Welcombe and Marsland Nature Reserve Management Plan Part 1

Welcombe and Marsland Nature
Reserve
Management Plan
Part 1
October 2005 - October 2010
Plan prepared by G Pilkington and S Threlkeld
This version printed 23 July 2007
Devon Wildlife Trust, Shirehampton House, 35-37 St David’s Hill, Exeter,
EX4 4DA
Tel: (01392) 279244 Fax: (01392) 433221 e-mail: devonwt@cix.co.uk
Web Site: www.devonwildlifetrust.org Registered Charity, No 2132

Policy statement:
Welcombe and Marsland Management Plan edited for DWT web site.
Description:
Land tenure The reserve has been built up by a number of purchases since
1959.The majority of the reserve land ( other than compartments
34 (part), 35 (part) , 47,48,50 (part) and 70a ) has been
covenanted with the National Trust.
Total area 212ha / 520 acres
Grid reference Grid Ref ss342172
The reserve is now freehold owned by Devon Wildlife Trust
Full scale entry into Land Registry files during 2003.
Local authority Devon County Council, Torridge District Council, Welcombe
Parish, Hartland Parish,Cornwall County Council, North
Cornwall District Council, Morwenstow Parish
Management Three exsisting on file.Active management on reserve for past 26
Plan
years.
Map coverage 1:50 000 Landranger sheet
1:25 000 Explorer OL126
1:10 000
190 Bude and Clovelly
SS21/3 Kilkhampton
SS21NW
SS21NE
Bounded by OS grid reference points : SS
214200,213185,254178,244157,226165 and 204173 ( OS 1 :
50,000 map no 190 ( Bude and Clovelly).
Photographic
coverage
DWT nature reserves maps based on 1:2500 digital OS Landline
data additionally show compartment division and location of
physical features such as paths, signs, gates etc.
Orthorectified digital aerial photograph taken 1999 ( DBRC under
licence from DCC © Getmapping.com.)
Old 1948 aerial photograph images of all reserve areas ( data file)
B/W aerial photograph c1968.
Slides/photos/digital images/video of species,
habitats/management on reserve files.
Status Part of Marsland to Blackchurch Rock SSSI
Part of Steeple Point to Marsland Mouth SSSI
Part ASOB
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Access Permit only except footpaths
Rights of Way / public footpath access
Legal matters This is not a legal document. Please refer to the original tenure
documents before taking any decision or action which may have
legal implications.
DWT is legally bound by the Countryside Stewardship
agreement. Any changes to the management as specified in the
agreement must be agreed with the stewardship advisor first. The
same applies to RES payments.
Other Easter Rally : Held on Easter Saturday annually.The road down
to Gooseham and up Darracott to Welcombe is part of the Lands
End Trials.
Shooting : Certain landowners have retained rights to shoot over
the land which they previously owned.This applies solely to ‘pest’
species.
Recreation : Welcombe Mouth and car park area is very popular
during the summer months.Camping is actively discouraged on
reserve land but many tents use the land opposite the car park
( different landowner)
The paths and bridleway are used by a limited number of walkers
mainly during the spring / summer months.
Horse riding is popular especially up and down the three official
‘B’ roads passing through the reserve and along the official
bridleway.
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Site description :
The reserve was, until recently,owned and managed by the Royal Society for Nature
Conservation (RSNC -Wildlife Trusts).In 1997 the day to day running of the reserve
was handed over to the Devon Wildlife Trust under a lease agreement.
• The greater part of the reserve was acquired in the late 50’s and early 60’s by
Mr.Christopher Cadbury and passed on to the RSNC over the years.
• The reserve also lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with the
Marsland Valley being highly representative of an unspoilt coastal coombe
habitat.
• The first warden, who arrived on site in 1974, prepared a working management
plan which formed the basis for the current work planning scheme.A Management
Committee was set up in 1978 to advise and assist. Scientific and monitoring work
is on going throughout the seasons and includes a Common Bird Census (CBC),
butterfly and dragonfly transects and listings of most other major species.There
are extensive records for, amongst others, lichens,mosses,fungi, beetles and
hoverflies.
• To date (July 07) over 18,000 records have been entered onto the ’Recorder’
database.
• The reserve comprises 212 hectares, of which 186 hectares occurs in the Marsland
Valley and 26 hectares in the Welcombe Valley.The site was designated a SSSI in
1952. In addition the reserve includes an unknown acreage of foreshore north of
Welcombe Mouth for 4 kilometres, extending beyond South Hole Farm
(SS219201). The boundary of the reserve is approximately 18 miles long and is
very complex, mainly through following the seven separate tributary streams.
• The primary interest of the reserve is as an example of a north Devon/Cornwall
coombe valley with a variety of slopes, soil types and aspects and coastal area that
gives rise to a similar diversity of habitats. The most important of these are the
extensive areas of relatively pure oak woodland and oak coppice, the maritime
grassland and grass heath and the alder woodland and wet flushes in the valley
bottoms.
• There is approximately 36h of grassland, 130h of woodland, 43h of coastal habitat
and 1h of open water.
• The flora list is extensive with over 320+ species of flowering plant having been
recorded several of these either local in their national distribution or characteristic
species of the South West of England.
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EVALUATION and Confirmation of important features
SIZE:
Welcombe and Marsland Nature Reserve is a prime example of a Devon/Cornwall
coombe valley system. Almost the whole of the Marsland Valley water course
(Marsland Stream) is within the reserve and provides a very interesting freshwater
habitat.In the case of the Marsland Valley, in particular , the reserve is significant
in that it comprises practically a complete valley system with a major watercourse
and main tributaries.
DIVERSITY:
The reserve is extremely diverse both in terms of habitats and aspect. This
diversity is being increased by habitat management.
NATURALNESS:
Much of the reserve is left unmanaged and has been little modified by mans’
activities notably the coastline and non intervention woodland.
RARITY:
Several rare species occur on reserve
FRAGILITY:
The valley bottom meadows are vulnerable to scrubbing over without active
management.The coastal heath sections are also vulnerable to loss of diversity due
to lack of grazing.
TYPICALNESS:
The reserve shows many features typical of the southwestern coombe valleys
protected by SSSI designation.
POSITION IN AN ECOLOGICAL UNIT:
The reserve forms an integral part of the two SSSI’ s protecting the coastline and
coombe valleys along the North Devon/Cornwall coast.
POTENTIAL VALUE:
Active management has increased the wildlife interest in the reserve and will
continue to do so.
INTRINSIC APPEAL:
The reserve lies within an Area of Outstanding Beauty and the wildlife is likely to
be an attraction to the general public.Locals and visitors alike comment on the
beauty of the reserve and the amount of on going management being carried out.
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Evaluation for nature conservation
Flora
The wide variety of habitats mentioned above gives rise to an extensive and varied
flora with over 320 flowering plants and 14 species of fern recorded during survey
work .
There is an extensive list of fungi/lichen along with many bryophyte species ( there
are 141 species on the list)
Though a list as yet includes no great rarities, it does include many local species and a
wide selection of the characteristic species of maritime grassland, sessile oak
woodland and wet flushes. The majority of species are representative of acid to
neutral soils. The moist conditions with a narrow range of temperature allow several
plants with south-western or western distributions to flourish.
• Grassland: The short turf grassland is dominated by Red Fescue while Rye
Grass, Cocksfoot and Crested Dogstail dominate the improved pasture. On the
coast Kidney Vetch, Thrift, Thyme, BirdsFoot Trefoil, Spring Squill, Wild
Carrot, Mouse Ear Hawkweed and Common Catsear can be found. Further
inland one can see Eyebright, Devils Bit Scabious, Betony, Centaury and
Purging Flax.The meadows further up the valley contain Yorkshire Fog,
Common Bent, Self-Heal, Ribwort Plantain, Heath Bedstraw, Yarrow, Ladies
Smock, Knapweed and Tormentil.
• Maritime Grassland: Apart from bare ground the area is dominated by
Heather, Gorse, Red Fescue and Common Bent.Other plants include
Foxglove, Wood Sage and Sea Campion.On the rockiest areas English
Stonecrop becomes a dominant with Bell Heather, Red Fescue, Common
Catsear and Sheeps Bit.On the scree slopes Wood Vetch can be found.
• Wet Flushes: Dominated by Water Forget Me Not, Lesser Spearwort, Marsh
Ragwort and Ragged Robin.
• Wood Pasture: Usually dominated by Ash, Sallow and Alder with Yorkshire
Fog, Red Campion, Angelica, Nettle, Bugle, Moscatel, Enchanters
Nightshade, Wild Daffodil, Primrose and Yellow flag.
• Oak Woodland: Oak is the dominant tree species with occasional Ash and
Sycamore. Hazel and Holly dominate the shrub layer. Bramble, Broad Buckler
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Fern, Ivy and Honeysuckle are the most abundant plants on the ground with
Hard Fern, Male Fern, Creeping Soft Grass and Bluebell also common.
Locally,more base conditions give rise to a richer ground flora with Dogs
Mercury, Sanicle, Primrose and Hartstongue Fern. Spindle and Privet can be
found in the shrub layer in these areas. There is considerable variation in the
density of oaks between the different management units as marked by the
banks which sub divide the woodland. This points to different management by
different owners in the past. The height of the canopy also varies from under 8
metres in the exposed sections to 20 metres in the more sheltered valleys.
• Oak-Beech Woodland: The presence of Beech and Sweet Chestnut indicate
planting sometime in the past. The dense shade cast by beech allows a sparse
cover of Broad Buckler Fern, Hard Fern, Male Fern and Ivy.Mosses,
especially species Polytrichum cover the ground. Beech and Holly dominate
the shrub layer. This habitat occupies large areas of Gooseham, Marsland and
Sherme Woods (c 18, 54 and 106). The beech shade reduces bramble growth
and it allows only sparse cover of fern species.
• Oak Coppice: The degenerate coppice contains Gorse, Heather, Bilberry,
Tormentil and Cow Wheat.The best example of this occurs in c25 dating from
just after the 2 nd World War.
• Alder-Sallow Woodland: This is characteristic of the wettest areas of the
valley bottoms especially c9, 20 and 52. Alder and Sallow are dominant
although both Ash and Sycamore do exist. The drier areas on the ground
contain Bramble, Male Fern, Lady Fern and False Oat Grass.The wet mires
have Yellow Flag, Meadowsweet, Kingcup, Hemlock Water Dropwort and
Golden Saxifrage.
• Mixed Deciduous Woodland: This is a secondary woodland habitat usually
dominated by Ash, Sycamore or Birch with varying amounts of Oak.The
ground flora usually consists of Bracken and Bramble where the Birch
dominates. Where Ash occurs, the ground flora is richer with Primrose,
Sanicle, Dogs Mercury and Wild Strawberry.Hartstongue Fern generally
replaces the more usual Dryopteris species.
• Mixed Wet Deciduous Woodland: This habitat occurs in the bottom of the
tributary valleys and in certain parts of the main valley where the soils are not
permanently saturated. Ash is the dominant tree species with some Alder and
Sallow.Where the light reaches the ground Primrose, Wild Daffodil, Early Purple
Orchid, Valerian, Pignut, Meadowsweet, Yellowflag and Golden Saxifrage occur.
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• Elm Woodland: Small clumps of Cornish Elm are scattered throughout the valley,
usually on earth banks (especially in c19). Much of it has succumbed to the Dutch
disease but suckering saplings can form thickets.
• Scrub: Usually dominated by Blackthorn and Hawthorn with abundant Gorse
and Bramble. Privet becomes common near the coast.
• Willow Scrub: Sallow is dominant with Float Grass and Creeping Buttercup
growing on the wetter soil. Southern Marsh Orchid, Ragged Robin, Marsh Thistle
and Marsh Ragwort can be found in these areas.
• Gorse Scrub: The cessation of some grazing has caused large areas of scrub to
develop but this is managed on a rotational basis.
The fauna is also very varied; the invertebrates in particular are worthy of
intensive survey work. The reserve is large enough to support viable populations
of mobile or vulnerable species.
Fauna:
Butterflies have proved to be the speciality of the reserve, with 34 species recorded in
the last few years. This does not include the Large Blue which became extinct at
Welcombe in the 1970s. It is the diversity of habitats that give rise to the large
numbers of both species and individuals. There are around 30 to 34 species of
butterfly likely to be seen on the reserve during the flight period. Most of these breed.
• A butterfly recording transect has been running for 20 years helping to gain a
better understanding of habitat requirements for each species. The first species
to be recorded is usually the Brimstone followed by Small Tortoiseshell,
Comma, Red Admiral, Orange Tip and Peacock.In a good migrant year more
Red Admirals may drop into the reserve along with Painted Ladies.The other
migrant, Clouded Yellow is often seen late on in the year round about August –
October.
• The coppice,woodland glades and rides contain various species of fritillary
butterflies - the Pearl and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary can be seen from
the end of May to round about mid June and in hot seasons both can have a
small second brood.The Dark Green Fritillary also flies in and around the
woodland along with the Silver Washed Fritillary.The much rarer High Brown
Fritillary has been recorded but in very low numbers.A very small colony of
Marsh Fritillary still occurs usually on the meadows containing large
amounts of devils bit scabious.
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• The Grizzled Skipper had colonised one area but hasn’ t been recorded for
some while.The much commoner Small and Large Skippers can be found in
many suitable sites along with Dingy Skipper.
• The Holly Blue and Common Blue occur on and around the edges of the
meadows together with Small Copper,Small Heath and the 'whites' - Green
Veined,Small and Large.The rare Wood White is recorded occasionally ( last
record 2001).
The Meadow Brown is very common as is Ringlet and Gatekeeper and Marbled White
numbers have increased well over the last few years.The Wall is usually located on
the edge of the woodland and Green Hairstreak is seen mainly on the coast.The
Purple Hairstreak is common and found flitting over the oak trees on the sunny edge
of open woodland.The Speckled Wood frequents almost any sunny area along the
tracks and paths.
The reserve butterfly transect has been running for over 26 years and all species have
been mapped.
• Moths are well represented with over 334 species recorded.These include
many of the common ones but local species like Barrett’s Marbled Coronet
(Hadena luteago barrettii) and the Devonshire Wainscot (Mythimna
putrescens), which is rare outside Devon and Cornwall,are present.
• The rarest moth is the Scarce Blackneck (Lygephila craccae) which occurs
along the coastline and is limited to this immediate area.Other species include
Waved carpet and White-spotted Pinion.
• The Hoverfly list stands at 24 - these include Helophilus pendulus,Eristalis
tenex,Brachypalpoides lenta,Volucella pellucens and Xylota segnis.
• Dragonflies are abundant during the summer months with 18 species
recorded.These include both Keeled and Black Tailed Skimmers and Black
Darter.
• Beetles on the lists are either common or local but the following are seen as
notable:
Acalles roboris,Aromia moscata,Ceutorhynchus punctiger,Chlaenius
nigricornis,Hypera fuscocinerea and Judolia cerambyciformis .
There are at present 161 species on the list.
• Ants / the full list is Myrmica ruginodis,Formica fusca,Lasius flavus,Lasius
niger,Myrmica scabrinodis,Myrmica sabuleti,Lasius alienus,Lasius
mixtus,Formica cunicularia and Tetramorium caespitum.
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• The pools and ponds and surrounding areas provide habitat for large
numbers of amphibians including Grass Snake,Adder,Common Lizard,Slow
Worm,Common Frog,Toad and Palmate Newt.
• Fish that have been found in the stream are Brown Trout, Eel and Bull
Head.
• Mammals are well represented with the Rabbits probably being the easiest to
see along with the odd Grey Squirrel.The other species are very elusive but
with careful monitoring and survey work an extensive list has been drawn
up.The rarest species is the Dormouse which lives mainly in the mixed
woodland which contains hazel coppice, honeysuckle and plenty of food.The
reserve specially manages certain areas for this endangered animal.There are
many signs of Otter up and down the stream and survey has shown that
individuals use the reserve to pass through - there has been no proof of
breeding but special ’hovers’ and artificial ’holts’ have been made to further
their protection.During the survey for ’spraint’ (otter droppings) many signs of
Mink have also been found.
Roe deer actually breed on the reserve but their numbers are very low and cause
little damage to the coppice trees.The Red deer does pass through mainly in the
winter months.
Both the Stoat and Weasel are fairly common as is the Badger - ’setts’ in some
areas are monitored on a yearly basis.All setts have been grid referenced and
mapped.
The Fox is a regular sight on reserve and on occasions can be observed hunting
for Field Mice and Short Tailed Field Voles in the fields and meadows.
Other mammals include Brown Hare,Mole,Shrew,BrownRat,Hedgehog and
occasional Grey Seal off the coast.
• Bat species include Noctule,Pipistrelle,Long Eared,Barbastelle,Lesser
Horseshoe, and Daubentons.
• Birds on the reserve list up to 117 with many of these actually breeding.The
usual woodland species can be seen most of the year - these include
Great,Blue,Marsh,Willow,Coal and Long Tailed Tits along with
Nuthatch,Treecreeper,Wren,Songthrush,Mistlethrush,Bullfinch,Blackbird and
Robin. The House Sparrow can sometimes be seen as can the Starling but both
these birds aren’t too common unlike the Chaffinch and
Dunnock.Yellowhammer,Linnet,Redpoll and occasional Siskin can usually be
seen on the coast and on the edge of the reserve.The Goldfinch and Goldcrest
can easily be spotted and on occasions Firecrest visit during the winter.Both
the Greater Spotted and Green Woodpeckers breed but the Lesser Spotted
variety still remains very elusive.
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• Our summer visitors include the usual warblers found in woods -
Blackcap,Garden Warbler,Chiffchaff,Willow Warbler and the occasional
Grasshopper Warbler.The elusive Whitethroat and rarer Lesser Whitethroat
can usually be heard more than seen usually in the scrub areas on the
coast.The distinctive song of the Wood Warbler is often heard in spring and
one or two have stayed around to breed on occasions.
• Other summer visitors include the not so common Pied Flycatcher ( the
reserve usually has one or two breeding pairs) and the more common Spotted
Flycatcher.The Redstart passes through but breeding is yet to be
confirmed.During the early part of spring Wheatears can be seen in good
numbers at both Marsland and Welcombe Mouths as can Stonechat which
does nest around the coastland scrub.Further down on the actual rocky areas
the Rock Pipit is fairly common.Its cousin,the Meadow Pipit, is also common
on and above the fields and the Tree Pipit, although infrequent, can sometimes
be seen and heard on the edges of the woods.Swallows,House/Sand Martins
and Swifts feed over the valley.
• The stream has a resident pair(s) of Grey Wagtails and the Dipper also nests
both at Marsland and Welcombe.The blue flash of the Kingfisher is a common
enough sight during the winter period. Herons are quite common over the
reserve and along the stream.Other wintertime birds passing through include
Redwing,and Fieldfare.
• The crow family is well represented with Magpie,Jay,Carrion
Crow,Rook,Jackdaw and the odd pair of Ravens being present all year
round.The Buzzard is one member of the birds of prey which is easily seen
and identified and the Sparrowhawk,Kestrel and Peregrine are all in good
numbers on and around the reserve.During the summer you may even catch a
glimpse of the Hobby along with the Merlin.The winter months may bring in
the odd Hen Harrier along the edges of the reserve.The Tawny Owl is more
often heard than seen in the woods and on occasions you could seen Barn Owl
quartering the fields on the adjacent farm land.
• The coastline offers even more species including Oystercatcher and
Turnstone.Looking out to sea with a telescope you could see Gannet,Manx
Shearwater,Fulmar,Cormorant,Shag,Common Scoter and even the odd Puffin
or Guillemot.
• Some old records include rare birds such as Golden Oriole,Hoopoe and Rough
Legged Buzzard along with more ’unusual’ species including Mute
Swan,Coot,Water Rail,Little RingedPlover,BarTailed
Godwit,Whimbrel,LittleOwl,Woodlark,Nightingale and Brambling.
• In recent years the reserve has recorded Little Egret,Black Crane,Yellow
Browed Warbler,Quail,Jack Snipe,Arctic Skua,Little Grebe,Goshawk,Sedge
Warbler and Reed Bunting.
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Summary of important features
Landscape The nature reserve is a fine example of a steep sided coombe valley.
Whilst a number of the coastal Coombe valleys in north Devon and
Cornwall are under conservation ownership, the majority of these
belong to the National Trust. As well as its nature conservation duties,
the National Trust has other responsibilities for access and amenity.
Thus Welcombe and Marsland is the only such area managed primarily
for its wildlife interest.
Land Use History The Marsland Valley was used mainly as a source of coppice material
( wood harvested in general every 20 years) and for rough grazing
sheep and cattle.
Public use / access,
education and
interpretation
No evidence of large scale charcoal burning but some oak may have
been used in the tanning industry.
.In addition the water in the stream was used to drive three mills for
grinding corn and barley.
The presence of beech and some sweet chestnut, larch and scots pine
indicate extensive planting at some stage.A small section of c25 was the
last area to be coppiced this dating from the 2 nd World War.
The woodland floor would have been more open at one stage due
mainly to grazing pigs.Rough pasture and grass heath originally
occupied well over half the area of the reserve and cattle/sheep grazed
certain sections well into living memory.
Only c6,7,15,50,63 65, 64 –66,67,68 and 71 – 79 have been grazed
regularly to the present day.
C66 and the upper slopes of 67 and 68 have also been used for arable
crops though in the case of c66 this was well over 30 years ago.
The reserve has restricted access over much of the area there are
however several public rights of way on the reserve.
Public interest is high mainly in the Welcombe Mouth area which is
popular with surfers, locals and holiday makers and the South West
Coast Path.
Interpretation boards at Gooseham Mill and little Marsland ( along with
explanation leaflets since 2003)
Notice board at Welcombe Mouth ( information leaflet 2005)
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Research / study Species records are held by the reserves officer on ‘Recorder’ database.
Habitat
Upper carboniferous
Culm Measures
Woodland and scrub
(c.139.5ha)
Open habitats
(c.72.5)
Notable Species
High national importance
The woodland areas of the site consists of mixed deciduous woodland,
alder and willow flushes and scrub. Full details can be found in the
compartment descriptions.
Sessile oak woodland has average national importance.
The wet flushes/alder carr has average regional importance.
The open habitats consist of grazed areas of coastal heath and valley
sides, a traditional species rich hay meadow, bracken slopes and other
areas mechanically maintained by the reserve officer and assistant.
Maritime heathland has a high national importance.
The maritime grassland has a high regional importance.
The unimproved grassland in the valley meadows has a high regional
importance.
Species National Regional Local
Wavy St John’s Wort High
Portland Spurge High
Bastard Balm High
Woodlouse
(Halophiloscia couchii) High
Pearl Bordered Fritillary High
Other Fritillaries High
Lesser Horseshoe Bat High
Barbastelle bat High
Pipistrelle bat High
Dormouse High
Otter
Average
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