Hawksmere Springs Nature Reserve - a wildlife oasis
Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scriptus), Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis). The woodland
also contains the rare Hard Shield Fern (Polystichum aculeatum).
Ancient hedgerow
The network of mature hedges surrounding the field is typical of a traditional pattern of management.
The hedgerow provides an additional habitat to the reserve and a barrier against spray drift from
the nearby farmland on the adjacent fields. Species recorded along the hedgerow include Midland
Hawthorn (Cratageus laevigatum), Field Maple, Ash, Oak, Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus), Crab
Apple (Malus sylvestris), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and Hazel. The hedgerow forms an additional
valuable habitat for invertebrates and birds.
A high plant diversity is often accompanied by a high invertebrate species diversity. To date no
detailed i nvertebrate survey lias been conducted. However, Comma (Polygonia c-album), Brimstone
(Gonepteryx rhamni), Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui). Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and
Gatekeeper (Pyronia titonus) have been recorded. In addition Lesser Marsh Grasshopper
(Chorthippus albomarginatus), Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus), Field Grasshopper
(Chorthippus brunneus), Roesel's Bush-cricket (Metrioptera roeselii), Dark Bush-cricket
(Pholidoptera griseoaptera) and the Oak Bush-cricket (Meconema thalassinum) have all been
recorded.
Birds, reptiles and mammals prefer structural diversity to greater species diversity. The combination
of habitats on the reserve provide a good structural diversity and the records for the mammals,
reptiles and birds are high for the size of the reserve. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Fox (Vulpes
vulpes), Mole (Talpa europaea), Fallow (Dama dama) and Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) Deer,
Grass Snake (Natrix natrix). Kingfisher (Alcedo antthis), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), Tawny
Owl (Strix aluco), Hobby (Falco subbuteo), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Nuthatch (Sitta europaea),
Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos candatus), Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes). Goldfinch (Carduelis
carduelis). Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris), Blackcap (Syvia atricappilld) and Goldcrest (Regulus
regulus).
Management
In the past horses and ponies have grazed the meadows. However, due to limited access it became
difficult to continue to graze animals on the reserve. The previous warden battled the encroaching
vegetation by manually shimming the reserve, paying particular attention to cutting around Sulphur
Clover colonies and maintaining access through the reserve. A recent grant by the Lottery Fund led
to the installation of a small bridge in October 2000 allowing access for a small tractor and animals
to cross the stream. In November 2000 the grassland was cut and about 30 sheep were introduced
to the reserve to graze the aftermath. The sheep were removed in late January and then re-introduced
in late April for two weeks due to the vigorous growth of the grasses.
Potential for improvement
The reserve has major potential for improvement with the correct management regime. After the
initial heavy cropping during the first year since the bridge was installed future management will
include lightly grazing the meadows with about 15 sheep. The sheep will be re-introduced mid-
October until late February, with the hope of revelling the majority of the meadow vegetation
communities back to the floristically rich MG5 Cynosurus cristatus - Centaurea nigra communities.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 19 (2002)
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