Autumn/Winter 2012 - Ashdown Forest

FORTHCOMING FRIENDS’ EVENTSThursday 8th November 2012 - Members’ Annual General Meeting8.00 p.m. at Nutley War Memorial Hall.Wednesday 13th March 2013 - The Natural History of the Ashdown Forest8.00 p.m. at Crowborough Community Centre, Pine Grove, CrowboroughRanger Rich Allum has worked on the Forest since 2005 and is the South Chase Ranger.This is an opportunity to learn what it is that makes this area so special.Sunday 21st April 2013 - A Bird Walk on the Ashdown Forest9.00 a.m. location to be decidedMembers of the Ashdown Forest Bird Group will lead us as they point out birds that can be seen andheard that morning. Please note the start of this walk will be decided in the days before the walk.Please let Pat Arnold know your email address or phone her shortly beforehand for details.Sunday 19th May 2013- A Friends Walk on the Ashdown Forest10.00 a.m. from Long car park.We will explore the Vachery Gardens, Braeberry Ponds and the plot of land at Chelwood Gatepurchased by The Friends in 2012. The walk will be about 4 miles and take 2 to 3 hours.Please bring stout footwear and suitable protective clothing.Thursday 30th May 2013 - Bats and the work of the Sussex Bat Hospital2.30 p.m. at the Ashdown Forest Centre Education BarnJenny Clark will give us an insight into her work with the hospital and bring some bats to show us.This event is free for members and accompanying children although, as places are limited, bookingis essential. A retiring collection will be made, the proceeds going to the bat hospital.Please note all events other than the meetings at Nutley and Crowborough must be pre-booked. For furtherinformation and to book a place on any of the above events, which are free to members (£5 for non-membersor join on the day), please contact Pat Arnold on 01892 611414 or email : ashdownfriends@aol.com.Editorial: Paul Cooper, forest.marketing@btinternet.comDesign and production: Studio 4, m.marriott@btconnect.comPhotography: Simon Aguss (High Weald AONB Unit),Paul Cooper, Iain Faulkner, Chris Marrable.Only printed on paper from sustainable forests.All paper used is FSC Certified and produced only at mills holding ISO 14001 certification.We are grateful to Natural Englandfor supporting Ashdown Forest Life.This site is part of the European Natura 2000 Network.It has been designated because it hosts some of Europe’s mostthreatened species and habitats. All 27 countries of the EU areworking together through the Network 2000 Network to safeguardEurope's rich and diverse natural heritage for the benefit of all.See www.natura.org.THE CONSERVATORS OF ASHDOWN FORESTAshdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5JPT: 01342 823583 E: conservators@ashdownforest.orgwww.ashdownforest.orgFollow news on the Forest via Facebook and Twitter!ASHDOWN FORESTCelebrating over 125 years of care for the Forest www.ashdownforest.orglifeISSUE NO 14 AUTUMN/WINTER 2012WELCOME FROM OUR NEW DIRECTORSHEEP NEWSTHE THREATENED HABITATS OF THE FORESTDOGS AND THE FORESTNEWSDIARY DATES

WelcomeCover - A Friends' walk setting out from the Forest CentreThe sheep and cattle (inset) haveenjoyed excellent grazing this summer.I find it hard tobelieve that I willhave already beenin my post for 6months – the dayshave just flown byand, as Ros said inthe last edition,I can confirm thatno two days havebeen the same!It has been apleasure to meet so many of you here at the ForestCentre and at various Forest events and activities -thank you for your warm welcome.A little bit about my background – I have lived inEast Sussex for nearly 40 years, firstly in Chiddinglyand for the last 35 years in Warbleton, nearHeathfield. Until my post was made redundant inJanuary this year I worked for over 20 years forAction in Rural Sussex ( AirS) – a medium sized,rural community development charity, employing some40 staff across East and West Sussex. During my timethere I developed, worked on and managed a widerange of programmes and projects, latterly witha focus on heritage, families, young people,partnerships and education.So, what have I been doing since the 1st May? Firstly,getting to know the staff team, the Conservators, andour volunteers - what a great team we have;experienced, knowledgeable, hardworking andpassionate about the Forest. Secondly, getting to knowthe Forest. Although I have lived in Wealden for manyyears and visited the Forest on many occasions with mychildren, grandchildren and visitors, I can honestly saythat I have since been to places I never knew existed(and I have barely explored yet) – it is truly a uniqueand magical place whatever the weather! Thirdly,I have been making contact with key individuals,groups and organisations to explore the issuesaffecting us both now and, in this uncertain world,in the future – the forming of strong partnershipsand co-operative working have to be a significantelement in any future planning.Many of you will be aware that much of my timehas been taken up with meetings and discussionsregarding future Forest Centre development. I havebeen working with the Board, the newly formed ForestCentre Development Committee and the staff team, tothoroughly investigate all the options available to usin order to ensure we continue to provide first classmanagement and protection of the Forest, as well asconserving ‘it as a quiet and natural area ofoutstanding beauty’ for both current andfuture generations.For a number of reasons this is a period ofuncertainty and potential change – I hope thatby the next edition I will be able to update you onsome definite plans for the future both regardingthe Forest Centre development and otherprogrammes of work.A plea before signing off! We are always looking toextend our volunteer team – we have a range ofopportunities available and some new ideas in thepipeline so, if you are interested in supporting us witha few hours of your time, then do please get in touchwith Tracy at the Forest Centre.Pat Buesnel, Directorpat@ashdownforest.orgSheep newsThe very wet summer has meant that there was a hugegrowth of grass this year, and our Hebridean sheep flockand the Highland bullocks have had a good summer. Oneewe had her ear torn off by an uncontrolled dog, which iscompletely unacceptable, but otherwise we have escapedwithout major incidents.The Highland cattle will go home for the winter and theHebridean sheep flock comes off the heath to winter ongrasslands around the Forest. We still lack any proper basefor our grazing enterprise so if you know of any unusedyardage or buildings we would be interested, preferablywith accommodation for staff.

The threatened habitats of Ashdown ForestAshdown Forest is all common land and the Board of Conservators is responsible for managing it.The Board was first established in 1887 to protect the rights of the Commoners and establish the Bye- laws. The Forest is actuallyowned by the Ashdown Forest Trust for the benefit of the public and was set up when Earl De La Warr decided to sell the Forest in 1988.The Forest is part of the High Weald Area of OutstandingNatural Beauty and is included within the European Natura2000 Network because it hosts some of Europe’s mostthreatened species and habitats.The High Weald is one of the most wooded areas in the UKbut, over the centuries, the Commoners on the Forest havemaintained areas of heathland through a combination offirewood collection, grazing, bracken cutting and burning.Today, the Forest is made up of around 1000 hectares ofwoodland and 1500 hectares of heathland. This heathland isone of the rarest habitats in Britain and the conservation workcarried out by the Conservators and their team of dedicatedstaff and volunteers, is vital for its survival. The Conservatorsdepend on grant funding and support from outside sourcessuch as the Society of the Friends of Ashdown Forest.As well as the heathland, the Forest has 2 other main habitats;woodland and wet heath or bog, which support their owndifferent and distinct species.HEATHLANDHeathland plant species frequently adapted to thrive under the Commoners’ farming system. Bracken,almost certainly the most frequent species on the whole Forest, was managed by the Commoners as astraw substitute. Once it was no longer cut and collected, it spread. It expanded further due to arson fireswhich suppressed competing vegetation.Gorse, protected by its spikes, spreads especially where the ground is disturbed. Unlike bracken, it has ahigh wildlife value in its younger stages, supporting species such as the Dartford warbler. Gorse is a‘legume’, compensating for the infertile Forest soils by collecting nitrogen directly from the surroundings.There are two species on the Forest; the tough European gorse and the softer and more delicate dwarfgorse. Though somewhat protected by its spikes, gorse would have been an important nutritious food forthe Commoners’ animals in the winter.Gorse and bracken both prefer a somewhat drier habitat where they are joined by plants such as bellheather, heath milkwort and sheep’s sorrel. Other species thrive only because grazing animals help tosuppress surrounding vegetation. Marsh orchids and marsh gentians cannot usually compete with theubiquitous purple moor grass but survive very well when sheep and cattle graze the grass down to a lesscompetitive level. Nightjar and woodlark both nest on the drier areas of the Forest heathland where thevenomous adder can also be found.Grazing the Forest heathlandFrom top to bottom:European Gorse; Adder; Marsh gentian; Bell heather

Top - Fallow deerBottom - A Forest gillFrom top to bottom:Wild daffodil; Dormouse; Birds nest orchid; Beech woodlandWOODLANDThe great majority of the woodland on the Forest is very young and developsas scrub and trees which invade the heath no longer being used by the Commoners.There is some older woodland in areas that are very inaccessiblehowever, especially the steep sided stream gills. These damp, shady gillsprovide perfect habitat for mosses and liverworts and there are manyspecies on the Forest. Some wild flowers thrive here as well – floweringearly in the spring before the trees develop full canopies.Ferns are perfectly happy in the deep shade and the Forest supports somespecies which are now rare in the southeast of England. One rarity found inthe beech woods is the birds nest orchid which is saprophytic, living on deadplant material underground. It is usually only seen when a flower spike isproduced in the early summer.Dormice traditionally favour coppice woods and they certainly do live there.They are also found however, in the young mixed woods that have grownup in areas that were devastated by the 1987 Storm. Dormice are beingmonitored as part of our on-going survey of over 100 nest boxeserected on the Forest.The many deer which live around the Forest usually spend most of the daybrowsing through the woodland, only venturing onto the open heath oncethe visitors and their dogs have gone home. The high deer populationcan damage woodland and they are a menace on the roads, but theyare a welcome addition to heathland, helping to suppress thesuccession to scrub and woodland.

WET HEATH OR BOGThough the Forest soils are sandy, the sand tends tobe fine with a high silt and clay content. This leads toimpeded drainage and a preponderance of wet heathand bog communities. Cross leaved heath is thedominant heather here and the moor grass can formtall, inaccessible tussocks. In the wettest areas,Sphagnum moss forms in boggy pools. There areseveral specialist species here, including small reddamselflies and great raft spiders. Sundewscompensate for the infertile soils by capturinginsects on their sticky leaves.So, these unique and complex heath, woodland andbog environments are under threat. Over the years ourways of life have changed beyond measure and todaymany Commoners do not exercise their rights over theForest at all and the habitats will disappear unless wecontinue our conservation work.We need our visitors however, to understand itsimportance and would hope that, by commencing yourvisit at the Forest Centre where there is a wealth ofinformation available, you will be better able to planyour day and enjoy it even more.From top to bottom:Great raft spider; bog asphodel;Sundew; Cross leaved heathTop - Keeled skimmerBottom - Early marsh orchidA healthy, thriving bog habitat

A well behaved dog enjoyingwalking on the ForestDogs and the ForestDog walking on the Forest is an extremely popular activity andundertaken by most people with responsibility and sensitivity.Problems with dogs under poorcontrol however, including sheepworrying, dog attacks on otherdogs, disturbance of wildlife andincidents with other walkers andhorse riders, is increasing at aworrying rate and since April 1st,we have recorded 69 dog relatedincidents on our database.We are now therefore looking to develop a comprehensivenew programme (in partnership with Ashdown ForestRiding Association) to address the issues relatingto dogs on the Forest.The ‘Every Dog Matters’ programme has been developed onthe basis of a report commissioned in April 2012 and astaff group have since undertaken further research andinvestigation to propose the following programme:• The publication and promotion of “responsible dogownership” publicity material together with aCode of Conduct.• Dog training courses on the Forest• Horse rider training (Planned, funded andco-ordinated by AFRA)• Recruitment, training and support of dog Rangers(building on our existing Mounted Rangers scheme)The overall aim is to effectively bring down the number ofdog related incidents on Ashdown Forest by encouraging andpromoting responsible dog ownership through education,information and targeted support.We are also currentlyworking with various funding bodies to agree the levels offinancial contribution with a view to starting theprogramme in January.For further information and/or offers of support pleasecontact Pat Buesnel: pat@ashdownforest.orgDIARY DATES - all at the Forest CentreThursday 1st November - Fungi DayOur very popular annual fungi identification day at the Forest Centre.Take a walk, have a hunt and bring in your finds to be identified by Foreststaff and volunteers. This year it will be a real challenge as fungi day is solate in the year (to tie up with half-term). A free event from 11.00 to16.00. No booking required just turn up with your finds!3 November to 23 December - Ashdown Forest WoodturnersBack again for their annual pre-Christmas exhibition the ever popularwoodturners will be at the Centre selling their hand made gifts, noveltiesand tablewares. Some great stocking fillers and gift ideas.5 November 2012 to March 2013 - Oliver PyleThis promises to be a stunning exhibition by self-taught photographerand painter Oliver Pyle.April 2013 to 1 May 2013 - East Grinstead Camera ClubAn exhibition by the Camera Club's own very talented competition winners.HEBRIDEAN FREEZER BOXES NOW AVAILABLENow is also the time to order freezer boxes so, if you would likeMutton, or Hebridean Hogget, please get in touch with the ForestCentre. Whole or half boxes available.