RSPB Dorset Heathland Project

The Project ran two teams, restoring heaths in the Avon Valley and Purbeck, mainly by removing invading trees.  In 2003, the Project celebrated the milestone achievement of restoring over 1,000 hectares of lowland heath, successfully demonstrating that large-scale lowland heath restoration is a viable proposition.

Here are two examples of their vital heathland conservation work.

Some heathland species need forms of habitat management other than simple scrub clearance. An example of this is the Purbeck Mason Wasp, found only in Purbeck which is one of the UK's rarest invertebrates.  This wasp requires exposures of clay and a ready supply of water, as well as, most importantly, Ecleris moth caterpillars to stock its nest.  The caterpillars feed on the new shoots of bell heather and cross leaved heath.  The Project has successfully used a digger to create areas of bare clay and controlled winter burning has encouraged vigorous heather growth nearby.  Monitoring has shown the wasp to be at a very high level on one heath (Godlingston) and also now nesting on sites where it had in the past, plus it is now found on new sites where it has never been known before.

Each summer the Project surveys species such as the southern damselfly.  The Project has carried out management work at key sites for this species, resulting in both a population increase and range extension into areas where willow has recently been cleared.  In addition to this, historical sites have also been surveyed in an attempt to locate all the populations within the county and identify areas where management work could result in recolonisation.

Today, the RSPB is still offering habitat management services to external customers.  The project has been renamed RSPB DHP Ecological Service and can carry out a range of services for all types of habitats - farmland, heathland, woodland, wetland and grassland - with conservation in mind.  It can also offer a full range of survey, strategy and planning services, such as bird, invertebrate, small mammal or vegetation surveys, GIS mapping and analysis, management plans, farm environment plans, green audits, felling licences and applications.

The RSPB DHP Ecological Services is non-profit making - we charge to cover our costs.

Info.dhpecologicalservices@rspb.org.uk

To find our more about the RSPB's Dorset Heathland Project and other projects in the South West click on the website link on the right.

• Dorset Administrator
  Name: Jenny Goy
  Web: http://www.rspb.org.uk
  Email: jenny.goy@rspb.org.uk
  Tel: 01929 556651
  Full details for Jenny Goy