Examples of Biodiversity Action in Fareham
Small Blue Project - Anson Grove, Portchester
Organisation - Butterfly Conservation local group
On the lower slopes of Portsdown Hill, just north of Portchester, there is a small abandoned chalk pit which supports a colony of the Small Blue butterfly, a biodiversity priority species. This area of Portsdown Hill used to support 4 substantial populations of this butterfly but over the last 15 years numbers have declined and the chalk pit contains the only remaining viable colony.
The small blue is the smallest British butterfly measuring up to 27mm. Although called 'blue' its colour ranges from smoky black to brown. The caterpillars feed exclusively on kidney vetch, a plant that grows on the sparsely vegetated slopes of the pit, which needs sheltered sunny conditions to thrive.
Although widely distributed, the small blue is only found in small numbers, probably due to its very specific habitat requirements. National research between 1995 and 1999 has shown that it has declined by 50%. A major reason for the decline is likely to be deterioration in habitat quality due to a lack of management. This was happening in the chalk pit with scrub shading out the grassland and 'garden escapes' including Cotoneaster, invading the slopes. Without proper management, conditions would become unsuitable and the colony could be lost.
The best management, grazing, is not practical in this location so members of the local group of Butterfly Conservation volunteered to carry out practical management of the site. Firstly they produced a management plan which was agreed with Fareham Borough Council Officers. Then a number of conservation tasks were organised to cut back the scrub, cut and rake the grassland and remove Cotoneaster.
The indications so far are that this work has had a positive effect with the kidney vetch flourishing and 62 individual butterflies observed in 2001. In addition a range of other plants, including orchids, have reappeared on the sides of the chalk pit.
Yellow-necked mice at Holly Hill Woodland Park
Organisation - Fareham Borough Council Woodland and Countryside Ranger Service
Holly Hill Woodland Park is situated in Sarisbury, on the border with Warsash, and extends southwest to the River Hamble. It comprises 35 hectares of Victorian parkland and semi - natural woodland. The Park is a public open space and very popular with locals and visitors alike. The site is currently managed by Fareham Borough Council's Countryside Ranger Service who combine informal recreation and nature conservation within a management plan.
Holly Hill is home to a number of biodiversity priority species including the Yellow-necked Mouse, Apodemus flavicollis. This species forages in trees and shrubs and requires a well-developed structure within the woodland.
Much of the woodland management concentrates on developing a varied understorey. This is achieved through coppicing blocks of hazel and creating a 'high forest' structure with scalloped margins and rides. This work also helps to reduce the effects of a high 'edge to area ratio', caused by the extensive footpath network. In addition to helping the yellow-necked mouse, the management work also benefits butterflies and a wide range of other insects.
The Ranger Service is assisted in its work by 'The Friends of Holly Hill', a group of local people, who undertake much of the woodland management alongside the ranger service. Work is varied and interesting, particularly when it is geared towards improving and creating habitat beneficial to a wide variety of species.
Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve (NNR)
Organisation - Hampshire County Council Countryside Service
Bitterns are shy and secretive birds, more often heard than seen. The males 'boom' in the spring, a distinctive sound which carries up to 5 km. They are a rare breeding bird in the UK, with currently fewer than 30 breeding females. Research has shown that they prefer large areas of reedbed in which to nest and feed, using especially those areas of reed which border open water and which hold high numbers of fish such as eels, their most important prey. Sites with suitable conditions have declined in number since the early 1960s when bittern numbers reached their peak.
The bittern has been listed as one of the UK Government's Biodiversity Action Plan species, the target being to increase the breeding numbers to 50 pairs by the year 2010.
In Hampshire the bittern is a regular winter visitor to Titchfield Haven NNR, with 2 or occasionally 3 birds present from October until late March/early April.
During the last decade considerable effort has been put into creating new reedbeds and improving existing ones at the Haven with grant aid from English Nature.
At Titchfield Haven approximately 50 acres of new reedbeds have been created since 1985. Management of these reedbeds for bitterns has included installation of sluices and pipes to achieve improved control of water levels, the excavation of open water channels within the reedbeds, the making the reedbeds accessible for fish and the periodic cutting of invasive scrub. The profiling of water channels within the reedbeds is important when taking account of access to prey items.
Suggested ditch profile with required management
Swanwick Nature Reserve
Organisation - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust in partnership with National Air Traffic Transport Services Ltd
Swanwick Reserve and Study Centre, a joint partnership between Hampshire Wildlife Trust and National Air Traffic Transport Services Ltd, is a wonderful local resource.
The nature reserve, which is based on old clay extraction pits associated with the Bursledon Brick Works, was created as a result of the development of the new Air Traffic Control Centre. It is a good example of how the planning process can be used to enhance wildlife. A legal agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority was attached to the planning permission. This agreement provided for a 30 hectare nature reserve with an education centre and a fulltime education warden.
The reserve, has three main habitats to explore; ponds, meadow and woodland. Many people visit the site including school groups. The reserve is an open air classroom in which school groups can study all areas of the curriculum from science and maths through to literacy and drama. The warden is on hand to help lead and advise groups. The reserve also runs courses for teachers, as well as a range of public events for children and adults. It is fully accessible and has a fully equipped study centre.
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