Fleet Pond Management Plan
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Fleet Pond Management Plan 2010 – 2015 1. Introduction and Site Information 1 1.1. Preamble 1 1.2. General Information 2 1.2.1. Agreed Management Policy 2 1.2.2. Location 2 1.2.3. Land Tenure 3 1.2.4. Management Infrastructure 3 1.2.5. Map Coverage 4 1.2.6. Photographic Coverage 4 1.3. Site Information 6 1.3.1. Management Compartments 6 1.3.2. Man Made Structures 8 1.3.3. Physical 11 1.3.3.1. Climate 11 1.3.3.2. Hydrology 11 1.3.3.3. Geology 12 1.3.3.4. Geomorphology 13 1.3.3.5. Soils 13 1.3.4. Biological 13 1.3.4.1. Flora 13 1.3.4.2. Fauna 14 1.3.4.3. Communities 16 1.3.5. Cultural 19 1.3.5.1. Archaeology and Past Land Use 19 1.3.5.2. Present Land Use 20 1.3.5.3. Past Management for Nature Conservation 20 1.3.5.4. Past Status and Interest 21 1.3.5.5. Present Conservation Status 21 1.3.5.6. Environmental Relationships and Implications for 22 Management 1.3.5.7. Surrounding Landscape 23 1.3.5.8. Public Interest and Community Relations 24 1.3.5.9. Educational Use and Facilities 24 1.3.5.10. Research Use and Facilities 25 1.3.5.11. Interpretational Use and Facilities 25 1.3.5.12. Recreational Use and Facilities 26 2. Management and Site Features 27 2.1. Management 27 2.1.1. Objectives 27 2.1.2. Management Rationale 27 2.1.3. Management Options 28 2.1.3.1. Non-intervention 28 2.1.3.2. Scrub Control 29 2.1.3.3. Tree Clearance 29 2.1.3.4. Undesirable Species Control 29 2.1.3.5. Chemical Management 30 2.1.3.6. Burning 30 2.1.3.7. Raking 31 2.1.3.8. Mowing 31 2.1.3.9. Grazing 31 2.1.3.10. Turf Scraping 32 2.1.3.11. Mechanical Management 32 2.2. Site Features 34 2.2.1. Overview of Site Features 34 2.2.1.1. Rarity of Features 34 2.2.1.2. Fragility of Features 34 2.2.2. Factors Affecting the Management of the Nature 36 Reserve 2.2.2.1. On Site Natural Factors 36 2.2.2.2. On Site Man-induced Factors 37 2.2.2.3. External Factors 37 2.2.2.4. Factors Arising From Legislation or Tradition 38 2.2.3. Site Features Information 40 2.2.3.1. Feature 1: Wet Heath 40 2.2.3.2. Feature 2: Dry Heath 47 2.2.3.3. Feature 3: Wet Woodland 53 2.2.3.4. Feature 4: Dry Mixed Woodland 59 2.2.3.5. Feature 5: Reedbeds 63 2.2.3.6. Feature 6: Marshes and Reedbeds 68 2.2.3.7. Feature 7: The Lake 77 2.2.3.8. Feature 8: Streams and Ditches 81 2.2.3.9. Feature 9: Access and Interpretation 84 3. Action Plan 87 3.1. Year 1 88 3.2. Year 2 91 3.3. Year 3 94 3.4. Year 4 97 3.5. Year 5 100 3.6. Work Plan Maps 103 3.6.1. Felling Blocks 103 3.6.2. Grazing Areas 104 3.6.3. Scrub Control 105 3.6.4. Bracken Control 106 3.6.5. Reedbed Cutting 107 3.6.6. Scrapes 108 References 109 Appendices 115 1. Appendix 1: Maps and Illustrations 115 1.1. Ariel photo of Fleet Pond, 2004 116 1.2. Fleet Pond location map 117 1.3. Waymarked paths map 118 1.4. Features map 119 1.5. Access and interpretation points 120 1.6. Fleet Pond catchment area 121 1.7. Hydro-Ecology of Fleet Pond 122 1.8. Topographic transect through Fleet Pond 123 1.9. Dipwell locations 124 1.10. Bathymetric survey 125 2. Appendix 2: Species Lists 127 2.1. Rare, Scarce and Local Plant Species 128 2.2. Records of Birds at Fleet Pond 134 2.3. 2008 Insect Records 149 SECTION 1: Introduction and Site Information The Management Plan for Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve draws on the expertise, knowledge, advice, recording and experience of many people involved in its management and conservation since it was acquired by Fleet Urban District Council in 1972. Among those whose work and support has contributed to the production of the Plan are: Those employed by Hart District Council over the years as Wardens and Rangers; Fleet Pond Society, Fleet Pond Society Management sub committee and the associated Fleet Pond Conservation Volunteers. 1.1. PREAMBLE The following comprises the general policy of Hart District Council and Fleet Pond Society in respect of the management of Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve. GENERAL Fleet Pond Nature Reserve will be managed in accordance with its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve. Close liaison will be maintained between Hart District Council and Fleet Pond Society for the effective management of the Nature Reserve. HABITAT/SPECIES Habitats within the Nature Reserve will be managed sympathetically to promote appropriate diversity whilst conserving a mosaic including: wetland, woodland and heathland. Management will aim to enhance habitat value to wild flora and fauna of all kinds occurring naturally on the site. ACCESS Public access is freely available to the footpath network. The footpath network is managed to minimise disturbance to sensitive sites. Recreational facilities for the public are provided at the Sandhills Picnic Site and benches are located around the site. INTERPRETATION Interpretative facilities are provided to encourage visitors to develop a greater awareness of the natural history and wildlife of the Nature Reserve. INFORMAL RECREATION Informal recreation activities will aim to provide a medium through which a greater awareness of the Nature Reserve can be bred. Any events will be sympathetic and appropriate to the Nature Reserve and will not conflict with nature conservation interests. LANDSCAPE The landscape of the Nature Reserve will be maintained and enhanced wherever possible in relation to the wider landscape identified in the Hart District Landscape Character Assessment. 1 1.2. GENERAL INFORMATION Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve comprises 141 acres (57.5 hectares) of open water, marshes, reedbeds, wet and dry woodland, and wet and dry heathland. The lake at 52 acres (21 ha) is Hampshire's largest freshwater lake. Much of the Nature Reserve is SSSI, with the wetland being of national importance and the heathland of county importance. The site is owned freehold by Hart District Council and is managed by Hart Countryside Service in partnership with Fleet Pond Society. 1.2.1. Agreed Management Policy 1. To manage Fleet Pond L.N.R. in accordance with its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve. 2. To manage wildlife habitats sympathetically to conserve a mosaic including wetland, woodland and heathland and to enhance their value to wild flora and fauna of all kinds which occur naturally on the site. 3. To maintain facilities to encourage public access and informal recreation where such activities do not conflict with nature conservation interests. 4. To maintain a close liaison between Hart District Council and Fleet Pond Society for the effective management of the Nature Reserve. 1.2.2. Location Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve is located on the northern edge of the town of Fleet in Hart District of North East Hampshire. Grid Reference SU 820550 (centre of the lake). Site Name Fleet Pond The total reserve area is designated a Local Nature Reserve; Site Status of this 48 hectares is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). SSSI Name Fleet Pond Date Notified 1954 (under the 1949 Act) Date Renotified 1984 (under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981) District Hart County Hampshire Local Planning Hart District Council. Authority The Nature Reserve covers 57 hectares (141 acres) of which Total Area 48 hectares (118.5 acres) is designated SSSI. The Pond accounts for 21 hectares (52 acres). Legal Right of There are no legal rights of access to the site. But the site is Access registered open access. Common Rights There are no common rights on the site. Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve has byelaws in operation. They were updated in 2008. The revised version and the Byelaws original version, drawn up in 1976, are held by Hart District Council at the Civic Offices, Fleet. 2 1.2.3. Land Tenure All tenure documents are held by the Legal Unit of Hart District Council at the Civic Offices, Harlington Road, Fleet, Hampshire. The site is owned by Hart District Council. Their address is: The Civic Offices, Ownership Harlington Way, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 4AE. Type of holding Freehold Date of acquisition 1972 This is not a legal document. Please refer to the original tenure documents before taking any decision or action which may have legal implications. Contact names and addresses for the owners of Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve: Policy and Strategy for the management and ownership: Grounds and Countryside Manager; Hart District Council, The Civic Offices, Harlington Way, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 4AE Telephone 01252 774083 Information can also be found on the website; www.hart.gov.uk/index/leisure. Estate management and maintenance of Fleet Pond: The Senior Countryside Ranger and the Countryside Ranger for Fleet Pond; Hart District Council, The Civic Offices, Harlington Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 4AE. Telephone at the Countryside Workshop is 01252 623443 E-mail address is [email protected] 1.2.4. Management Infrastructure Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve is managed as a Local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest by Hart District Council with support from Fleet Pond Society.