Management of Yateley Common Country Park

Management for wildlife
In order to preserve the important heathland habitat we regularly have to remove large areas of scrub and trees which would otherwise shade out the valuable heathland wildlife. After clearing an area it is often necessary to scrape off the nutrient rich layer of top soil. Being adapted to poor soils, heather finds it difficult to compete with other plants when soil conditions improve. Once an area has been scraped the heather can naturally regenerate from the seeds remaining in the soil. Bracken control is another important aspect of our heathland management work.

As well as working to preserve the heathland, we also aim to maintain a variety of habitats and vegetation structures such as woodland, scrub, scattered trees and grassland. This enables a wide diversity of wildlife to survive and is important for species that use more than one habitat during their lifecycle or daily activities. Some species are especially reliant upon the boundaries between habitat types.

If invasive species such as Rhododendron become established every effort is made to remove and eradicate them before they out compete the native wildlife.

Wildlife
The wide variety of habitats on Yateley Common Country Park make it suitable for a range of wildlife. The areas of heathland primarily consist of three types of heather- Ling, Bell Heather and Cross Leaved Heath, along with Common and Dwarf Gorse. These areas support a variety of specialised heathland wildlife including a number of breeding birds of European importance, including Nightjars, Dartford Warblers and Stonechats. Being warm and sandy, the heathland on the Common makes an ideal home for a number of insects and reptiles, including the Heath Potter Wasp, the Viviparous Lizard (right) and Adders. The Common also supports a variety of butterflies such as the Silver Studded Blue and the Grayling.

A number of interesting flowers such as Bee Orchids and Carline Thistle can be found on the grassland areas to the west of the site. In spring Bluebells and Wood Anemones carpet old wooded hedge banks, whilst the distinctive song of the Nightingale is commonly heard alongside more common species such as the Garden Warbler and Chaffinch.

The ponds and lakes on the Common are particularly important for a number of scarce dragonflies and damselflies, including the Black Darter and Downy Emerald. Six species of nationally notable water beetles have also been found.

Management for recreation
We aim to manage the Common in such a way that people can enjoy quiet, informal recreation in pleasant and safe surroundings. This involves work as diverse as repairing paths, clearing litter and preventing abuses of the Common such as motor cycling. It also includes management of the fishing at Wyndhams Pool.