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August 2010

Hollybank Woods, Emsworth, Hampshire.

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Check out the Blog page for latest woodland updates.

Fire risk over Bank Holiday Weekend

Over the summer months Hollybank has had a large number of fires, and although all were caught early before they spread, arson is still a concern despite the current wet weather. During the summer we run 24/7 fire watches with warden and ranger patrols thoughout the woodland.

(PHOTO: AB)

Emsworth brigade after dealing with a fire in the central woodland earlier in the summer. With Hollybank Woods geology being made up of surface peat and gravel fires are a serious threat to the woodland during summer months. Fires not dealt with immediately risk going to ground. Once below the surface the fire can travel many metres before breaking surface again. For this reason the woodland has a no fires policy.

(PHOTO: AB) Fire brigade landrover deep in the woodland damping down a fire site.

(PHOTO: AB)

WPC Clare (Proudfoot) and PCSO Richard (Thompson) are working with Hollybank Woods to address the problems of fire lighting and drinks parties in the woods.

This weekend in Hollybank Woods: What to look for.

Keep an eye out for Shield bugs, especially on sunny days when their colours reveal such intricate detailed markings.
(PHOTO: AB)

White Admirals are still on the wing now throughout Hollybank Woods.
(PHOTO: AB)

Hollybank News
(also check out the blog for latest reports).

Hollybank Woods Geocache's.

Report by Rod Smith, Hollybank Woods Geocache Warden.

After ten minutes of hunting through ivy-covered trees I finally find what I'm looking for at the base of a tree, there is a small pile of sticks and leaves. Pulling it away, I discover a carefully concealed tupperware box, a 'Geocache'.

Geocaching is a high tech international treasure hunt. There are over 42,000 hidden caches waiting to be found in the UK, along with 3380 in Italy, 32 in Antarctica and even one hidden on Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa.

Put simply, it's a contemporary version of the old pirate treasure map where X marks the spot. From locating the treasure on your computer to locating it in person via your GPS, it's a fun way get out and about and explore areas that you may not have been to before.

Rod Smith, Hollybank Woods Geocache Warden out in the wood setting clues! (PHOTO: AB)

To start playing the game the only kit you will need is some sort of GPS receiver. You can get a standard walking GPS from about £60, but your TomTom type of in-car Sat Nav will sometimes be accurate enough to find caches near to a roadside.

Rod is more than happy to meet people in Hollybank, lend them a suitable GPS unit, and guide them around the trail which leads to the geocache. It's a great way to get a feel for the sport before you commit to purchasing a GPS. Read on and then follow the link at the end of this feature.

Some Geocaches may be possible to find without a GPS device but you could be treasure hunting for the next 15 years before finding it, as the more common Ordnance Survey grid references aren't specific enough to be useful unless there is a definite landmark described in the cache's location clue.

Once on the international Geocaching website, (details on Rod's page) you will be able to search a list of caches and select one which is nearby. You can then print out the page for that cache, which includes a cryptic location clue, and off you go on the hunt.

If finding the caches alone isn't challenging enough, you must do so without being seen by 'Muggles' or Non-Geocachers. Some boxes are deliberately hidden in busy areas such as cities, parks and near supermarkets, so a good plan is needed to retrieve one secretly without giving the game away to the Muggles.

If you're lucky enough to find a cache, there will be a logbook inside to sign. Some boxes may also contain other objects such as toys, postcards or even CDs. If you do take something, then you are obliged to put something else back in, unless the object removed is a 'trackable' one.

There are two main types of trackable objects, Geocoins and Travel Bugs, the latter being a dog-tag normally attached to a keyring or model. Geocachers move these objects from cache to cache and they normally have 'missions' given to them by their owners. These can be anything from visiting as many British castles as possible to travelling to Australia. One cache near Havant has been put in place especially for people wishing to have their 'trackables' taken across to the continent (or beyond), with people en route to the Cross-Channel ferries and airports, stopping by to pick them up.

After you've searched for a cache and found it, you log back on to the Geocaching page for that cache and record your success, along with any notes, comments, or funny things that happened while you were searching.

Some caches are spread out along a trail, with one box having to be found in order to retrieve clues to the location of the next one. Others may require you to solve a puzzle to get the cache location, or can only be searched for at night.

A word of warning; Geocaching is surprisingly addictive. You could soon find yourself spending hours on the Geocaching.com site, checking for new caches to go and find. Even a simple trip to Portsmouth will include a quick detour to look for that box near the Spinnaker Tower. This sport may take over your life, but it's worth it!

Check out

Rod's Hollybank Geocache page

for more details nand how to get involved.

Habitat restoration in the conifer plantation.

Report by AB

You will have noticed the forestry work within the conifer plantation in the north eastern part of the woods which started in July. This will involve selective removal of trees to allow the Western Red Cedar, Oak and Beech to prosper. The work is being carried out by a local training organisation, so there is no cost to us. Chris Bain, who runs Forestry Training Services Ltd, is committed to sensitive woodland management using both traditional and modern forestry and woodland management techniques. Chris is a regular walker in the woods with his family, a member of the Friends of Hollybank Woods and is a serving committee member.

The work is being carried out by skilled professional woodsman, as part of their training by Chris, in the craft and practice of a more environmental approach to habitat restoration and conservation. Chris not only instructs on the art of plantation management, but challenges students to understand how their actions impact on the environment. They will take these skills back to the woodlands they manage, and both Forestry Training Services Ltd and Friends of Hollybank Woods hope that the experience of working in a modern plantation, within an ancient woodland, will seed a future generation of skilled craftsmen who will be encouraged to manage their own woodlands with a greater understanding of both habitat and wildlife conservation. Chris has a unique approach to woodland management, one that will contribute greatly to the flaura and fauna of the woodland. All work is carried out under full professional guidelines and public liability insurance.

John Bond, Chairman of Friends of Hollybank Woods, emphasises that this is not a short term project, but a long term forest regeneration scheme that will benefit future generations, and the woodland itself. Over the next ten years the plantation which has become a dark and sterile area within the greater woodland, will be opened up. The increase in light within the plantation, creation of wildlife corridors rich in grasses, will all contribute to the biodiversity and in doing so benefit the ancient woodland of Hollybank that surrounds it.

John Bond (Friends Chairman) and Chris Bain (Friends Forestry Officer) in the Plantation. (PHOTO: AB)

Chris Bain runs Forestry Training Services Ltd and will be carrying out the plantation management
without cost to us. The project will provide trainees with experience of forestry management
techniques and provide invaluable habitat restoration in the plantation area.

You may be alarmed to see a lot of trees down and logs being stacked, but be assured that the spoils from these fellings will be used within the plantation to create wildlife rich habitats. Also there will be obvious signs of vehicle movement on the main bridleway. Again please do not be alarmed, this is the movement of one vehicle on site to ensure safe movement of tools to and from the plantation. In a month or so an access point will be opened up directly by the plantation area, the old forestry gate, and the main tracks will no longer be used for vehicle movement. Only three 4 wheel drive vehicle will be on site within the plantation area at any time, this is required for health and safety reasons and to safely move the large amounts of equipment being used on site.

All parties involved have taken extensive steps to limit the impact of current felling on the wildlife within the plantation area. Even caterpillers are being moved, by hand, to safe locations! Please be assured that this is not a commercial logging and extraction operation, but a major and skilled long term habitat restoration project. The objective, sympathetic well planned long term habitat restoration to reverse the negative effects of the conifer plantation's lack of recent management.

Warning signs will be placed on paths entering the plantation area when felling is in progress, so please be aware of the need to proceed with caution during tree felling both now and in the coming years.

We would respectfully remind horse riders that there is no bridleway through the plantation or on Longcopse Hill. Bridleways are clearly marked within the main woodland.

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Meeting point for work days and walks.

Meeting point for work party days and guided walks / events 2009 | Back to top |

During the Spring, Summer and Autumn there are monthly guided walks in the woodland. All walks start at the top of Hollybank Lane, meeting by the Friends of Hollybank Woods information board. Walks last 2 hours and start at 10am finishing about midday. (With the exception of the Summer moth and bat evening which starts at 8pm and finishes at about 11pm.) All welcome. Children very welcome, but need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please wear sturdy footware/boots. All guided walks meet at the top of Hollybank Lane and are free.

All Winter Work Party start at 10am and finish at 12 noon. Meet at the top of Hollybank Lane by the Friends of Hollybank Woods information board. All welcome. Woodland work tasks for all ages and abilities, from path clearing to litter picking. Children very welcome, but need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please wear sturdy footware/boots.

Work Party days run during the autumn and winter months. From April onwards, work days cease. This allows the nesting birds and breading animals the spring and summer months undisturbed.

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Weekly walks in Hollybank Woods:

Walking To Health.

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Short, free and safe guided walks in Hollybank Woods. Meet at 10.15am, SYRCH Centre, Cotton Drive, off Southliegh Road in north Emsworth. (SYRCH Centre is sign posted and there is a free car park).

A great way to keep fit, all ages welcome! Improving your health whilst enjoying an autumn/winter walk in the woodland.

Organised by Walking to Health.
(Supported by the British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Agency.)

Foxgloves. Blue skies and summer weather in Hollybank Woods, July 2009.
(PHOTO: AB)

Emsworth Show 2009

August Bank Holiday
Many thanks to all the visitors who dropped in on our stand this year, and to those who signed up as new members of the Friends of Hollybank Woods.

Emsworth Show. (PHOTO: AB)

Emsworth Show, Holybank Stand. David Willetts is a great supporter of the conservation work in Hollybank Woods, and has been a member of the friends group since it was founded. (PHOTOS: AB)

Emsworth Show, Holybank Stand. Two of our regular young supporters from 2007. (PHOTO: AB)

Friends of Hollybank Woods

About and how to join:
The Friends of Hollybank Woods are a group of local residents who formed in the Spring of 2001 to promote the protection of Hollybank Woods. The wood is owned by Havant Borough Council and managed on its behalf by the Friends of Hollybank Woods who organise regular work parties and themed walks run by local naturalists. The group formed a management committee and undertake well planned conservation work in the woods for the benefit of both wildlife and people using the woods.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved, not just for those who want to do practical work. We need your support!

To receive a Membership Application pack and become a Friend, please contact the Friends of Hollybank Woods membership secretary. Membership costs £1.50 for an adult and £3.00 for a family. Under 16's free.

Anna Williams
Membership Secretary
Friends of Hollybank Woods
Hollybank House
Emsworth
PO10 7UN

Telephone Anna on (01243) 375502

You can email us too, contact details are on the Blog page.

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© 2010 | AB