NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Castleman Trailway East, Field Study

Date: 21 st February 2019 Weather: 12 degrees Walk Leader: Mary & John Gurney Attendees: 21

The Castleman Trailway is a 16 mile (26km) footpath and cycle path which runs between Ringwood, and Upton Country Park, . The path passes through Ashley Heath, , , Oakley, Broadstone and Upton. It also links Avon Heath Country Park, Moors Valley Country Park and Upton Country Park. The trailway is part of the former Southampton and Dorchester Railway line which ran from Brockenhurst to Hamworthy Junction via Ringwood. It was known as "The Old Road". This circuitous route was promoted in the 19th century by the Wimborne solicitor Charles Castleman and was chosen because of the need to run through populated areas at a time when was a small village. Many people called it "The Castleman Corkscrew" owing to the number of curves. It was closed in 1964 by Dr. Beeching.

On the northern side of the trailway, Bickerley Village Green is the green space known locally as ‘the Bickerley’, it was created as a Village Green on 19 December 1990. It is maintained and managed by the town council and sometimes plays host to fun fairs and festival events. On the southern side is the Raymond Brown Nature Reserve, which was created and funded by his family after his death due to his love of wildlife and contribution to the town. It runs between the Trailway and the Bickerley Millstream, access to the reserve is from the County Council maintained Trailway.

Our short walk started from the railway bridge at the Bickerley, we surveyed the surrounding area on both sides of the trailway to the bridge over the River Avon and King Stream. Often seen in this area are Roe Deer and up to four Otters but unfortunately not by us today. We retraced our steps back and then onto Mary and John’s house for soup and a roll, many thanks to them for the walk and their hospitality.

Birds Birds cont. Flowering Plants Mute Swan Great Tit Dandelion Canada Geese Wren Goat Willow/Pussy Willow Robin Nuthatch Alder Catkins Chaffinch Blackbird Red Dead -nettle Moorhen House Sparrow White Dea d-nettle Starling Greylag Geese Snowdrop Wood Pigeon Pheasant Daffodil Mallard Goosander (m&f) Lesser Celandine Black -headed Gull Little Egret Petty Spurge Herring Gull Kestrel Common Field Speedwell Carrion Crow Dunnock Daisy Rook Shepherd’s Purse Common Buzzard Mammals Groundsel Goldfinch Grey Squirrel Blue Tit Roe Deer(previously seen by members) Long -tailed Tit Otters (previously seen by members)

River Avon from the Castleman Trailway by Gerry Traves