ASHDOWN FORESTlifeCelebrating 125 years of care for the Forest www.ashdownforest.org

ISSUE NO 12 AUTUMN/WINTER 2011

SHEEP NEWS

DOG ATTACKS

FLORA AND FAUNA

FOREST CAR PARKS

FOREST CENTRE NEWS

DIARY DATES

DIARY DATES See www.ashdownforest.org and follow news on the Forest via Facebook and Twitter!

There will be Hebridean lamb forsale from the end of September –please call the Office for details.

7 October 2011 Nature Stripped Barean exhibition of artworks by Pamela Hurwitz, Tom Morgan and Paul Humphrey. The exhibition will run until 31 December.

26 October 2011 Fungi Identification DayFrom 11.00 to 16.00 (and from 12.00 onwards there will be clay model making and fungi fun with Lynn Merrick) at the Forest Centre.

5 November until 18 December 2011 Ashdown Forest WoodturnersAshdown Forest Woodturners selling exhibition just in time for Christmas.

1 April 2012 Photographic artworks by John Lanteri Laura

FRIENDS DIARY DATES 20th October 2011 A Talk by Dr. Peter Scott - “Why are plants the sourceof so many medicines?” 8.00 pm Nutley War Memorial Hall. All very welcome. For non-members we invite a donation of £5 (or join on the evening).

Thursday 3rd November 2011 Members' Annual General Meeting8.00 pm Nutley War Memorial Hall.

Thursday 23rd February 2012 A Talk by Michael Blencowe from the Butterfly Conservation Society “Butterflies and Moths of Sussex with particular emphasis on Ashdown Forest.” 8.00 pm Nutley War Memorial Hall.

For information on how to join the Friends, see our websitewww.friendsofashdownforest.co.uk or email ashdownfriends@aol.com

THE CONSERVATORS OF ASHDOWN FOREST Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5JPT: 01342 823583 E: conservators@ashdownforest.org www.ashdownforest.org

Only printed on paper from sustainable forests. All paper used is FSC Certified and produced only at mills holding ISO 14001 certification.

This site is part of the European Natura 2000 Network. It has been designated because it hosts some ofEurope’s most threatened species and habitats. All 27 countries of the EU are working together through

the Network 2000 Network to safeguard Europe's rich and diverse natural heritage for the benefit of all. See www.natura.org.

Editorial: Paul Cooper, forest.marketing@btinternet.com Design and production: Studio 4, m.marriott@btconnect.com

Photography: Tracy Buxton, Paul Cooper, Chris Marrable

Forest Centre Exhibition Recent visitors to the Forest Centre Information Barn will have seen and enjoyed our brand new exhibition which was made possible by generousfunding from the Rotherwick Foundation with very kind support from the Weald Forest Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme.

Designed to be an interactive experience,it highlights not only the flora and faunato be found on the Forest but also the history and archaeology of the area.

We hope that you come and see the exhibition and learn more about our workon the Forest which will help you enjoyyour visit even more.

Welcome... Cover - An early marsh orchid

...to the autumn/winter issue of Ashdown Forest Life.

Having worked at the Forest Centre for over 17 years andseen the many positive changes in that time, I am absolutelydelighted to have become the first ever female Clerk to theBoard of Conservators. My aim is to continue to work with allwho care for this unique environment and to communicatewith all interested parties to ensure that our work is understood and embraced.

In this issue we highlight the growing problems associated with dog owners losingcontrol of their animals in areas where livestock are grazing; we draw attention tosome of the species of flora and fauna that make the Forest heathland so special;we highlight the Forest car parks that offer special views, walks or are best for picnics and we round up the latest news from the Forest Centre and give you some important dates for your diary.

I also hope that you come and enjoy our brand new exhibition in the InformationBarn. It is our aim to make the Forest Centre a place where you can come and learn about the work we do and to pick up tips and literature to inform and help you make the most of your time in this wonderful area.

I know that, like me, you love the Forest and I’d like to take this opportunity tothank you for your continued support for the vital work of preserving this importantarea for future generations.

Ros Marriott Clerk to the Board ros@ashdowforest.org

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Sheep news

As detailed in the spring issue of Ashdown Forest Life, grazing was undertaken with the sheep being protected for the first time by electric fencing. This allowed us to increase the number of grazing hours and number of grazing sites out on the heath. So far, the flock has spent a considerable time in a large enclosure in Wren’s WarrenValley, on the edge of the Ashdown Forest Golf Club and at a location near Jumpers Town.

Some of the sheep located within the permanently fencedgrazing area were victims of horrendous attacks by dogs.Several were badly mauled and others killed. Despite therelatively remote locations, lots of warning signs and theelectric fencing, one of the Hebridean sheep was also

severely injured, but fortunately, wassaved by the vet. We considered publishing the pictures in this issue, butdecided they were simply too horrific.

Indeed, injuries to one of the ewes were so severe it made the local news

headlines and elicited messages of concern and support from across the region.

Farmers do have a right to shoot dogs attacking or worrying sheep. We all sincerely hope that it doesn’t come to that. So, once again we are asking dog walkers to take special care to ensure their dogs are on a lead when approaching livestock out on the heath and when in the grazing area.

Our team of volunteer sheep wardens have been doing agreat job throughout the summer months and are being informally supported by horse riders (who have the best view of all!) local residents and visitors alike and we are extremely grateful for their input.

Now we are approaching the winter season and we are looking for winter keep for the flock and for places we canstore hay, feed and straw – so if you know of anywhereplease get in touch. If you would like find out more aboutbeing a sheep warden please contact the Forest Centre.

Left: Please be aware of grazing animalsBelow: Some of our Hebridean sheep

The Forest’s flock of Hebridean sheep, together with those belonging to Commoners, have been busily grazing on theheathland throughout the summer and it’s been an eventful and sometimes distressing season.

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European gorse in flower Fly agaric fungi

Recent involvement in the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme has meant that we have been able to manage the heath much more effectively. We are grateful as well to Natural England for sponsoring this publication so that we may better explain why we are taking a certain course of action (such as clearing trees and invasive species) in order to preserve this special place.

We hope you take the time to visit the Forest Centre before you set out so that you can pick up the necessary information to make the most of your visit. Here are just a few things to look out for during the coming weeks:

Flora and fauna on the ForestOne of the main responsibilities of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest is toconserve the Forest’s heathland, which is a rare and endangered habitat.

GORSEIgnoring the smallpatch of Western Gorsewhich was planted atHindleap in some kindof botanical experiment,there are two species ofgorse on the Forest:Dwarf Gorse and European Gorse. Dwarf Gorse is smaller,finer and softer than therobust European Gorsebut they are both

widely distributed across the Forest heathland. European Gorse is the subject of this article because it is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde plant.

The Mr Hyde (bad!) part of its character is associated with its ability to invade, especiallywhere the ground has been disturbed, its ability to use atmospheric nitrogen and increase soil fertility, contrary to the goals of heathland management and its high flammability when oldand leggy. This has to be balanced against the Dr Jekyll (good!) features: the attractiveness offlowering gorse along with the coconut smell andits high value for wildlife. Gorse flowers whenthere are few other nectar sources available,

so it is important for some invertebrates but it isperhaps more important for the structure and shelter that it provides. Dense gorse provides coverfor a range of species, including Dartford warblers,wood mice and reptiles. Old gorse, though beginning to lose some of its wildlife value, gives a framework for spiders to build webs and supports bird nests. In management terms, it is desirable to have a mosaic of gorse at allages, from seedling to geriatric.

To paraphrase Winnie the Pooh, or perhaps it was Piglet: “How do you find gorse on the Forest?” Answer: “Sit down”.

FUNGIThere is much debate about whether collectingfungi affects the total population. On the onehand, it is likened to picking blackberries, wherecollecting the fruit doesn’t reduce the plant. On the other hand, increased collection over thelast decades has coincided with an apparent reduction in abundance and variety of species.

Other Forests have taken action - the New Forest bans commercial picking, puts a 1.5 kglimit on personal collecting and entirely bans collection in some sensitive woodlands; Epping Forest issues a licence to anyone who wishes to collect fungi and bans all commercial picking.

On Ashdown Forest, our policy is to allow collection for personal use but commercial collection is not permitted.

Whether or not there is a direct effect, overcollection not only reduces a food resource forwildlife but also prevents other visitors from enjoying the amazing range of fungi which can occur on the Forest.

Cold winters can be hard on wildlife

From left to right: Bird’s-nest orchid; Bee orchid; Heath fragrant orchid;

Heath spotted-orchid; Early marsh orchid

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DARTFORD WARBLERSTwo hard winters have had a serious impact on Dartford warblers on the Forest, with numbers crashing from around forty pairs to perhaps the single pair found last summer. Vulnerable becausethey do not migrate south like most other insectivorous warblers and because their small size leads to rapid heat loss, their numbers can fluctuate widely according to weather conditions.They can cope with moderate winters, foraging forspiders and other invertebrates under the foliage of dense gorse and heather and probably survive while the snow forms a blanket over the vegetation.When the snow melts however, but the cold persists,they struggle to survive.

Dartford warblers and nightjars are the two breedingbird species which are responsible for Ashdown Forestbeing designated as a Special Protection Area underEuropean conservation regulations.

On an optimistic note, Dartford warblers can have upto three broods of four eggs each summer, so there isan opportunity for rapid population growth, if theweather is kind.

DORMICEHazel dormice seem to have had a good year on theForest. The two long-term monitoring schemes haverevealed decent numbers of animals, including amother and four young from a box in the Vacherywoodland. The dormouse boxes are also particularlypopular with blue and great tits, with nearly half ofthe boxes occupied with nests, eggs or young at theMay check. They only seem to have one brood and itis not unusual to find an old tit nest being used bydormice later in the summer. One box at CackleStreet was home to a family of woodmice, which notonly explode out of the box when the inspection takesplace but also bite given half a chance. So far, therehave been no boxes with bee, wasp or hornet nests to contend with!

ORCHIDSHeathland is probably not the first choice for botanists who want to go out and look for orchids. However, with its range of habitats and some luck, it is possible to find nearly a dozen species on the Forest.

Frequency on the Forest Location & comment

Violet and Broad-leaved helleborine Rare Roadsides & clay soils e.g. Cackle Street

Bird’s-nest orchid Rare Roadsides at Twyford lane and Priory Road

Common twayblade Uncommon Roadsides at Priory Road and Hindleap

Pyramidal orchid Very rare One plant in Churlwood carpark appears irregularly since 1991; second plant near Roman Road car park on imported road stone

Bee orchid One plant One plant occurs irregularly by the Visitor Centre car park

Heath fragrant orchid Very rare A group of plants near the Visitor Centre probably equates to a site described in Coleman’s flora of 1836

Common spotted-orchid Occasional Some plants on improved grassland especially on roadsides

Heath spotted-orchid Frequent Most common species on the Forest, notable for its spotted leaves

Early marsh-orchid Occasional Few persistent plants in a bog near the Old Lodge boundary

Early purple-orchid Occasional Few plants in Cackle Street, in the coppice and in the hedgerow

Chris Marrable, Forest Superintendent

A typical Forest view

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The Forest Car Parks

FOREST CENTRE, BROADSTONE AND LINTONSFar reaching views over to the distant North Downs. A good place for a picnic as tables, loos and the Information Barn are close by.

GILLS LAPBest for exploring Pooh Country including Wrens Warren Valley with Eeyore’sGloomy Place and glorious far-reaching views. Great for flying kites!

HOLLIES AND STONEHILLWide distant views across the low Weald. On a fine day Firle Beacon (16 miles away) and the South Downs can be seen. Wonderful open heathland with a beautiful walk down to the Airman’s Grave – a quiet and peaceful spot.

FRIENDSNext to the iconic Friends’ Clump. Streams at the bottom of the valley that you can follow as far as the lovely Garden of Eden. Great for paddling and splashing about. Close to Nutley Windmill that is open to the public on a regular basis.

DUMPYS AND RIDGEFor exploring an interesting mix of woodland and finding some very large beech trees and chestnut coppice. Some good picnic spots.

GOATFor exploring a section of the ancient Pale ( the fence that surrounded the originalRoyal hunting ground), finding the Meridian redwood and enjoying the woodland.

HINDLEAP AND TWYFORDDiscover ancient pillow mounds (rabbit warrens) and enjoy a peaceful section of the Forest.

TREES AND VACHERYWalk to the interesting lost Vachery woodland garden with species rhododendron,splashing waterfalls, bubbling streams and deep ponds.

LONG AND RESERVOIRDiscover some of the Forest’s military history with a walk down a WWII airstrip to some pretty ponds. Tracy Buxton

One of the things that visitors to the Forest comment on are the numerous, free, parking areas. All have something different to offer whether it be for the views, the access to wonderful heathland walks, stunning picnic areas or for the ease of boxing your horse for that exhilarating ride(having first purchased your permit from the Forest Centre of course!) Here we pick out just a few and summarise the advantages to be had from starting your visit there. Don’t forget that there is a full range of walks leaflets available from the Forest Centre.

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Below: Controlled clearing and burning Out of control and devastating

Forest fires Visitors are often surprised that the Forest Bye-Laws allow the use of picnic stoves in the car parks in the middle of summer but forbid their use in the winter and spring. Surely the risk of Forest fires is greatest in the summer?

Actually, the majority of fires start in the previousyear’s dead vegetation where bracken and purplemoor grass are dried out by sunny, windy days in the spring. It is not unusual to be fighting a serious Forest fire over ground which is completelywaterlogged! By the end of June, the vegetation is lush and green and will only burn if there hasbeen an exceptionally dry period.

Information Barn A day in the life of..... a Forest volunteer.

Toby, accompanied by his father, came into the Information Barn at the Ashdown Forest Centre carefully holding a tissue cupped in both hands. He walked straight to the counter (which he could barely see over) and gingerly placed the tissue down. ‘Please could you tell me what this is?’ he said, gently unwrapping the tissue. My heart sank. There was a beautifuliridescent insect. I hadn’t the faintest idea what it was. However, some minutes later, after the three of us had trawled through a number of reference books on insects we agreed that it was a blue shield bug. Toby was thrilled and tottered off to release it back into the wild.

The next visitor who came into the Barn wanted to know where he and hiswife could enjoy a fairly level walk with far reaching views. Hurrah, I knewthe answer to this! They were directed to Reservoir car park and given thewalk leaflet which incorporates the Old Airstrip. They popped back in a fewhours later to say how much they had enjoyed the walk and to thank me. These are typical examples of the sort of questions which Volunteers getasked. Our role is to educate and help people maximise their enjoyment of the Forest, and to promote the work of the Board and staff.

You don’t have to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the Forest, but a willingness to learn and to engage with our visitors is important. If you canspare a few hours and would like to help, why not contact us?Hilary Randall, Volunteer

With almost no exceptions, fires are started bypeople, occasionally maliciously but normally due to carelessness or disregard for the Bye-Laws.Rangers and Fire Fighters have frequently found a half-finished barbecue as the source of a Forest fire.

The impact of heathland fires is complex: properlyplanned and controlled small fires at the righttime of year and over the appropriate vegetation(as seen here on a fire-fighting training day) can actually be beneficial, coppicing over-maturevegetation and controlling scrub invasion. Unplanned fires, however, which can quickly getout of control at the wrong time of year, can bedevastating – destroying birds’ nests, killing reptiles and threatening properties.

For full details of the Bye-Laws please visit ourwebsite www.ashdownforest.org