SOMERSETP.N.R. Private Nature Reserve Network Newsletter Autumn 2010

Creating a Living Landscape for Somerset

NETWORK

The value of our Orchards for WildlifeTraditional Orchards are a characteristic feature of our rural landscape and a vital part of our heritage. The first written records of orchards appeared in Anglo-Saxon times; however it is believed that our prehistoric ancestors cultivated fruit trees around 20,000 years ago. Traditional orchards are important as reservoirs of unusual or rare apple varieties, such as the Kingston Black which actually originated in Taunton in the 19th century.

Park wood in May, photo by Valerie Godsmark

PNR Network Orchard Workshop Sunday 14 November 2010 Our Autumn Workshop will cover the value of old orchards for wildlife and their maintainance, as well as the planting of new ones.Speakers: Kate Merry, Orchard project officer from the National Trust and Les Davies MBE with over 40 years of orcharding experience in the west country. Venue in the morning for the talks: Williams Hall, Stoke St Gregory, TA3 6EU.In the afternoon a visit to Parsonage Farm, West Lyng led by Les Davis to look at the orchards, learn about pruning techniques and management and look around wildlife areas. BOOKING ESSENTIALRSVP to Ruth White. Details on the booking form. Kingston Black

Orchards for Wildlife continued

The combination of fruit trees, grassland floor, hedgerow boundaries and scrub, fallen and standing deadwood and associated features such as ponds and streams mean that Traditional Orchards offer a mosaic of very different habitats. Rare and unusual species, such as the noble chafer, mistletoe marble moth and the orchard tooth fungus are strongly associated with old fruit trees.

Fruit trees produce the features of veteran trees relatively early. Being widely spaced, decaying and dead wood in the sun provides good insect habitat. The tree bark supports plant hoppers, moths and bugs, providing an attractive food source for birds, such as woodpeckers, tree creepers, thrushes and wagtails. Unsprayed orchards, in particular, are excellent insect hunting grounds for bats. The nectar and pollen attract honey bees and stag beetles. In the autumn, fallen fruit attracts more birds as well as mammals, such as hedgehogs, feeding up before hibernating. Butterflies, moths and hoverflies will also zoom into the free buffet.

Where the grassland below the trees has not been overly managed, a wonderful wildflower meadow can survive. On the orchard floor at this time of year, a multitude of fungi such as waxcaps and giant puffballs appear.

It was not until the 20th century that the area covered by traditional orchards in Britain started to decline rapidly. Since the 1950s over 60% of British orchard cover has been lost, making the remaining traditional orchards beyond measurable value.

Traditional Orchards have been identified as a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) habitat in Somerset because of their numerous cultural, environmental and economic benefits in combination with their alarming, and continued, decline in area.

How to manage your orchard for wildlifeIn the long term, neglected orchards will not sustain their wildlife value. A low- intensively managed orchard will crop well in fruit as well as flora and fauna!

Greater Stag beetle

Making cider at Cooks Farm PNR

Green woodpecker photo by Ben Simmons

Don’t forget to record the species you find and send them to SERC. This autumn, the Somerset Biodiversity Partnership is launching a new survey for waxcaps and encourages recording of these colourful waxcap fungi on areas of short grassland beneath orchards (and anywhere else!). Spot them between September and December.

There is a highly recommended new website with masses more expert advice on how to manage orchards for wildlife. Take a look at http://www.orchardnetwork.org.uk/. Natural England has produced a series of Technical Information Notes on orchards downloadable from their website.

Vicky Roe- Mottershead and Alison Slade, Somerset Biodiversity Partnership

Here are some suggestions for boosting biodiversity in orchards:

Be untidy – keep a patch of nettles, brambles or rough grass. Allow some ivy and mistletoe to remain, although too much will weaken the trees.

Cut out the chemicals as far as possible – pesti-cides kill friendly insects and fertilisers discourage wild flowers.

Write a management plan for your orchard

If branches die, leave some in place to rot. Birds such as owls and nuthatches nest in tree holes. Leave fallen branches and trees within the or-chard.

Leave some fruit on the ground to rot and com-post windfalls.

Plant young local varieties of fruit trees for the future of your orchard. Plant a native hedge around the orchard.

Come to the PNR Network workshop on on man-aging orchards.

Sign up to the Somerset Orchard Newsletter with Joy Williams at Somerset County Council on jewil-liams@somerset.gov.uk.

Green woodpecker photo by Ben Simmons Wax caps fungi

Visit to Derek and Barbara Simmons PNR

In July members of the South East Somerset area were invited to our PNR for an evening walk around cut paths, followed by refreshments. Nine people attended and we spent a pleasant two and a half hours on an unhurried tour which provided plenty of time for discussion of what was seen and of their own PNRs. Luckily the weather was fine and there were very few midges. The response of people afterwards was favourable and we felt that they enjoyed meeting each other. During the walk some Yellow Rattle that we were unaware of was pointed out to us.

From 2005-2007 we built three banks of crushed concrete, chalk and oolitic limestone having seen the butterfly banks at Clive Farrell’s reserve at Folke and at Carymoor. The principle is that the high pH and low fertility discourage grasses allowing wildflowers to flourish. Their advice is to allow the endemic flora to establish itself, but we did not want to wait that long and the surrounding pasture though rich in Buttercups, Knapweed, Corky-fruited Water-dropwort, Bird’s-foot-trefoil and Devil’s-bit Scabious did not have great diversity. Therefore we introduced plug plants and set up a nursery bed nearby and used seeds from these to grow up plants for the other banks. Our garden was the source of a good quantity of Marjoram and Evening Primrose.

The first two of the banks faced approximately west and the tops of these were planted with flowering shrubs including late-flowering Chinese Buddleias obtained as cuttings from Folke and these have

been a great success, being covered in butterflies, bees etc. Some of the other plants have not done so well, particularly Vervain which flourishes at Carymoor and Great and Dark Mullein which should do well on alkaline soils. To our great surprise these, along with Ragged Robin, Viper’s-bugloss and Evening Primrose have seeded prolifically in the adjacent disused menage made of basalt dust. In some areas the Viper’s-bugloss has grown at a density of 50 to 100 plants per square metre. On the first bank Knapweeds, Scabious, Dyer’s Greenweed. Marjoram, Fleabane and Wild Strawberry have spread well and Bird’s-foot-trefoil, cinquefoil and Tufted Vetch have colonised naturally.

The third bank faces south and is backed by a bank of clay. Our intention was to have mainly Marjoram and Valerian here but the Marjoram has not spread very well and the Valerian was decimated by Deer, as was the Vetch and Corky-fruited Water-dropwort which had colonised the clay bank. We have now fenced around it to exclude the deer and also the increasing rabbit population. The butterflies etc from the surrounding pasture congregate on the Marjoram in great numbers. The clay bank is probably more useful for birds and moths than butterflies as it supports Teasels, various Willowherbs and Wild Strawberries.

On the whole we feel this is a good way of providing a substantial food source over an extended period for insect populations in a limited space and it allows the pasture to be cut and grazed when convenient without too much detriment.

Derek and Barbara Simmons

Local Area news

Looking down over the Jan Hobbs Reserve

A summer evening at Derek and Barbara’s reserve

Bluebell time at Park Wood, Chaffcombe

In early May we showed 34 members of the PNR Network round our Ancient Woodland Private Nature reserve explaining elements of management mentioned in last September’s workshop and changes since the group’s visit 7 years ago. With several Ancient woodland indicators in flower, some visitors saw Toothwort, Herb Paris and Sanicle for the first time. Early Purple Orchids put on a good show. As for the Bluebells this year....................they were splendid. Everyone seemed to enjoy the walk, questions were answered in the woods or over tea. Many thanks to Maggie, Avril, Gill & Annie for providing refreshments.

Valerie & John Godsmark

Of Harps and Twiddlers: Bechstein’s Bat Survey

Valerie & John Godsmark were delighted that Park Wood, Chaffcombe was chosen for the first of Somerset’s Bechstein’s Bat Survey 2010. A fascinating evening/early morning was spent in the depths of the wood whilst Paul, Tony, Lou & others set up the equipment and then emptied the traps. Possibly the Bechstein’s hadn’t realised they were to be surveyed................they didn’t put in an appearance but 8 Brown Long-eared, a Whiskered or Brandt’s and a Natterer’s smiled for the camera and let themselves be sexed and weighed for the records. Bechstein’s have been found at Thurlbear and other sites in Somerset & Devon so they are about.

Further details of the survey can be found on Bat Conservation website and makes very interesting reading (www.bats.org.uk/bechsteinsproject )Lou Pickersgill has since carried out “Anabat” remote recording over the pond at Park Wood. Over 2 nights at the end of June, more than 3 000 bat passes were recorded revealing a lot of interesting information. In summary it showed similar behaviour on each of the 2 nights. The first bats came out at 21:36 hours and were Common Pipistrelles followed quarter of an hour later by Sopranos, remaining active for a few hours. Just before midnight it was the turn of the Myotis bats which included Daubenton’s, probable Whiskered/Brandt’s and Natterer’s . Most of the activity was from 23.45 including social calls. A Serotine bat passed through at 2.18 whilst the other bats were still active. Then it was “bedtime” as the Myotis species retired about 04.30 am followed by the Common Pipistrelles and the last to bed was a Soprano Pipistrelle at 04:55am. Now we know why we haven’t seen many bats: we’ve gone to bed too early!

For those interested in BATS, the Forestry Commission in partnership with Bat Conservation has published a booklet “Woodland Management for Bats” which includes a CD. It is available FREE from: Forestry Commission Publications, PO Box 25, Wetherby, West Yorks LS23 7EW (Tel: 0870 121 4180 email: forestry@twoten.press.net) a pdf is also available to downlad at www.bats.org.uk/publications_download.php/327/WoodlandManagementForBats_web.pdf

A spring walk in Park Wood, Val and John’s reserve

A warm welcome to Liz Eley Hi – I’m Liz Eley, the new contact for East Mendip, Wells, and Mendip Hills. The bee orchids were photographed at my PNR in Great Elm near Frome in 2009. This year we had a number but they were a bit weedy and faded.

We have a 20-acre site of ancient wildflower mead-ows, which are also part of an old hill fort, so the views are spectacular. Westbury White Horse, Cley Hill, Alfred’s Tower, Cranmore Tower, ‘The Mast’, Glastonbury Tor. I love the idea of being a beacon site for passing messages such as ‘the Spanish Armada is coming’. Also the Romans were here, so there is a wealth of history as well as all the brilliant orchids. We have early purples, green-winged, tway-blade, greater butterfly, marsh, common spotted, pyramidal, and of course, bee orchids. We also have one or two hybrids or oddities such as white versions. We seem to collect oddities (excuse me, group members, I didn’t mean you!)

A couple of years ago, I noticed the primrose patch had particularly long stalks on some, and on closer

Photo by Liz Eley

East Mendip Area Group WalkOn the 26th June, we had our first meeting at Liz Eley’s 20-acre reserve (SSSI and PNR) at Eley’s Fields, near Great Elm. On a blazing hot day we wandered in ancient grassland on Newbury Hill Fort, where Liz and her son showed us a wealth of orchids (common spotted, pyramidal and bee) in the close-packed herbs and grasses. Tea and cakes and a general get-to-know-each-other followed. Although it was Glastonbury weekend, half our members were there.Liz Eley has now volunteered to take over not only my role as East Mendip Area contact but also Wells contact role also; we shall have a good size combined group.

Prue Piper

A big thankyou to Prue Piper and Auriol Penniceard who are standing down as local area contacts for East Mendip and Wells and a warm welcome to Liz Eley who has volunteered to be the contact for both areas.

Having area contacts is working well it means we can hold more local events and get to know other PNR owners. We are looking for more local area contacts particularly for Yeovil and Poldens areas. If you are interested in helping please contact Matthew Marshal or Ruth White details at the end.

investigation I found multiple heads like cowslips. They had hybridised to become false oxlips.I never know whether to interfere with nature and split the clump as it is becoming much larger and very dense – so far I’ve left it.

We originally bought the fields to keep 150 Angora goats (mohair) and our 4 shires, but we discovered the orchids and during hedgelaying courses which we run, we found lots of other interesting things. We have bullaces, which are like large sweet sloes without the prickles which are apparently a feature on iron age hill forts so they were possibly cultivat-ed, and we have ancient oaks, and fairly uncommon wild service trees. When we walk in the Summer, we put up clouds of butterflies, with marbled whites, blues and loads of different types of ‘brown’ ones – you can see I’m not a butterfly expert! And if you are a grasses expert, we need you – there are so many different sorts. My favourite is the quaking grass. We also have what we thought was a one-leafed bog orchid but which turned out to be an uncom-mon fern!! Snakes tongue? I need to look it up.

Sadly our oldest shire died aged 37, not from ill health but because her back legs gave up and we couldn’t keep lifting her up if she decided to lay down to sleep. We do have two unbelievably ugly kune-kune pigs though, called Sausages & Bacon – but they won’t be because I knew their Mum – and a number of chickens. The goats are now geriatric in the extreme, down to 10, and continue to thrive – probably because of all the herbs, etc they can access.

Wildlife also abounds here – bats, birds, badgers, foxes – we are incredibly lucky to have this site.It’s been traditionally farmed (or neglected) and as a consequence is a natural unimproved grassland with a wealth of history and abundant species which often reflects some of that history.I’m just about to release some ‘rescue’ barn owls. Hope they stay as we recently lost our resident.

You can catch up with us at Eley’s Fields by contact-ing us on 01373-472312 or on my mobile 17929-344891 or my son Bryan’s mobile 07974742068 or e-mail: liz.eley@uwclub.net Contact details are:- Liz 39 Butts Hill, Frome, BA11 1HR Tel:01373 472312E-mail: liz.eley@uwclub.net mobile: 07929 344891Bryan (son) mobile: 07974 742068

PNR Spring visit planned to Eley’s Fields details in the next newletter or on the PNR website Alder coppice Cooks Farm North Brewham

Pollarded oak in North Brewham

Things to be getting on withWith the nights drawing in and the recent stormy weather it is inevitable that thoughts begin to turn to the latter part of the year and the impending winter. Whilst many animals will be stocking up ready to hunker down over the coldest part of the year there is plenty for us to be getting on with out and about.

With birds having finished their breeding for the year it is time to think about any clearing scrub, laying hedges and clearing any rides which may exist in your woodland. Although it is time to start planning these works they should be left until early in the new year to ensure that any foodstuffs are retained for as long as possible. With trees no longer in leaf it is also a good time to check for tree safety (especially where there is public access). Where it is safe to do so, dead wood should remain on the tree as standing deadwood provides an important habitat for a number of species. If this is not safe to keep standing deadwood then retaining the cut wood in piles is the next best option.

Winter is the key time for pruning work in orchards either for ongoing maintenance or as part of a plan to restore neglected orchards. The PNR network is running and orchard management workshop where you can find out more information about this important habitat its management.

Ponds that need vegetation clearing or areas dredging should be tackled over the winter as many animals and invertebrates are no longer active and works at this time are the least damaging to these species.

But before I get carried away with plans for winter activities and ignoring the rest of summer there is still an opportunity to make hay while the sun shines. If meadows have not yet been cut then it is time to get this done. The most important thing is to remove cut material to ensure that nutrient levels in the soil are kept at relatively low levels.

Stories to share We are keen to hear from any other members who have a story to share. Have you had a great success that you want to shout about or has something not worked out as expected and you feel that others may be able to learn from your experience? Please get in touch with Matthew Marshall (matthew.marshall@somersetwildlife.org) with your stories.

AREA CONTACTSWEST SOMERSETDan Clark - Keepers Cottage, West Quantoxhead, Taunton TA44DWTel: 01984 632286email: danglen@clark2008.entadsl.com EAST MENDIP, MENDIP HILLS AND WELLSLiz EleyEley Angoras, Frome, SomersetTel: 01373 472312email: liz.eley@uwclub.netSOUTH EAST SOMERSETBarbara & Derek Simmons Tel: 01963 31424 email: derekstbls@aol.comTAUNTON DEANEDavid Burnell Tel: 01823 480342 email: dibburn@aol.comHEART OF THE LEVELSDavid German Tel: 01458 259688 email: levelswildlife@btinternet.comlLMINSTER/CHARDValerie & John Godsmark Tel: 01460 234551email: godsmark@pnrnetwork.org.uk

We need area contacts forCENTRAL EAST, YEOVIL, POLDENSIf you would like to help please contact Ruth or Matthew details belowPNR STAFF CONTACT Matthew Marshall, Advisory & Wider Countryside Officer Somerset Wildlife Trust, Tonedale Mill, Tonedale, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 0AW Tel: 01823 652410 email: matthew.marshall@somersetwildlife.orgPNR ADMINISTRATIONRuth WhiteSomerset Wildlife Trust, Tonedale Mill, Tonedale, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 0AWemail: ruth.white@somersetwildlife.orgIf you change your email address please inform Ruth.

MembershipAs always we are keen to recruit new members. The network relies upon members sharing experiences and more members equal more experiences. Membership forms are available from Ruth White (ruth.white@somersetwildlife.org) or on

PNR Network Website and Forum www.pnrnetwork.org.uk

GrantsAs some of you may be aware the Somerset Landscape Scheme has unfortunately become a victim of the cuts at County hall. This has resulted in the loss of grants for tree and shrub planting, hedge planting, orchard planting, willow pollarding, ponds, hedge laying, dry stone walling and small woods management. On a more positive note the grants for Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) have been saved and are still available. If you own a LWS and are interested in applying for the grants then please get in touch with Matthew Marshall (matthew.marshall@somersetwildlife.org). Other options are still available if your PNR is not designated as an LWS. If you are interested in creating a pond then it may be possible to get some funding through the Million Ponds Project (www.pondconservation.org.uk/millionponds), whilst if you are interested in woodland creation of greater than 1ha then it may be possible to get funding through The Woodland Trusts MOREWoods project (www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/plant-trees/plant-a-wood/Pages/morewoods.aspx)

Photographic Exhibition & TalksWork by five top photographers inspired by the trees and wildlife of the Ancient Forest of Selwood is taking place at the award winning At The Chapel, restaurant in Bruton from 28 Sept.-30 Oct.

During the exhibition 2 related talks take place at The Hobhouse Theatre, Bruton School for Girls.

Ted Green October 7th Trees Past, Present and FurtureTed Green MBE is known as the ancient tree man he will be joined by Jill Butler from the Ancient Tree Forum.

Rob Kesseler October 29th Particles of Prolifick VirtueRob is a visual artist and Professor of Ceramic Art & Design he will talk about his work and collaboration with Kew including the extordinary images of pollen in the exhibition.

Tickets for talks are £7.50 buy on line www.somersetwildlife.org or send a cheque to Patricia Stainton, Cooks Farm, North Brewham, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0JQ with a stamped adressed envelope stating which talks you want to attend.