‘Franchises Lodge – an update’, a talk by Richard Snelling
Richard Snelling took on the role of Site Manager at Franchises Lodge a couple of months ago. The RSPB acquired the 386 hectare (almost 1,000 acre) site in spring 2018. It is situated in the north of the New Forest near Nomansland and is strategically placed between the New Forest Special Protection Area to the south and Langley Woods National Nature Reserve to the north.
Franchises Lodge is not open to visitors yet as there is still a lot of work to do. Previously the land was managed for commercial forestry and there were a lot of rhododendrons. It is intended to thin out the trees, particularly the conifers and a grant has been received for the removal of rhododendrons over a three year period. This should improve the understory and it is hoped that it will lead to regeneration of native flora. Letting it regenerate is preferable to bringing in plants from elsewhere as that carries the risk of introducing diseases.
Currently Richard is establishing a team, which includes many volunteers, and arranging the training that they need. He is holding discussions with neighbours and others with an interest such as the Forestry Commission and the Commoners as it is important to establish good relations with them. The RSPB, in partnership with the Cameron Bespolka Trust (set up in memory of Cameron Bespolka, a young birdwatcher who died in a tragic accident in 2013 when just 16) is to renovate a derelict cottage in the middle of the site. Cameron’s Cottage will provide a residential educational facility where young people can stay and be immersed in nature.
As Richard explained, it is important for him to have a good knowledge of the wildlife that is already present at the site. Species surveys are being undertaken including bird surveys, a brief botanical survey, an arboricultural survey to identify any ancient trees and a study of the fungi. Amongst the less common bird species which have been recorded are hawfinch, spotted flycatcher and redstart. Goshawks are also present and they illustrate how important it is to tread carefully and find out what species are already on site before starting to make changes to the habitat. Goshawks use the conifers so clearly some of these must be retained. There is a very large colony of Common Toads and Grass Snake, Wasp Spider and the beautiful Golden ringed Dragonfly are amongst the other species that have been found. The site is good for bats, including the rare Barbastelle.
Richard wants to balance the interests of nature and people which is not an easy task. His plan is to restore Franchises Lodge to a semi-natural mosaic including woodland with widened rides, pasture, open heath and a well developed mire system. This may encourage more species to colonise. A woodland management plan and grazing regime will need to be drawn up. Deer need to be managed and grazing, possibly using longhorn cattle, introduced. Ancient monuments on the site must be maintained and suitable access routes will need to be identified. There is a lot of work to do!
We thank Richard for a very informative and inspiring talk and hope that in a year or so we will be able to visit Franchises Lodge and see how it is developing.
Helen Baker
Postscript: We visited Franchises Lodge during our trip to Poole Harbour in April 2022. See our trip report.
