend long periods basking. Reptiles can easily be disturbed by heavy footfalls so walk quietly and carefully. Favourite places for reptiles include fallen logs, tree stumps or under iron sheets. Grass snakes may also be seen swimming in the ponds, hunting for frogs and toads.
What birds might I see on Bartley Heath?
The woodland fringe bordering the heath supports green woodpeckers, great spotted woodpeckers, treecreepers, jays and long tailed tits. Kestrels and buzzards use the more open ground for hunting, looking for insects and reptiles.
What butterflies might I see on Hook Common?
The mosaic of woodland and open heath at Hook Common supports a range of butterflies including the speckled wood, marbled white, silver-washed fritillary, holly blue, comma, meadow brown, and white admiral butterfly.
What reptiles might I see on Hook Common?
Hook Common has a good population of adders, grass snakes, and common lizards. The best time to see them is during the morning in March and April when they have emerged from hibernation but spend protracted periods basking. Tread quietly and look carefully in patches of sunlight among stands of bracken.
What does the future hold for Hook Common?
The Wildlife Trust is keen to improve Hook Common for both people and wildlife. We cherish its history as an area of common land and the continued importance it holds for many local people. In order to restore the heathland and encourage the return of rare wildlife, we would like to restore grazing of commoners’ animals to the Common. This ancient practice helped to shape the character of the Common, but since it has been discontinued large areas of the common have degenerated and its value to wildlife has decreased. Restoring grazing will involve the installation of fencing to keep livestock away from neighbouring roads. This fencing is designed only to keep animals in, not people out, and we are keen that it should have the least possible impact on those who use the Common. We have consulted with a range of groups, including horse riders, ramblers, and local people and have incorporated gates to protect points of access wherever possible. If you have any questions or concerns about Hook Common, you can contact the Grazing Project by telephone on 01256 381190.
How can I get involved?
We run a volunteer team called the Fleet Reserves Team which regularly meets on the third Sunday of every month from 10.30am until about 3pm. The team carries out a wide range of practical conservation tasks including scrub clearance, cutting meadows, fencing, path and bridge building and livestock checking on Wildlife Trust sites in Fleet, Cove, Church Crookham and Ewshot.
We are also looking for eagle-eyed volunteers to help us keep an eye on our growing herds of livestock grazing across the area. Do you walk, cycle or horseride regularly in the area? If so you could join our valuable team of ‘lookers’ and ‘fence fixers’ who act as the eyes and ears on the ground to keep track of the health and wellbeing of livestock grazing our important heathlands. Full training is given to new recruits and all equipment is provided.
For more information and to get involved, phone the Grazing Project team on 01256 381190
