Woodlands

Ancient Woodland Restoration and Management

Harewood Forest and the Forest of Bere fall within our boundary. There is scope to restore woodland habitats for rare and endangered species throughout these woods and to safeguard ancient trees. Populations of dark crimson underwing, a vulnerable red data book moth species of ancient oak woodland can be found in Harewood Forest and other woodlands across the cluster. Visits to nearby woods have stimulated renewed conservation effort to encourage habitat diversity in the Forest of Bere and elsewhere. There is scope for a wider restoration project linked with the restoration of chalk grassland.

Responding to Ash Dieback

Like elsewhere, Ash dieback is visible across our landscape, but nowhere is it more prominent than either side of a 4 mile stretch of Roman road running north from Winchester and through 4 member farms. This is an ambitious group project to remove dangerous trees, clear diseased ash and restore edge woodland and boundary trees, set back from the main road.

Deer Management

Effective deer management can only be achieved through sustained joint effort. A small team of professional deer managers drawn from neighbouring farms are now working together across the landscape to reduce numbers, particularly of fallow. In time it is hoped that more members will follow this example. We know that success is dependent on professionalism and careful planning.

Broadleaved Woodlands

Many of our members have other broadleaved woodlands that are an important part of the cluster’s wildlife network. There is scope to work together to gradually restore these woods for wildlife, whilst also producing firewood. By working together it should be possible to achieve this at no net cost.

Our Projects

Our group is working with the Wessex Rivers Trust, The Piscatorial Society and The Test & Itchen Association on several projects aimed to improve the ecological status of our rivers

River restoration

Uptake of Countryside Stewardship is strong across the group which in turn is leading to a significant increase in the proportion of hedgerows and field margins managed for nature.

Biodiversity in the farmed landscape

Following the example of others there is growing interest in linking fragments of chalk grassland between neighbouring farms, particularly on the steep scarp slopes of the downs.