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Re-Connecting the Culm

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Re-Connecting the Culm c1503 artwork 8pp 23/5/06 1:53 pm Page 1 CULM GRASSLAND HABITAT CONDITIONS BURNING THE MARSH FRITILLARY Often many sites have had a I Cut or burn fire-breaks to Weed wiping is a less intensive option BUTTERFLY LIFE CYCLE long and beneficial history of ensure the fire is controlled. to topping that can be very effective. This impressive butterfly can be I management through burning Check the ground conditions Working heights of weed wipers can be seen flying during late May and June. (swaling) in addition to grazing; and weather forecast to ensure adjusted so that only the taller vegetation The female lays batches of eggs the species present rely on the the burn will be safe - do not is treated. This allows the majority on the underside of large Devil’s-bit continuation of this practice. be afraid to call-off the burn of important grasses and herbs to Scabious leaves. in case of inclement weather D Culm grassland will burn well during survive the application. It is essential the late winter months (late January (a steady light breeze is best). that equipment is in good working E Small brown spiny caterpillars emerge Scrub habitats are over-managed I - early March) which makes it ideal Ensure there are enough people order and that the operator is a month later and can be easily seen G for this practice. present to control the fire (more experienced in using this machinery. feeding together on Scabious leaves A than 6 people are usually needed). inside a silken web. I N Burning removes the dead litter layer Burn with the wind (do not In the weeks before application of ‘back burn’) - this ensures a A Re-connectin that often smothers flower growth. herbicide by weed wiper, cattle should g Prior to the winter months a dense fast and ‘cold’ burn. Too much short vegetation and bare ground The bare soil that remains is perfect graze the site heavily. This provides hibernation web is spun, tucked down in M for the establishment of plant seedlings. I Have a first aid kit (and first a height differential between target - grass tussocks to protect the caterpillars Burning is also a very effective means aider) and ideally a water bowser rushes and desirable grasses and from the weather and predators. R of managing scrub encroachment and on-hand to ensure safety. flowering plants. A suitable wetting E the Culm I providing a flush of new growth for Aim for a number of small agent should be included with the The caterpillars emerge in February V the following years grazing. burns rather than burning one herbicide to ensure effectiveness. to early March and often separate in large block of land. Maximum O search of fresh Scabious plants. Vegetation lacks structure - there are large areas The grass growth following a burn size should not exceed 2 hectares Some rush dominated grasslands of short grass between grass and rush tussocks is sweet and palatable, stock will chose or one third of the field. are extremely valuable semi-natural By late April the caterpillars Flowering plants are confined to tussocky vegetation I these areas over un-burnt compartments. The DEFRA heather and grass burning habitats where rush eradication would pupate and emerge as adults This grazing preference enables burning regulations must be followed. be very damaging. Some rare plant 2 to 3 weeks later. to be used as an excellent tool to species and ground nesting birds distribute grazing pressure over a could be present. If in doubt, contact I High densities of Devil’s-bit whole site, especially when there RUSH MANAGEMENT Butterfly Conservation or choose Scabious plants are needed is a mix of grassland types. Damp semi-improved fields from the list of contacts (back page). N for caterpillar development. and rough pasture are prone to I Structure in the vegetation provides O Burning Culm can create unique infestation by tussock-forming I essential micro-climates giving conditions that many species will soft and compact rushes. SCRUB MANAGEMENT T protection from winter cold and also I be able to thrive in. It does however Left unmanaged, the rushes will Scrub habitats are extremely warmth for feeding caterpillars. D have the potential to be destructive. often dominate the sward, reducing important and should never I Caterpillars bask on leaf-litter It is vital that a survey is carried out conservation and agricultural value. be eradicated. N to gain warmth to feed. during the summer prior to the burn, On average 5-10% scrub cover is O Scrub is managed and occupies less than 10% of field area to ensure that the burn is well targeted desirable. Species such as the MANAGEMENT SUMMARY FURTHER HELP C and avoids breeding wildlife. endangered Dingy Mocha moth I Vegetation has a varied structure rely on isolated patches of scrub. Aim for an uneven sward at the Financial support could be available E end of the grazing season between through Environmental Stewardship There is little thatch or dead material in the grassland Burning should not be relied on Management is essential however L 10 and 30cm high (4-12”). to enable sympathetic management as the only form of management. as scrub can encroach into the I B The grassland is palatable for grazing livestock It is essential that sites are grazed grasslands very quickly. Extensive cattle grazing is best; of environmental features on your stocking rates will need to vary A so that variations in vegetation height holding. This grant scheme is from year to year. R are created and that the flush of I administered by Natural England. new growth is not wasted. Feed supplements on improved U The grasses are not too dense or rank land to avoid damaging your Visit www.naturalengland.org.uk O CODE OF GOOD Rushes can be managed effectively damp grassland. There are high densities of Devil’s-bit Scabious I I Peter Burgess 01392 889794 V PRACTICE FOR BURNING by topping or ‘weed-wiping’ with Only burn a maximum of a third There is a diverse range and high density of flowering plants the food-plant of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly Adult Marsh Fritillary Butterfly of each site/field in a year. Seek Butterfly Conservation upper North Devon Red Cattle A an appropriate herbicide. Topping CULM GRASSLANDS lower Marsh Fritillary F I Contact the local fire service well should be carried out outside of advice prior to reintroducing burning Culm Grassland Project Officer the bird-nesting season as ground as a management technique. I Simon Berry 01392 279244 in advance and let them know your I plans. Phone early on the day of nesting birds such as skylark, meadow Cut scrub as necessary from DWT Grazing Links Co-ordinator the burn (they may wish to attend). pipit and less frequently snipe and only part of the site each year. I Marie Bursdon 01392 279244 RarRaree moths such as Dingy Mocha rely on I Ensure the site has been curlew could be breeding in the field. scrub patches within damp grasslands DWT Confidence in the Countryside surveyed so that the burn can Project Officer be sympathetically targeted. The following points should be I If the burn is taking place in view considered when managing rushes: Scrub is best managed on rotation, of a main road, signs should be I One early cut in April followed allowing new areas to develop, as D displayed letting motorists know by close cattle grazing with others are cut and stumps chemically a subsequent cut in the late E Scrub is encroaching into the grassland what is happening. Be careful not treated. Scrub is best cut and burnt to burn upwind of a busy road. Summer will help. on-site away from high quality G I Contact your neighbours I Cut from the inside of the compartment and sensitive habitats. A in advance to let them know first to allow wildlife to escape N A practical guide to The grassland is not palatable for grazing livestock your plans - they may be I Avoid cutting entire fields (except very The best time for this operation A happy to assist on the day. small fields < 1 hectare) in one season (October - March) is outside of the Flowering plants are restricted to those - one third of the area of rushes on bird nesting season. Stumps should HEAD OFFICE RE-CONNECTING M that can compete with the rank grassland rotation is ideal. This could result in a - be cut as low to the ground as Manor Yard, East Lulworth, THE CULM PROJECT managing Culm landscapes number of patches being cut across possible and then treated with an R There is no short vegetation - the grassland lacks structure Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP c/o English Nature Level 2, Renslade House, the holding in one year. appropriate herbicide. Light scrub E Bonhay Road, Exeter EX4 3AW I Toppings should be collected - they such as birch and gorse can often t 0870 774 4309 D will act as a mulch, suppressing be controlled by burning. e [email protected] t 01392 889794 N grass and wild flower growth. They will A dense thatch of dead grass is www.butterfly-conservation.org e [email protected] also encourage future rush growth. U building-up smothering new growth Wild flowers are becoming smothered by rank grasses Butterfly Conservation is a registered charity and a non-profit making company, limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 2206468 - Registered Charity No. 254937. Butterfly Conservation would like to thank English Nature for their assistance in producing this leaflet. The aerial photographs are extracts from the Millennia Map TM which is copyright © get Mapping plc 2005.
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