Page 9 - August 2016 WN complete final version

Since the last report Volunteers are Greenham and Crookham nat9u5r%e roefsearllves
the Trust has taken crucial in helping Commons (Berks) has been
on management of a us work towards steadily increasing, while are now in a
number of reserves, wildflowers, such as pyramidal favourable,
including Snelsmore a countryside orchids have spread across the improved or
Common from West rich in wildlife. extension at Hartslock (Oxon) recovering position
Berkshire Council. (Lucy Tomkinson) following restoration grazing.
(Wendy Tobitt) The next three years
Over the last three
The area of features in years the area covered by Nature reserve management
favourable condition is our nature reserves has will continue to be a
almost doubled, primarily complex and dynamic task,
up 5% because we are managing especially at this time when
land from West Berkshire environmental factors, such
Long-term prospects Council and Buckinghamshire as climate change, are shifting
County Council. We are now at an unprecedented rate.
Our nature reserves support responsible for managing In-depth understanding of
many amazing species and more than 2,500 hectares, half the challenges we are likely
habitats, so it is great to know of which we own freehold. to encounter, as well as those
that our work is helping already being felt, will better
This dramatic increase is position us to tackle them.
unprecedented in the Trust’s
history. While more nature It is only through the
reserves provide us with an continued efforts of our
incredible opportunity to many dedicated volunteers
better protect wildlife (our and members that we have
nature reserves now cover been able to ensure our local
11% of the total area of Sites wildlife thrives. So if you have
of Special Scientific Interest helped in whatever capacity
within the three counties), over the past few years, take
a larger landholding is not time to feel proud about
without its challenges. how much we have achieved
Primarily this is in terms of together – you are a vital part
resources; as anyone who of a fantastic team making
carries out conservation a measurable difference to
volunteering will know, nature’s recovery.
managing nature reserves can
take a lot of work!

to ensure their long-term Condition status of features across our nature reserves*
survival. Species like the
Chiltern gentian are thriving Favourable Unfavourable
in the chalk grassland at n Maintained: 24% n Improved: 28%
Dancersend (Bucks) following n Recovered: 3% n Recovering: 26%
tree and scrub removal, with n Vulnerable: 13% n No change: 4%
numbers increasing from n Declining: 1%
several thousand to well
over 15,000. The number *Excludes nature reserves taken
of nightjars nesting at under our management since 2012.

In focus: Southern damselflies (Peter Creed)

Southern damselfly populations are stable but the species remains
rare and has been identified as a key species for conservation
action. Its strongholds are the New Forest and Pembrokeshire
with smaller colonies found elsewhere, including the Cothill Fen
sites in Oxfordshire which the Trust manages.

The establishment of a Friends of Cothill group has enabled
higher levels of targeted dragonfly management. This has
included frequent cutting of vegetation along the Sandford
Brook, creating new pools and improving grazing with Welsh
Mountain ponies. The result is enhanced habitat quality, not only
for southern damselflies but other rare and specialist species
such as the keeled skimmer and small red damselfly, which in
turn has meant population increases. The maximum day count
of southern damselflies has risen from two in 2010 to more than
15 by 2015.

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