Archived decisions

Contact : Mr. R.Lloyd 01380 737018

1. Habitat management

1.1 Scrub Management 2005-6

A range of techniques have been used to reduce scrub invading herb-rich grassland and chalk heath and to maintain grassland/scrub mosaics. The hedge is cut on a 3 year rotation and one third was cut back using a blade this year. A major piece of work was coppicing of hazel and smaller trees on the Roman Road. This has revealed more of the Ancient Monument and reduced the likelihood of damage by trees falling and lifting rootplates. From the ecological point of view it will restart the scrub cycle in this area.

1.2 Grassland Management

There continue to be two graziers running three flocks comprising two groups of 300 ewe/ewe lambs through winter and 80 breeding ewes all year. English Nature continues to run a flock of 100+ Beulah sheep with 10 welsh blacks, and a separate flock/herd of Hebridean sheep and goats. This year however, 11 Hebrideans have gone to WWT at Little Durnford and the National Trust will take the goats to the Purbecks in October. The goats are moving on as there isn't enough browsing for them to do all year round and it is impractical to stop them from climbing the fence on Bokerley Dyke where they could be useful.

1.3 Vernditch

We are involved in a project with Forestry Commission to link Kitts Grave through Vernditch to Chickengrove Bottom SSSI by selective management of Vernditch. It was hoped felling would take place last Winter but due to delays it is hoped this can be resurrected this winter. We are also due to investigate the feasibility of grazing with cattle to the north of the A354.

2. Species Management

2.1 Stone-curlews

There has only been one record of a wing-tagged stone curlew on Hanham Hill but none have bred. We held a meeting with RSPB's Stone Curlew project officer earlier this year who advised that the main plot should still be maintained but to discontinue the plot north of A354 as it has been inactive since is was created.

2.2 Rabbits/Deer

English Nature reviewed all licences on the Down with HCC in light of CRoW Open Access and accordingly some licence holders have unfortunately received licences later than anticipated. Rabbit numbers continue to be high which is causing concern for the archaeology interest. Through the year we have also lost two excellent ferreters Maurice Chalke & George Willis who have moved on to other sites - they have done a great job over the years for which EN/ HCC is grateful. We have however found a new ferreter who should be able to visit regularly and cover quite a lot of ground.

Deer continue to be managed in small numbers around Kitts Grave.

3. Study and Research

3.1 Butterflies

In 2005 Adonis blue were present in good numbers especially in the second brood. There were also particularly good numbers of dark green fritillary. Marsh Fritillary had a good year with 19 seen on the transect and 30 casual sightings. Silver-spotted skipper also did very well with 43 on the transect and a further 8 casual sightings. Only one record of Duke of Burgundy.

In 2006 (so far) the first brood of Adonis blue had good numbers. Marsh Fritillary have done even better this year. It is a species which undergoes large fluctuations in numbers. Good numbers of larvae were seen during the spring and this was reflected in a transect total of 98 (compared with 11 in 2004, 19 in 2005). Despite an increased effort at recording during the flight period this year, no Duke of Burgundy were seen; we have an unconfirmed report of two. The habitat appears suitable in several areas of the reserve and we will continue to look for them and manage the habitat with them in mind.

3.2 Moths

In 2005 a moth trapping evening in July was very successful, with large numbers and many interesting species found, including over 700 small elephant hawkmoths.

In 2006 a moth-trapping event in early June kindly hosted by HCC didn't turn up many species. It was a cool night following poor spring weather. Narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth has been seen in good numbers and more dispersed on the reserve. 12 larval webs of small eggar have been recorded. Foresters, chimney sweepers and scarlet tigermoths are flying (beginning of July).

3.3 Other insects

Increased numbers of a large and unusual Oil beetle have been found this year. The beetle is associated with bare ground and with solitary bees which also nest in the bare ground of some of the tracks. We will be contributing our findings to the Buglife Oil Beetle Project, which aims to map their current distribution and find out more about their ecology.

3.4 Adders

Voluntary Wardens have again undertaken an adder survey on the reserve. We will be contributing the results to the Froglife Survey. We have good numbers of this reptile throughout the reserve and now have a better idea of the numbers and distribution.

3.5 Birds

Good numbers of turtledove are present on the down again this year. One nightingale is present in Kitts Grave and at least two nightjars on the south end of the reserve. Only 3 pairs of grey partridge (and 6 of red-legged) were counted on the spring count, but the weather was very cold still and more have been seen since.

3.6 Plants

Two new species of rare plants have been found on the reserve by our voluntary wardens. Last September Autumn lady's tresses was found in three separate locations. There is an historical record of this species but despite searches it had not been found during the lifetime of the reserve (over 25 years). This June Bird's nest orchid was found in Kitts Grave, which is the first record for this species.

The burnt-tip orchid numbers were up from last year. Field fleawort was abundant in parts of the reserve and greater butterfly orchid appeared to do well this year.

4. Education and Interpretation

The earth-adder needed restoration following frost damage over winter. We hope the alteration to the mix used will stand up better to the elements.

A number of guided walks have taken place and a talk to Martin Parish Council resulted in a good turn out for a subsequent guided walk in early June. We are doing a similar early evening walk in August.

We have continued with the bi-monthly information note on the leaflet stands and now have `links' on new Martin Village website. We will be re-printing the leaflet to see us into the winter.

HCC have installed car counters at each car park which will enable us to monitor visitor numbers.

There are also bikes racks at each car park which are being used.

5. EN/HCC staff input on Martin Down

David Burton departed in August 2005 and since then Robert Lloyd who is a Conservation Officer in south Wiltshire has also been acting Site Manager for Martin Down. As a result, Linda Smith (Assistant Site Manager) has continued to be responsible for the general day to day management of Martin Down but has taken on extra work in light of David's departure for which we are grateful.

In light of David's departure and the onset of Natural England from the 1^st October this year, we have been undertaking a moderate workload on the Reserve. It is hoped that a permanent Site Manager appointment will be made in the Autumn when a moratorium is lifted on recruitment.

Peter Durnell continues to have lead responsibility for Hampshire County Council's management input on Martin Down.

English Nature's Voluntary Wardens continue to do a variety of excellent jobs on the reserve and as a result four were given National Awards last year.

6 Natural England

This is the final English Nature report before we merge with the Rural Development Service and Countryside Agency to form Natural England in October. In terms of the three organisations as a whole there will be a period of getting to know each other and getting used to new ways of working over the coming months - though for the NNRs and field staff I do not anticipate things changing much on the ground in the short term so it's `business as usual'!

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

Robert Lloyd

Conservation Officer/ Acting Site Manager

Wiltshire Team

13 July 2006