Hampshire County Council

Martin Down Management Advisory Committee Item 5

Annual Report 2004

Report of the English Nature Site Manager

Contact: Mr. D. Burton (01980 620485)

1.0 Habitat Management

1.1 Scrub Management

Scrub management in 2003/2004 was a success and benefited from full funding from EN. Both the winter and spring seasons were wet so increased levels of rotational scrub coppice works were carried out. This management is less weather dependent than clearance of scattered scrub from herb rich grassland which is best undertaken during dry conditions to minimise soil disturbance and facilitate the application of herbicide to the cut stumps.

Gorse invading herb rich grassland is of particular concern because its roots harbour nitrogen fixing bacteria and its needles acidify the soil where they drop. We have refined a method of clearing gorse which involves the use of a tractor mounted shape blade (circular saw) to cut the gorse. The cut gorse is then collected and burnt at selected fire sites. This has proved to be a very efficient method and a considerable area of gorse across the site was cleared last winter particularly around established scrub blocks. Some scattered scrub was successfully targeted with cut and treat methods and by spot spraying with herbicide.

1.2 Grassland Management

Two graziers ran three flocks comprising 60 breeding ewes present throughout the year and two groups of 300 ewes/ewe lambs which were run on the down from autumn through to late winter.
English Nature continued to run a flock of 100 plus Beulah sheep with 10 Welsh Blacks, and a separate flock/herd of 23 Hebridean sheep and 19 goats.

Tor grass control has continued using glyphosate herbicide on small patches and a cut and collect machine mounted on a mini tractor was used to mow a larger stand of Tor grass dominated sward at the base of Hanham Hill.

1.3 Restoration of chalk downland and native woodland in Vernditch

English Nature and Hampshire County Council staff have met with staff from the Forestry Commission and agreed future actions to restore chalk downland and native woodland in parts of Vernditch which lie adjacent to Martin Down. This restoration work will help provide additional high quality habitat for a number of species on Martin Down and Chickengrove Bottom SSSI, providing a valuable link between the two SSSIs. The proposals have been formalised in the Forestry Commission's twenty year Design Plan for Vernditch and English Nature will now actively pursue funding to help the Commission facilitate the planned works. While this project is presently off-site there is an aspiration from some senior members of the Commission to see Vernditch become part of the NNR in the future while continuing to be managed directly by the Commission.

2.0 Species Management

2.1 Stone Curlews

Stone Curlews have not been present on Martin Down this year although a few pairs of Lapwing bred around the ploughed/rotovated plots. An English Nature workshop to discuss future visitor management policies on CROW Open Access land where Stone Curlews breed was hosted at Martin Down this spring. Our aspirations for a honey-pot site for dogs to be excercised locally particularly during the breeding season were of great interest to some participants at the workshop.

2.2 Rabbits/Deer

Despite the best efforts of the two ferreters on the Down there continues to be significant localised damage by rabbits on some of the ancient monuments. We intend to recruit and additional ferreter to compliment the existing ferreters activities this year.

A new Deer Management Group has been set up for the Cranbourne Chase area, including Martin Down. Members attend bi-annual meetings to discuss deer management issues in the area. A few fallow deer continue to be culled on the boundary of Kitts Grave within the doe season by a Forestry Commission Ranger and a grazier with common rights.

3.0 Study and Research

3.1 Butterflies

Marsh Fritillaries were recorded on the Down after a two year absence. Efforts to sow Devils Bit Scabious seed on bare patches of ground on the Bokerley Dyke have apparently been unsuccessful although similar trials on Salisbury Plain have demonstrated that sown Devils Bit seed often takes a couple of years to germinate.

Silver Spotted Skippers are having a good year so far. Voluntary Wardens have found this butterfly in a number of locations in the Hanham Hill area where it has not been recorded during the last few years. The dedicated transects for Silver Spotted Skipper and Marsh Fritillary will help track the fate of both these rare species on the Down. Hopefully we plan to focus some effort on providing suitable habitat for Marsh Fritillary on and adjacent to the site.

4.0 Education and Interpretation

4.1 Guided walks and Community Events

A successful weekend of moth walks/trapping and emptying of traps in May was the highlight of the guided walk programme this year. People of all ages were enthralled at the array of species that were found. A geo-cache has been set up across the reserve for GPS enthusiasts to explore the Down with the aid of satellites and find the hidden treasure somewhere in Kitts Grave. English Nature hosted several local school children for two week work placements on South Wiltshire Martin Down NNRs and a student from Southampton University has completed a successful placement on the Down. A community picnic is now planned for spring next year. English Nature produce a regular piece for the Martin newsletter which helps to keep local villagers updated with our activities on the Down together with a bimonthly sheet placed in both car parks.

4.2 Demonstration Days

Twenty land managers from the RSPB are due to hold a two day scrub management demonstration day on Martin Down in November. This event has been organised by senior RSPB staff at a national level and re-affirms Martin Down's status as one of the best sites to see examples of scrub management and the resulting variety of scrub habitats on a downland site. English Nature are currently planning a National Nature Reserve conference at Bournemouth for next April and Martin Down is one of the NNRs on the provisional list for site visits for this conference. The theme of the conference will be people and wildlife and the site visits will concentrate on maximising the wildlife value and access opportunities for visitors to the site. The works around the A354 car park will be of particular interest to delegates. The new chalk bunds have already been partially colonised by an interesting mix of ruderal species providing nectar sources for butterflies and other insects and seeds for a birds like the linnet. Visitors really don't need to leave their cars to see the abundance of wildlife on offer on the Down, although we hope they do take a wander too!

4.3 Media Profile

From time to time we put out press releases about community events, habitat management or other developments which might be of interest to the wider local community. In late August the Down will play host for a day to the makers of Pride and Prejudice, a new feature film starring Judi Dench and Keira Knightley. Providing the film proves to be a blockbuster we plan to use interest in the film to generate some local publicity over the Down's role in it's production. This will help reinforce the message that the Down really is a special place to be enjoyed and cared for by those who visit it.

5.0 General Access and Recreation

5.1 Reserve Signs

The brown tourist signs and warning signs are now in place and facing the right way on the approach to the A354 car park.

The new NNR sign boards have been installed at most entrances to the reserve. Where the existing old format sign boards are already in place we will replace with the new boards over the next few years.

5.2 A354 Car Park and interpretative works

The first phase of the A354 car park renovation was completed in early spring and has been very well received by visitors using the car park. The next phase of work will involve tidying up the signage to provide a unified message with the minimum of signs. The existing lectern and NNR entrance head board will be replaced by interpretative lecterns which are currently being designed with the help of Hampshire County Council's Graphics Department and Sign Workshop. The initial draft design comprise of a three panelled sign that will display an orientation map, archaeology information, plant and wildlife information and an area to inform the public of current news. Key features of the Down will be incorporate in the artwork for the signs to highlight the importance and variety of the site to the general public.

The signs will be situated at two points behind the car park bunding, just before entry to the site, enabling visitors to plan their visit, review site news and pick up a leaflet.

We aim to complete the second phase of works by next spring.

The third phase of work will be carried out in autumn 2005. At present the plan is to re-model the bunding around the interpretative panels to attract visitors towards these areas and give an important first impression about the site. One artist has suggested the modelling of a lizard and adder using yew inset into the bunds. Another idea being considered is to use knapped flint in the design.

6.0 Management Partnership

6.1 EN/HCC staff input on Martin Down

Both David Burton (Site Manager for South Wiltshire NNRs) and Linda Smith (Assistant Site Manager) continue as English Nature's staff responsible for the management of the Down.

Peter Durnell now has responsibility for Hampshire County Council's management input on Martin Down with Charles Cuthbert playing an active senior role as required.

Recommendation

That the report is noted.

4cR150804