Hampshire County Council

Lymington - Keyhaven Nature Reserve Advisory Panel Item 5

Management Report October 2004- April 05

21 April 2005

Director of Receration and Heritage

Contact : Pete Durnell 01590 - 674656

1. Summary

1.1 This report highlights the work undertaken on the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve during the six months from end of October 2004 to April 2005. It deals with staffing and management issues regarding key habitats within the reserve and reports on survey and monitoring work that has been carried out.

2. Staffing and Volunteers

2.1 After a long period of absence due to ill health Bruce Gwynn has now left the County Council. Pete Durnell, Senior Ranger for the western sites has continued to undertake the duties of site manager.

Pete is supported by Adrian Clark as ranger for the western sites and also by Mark Kilby and Richard Carpenter who are based at Lepe Country Park .

To assist during this period of staff shortage Martin Cooper was employed from January to March two days per week to work on the western sites.

2.2 Volunteers.

During the winter months we had a great deal of help from volunteer groups on the reserve. Two visits from the New Forest Conservation Volunteers and two groups from the Forestry Commission Volunteers enabled a large area of old blackthorn scrub to be cleared from Keyhaven Marsh. In addition the groups assisted in laying several hundred metres of hedgerow and in the removal of 500 metres of derelict fencing.

3. Site Management

3.1 Scrub Management

As mentioned above several blocks of old blackthorn scrub were cut at the back of Keyhaven Marsh during the winter. The aim of this work is to improve the habitat for breeding birds and to prevent the development of woodland. The scrub in this area will be cut on a rotation of about 10 years.

Some scrub was also cut at the back of Normandy Lagoon to reduce the cover for predators and to improve visibility into the lagoon.

A large block of over mature Willow was coppiced in front of Salterns Cottage clearing several ponds in the old water garden. It is planned to cut this area every three years in future to maintain the habitat in more favourable

condition.

The hedge down to Normandy Barn has been layed in preparation for improvement works to the access track and to the barn itself.

Following a request from the police the scrub block in front of the Lower Pennington Lane car park was cut down to ground level and a new bund and post and rail fencing installed. Signs warning people `Not to leave valuables in their car' were also attached to the fence.

Gorse Management.

Reserve staff continued the programme of gorse burning started in 2004. The burning of gorse on a rotation maintains it in good condition for breeding birds such as Linnets and Stonechats.

Several large blocks of old gorse were burnt at the back of Keyhaven lagoon also alongside the Lower Pennington Stream and at the back of Normandy Lagoon. Excellent regeneration of gorse was noted from several of the areas burnt in the previous year.

Environment agency contractors cut gorse from the outside of the seawall around the Fishtail lagoon during March. The EA are responsible for the maintenance of the seawall and carry out periodic cutting to prevent the gorse scrub from breaking up the locking block structure of the wall.

3.2 Ditch Management

3.3

A three ton mini digger was used to re dig the ditches and ponds in the old water garden in front of Salterns Cottage. These ditches had become choked with reed and other vegetation and were no longer flowing.

The ditch around Normandy Marsh was also partially re dug to clear vegetation and prevent silting up. The digger was also used to install a new sleeper bridge across the ditch at the back of Normandy Lagoon. This will enable much easier access for mowing equipment later in the year.

3.4 Grazing Management

Boundary fencing round the Platoff Hay Field was completed and a corral and cattle run were also installed. With a water trough going into the field this spring it is now ready to be grazed following the summer hay cut.

New wider gates and a corral have been built on the track down to Normandy Barn to enable easier handling of the stock which graze this part of the reserve. A new grazing licence has been accepted by our existing grazier Mr Len Mansbridge for summer 2005.

4. Water Management

4.1 The ditch and sluice system behind the Fishtail Lagoon worked well this winter with shallow flooding being maintained for much of the time. It is hoped some of this water will be retained into the spring encouraging breeding waders and other species.

Salinity levels in the lagoons have remained high this winter probably due to a combination of the works carried out in previous years and the relatively low levels of rainfall.

5. Access and Interpretation

5.1 New interpretation panels incorporating a map of the reserve and information about its wildlife and archaeology are due to be installed at five locations around the reserve this spring.

The popular information leaflet has been updated and will shortly be reprinted. It will then be available in tourist information offices and libraries.

6. Events

Reserve staff led guided walks for conservation volunteers from Itchen Valley Country Park and for the Forestry Commission volunteers.

7. Survey and Monitoring

7.1 Reserve staff continued the monthly monitoring of salinity and water levels within the lagoons.

7.2 Reserve staff were involved in the monthly webs counts of waterbirds on the reserve and surrounding area. The reserve supported very high numbers of Golden Plover and Pintail this winter.

8. Buildings

During November and December contractors working for the County Council's Architects department carried out major repairs to Normandy Barn.

The large end wall was re pointed and the original arched doorway entrance was re instated. Two buttress walls were constructed to support the end wall creating a new storage room in the process.

In the barn itself a new staircase and wooden floor were installed along with new wiring and security measures. The track down to the barn and area in front are due to be resurfaced shortly. When these works are completed the barn will be used as a workshop and storage area for the reserve and other western area sites

9. Sturt pond

Officers will provide an oral report following a meeting with NFDC.

10. 8 Acre Pond

Officers will provide an oral report on recent developments.

11. New Land acquisition

The County Council recently completed the purchase of approximately 4 Ha of land adjoining its existing landholding at Normandy Farm. The land was purchased with the aid of a charitable trust established by local residents.

The land is of high ecological value and was purchased as part of the County Council's policy of safeguarding coastal land and habitat from development.

Recommendation

That this report be noted

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excluded :

1. Published works.

2. documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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