CANFORD HEATH LOCAL NATURE RESERVE Welcome to Canford Heath Local Nature Reserve. Canford Park Arena Heathland Code Humans can still have a negative effect on the heath. Such activities This heath is one of the largest remaining heaths Key range from unpleasant to very dangerous for legitimate site users and in Dorset, covering over 850 acres (380 hectares
WIMBORNE for this reason they are not permitted on Canford Heath. – equivalent to 532 Wembley Stadium sized Main tracks and paths Disability vehicles - more suitable routes w football pitches!). Heaths like Canford should be Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs. Bridleways Plan your route, using the many paths. x largely open areas of heather and gorse, with few Route of Greenway Follow advice or instructions on any signs. trees. During the summer months it is dominated Foot access point Bearwood Landfill Site w Leave gates and property as you find them. by the purple flowering Common (Ling) and Bell Fire access point - vehicles Middle Arrowsmith Road Gates should be shut, unless locked open. Heathers, with the yellow flowers of the Western Disability access point Wood Gorse providing an attractive contrast. Pit Access Rd No digging of ramps/jumps. Finger post No dens, camps or camp fires. Enjoying Canford Heath Tumulus Do not throw garden waste or dump rubbish. Many local people and visitors come to walk, exercise dogs, ride bicycles or No entry Poole Steps Crematorium w Protect plants and animals, and take your horses and enjoy the wildlife. The many paths make it is easy to explore all parts Wheelers Lane litter home. of Canford Heath without ever having to leave them and you can easily spend x Gas Keep to the paths to avoid disturbing wildlife. two hours walking around the site, although there are many shorter routes of Covered corral Litter can be dangerous to wildlife, please take Beechleys around ½ hour to be enjoyed as well. Most of Canford Heath has also been reservoir it home. BROADSTONE Knighton Heath x designated as open access land. Golf Course Main Bird Nesting Season - 1st March to 31st July.
The rough nature of heathland paths can be challenging, with steep gradients in Hotchkiss Longfleet Drive w Keep dogs under close control and please places, and conditions can change after rain or dry periods, however routes and Cross pick up after them. access points that are more suitable for some mobility chairs are highlighted on Dog-leg By law you must have your dog under the map (RADAR locks are used on those gates). Beale Family Route E close control and they must be on a short Land lead during bird breeding 1st March - 31st July or when livestock are present. Strawberry Crossroads BOURNEMOUTH Please pick up after your dog and place Hill Old Coach Road x in a bin (it is an offence not to under the
Bridleway 24 Dog Control Order 2006). Route E South Walk w Consider other people Gravel Hill A349 Please use and leave the heath as you would x South Walk Francis wish to find it. Lodge Hill Avenue Steeple Ride Horses and Bicycles with care. Close Excessive noise will disturb wildlife and other Pilsdon Drive Play site users. area Fire - Rapid reporting, with details of the nearest access Belben Road point to the Fire Service on 999, is essential in reducing Canford Heath Rd the damage done. Never try to tackle them by yourself. POOLE School & Playing Fields Crescent Canford Way Motorbikes - It is illegal for motorbikes to be ridden Culliford on Canford Heath Nature Reserve. Please report any to Tollerford Road Wildlife of Canford Heath 1 km Dorset Police on 01202 222 222, (if you feel threatened The diversity of the habitat and the summer warmth favours a variety Canford Heath Estate Dorset Way Tower 0.5 mile Park ring 999). of wildlife adapted to the heath, from insects to reptiles and birds. Dartford Warbler - a rare bird of southern heathland, often seen flitting across the Sand Lizard - often seen Getting involved – The Heathland Looking After The Heath & Its Wildlife tops of heather all sunning itself on the Heathland is ultimately a human made habitat, which without positive action year round. Volunteer Network and Winter tasks edges of sandy tracks in The role of a volunteer: There can never be too many would revert to woodland and the special wildlife that it supports would the spring. eyes and ears on such a large heath reporting misuse disappear. Today work is undertaken to ensure the rare wildlife thrives and it or wildlife sightings. Anyone with an interest in the remains as open heath for people to visit and enjoy. Some young Pine and heath and its protection can be a volunteer. You can Birch are cleared every winter, although others are retained as they have a role help just by knowing who to call when something to play in small numbers. Stands of mature Pine are also important features in happens, plus Newsletters and the Events/Tasks list the landscape. would be sent out to you twice a year to keep you in Light grazing by cattle and ponies is also being reintroduced to heaths across touch with what is going on. Dorset as a management tool to help keep the heath open and uneven in age Practical Winter Tasks: There is also the opportunity for insects, reptiles and ground nesting birds. to help keep the heath in shape and get fit by joining Smooth Snake - lives on Hobby - a summer us on our winter tasks which run October through to Recent Times & Now the heath, favouring visiting bird of prey February! Everyone is welcome for however long can be spared, with tools In the past the heath in this area has had many different owners, including the deep heather. that may be seen and gloves provided by the Leisure Team. For more details contact the Wimborne family. Now the Borough of Poole owns most of Canford Heath swooping down Leisure Services Team (01202 265265). Nature Reserve, with the Beale family owning an area by Gravel Hill Road and for dragonflies. three other independent landowners owning the remainder. Keeled Skimmer - an active Sand and gravel has been excavated at many locations, the largest workings dragonfly that can also were undertaken by W.H.White Plc on the northern edge of the site. The hole was often be seen resting on then used for landfill, taking household waste from Poole and Bournemouth. vegetation or warm stones. Once capped it will be restored to an acid grass/heath habitat. Methane will continue to be collected from the landfill and used to generate electricity. Nightjar - which can be heard singing its strange metallic churr at dusk in early summer. General Enquiries Canford Heath Local Nature Reserve – Legal Protection for SSSI’s and Open Access Land Leisure Services: 01202 265265 This site has been notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, a person is not entitled Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence, without to be on any access land if, in or on that land, he lights or tends a fire or Email: [email protected] reasonable excuse, intentionally or recklessly to destroy or damage any does any act which is likely to cause a fire, takes, or allows to enter or For information about Volunteering or to let us of the flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features by reason of remain, any dog which is not on a short lead during the period beginning which the land is of special interest, or intentionally or recklessly to disturb with 1st March and ending with 31st July in each year, or in the vicinity of know about something you have seen. any of those fauna. A person found guilty of any such offence may be livestock at all times. prosecuted and liable to a fine not exceeding £20,000. A Canford Heath Local Nature Reserve leaflet is available.
Designed and illustrated by Maria Burns Illustration & Design. Tel: 01929 555056 Email: [email protected] Website: www.mb-id.co.uk Produced in 2008
Photo by Photo andcover photo by
Photo by
Tel: 01929 555056 Email: [email protected] Website: www.mb-id.co.uk Website: [email protected] Email: 555056 01929 Tel: Designed and illustrated by Maria Burns Illustration & Design Design & Illustration Burns Maria by illustrated and Designed
Terry Elborn
Karen Pearce 2008. in Produced
contact us: contact you, please call: 01202 265265. 01202 call: please you, (if you feel threatened call threatened feel you (if ). 999
let us know about something you have seen, please please seen, have you something about know us let A member of staff will be happy to discuss this with with this discuss to happy be will staff of member A
Police 01202 222 222 222 222 01202 Police call - MOTORBIKES
w Kitchenham Photography
If you want information about Volunteering or to to or Volunteering about information want you If print, on audio tape or have it translated for you. you. for translated it have or tape audio on print,
999. call - FIRE
We can supply this information in this leaflet in large large in leaflet this in information this supply can We w banner.
under the Urban Heath Partnership Partnership Heath Urban the under Creekmoor, Poole BH17 7RP BH17 Poole Creekmoor,
01202 265265. 265265. 01202
the Police, Fire Service and other bodies, bodies, other and Service Fire Police, the Drive Northmead 30-32 Poole, of Borough
Services Leisure call - Enquiries General
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after the heath and work closely with with closely work and heath the after Services Leisure Write:
The Council’s Leisure Sevices Team look look Team Sevices Leisure Council’s The [email protected] Email:
and other site users. site other and
Leisure Services - - Services Leisure 01202 265265 01202 Phone:
Excessive noise will disturb wildlife wildlife disturb will noise Excessive Contact Us Contact
Ride horses and bicycles with care. with bicycles and horses Ride
as you would wish to find it. find to wish would you as
heath the leave and use Please x
Consider other people. other Consider
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The recovery of the heath after arson. after heath the of recovery The place in a bin (it is an offence not to). not offence an is (it bin a in place
Please pick up after your dog and and dog your after up pick Please
July or when livestock are present. are livestock when or July
good fire vehicle access. vehicle fire good used to generate electricity. generate to used x
bird breeding 1st March - 31st 31st - March 1st breeding bird
the amount of damage caused by a fire and also ensures ensures also and fire a by caused damage of amount the
Methane will continue to be collected from the landfill and and landfill the from collected be to continue will Methane
must be on a short lead during during lead short a on be must
future. Heathland occurs in other European countries but it is also limited and under threat. under and limited also is it but countries European other in occurs Heathland future.
and fire defendable lines. This work is essential in reducing reducing in essential is work This lines. defendable fire and capped it will be restored to an acid grass/heath habitat. habitat. grass/heath acid an to restored be will it capped
under close control and they they and control close under
Each winter work is done to cut back vegetation along paths paths along vegetation back cut to done is work winter Each
providing it with the formal recognition that allows its management and protection for the the for protection and management its allows that recognition formal the with it providing taking household waste from Poole and Bournemouth. Once Once Bournemouth. and Poole from waste household taking
dog your have must you law By
ground nesting birds. birds. nesting ground northern edge of the site. The hole was then used for landfill, landfill, for used then was hole The site. the of edge northern
Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and part of the western end as a RAMSAR site, site, RAMSAR a as end western the of part and (SAC) Conservation of Area Special (SPA), Area please pick up after them. after up pick please
in age for insects, reptiles and and reptiles insects, for age in
Photo Dorset Wildlife Trust the on Plc W.H.White by undertaken were workings largest
and control close under dogs Keep
w as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), then under European law as a Special Protection Protection Special a as law European under then (SSSI), Interest Scientific Special of Site a as
the heath open and uneven uneven and open heath the
Sand and gravel has been excavated at many locations, the the locations, many at excavated been has gravel and Sand
Due to the rarity of the habitat and its wildlife, Canford Heath was designated under British law law British under designated was Heath Canford wildlife, its and habitat the of rarity the to Due
the 1st March to the 31st July. 31st the to March 1st the management tool to help keep keep help to tool management
The main bird nesting season is is season nesting bird main The
to heaths across Dorset as a a as Dorset across heaths to Photo by
please take it home. it take please
Photo by ponies is also being reintroduced reintroduced being also is ponies and fines will be issued. be will fines and
obtained from Leisure Services. Leisure from obtained
x
Litter can be dangerous to wildlife, wildlife, to dangerous be can Litter Karen Pearce
Light grazing by cattle and and cattle by grazing Light
offence under the Dog Control Order 2006 to not pick up up pick not to 2006 Order Control Dog the under offence
Karen Pearce be can details and Heath the on held are walks Guided
wildlife.
place for all to visit and the habitat isn’t damaged. It is an an is It damaged. isn’t habitat the and visit to all for place
important to restore most areas back to heath. to back areas most restore to important
times when sections are more difficult to negotiate. negotiate. to difficult more are sections when times disturbing avoid to paths to Keep
Please pick up after your dog to ensure the site is a pleasant pleasant a is site the ensure to dog your after up pick Please
spread strongly. It has little benefit to native wildlife and it is is it and wildlife native to benefit little has It strongly. spread
change, particularly with heavy rain, and there may be be may there and rain, heavy with particularly change, and take your litter home. litter your take and
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is not native but since its introduction it has has it introduction its since but native not is Rhododendron
a lead when livestock are present. are livestock when lead a
animals, and plants Protect
on these gates). Please be aware path conditions can can conditions path aware be Please gates). these on w
Nightjar the . They should also be on on be also should They . Warbler Dartford and
retained in suitable locations. locations. suitable in retained
chairs are highlighted on the map (RADAR locks are used used are locks (RADAR map the on highlighted are chairs
No dens, camps or camp fires. camp or camps dens, No period, 1st March to the 31st July, to protect birds such as as such birds protect to July, 31st the to March 1st period,
Pine are also important features in the landscape and will be be will and landscape the in features important also are Pine
access points that are more suitable for some mobility mobility some for suitable more are that points access
they must be on short leads during the main bird breeding breeding bird main the during leads short on be must they No digging of ramps or jumps. or ramps of digging No
they have a role to play in small numbers. Stands of mature mature of Stands numbers. small in play to role a have they
with steep gradients in places, however routes and and routes however places, in gradients steep with
When under close control dogs are welcome. By law law By welcome. are dogs control close under When Dogs:
locked open. locked
are cleared every winter, although some are kept as as kept are some although winter, every cleared are Birch
The rough nature of heathland paths can be challenging, challenging, be can paths heathland of nature rough The
unless shut, be should Gates the incident should be logged and the matter followed up. followed matter the and logged be should incident the and it remains as open heath for people to enjoy. enjoy. to people for heath open as remains it and and and Pine
land. land. Leave gates and property as you find them. find you as property and gates Leave
01202 222 222. Whilst they may not attend at that time, time, that at attend not may they Whilst 222. 222 01202 w Today work is undertaken to ensure the rare wildlife thrives thrives wildlife rare the ensure to undertaken is work Today
Canford Heath has also been designated as open access access open as designated been also has Heath Canford
the nature reserve. Please report any to Dorset Police on on Police Dorset to any report Please reserve. nature the
special wildlife that it supports would disappear. disappear. would supports it that wildlife special
Follow advice or instructions on any signs. any on instructions or advice Follow
Route E - reclaimed by the heath. the by reclaimed - E Route
follow the Heathland Code on the back cover. Most of of Most cover. back the on Code Heathland the follow Motorbikes: It is illegal for motorbikes to be ridden on on ridden be to motorbikes for illegal is It
without positive action will revert to woodland and the the and woodland to revert will action positive without
Plan your route, using the many paths. many the using route, your Plan
To help look after the heath when you visit please please visit you when heath the after look help To them.
damage done. Never try to tackle them by yourself. by them tackle to try Never done. damage
Heathland is ultimately a human made habitat, which which habitat, made human a ultimately is Heathland
follow any signs any follow .
the cut remains (Route E). (Route remains cut the parts of Canford Heath without ever having to leave leave to having ever without Heath Canford of parts
point to the Fire Service on 999 is essential in reducing the the reducing in essential is 999 on Service Fire the to point
Wildlife
and its its and and ahead plan – safe Be
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end of the heath was started although never completed and and completed never although started was heath the of end The many paths and tracks make it easy to enjoy all all enjoy to easy it make tracks and paths many The Rapid reporting, with details of the nearest fire access access fire nearest the of details with reporting, Rapid Fires:
x
Heathland Code Heathland
lost to housing and industry. A road route across the west west the across route road A industry. and housing to lost
Heath Habitat Heath After Looking the they are not permitted on Canford Heath. Heath. Canford on permitted not are they enjoy the wildlife. the enjoy
Between 1962 and 1986 most of South Canford Heath was was Heath Canford South of most 1986 and 1962 Between
legitimate site users and damage the heath, for this reason reason this for heath, the damage and users site legitimate come to walk, exercise dogs, ride bicycles or horses and and horses or bicycles ride dogs, exercise walk, to come
Such activities range from unpleasant to very dangerous for for dangerous very to unpleasant from range activities Such
of shells have been found. found. been have shells of area for informal recreation. Many local people and visitors visitors and people local Many recreation. informal for area
churr at dusk. at churr
uncontrolled dogs, garden waste and rubbish dumping. dumping. rubbish and waste garden dogs, uncontrolled
are riddled with slit trenches and ‘foxholes’, while fragments fragments while ‘foxholes’, and trenches slit with riddled are and at the same time it was becoming a very important important very a becoming was it time same the at and
which can be heard giving its strange metallic metallic strange its giving heard be can which Nightjar
effect on the heath through fires, motorbikes, dog fouling, fouling, dog motorbikes, fires, through heath the on effect
used Canford Heath for military exercises. Parts of the heath heath the of Parts exercises. military for Heath Canford used Since the 1980’s the wildlife value has been recognised recognised been has value wildlife the 1980’s the Since
that may be seen swooping down for dragonflies, and the the and dragonflies, for down swooping seen be may that
reduce misuse. However humans can still have a negative negative a have still can humans However misuse. reduce
During the Second World War the British and American armies armies American and British the War World Second the During
Enjoying , a bird of prey prey of bird a , Hobby the are summer the in encountered
Canford Heath Heath Canford Education, fencing, patrolling and enforcement have helped helped have enforcement and patrolling fencing, Education, and heath volunteers. heath and
other independent landowners owning the remainder. the owning landowners independent other
Local Nature Reserve be only can that birds two While year. all heather the Team Neighbourhood Safer local Police’s The
- Help Stop It! Stop Help -
Heathland Damaging the Beale family owning an area by Gravel Hill Road and three three and Road Hill Gravel by area an owning family Beale the but can quite easily be seen flitting across the tops of of tops the across flitting seen be easily quite can but
of Poole owns most of Canford Heath Nature Reserve, with with Reserve, Nature Heath Canford of most owns Poole of is a rare bird of southern heathland, heathland, southern of bird rare a is Warbler Dartford The
Photo by
gloves provided by the Leisure Team. For more details call Leisure Services. Leisure call details more For Team. Leisure the by provided gloves
owners, including the Wimborne family. Now the Borough Borough the Now family. Wimborne the including owners, they feel them approach. them feel they
to February! Everyone is welcome for however long can be spared, with tools and and tools with spared, be can long however for welcome is Everyone February! to
In the past the heath in this area has had many different different many had has area this in heath the past the In
the chance, normally move away from people and dogs as as dogs and people from away move normally chance, the Karen Pearce
Photo by through October from run which tasks winter our on us joining by fit get and shape are also present but are wary creatures, and given given and creatures, wary are but present also are Adders Now Times Recent
and and
There is also the opportunity to help keep the heath in in heath the keep help to opportunity the also is There Tasks: Winter Practical
Karen Pearce
people wanted to take action to stop it, leading to the formation of Heathwatch. of formation the to leading it, stop to action take to wanted people Photo by House (Canford School) to Poole in the late 19th century. century. 19th late the in Poole to School) (Canford House
heath was being managed, its misuse led to the habitat being damaged and local local and damaged being habitat the to led misuse its managed, being was heath
Longfleet Drive as an ornamental drive from Canford Manor Manor Canford from drive ornamental an as Drive Longfleet
Terry Elborn group Canford Heath Heathwatch, which began in 1989. In the 1980’s, before the the before 1980’s, the In 1989. in began which Heathwatch, Heath Canford group
Wimborne in the 1700s, while Lady Wimborne established established Wimborne Lady while 1700s, the in Wimborne
The Volunteer Network has recently evolved from the independent volunteer volunteer independent the from evolved recently has Network Volunteer The
Walk was an important route between Christchurch and and Christchurch between route important an was Walk
Volunteer Network. Volunteer
Some tracks have been in use since at least Saxon times. South South times. Saxon least at since use in been have tracks Some
site. Newsletters and the Event/task list are sent out twice a year to those on the the on those to year a twice out sent are list Event/task the and Newsletters site.
Information & map for landscape. the influence still trees Pine Maritime and knowing who to call when something happens or by acting directly when out on on out when directly acting by or happens something when call to who knowing
subsequently planted up as pine plantations and the Scots Scots the and plantations pine as up planted subsequently
in the heath and its protection can be a volunteer. You can help either by just just by either help can You volunteer. a be can protection its and heath the in
from the 19th century Enclosures Act. Most enclosures were were enclosures Most Act. Enclosures century 19th the from
a large heath reporting misuse or wildlife sightings. Anyone with an interest interest an with Anyone sightings. wildlife or misuse reporting heath large a
Old boundary banks are still visible, the majority of which are are which of majority the visible, still are banks boundary Old
There can never be too many eyes and ears on such such on ears and eyes many too be never can There volunteer: a of role The
Sand Lizard (male). Lizard Sand
Canford Heath clay. or sand gravel, Heathland Volunteer Network Volunteer Heathland -
The
materials, livestock grazing, turf for fuel or a source for for source a or fuel for turf grazing, livestock materials,
whether providing bedding, fodder or thatching thatching or fodder bedding, providing whether
Getting Involved Getting
seen sunning itself on the edges of sandy tracks. tracks. sandy of edges the on itself sunning seen
The land was important to local inhabitants for centuries, centuries, for inhabitants local to important was land The
the first favouring deep heather whilst the second may be be may second the whilst heather deep favouring first the
live on the heath, heath, the on live Lizard Sand and Snake Smooth rare The
©
Photo by
reptiles and birds. and reptiles image &Archaeological NaturalDorset Society History
Karen Pearce to insects from heath, the to adapted wildlife of variety a
The diversity of the habitat and the summer warmth favour favour warmth summer the and habitat the of diversity The
Corfe Castle and the Purbecks should not be missed. be not should Purbecks the and Castle Corfe
found.
surrounding development. However the views across to to across views the However development. surrounding
that trap small insects on their sticky red leaves, can also be be also can leaves, red sticky their on insects small trap that
a feeling of wilderness, it is possible to lose sight of the the of sight lose to possible is it wilderness, of feeling a
, , Sundews tiny the and Asphodel Bog the of spikes flower
With its valleys and hills accentuating accentuating hills and valleys its With well. as enjoyed be to
highlight the areas of wet heath and bog. Here the yellow yellow the Here bog. and heath wet of areas the highlight
although there are many shorter routes of around ½ hour hour ½ around of routes shorter many are there although
Heath Cross-Leaved greyish flowered, paler the and Grass
You can easily spend two hours walking around the site, site, the around walking hours two spend easily can You Cotton Cotton the of tufts cotton-wool waving the July or June In
Wembley sized football pitches!). pitches!). football sized Wembley
appear giving an attractive contrast of colours. of contrast attractive an giving appear Gorse Children gathering furze (gorse). furze gathering Children
covers over 850 acres (380 hectares – equivalent to 532 532 to equivalent – hectares (380 acres 850 over covers Western Western of flowers yellow the July In it. amongst in blended
the area of heathland has been much reduced but it still still it but reduced much been has heathland of area the burial mounds can still be seen on Canford Heath. Heath. Canford on seen be still can mounds burial Grass Bent Bristle fine and Heather Bell flowered brighter
Knighton Heath Golf Course in the east. Since the 1940’s 1940’s the Since east. the in Course Golf Heath Knighton 3,500 years ago to create fields and pastures. Bronze Age Age Bronze pastures. and fields create to ago years 3,500 with the the with (Ling) Heather Common flowering purple the
Dorset, lying between Broadstone to the west and and west the to Broadstone between lying Dorset, and gorse, with few trees. Canford Heath is dominated by by dominated is Heath Canford trees. few with gorse, and woodland that once covered South East Dorset around around Dorset East South covered once that woodland
Supported by in heaths remaining largest the of one is heath This The heaths of Dorset should be largely open areas of heather heather of areas open largely be should Dorset of heaths The Bronze Age settlers started to clear the Birch and Oak Oak and Birch the clear to started settlers Age Bronze
Canford Heath Canford Wildlife Heath Canford Welcome Canford Heath Canford History of of to of of