We are lucky enough to have the latest BC reserve right on our doorstep and are looking for volunteers to help with the practical management.

Alner’s Gorse is about 10 hectares of grassland, scrub and woodland between Hazelbury Bryan and King’s Stag. Like the nearby Rooksmoor, Deadmoor and Lydlinch Commons, it is part of one of the last remaining stretches of unimproved herbrich grasslands on the heavy clays of north Dorset, wellknown for their rich butterfly and moth fauna as well as for the spectacular displays of flowers in summer and the Nightingale populations that still survive there. Like the others, Alner’s Gorse will need careful management to maintain the biodiversity of the site and to promote the target species which include Marsh Fritillary and Brown Hairstreak among the Lepidoptera.

Butterfly Conservation is developing a management plan and the Dorset branch has arranged two conservation days for this winter, January 23rd and March 6th, both Sundays. Over recent years, tree and scrub cover has increased, partly due to misguided planting to extend the wooded area in the NE corner, and partly due to natural invasion by blackthorn, gorse, sallow and aspen. As well as clearance by workparties and contractors, it is anticipated that the reserve will be managed by grazing, and that to facilitate this much of the boundary fencing will have to be repaired or replaced.

We would like to make a start on the thorn and gorse clearance and some of the tree removal on January 23rd and March 6th and hope as many volunteers as possible will be able to join in. Children will be very welcome as long as they are supervised by accompanying adults. Bring protective gloves and loppers and/or bowsaws if you have them. Waterproof footwear is recommended. We will meet at 10am and finish at about 3.30pm, but any time you can spare during the day will be greatly appreciated!
Park beside the straight stretches of the road between Hazelbury Bryan and King’s Stag (OS map reference ST 735100) and follow the signs to the site off the north side of the road. We look forward to seeing you – tell your friends!

For further information about these workparties, contact Nigel Spring on 07981 776767
Email: nigelspring@yahoo.co.uk