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species prove health of New Forest common |
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Ecologists have discovered
rare plants and insects at a National Trust site in the New Forest,
following restoration of the heathland and bogs.
The Trust has removed invading pine, birch and gorse and restored the
mire by controlling the water flow at Hale Purlieu common near Fordingbridge.
A recent survey by the National Trust’s bio-diversity team has given
the 207 hectare (512 acres) common an ‘excellent’ grading following
discovery, for the first time at Hale Purlieu map,
of the extremely rare rove beetle, pale butterwort, a scare plant and
very rare marsh club moss.
Another unusual species, found for the first time here, is the unusual
plume moth which turns the tables on insect-eating sundews by managing
to feed on them.
The crafty moth lays its eggs on the non-sticky underside of the insectivorous
sundews, allowing the larvae to nibble away at the leaves. |
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National Trust project
officer for the New Forest, Doug England, is delighted with the
survey results.
“We’ve worked hard to maintain the open heathland through low intensity
grazing and removal of alien species and to control the water flow
in the main valley mire in order to keep the boggy parts of the
land in good condition.
“This survey, showing a thriving insect,
bird and plant population indicates that we’re on the right track,”
he said. |
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The team, led by invertebrate
ecologist Andy Foster, also discovered the scarce woodland grasshopper
and the rare heath potter wasp, both new to Hale Purlieu.
The nationally scarce small red damselfly and jumping weevil, both
of which are known on this site, were discovered to be thriving as
were bird populations of nightjars, woodlark and Dartford warblers.
“Hale Purlieu was last surveyed by us in 1996, since when a lot of restoration
work has been carried out,” said Andy Foster. “It is now in excellent condition,
supporting many rare and threatened invertebrates, some scarce breeding birds,
and plants.” |
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