Quantock Hills Blog
Happy Heathland
- It takes a lot of hard work to keep the heathland looking so beautiful
Posted by Andy Harris on 13 September 2011
It seems that all the hard work of those involved in the Quantock Commons Countryside Stewardship Scheme is beginning to pay off. Probably the most striking example that can be seen right now is the amazingly vibrant colour of the heathland.
For the past three summers Quantock Commoners (farmers who have rights to graze animals on the Common land) have employed contractors to control bracken, both from the air and by land. This is done by spraying areas where dwarf shrubs (heather, gorse, bilberry etc) that make the hilltops so special were beginning to be out competed by the fern. Bracken is a natural and important component of the heathland and only needs to be controlled, not eradicated. However halting the advance of the bracken front and pushing it back in some places affords the heather a rest bite and this year it seems to be responding by putting on a truly colourful display.
If you’ve been on the hills recently and seen the heather I’m sure you’ve been impressed but we can’t sit back and relax, there’s always something that needs sorting out. Right now we’re considering the best approach to dealing with the results of heather beetle damage which in some places has left areas of heather grey and dead. But with such as tremendous heather flowering season this year I’m sure lots of seed will be produced to help recolonise areas affected by the beetle.
If you have not yet seen the heather you have a couple more weeks before its past its best. Why not email in your photos?
Stay in the loop
Annual Reports
View Annual reports from the Quantock AONB Service
AONB Planning Consultation Comments 2011
Please click below to read responses made by the AONB on behalf of the Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee
Information leaflets
Find out more about why the heathland is so important for birds, the red deer on the Quantocks and why the history of the landscape is so special.
Management Plan
The Quantock Hills AONB Management Plan 2009-2014 and Management Plan Summary
Newsletters
If you would like to subscribe to the Quantock Hills e-newsletter please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we will put you on our mailing list
Other organisations and activities in the Quantocks
A few things you might find interesting from organisations we work with in the Quantocks
Planning Application Comments 2012
Find out how the Quantock Hills AONB Service commented on planning applications in 2012
Planning Guidance and Position Statements
Find our guidance documents and position statements here.
PREPARING FOR CHANGE
Climate-proof your tourism business
Quantock Deer Count Results
Annual deer count results for 2010, 2011and 2012
QUANTOCK ECO EVENTS PROGRAMME
Building Resilient Villages
Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) Papers
Papers from the partnership committee the Joint Advisory Committeeqhjac_papers_22nd_july_11.pdf
Quantock Hills Visitor Guide
Quantock Hills Visitor Guide
Recreation Leaflets
a full range of leaflets from circular walks to event guides and leaflets to allow you to enjoy the best of the hills
SCC disposal of land
Find out the Quantock Hills AONB Service position, and our response to SCC
Sustainable Development Fund forms
The SDF for 20011/12 has £45,000 to allocate. This will provide grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to explore and develop practical projects that enhance, conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life.
Tick Leaflet
Ticks are becoming more common and a bite from this spider-like parasite could lead to Lyme Disease. This is a treatable infection caused by bacterium transmitted by ticks when they bite. Not every tick carries Lyme Disease and it is important to realise that the disease is relatively rare.
Wild Places competition
Win a chance to create your own 'wild place'.
Information
Useful Contacts
Quantock AONB Service
Tel: 01823 451 884
Somerset Wildlife Trust
Tel: 01823 652 400
www.somersetwildlife.org
National Trust
Tel: 01823 451 814
www.nationaltrust.org
Forestry Commission
Tel: 01278 732 319
Comments in chronological order (Total 1 comments)
Add your comment