Background of FBNR
The Friends have been running for many years with their main activities centred around the preservation of the valuable heathland habitat of our local Broadstone Nature Reserve which is under constant threat from encroaching woodland.
'Broadstone Heath', as it is called by The Borough of Poole (now BCP Council), is protected by The Countryside Act of 1949 and managed as a 'Local Nature Reserve'. It is owned by the Borough having been gifted to the council by the original landowner many years ago. It consists of 10.8 hectares (24.3 acres).
The reserve lies near the heart of the village, close to the cricket ground and play area at the end of Charborough Road where there is a small car park (see map in 'photographs section below). As you approach the car park there is a path leading up to the right of the cricket ground which leads to the entrance to the Reserve.
The Reserve is well used as a pleasant area to stroll and walk dogs with all weather paths around the main heathland areas.
The main object of our work parties is to prevent the open heath areas reverting to woodland so we are continually removing young trees from these parts.
Our work parties run between late September and the middle of March the following year ,usually on one Sunday morning each month. The spring and summer seasons are avoided to prevent disturbing nesting birds etc.
We are all volunteers and work under the guidance of the BCP Council rangers. Our activities although purposeful are enjoyable and include socializing within our small group.
For many years we were under the chairmanship of Dudley Hull but due to ill health Dudley passed the baton to others in the group.
Sadly Dudley passed away early in June 2014. We owe him a great deal for his knowledgeable support over many years.
Current plans and work already undertaken:
Each year we plan our activities for the coming season including dates for work parties.
Work is undertaken between October and March to avoid disturbing wildlife and when there is a minimum of seasonal vegetation.
We receive guidance from Terry Elborn of BCP Council as to where in the reserve we should concentrate our efforts in order to focus on the current priorities. We hold work parties usually on the second Sunday in the months of October to March inclusive (in Nov usually 1st Sunday to avoid Remembrance Sunday) We work between 9.30 am and 12.00 noon (our volunteers work as long as they want within these times and only on the dates they decide to partake).
We meet by the play park at 9.30 and, whilst there is no need to advise expected attendance in advance, this would be helpful if at all possible. In the event of adverse weather conditions the session will be cancelled but we leave individuals to decide on the day whether they wish to attend in the light of evident weather conditions.
We had to suspend our work parties for the 2020/21 season due to lockdowns following the COVID-19 pandemic (see below). Work parties resumed in October 2021.
Future work party dates etc:
2023/4 Season-dates will normally be on the second Sunday-October to March inclusive but please see under 'Next working parties' below. Any variation of dates will be referred to there.
We meet by the play area up the path to the right as you approach the car park at the end of Charborough Road.
Our focus for 2023/4 will be.
There are areas of open heathland with young birch trees taking over where we will now move on to with the main object of retaining open heathland wherever possible.
There are 3 main obstacles to preserving the limited open heathland on the reserve.
1) Young trees particularly birch and pine that re-seed and spread across the open heathland all too quickly.
2) Bramble (the most difficult to control by hand)
3) Bracken; although this dies back every winter.
Frankie has agreed that bracken can be partly controlled in late summer 'by hand' which over a period will reduce it. We have had one small work party in 2022 by way of a 'bracken bash'. Further efforts to follow in 2024 (date to be advised).
Wildlife:
Nightjars have been heard (during the height of summer) 'churring' in the reserve by one of our group.
Also we hope that hedgehogs are present as they have been seen in gardens just outside the reserve.
We know that bats are around in the summer; your reporter has had one in his lounge (the house is on the edge of the reserve). There are plenty of tawny owls around the reserve.
In the spring we hear the drumming or 'laughing' (yaffle) of the woodpeckers, no doubt looking to pair up.
Throughout the year, it is not unusual to see a buzzard either perched or aloft over the reserve. We always hope to see a red kite as they are slowly spreading into our locality and have been seen nearby.
At 2018 work party a Dartford warbler was sighted in the reserve. Goldcrest and firecrest birds have also been seen. Chiffchaffs are also present in the spring and summer months.
We know that there are likely to be slow worms and snakes in the reserve as they have been sighted in nearby gardens (Snakes seen twice in summer 2022 in your reporters garden just outside the reserve). It is thought likely that there are adders and these are becoming endangered (but not generally dangerous if left alone).
Whilst undertaking work in the reserve we usually have the company of a friendly robin.
Plea for help
In some of our past work parties we have had only 3 in the group so the amount of work that can be completed is limited. Luckily the last couple of years we have added to our modest numbers with some 'new recruits'-many thanks for your hard work which is much appreciated. You know who you are !
Next work party dates : (9.30-12.00) Meet at Childrens Play Area
Sunday 19th November 2023
Sunday 10th December 2023
Sunday 14th January 2024
Sunday 11th February 2024
Sunday 17th March 2024