Burnham Beeches Management Plan 2010 - the City of London ...

4 objectives & actions - Conservation
4.1.4 Grassland
Apart from small patches of acid grassland
(covered under 4.2.3. above), the main area of
grassland in Burnham Beeches is the Main
Common that has been sown and previously
managed for recreation. Although this gives the
impression of a recreation area as one enters
the Beeches the current mowing regime for this
area is designed to maximise conservation value
as well as recreation.
Paths are only cut before 30 June; the southern
and eastern sides are cut on a three year
rotation. Some verges along roadsides are
mown to ensure good sightlines for traffic and
visitors crossing roads. The mowing regimes
may need to be altered as the grazing area is
increased and it would be desirable to alter the
entrance from Beeches Road to create a better
impression i.e. one more in keeping with the
status of the site as a nature reserve.
Target: to manage the Main Common and
verges at road junctions both for wildlife
value and for recreation.
Achieved by: continuing to manage the
Main Common and sightlines using the
current mowing programme and guidelines
in the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)
agreement until the grazing expansion is
implemented, then review as necessary;
trying to increase the nature conservation
value; scrub control around Victory cross.
Explore simple options for the design of the
entrance to Burnham Beeches to make it
more welcoming and representative of a
nature reserve by 2015.
4.1.5 Ponds
30
Of the three main ponds in the Beeches, two
have concrete outflows that are not in keeping
with their wildlife and nature conservation
values. Any changes will however need to
ensure that the structures are safe and do not
make any significant alterations to the
hydrological levels up stream of them. Both
ponds had silt removed from certain areas over
15 years ago and, despite subsequent small scale
removals this needs reviewing: more work may
be required.
Both ponds regularly suffer from introductions
of exotic species (terrapins and goldfish for
example) and are at risk of colonisation by
invasive plant species. All such species should
be removed when found and the risk of future
introductions reduced if possible.
Target: improve the visual, safety and
wildlife qualities of the ponds.
Achieved by: surveying the outflows of
Upper and Middle Ponds and carrying out
any improvement works necessary and
possible; drawing up a plan for silt and
vegetation removal and carry this out;
ensuring agreement of Natural England for
any changes; removing any exotic species
and carrying out publicity campaigns to try
to prevent further introductions.