A. Rowlands Wood

1. Rowlands Wood is a Site of Important Nature Conservation (SINC). It is semi natural ancient woodland, most of which is now mixed plantation which was planted in the early 1900s.

2. The previous owner denied the Hunt access to this property on the grounds that it was a conservation area. In fact, it was total non-intervention, with the result that the windthrow resulting from the 1987 hurricane was not cleared, the ditches became clogged up, there was no timber management, the hazel coppicing became derelict and the rides, once species-rich, became overgrown, invaded by sycamore and largely impassable. The habitat value of the wood was deteriorating fast.

3. As soon as Wight Conservation purchased the property, to improve access for the Hunt, it cleared the rides, removed the surplus windthrown timber and improved the habitat.

4. The wood is divided by the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Most work has taken place south of the railway where the rides have been widened, their surface restored, edges scalloped and glades created. Aerial walkways were left for Red Squirrels and Dormice. Many of the ditches have been cleared and new drains inserted. Two woodland ponds have been cleared but further work remains. The thinning and cleaning programme in the wood has been completed, and a coppice restoration programme embarked upon.

5. In the medium term the woodland will provide a much enhanced habitat for its existing Red Squirrel population. It will also encourage the Dormouse.

6. North of the railway line the surplus windthrow damage has been removed and the principal ride has both been cleared and widened. There has been a limited amount of thinning but in the next three years coppice cycling will be restored and there will be further ride restoration.

7. Wildlife of note to be found in the wood include the Red Squirrel, Blue Bells, narrow-leaved Lungwort, Common Spotted Orchids, Early Purple Orchids, Bee Orchids, and a Field Service Tree.

1. This is subject to 999 year FC Leases, most of which date from the 1920s. The landowner, however, reserves the shooting and foxhunting rights. The freehold was purchased from an Island family when they placed it on the open market. There is no management input from Wight Conservation although Forest Enterprise consults regarding its activities.

2. There is little or no FC conservation input into the property. Three years ago there was a major fire destroying the scrub on a valuable 30 acre former heathland site. It had been subject to severe storm damage in 1987, and scrub allowed to invade the site. Since the fire, FC policy has not changed. This is a pity because the area is of immense conservation importance.

1. A SINC, this was included in the Brighstone conveyance but was not subject to a tenancy. The grazing rights, however, are attached to the occupancy of a nearby farm. The fields on top of the down are grazed each summer by cattle but for many years the slopes and the acid grassland on the east of the property have been ungrazed. Accordingly, there had been an encroachment of both scrub and gorse, which made it difficult for hounds to hunt there.

2. With the cessation of grazing, rank vegetation became more dominant and would eventually have led to a decrease in the diversity in structure of the grassland as a whole.

3. There was a rubbish dump which consisted of fridges, batteries, old tyres etc.

4. Our management prescription has been to reduce the scrub cover by 75%, remove the rubbish dump, where appropriate to scrape the soil and expose the bare mineral soils to increase the development of heathland communities, manage the gorse on a rotational basis thus improving it as a habitat for the Dartford Warbler, and to reintroduce grazing. The restoration of the site is managed as a five year project. Hang-gliders are banned during the nesting season from mid-February to mid-July. In 1999, as on other sites on the property, there was an intense ragwort-pulling exercise (overall three people were engaged for 9 weeks solely on this job).

5. The site is important for heathland communities and associated fauna. It supports an extensive area of unimproved species-rich chalk grassland. It contains populations of the very rare Early Gentian, which is found nowhere else in the World but on chalk grassland in southern England. The IW supports its core population. The downs support a rich invertebrate fauna including nationally rare and scarce species such as the Glanville Fritillary, Adonis Blue and Small Blue. The bird fauna of the down is important and contains good populations of Skylark. Hopefully the gorse management will encourage the recolonisation of Dartford Warblers as has occurred elsewhere on the estate.

1. A SINC, this was originally included in the Brighstone Forest conveyance and tenanted to the FC. It was, however, badly damaged in the 1987 storm and the FC had difficulty in restoring it. They therefore sold the lease. Whilst as landowner Wight Conservation had the shooting rights, on this particular part of the conveyance the status of the hunting rights was uncertain. To ensure continued access to the Hunt, Wight Conservation accordingly purchased the property but on the condition that conservation work was carried out. Both the former woodland and the open downland had become totally unmanaged by the FC with the result that there had been a heavy encroachment of scrub.

2. Part of the site is covered by a SSSI and, under the European Habitats Directive, has been recommended as a Special Area of Conservation.

3. Wight Conservation has embarked on a scrub removal and management programme. Many of the existing trees have been removed, as has the considerable amount of litter remaining from the 1987 storm. Grazing has been introduced using Highland Cattle. Hardy grazers are needed for this type of landscape.

4. Archaeologically it is interesting. There are five scheduled barrows which unfortunately had become seriously eroded by the visitors. With the assistance of English Heritage, most of the damage has been restored. From our scrub removal work, several other unrecorded barrows have been identified.

5. Most of the restoration is on a 5 year project, although there is a 10 year agreement with the with Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

6. On the calcifugous grassland where the sward has remained open, the grassland is dominated by fine-leaved grass species such as Sheeps Fescue, Common Bent, Red Fescue, Bellflower, Cowslip, Common Spotted Orchid, Common Quaking Grass, plus the other species mentioned for Coombe Down.

E. Mottistone Common

1. Also a SINC, this was purchased in conjunction with Mottistone Down and Coombe Plantation (see below). Prior to the 1987 storm it had been a pine plantation but the storm's damage was substantial. During the storm and since it was clear-felled, with the result that there was deep woodland li tter and bracken which was swamping the heathland communities. We are clearing the litter, exposing the mineral soils, controlling the bracken, and removing the rhododendron.

2. The site runs into the National Trust property which has recently introduced a New Forest pony grazing programme to benefit the heathland. The progress on this site has been slow but the results are now becoming apparent. It is on a 5 year management programme but within a 10 year Countryside Stewardship Agreement.

3. Since clearance, Nightjars have been found breeding. Both Ling and Bell Heather are present but infrequent. Sheeps Fescue, Bristle-leaved Bent are common.

1. Although it had carried out some replanting in 1984, the FC had apparently since stopped managing this wood. Hence the rides had become overgrown, wet and rutted, there was no timber management and the status of the wood was deteriorating.

2. The management objectives for the wood are to complement and improve through sympathetic forestry management the existing diverse and valuable habitat of resident flora and fauna, and to improve through good silviculture practice the vigour and health of the existing woodland. The main existing rides have been cut back and widened, we have created 7 new rides plus glades, and the 1984 plantation has been cleaned of poor growth. The thinning and cleaning work will continue throughout the wood. There will be a programme of coppice restoration and some limited replanting.

3. Already the ride clearance has shown results with the main ride in 1999 supporting a population of over 300 Common Spotted Orchids. The woodland plays host to a good Red Squirrel population.

1. Coombe Down, a SINC, is adjacent to and south of Brighstone Down. It was originally part of Coombe Farm where the then farmer denied the Hunt access. Wight Conservation purchased it from him, however, to provide a security corridor between Brightstone Down and the farm so that hunting could continue without any worry or concern to the farmer.

2. It consists of a 20 acre strip of unimproved chalk grassland which runs along the bottom of the Down, plus a field of IACS registered improved pasture of 20 acres. The site presents great potential for flora and fauna. We take a cut of hay after July and there is light grazing in the winter months by either Highland Cattle or sheep. Organic fertilizer is used on the improved pasture which is also grazed and hay taken from it. We have replanted a previous hedge which originally divided the field.

3. The benefits from our prescriptions have already been most satisfying. The grassland contains Sheeps Fescue, Red Fescue, Sweet Fennel Grass, Cowslip, Bee Orchid, Pyramidal Orchid, Knapweeds, Salad Burnet, Rock Rose, Marjoram and Thyme. The bird population includes Kestrel, Buzzard and Skylark and Peregrines are frequently to be seen hunting along it. The invertebrates includes the Small Blue, Glanville Fritillary, Dark Fritillary, Chalkhill Blue and Adonis Blue. There are a number of reptiles found within the area which include Adder, Grass Snake and Common Lizard.

1. This adjoins Brighstone Forest and is a SINC. It was tenanted on a 999 year lease in the 1950s to the FC by another landlord who reserved the shooting rights and has subsequently let them to a third party. It suffered severe windthrow damage in the 1987 storm and the FC found it too expensive to clear the litter and restore the site. Hence they disposed of the leasehold by an open market tender. It was purchased to ensure access for the hunt.

2. Ecologically it is an important site. We have started clearing the windthrow litter, reducing and managing the scrub and gorse on a rotational system, restoring and maintaining the species-rich areas of chalk heath, dry heath, chalk grassland and acid grassland, restoring the downland to the landscape as it was prior to the FC plantation. Chalk heath is an extremely rare habitat which has developed on the gravel cap which sometimes overlays chalk downland. We have reintroduced grazing with Highland Cattle.

3. The site contains some interesting and valuable archaeological sites. We have exposed a substantial Celtic field system.

4. Early Gentian is present. There is a wide variety of bird species, including the Dartford Warbler. Within weeks of clearing dense windthrown areas, a Nightjar was found nesting. Other species noted are the Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Skylark, Stone Chat, Yellow Hammer and Wheatear. The site supports the Dormouse and the Brown Hare. Invertebrates noted include the Duke of Burgundy, Small Blue, Adonis Blue, Brown Argus and Dark Green Fritillary.

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I. Rowborough Wood

1. This was included by the FC with the above property. A SINC, it was established by FC as woodland between 1954 and 1965. Although the whole site, including Rowborough and Idlecombe Downs, was planted by the FC, this is the only part which withstood the 1987 storm. 50% of the conifer has received its first thinning.

2. Due to poor soil fertility and maritime exposure, much of the growth is slow and of poor form. The management has and continues to be restricted by the need to tie in with the shoot's requirements. Hence we have embarked on an initial 5 year thinning programme. We are restoring the coppicing and will engage on limited replanting.

3. Survey work carried out prior to our woodland operations revealed an important Celtic Field System and possible settlement that was not previously known about. These pre-operational field surveys have prevented important areas being damaged.

4. Wildlife of note include the Red Squirrel, Dormouse and Bluebells.

1. Another SINC, this forms an important link between Rowlands Wood and other woodland used by the Hunt. It is a mixed wood with good quality Oak and Ash standards. It had, however, suffered from a lack of management with the consequence the rides became grown over, with a lack of light to them (or indeed to the whole wood) and they were severely rutted. We have embarked on a programme of thinning the Oak plantation, a general thinning of the other woodland, cleaning and sky lighting. Rides have been restored and widened with their edges scalloped and new rides have been created, some of which are specifically for Hunt access to keep them off the main ride during its restoration process. We have started the coppice restoration.

2. As with Rowlands Wood, the soil conditions are wet and there is therefore a restricted harvesting season. We need to use light machinery and handle the timber sensitively. The wildlife of note includes the Red Squirrel, Dormouse and Bluebells.

1. These were purchased at the same time to tie in with Chillingwood. They were very wet, poorly drained and, due to mismanagement, had a poor soil structure. We have let the fields to a good farmer with the aim of improving the structure for the future.

1. This is the most exciting project of all. It is the only farm unit within Wight Conservation's estate and presents challenging conservation potential. It was on the market for 3 years. We have purchased no buildings except for two modern barns.

2. It consists of chalk downland, arable, conventional pasture and some woodland. Many of its fields are bordered by hedges.

3. The downland grazing has been neglected for many years and at best only spasmodically grazed by sheep. For some years the arable has either been set aside or farmed to obtain the linseed subsidy. The permanent pasture grazing was let for sheep or horses. Part of the downland is SSSI.

4. There is 26 acres of woodland, most of which is Ancient Woodland and is a SINC.

5. The property is of stunning landscape value. Its previous owner entered into a Countryside Stewardship Scheme but it has only been modestly used.

6. Proper grazing by Highland Cattle will be introduced to the chalk downland this summer, and, as the herd establishes, eventually all the chalk downland will be grazed by them. In the meantime, surplus grazing will be let to sheep farmers.

7. The arable fields will be sown and one or two crops of spring barley will be taken from them to remove the surplus nitrates. They will then be converted to unimproved grassland, - making exciting access for the Hunt. In the meantime, 6,000m of boundary margins will be installed for the benefit of wildlife, but again allowing headland access to the Hunt.

8. Arable crops will be grown without the use of artificial fertilizers to reduce the residue phosphorus and potassium to enable greater seed establishment of the conservation grasses and wild flower mixtures.

9. The hedges have become very gappy and leggy, and of much reduced habitat importance. They will come under proper systematic management so that within a few years they can be cut and laid again, improving both the wildlife habitat and the jumping potential for the Hunt.

10. The 24 acre copse is mostly hazel which has been allowed to come out of rotation. The result is that the ground vegetation has suffered. Over 10 years we intend to restore the coppice into cycling and hence improve it as a habitat for Red Squirrel, Dormouse and foxes.

11. To improve wildlife corridors and to enhance opportunities for the Hunt, new hedges will be planted along the lines of previous ones.

12. The farm contains a population of Red Squirrels and Dormice. It also has a good population of the Brown Hare. It has a good population of Skylarks and some Dartford Warblers have been noted. There is also Barn Owl activity and steps will be taken to improve its habitat. There are good communities of Cowslip.

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1. Hunting's contribution to conservation centres around the needs of both the fox and the hunt.

2. The fox normally lives above ground and uses earths during the breeding season, rough weather or as a place of refuge. It prefers woodlands, fields of kale, roots or maize, thick hedgerows, gorse, scrub or "rough" open land such as heathland and moorland.

3. In woodland it needs a good bottom of ground vegetation, providing shelter and warmth where it can lie up. Peace and quiet are an advantage.

4. Should it live in hedges, they require a thick base, providing shelter from the elements. A leggy and gappy hedge is of little wildlife value.

5. Foxes will often lie in gorse, but its habitat value reduces if it grows too high and becomes leggy. Leggy gorse is also unsuitable for Dartford Warblers. Being insectivorous, they require dense gorse bushes that contain high insect populations.

6. The Hunt requires access to and passage through the woods. Hedges need to be maintained to give the mounted field good jumping opportunities. Grass fields are preferred to arable and the older the turf the better. Grass headlands around arable fields facilitate passage for the mounted followers. Scrub and gorse should be maintained on a rotational basis so as to provide unhindered access for the horse.

7. The needs of the fox and the hunt coincide with the standards of best conservation practice. Those landowners who therefore manage their estates with foxhunting interests as a priority are doing biodiversity a valuable service.

8. Woodlands need to be managed to provide the fox with good ground cover. In high forest, unless sunlight gets through to the woodland floor, there will be a lack of ground vegetation, depriving the fox of its necessary habitat. Regular thinning and sky-lighting allows the sun to penetrate the woodland canopies, encouraging the ground vegetation and fostering the fox's habitat.

9. Laying of the understorey by hunts improves the habitat not only for the fox but also for many other fauna species. Unmanaged and derelict woods can lose much of their conservation value and be to the detriment of both the fox and the hunt.

10. Where there is a light-excluding understorey, a good woodland owner will coppice on a rotational basis, cutting hazel every 7-12 years and sweet chestnut at about 15 years. Coppicing improves the fox's habitat. For biodiversity, it encourages many woodland plants and animals, including some which are often found only in ancient woods. Butterflies, moths and bird life all benefit, - coppice is an ideal habitat for the Nightingale and Garden Warbler. Hazel coppice particularly suits the Dormouse and the Red Squirrel.

11. Some dead wood will be left as it forms a valuable habitat for many species of insects, and thus improves the wood as a habitat for foxes and badgers.

12. For hunt access through the woods, rides are created and maintained. Whether they be wide or narrow, rides and their edges are of immense habitat importance for a whole range of flora and fauna species. Properly maintained grassland or muddy and rutted rides each have their habitat value.

13. Except for periodical maintenance, man rarely visits woodland kept for foxhunting. The hunt might come perhaps two or four times a year and generally stays only minutes. For the rest of the time the woodlands are left in peace and quiet to the advantage of their wildlife.

14. Hunts like to jump hedges; they are exciting and challenging both for the horse and its rider. To be at their best, hedgerows need to be properly maintained. They can provide a habitat for hundreds of wildlife species, and are valuable wildlife corridors connecting woodlands, especially those which have become fragmented. In the good galloping hunt countries, good hedge maintenance is important, - either by regular laying or proper trimming.

15. Few arable farmers like to see mounted followers cross their fields. Uncropped margins and rough grassland corridors along field boundaries solve this problem and provide good passage for the horses. They also are valuable as providing a wildlife habitat. They help protect hedgerows and greatly increase species diversity, improving breeding and hunting habitats for many fauna. Rough grassland holds field prey for barn owls, and 30 bird species have been recorded using it as a habitat or feeding ground. They improve the habitat for the fox as it increases its food prey. The margins also protect the hedgerows from spray drift.

16. In the open spaces, both the hunt and conservationists like to manage gorse and scrub. Properly managed, gorse and scrub both can provide excellent habitats for a whole range of fauna. If the gorse is allowed to grow too old without rotational management, it becomes leggy and of much reduced habitat value. Unless scrub is managed, it encroaches over other habitats and becomes less valuable itself.

17. To varying degrees, good wildlife management is likely found on all hunting estates. Even if the farmer or landowner is not aesthetically motivated, he will seek to improve conditions for the hunt and the fox, thereby promoting good conservation management.

18. Personal observance confirms that hounds often catch the weaker of the fox species, thus maintaining the quality of the breeding stock. Such selection does not apply to other control methods where often it is the bolder and the better of the species which is culled.

19. Over the years, the work has been quietly carried out, almost subconsciously, and often taken for granted. What should now be clearly recognised is that the wildlife management on good hunting estates conforms with the very best practice sought by conservationists, English Nature, and the MAFF Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Indeed, where there is good hunting, there is little or no need for formal Biodiversity Action Plans.

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1. Fox control is necessary to protect the wide diversity of fauna found on the estate.

2. Rabbits are needed to graze down grass to the short lengths required for the Adonis Blue's habitat. Rabbits are a popular prey of foxes.

3. The estate supports populations of Red Squirrels, Dormice, Nightjars, Dartford Warblers, Skylarks and other valuable species which are all at risk from the fox, either as prey or from disturbance.

4. Except at the keepered shoot at Idlecombe and Rowborough, where they use snares or dig at the fox earths, the only method of fox control used is the IW Hunt which both culls and disperses foxes.

5. Lamping and snaring is practiced on some neighbouring farms but, for practical reasons, is not possible on most of Wight Conservation's estate.

6. Lamping is dependent upon good vehicular access, the absence of cover, and on terrain that allows safe shots. Small farm size, rough terrain and steep slopes all make it unworkable as a control method (Game Conservancy Trust 2000). The only parts of the estate conforming to these features are parts of Wroxall Manor Farm and Coombe Down. At Wroxall, however, there are approximately 5 miles of rights of way, embracing 7 bridleways or public footpaths. The farm is subject to extensive informal public access. At Coombe Down neighbouring field boundaries and three adjacent or nearby public rights of way and a highway make lamping undesirable.

7. Apart from the impractical aspects, staff and equipment would have to be hired in, making it expensive for Wight Conservation. Lamping is therefore not a viable option.

8. BASC recommends against setting snares: (a) where there are signs of badger; (b) near public footpaths, rights of way or in areas used regularly for exercising domestic animals; (c) where livestock are grazing or along fences of fields used for livestock grazing. (Fox Snaring Code of Practice BASC 1998) These restrictions apply to most of Wight Conservation's estate.

9. The only remaining legal method which can be used by Wight Conservation and conforms to the estate's topography, terrain, land use and public access exposure, involves the use of dogs, - i.e. foxhounds or terriers.

10. In the event of a hunting ban, Wight Conservation would not be able to use any method of fox control which does not pose an unacceptable risk to the public, livestock and wildlife.

11. Consequently in the medium to long term, our conservation aims would undoubtedly suffer as there would be a population depletion of many of our most valuable species of fauna.