The last Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Michael Blencowe
Dining al fresco
Bob Foreman
| Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Days | Hours | Minutes | Seconds |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Since a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary was sighted and photographed at Rowland Wood and Park Heath Corner | ||||
Rowland Wood and Park Corner Heath
The adjoining reserves of Rowland Wood and Park Corner Heath are a part of Vert Wood, which was once a woodland and heath which teamed with wildlife. Large parts of the wood were planted with conifers in the latter part of the 20th Century. The reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has been one of the few remnants of Vert Wood’s previously more extensive heathland.
Habitat management
Butterfly Conservation will be clearing the remains of the 20th century conifer plantations and replacing them with native deciduous trees and open spaces.
Permanent open spaces will be created and these will require cutting on a three-year rotational cycle to prevent them turning into scrubland.
Almost three and a half kilometres of two and three zone rides will be created throughout the woodland areas. Two-zone rides consist of a central zone of short grass short grass and an outer zone of longer grass and herbs. Three-zones rides have an additional scrub border.
On Park Corner Heath bracken clearance is required on a regular basis.
Silver birch will be coppiced on a 10-year cycle. Some areas will be subject to annual brush-cutting and coppicing on a three year rotational basis – divided into six compartments, with two non-adjacent areas being cut each year.
Conservation work parties
Volunteers will be required for scrub clearance and coppicing throughout the autumn and winter months. We meet on the second Sunday of each month, starting at 8.30 am and continuing until lunchtime. You are welcome to come along for as much or as little of this time as you wish. Work will be with hand tools only, which will be provided, but please wear stout footwear and bring work gloves and protective glasses if you have them.
Directions and parking.
The nearest town is Uckfield, and the grid reference for the entrance to the Rowland Wood is TQ516 147. To reach it, travel through Halland and turn south off the A22 at the Landrover Man (BN8 6RD) into Park Lane. Turn right immediately into small private road. The entrance is on the right. The gate will be open so you can drive into the site and park down the track where there is plenty of space..
