It's worth visiting the Warren

Create the habitat and the birds will do the rest

RSPB Broadwater Warren is my closest nature reserve here in Tunbridge Wells, East Sussex. The RSPB have managed the site since 2007 with the aim to create a variety of habitats including large areas of lowland heath, an ecosystem of which 80% has been lost since the 1800s. Essentially a large conifer plantation previously, 65 hectares of this monoculture have been cleared of pines so far with more planned. The area has been cleared in stages, the earliest of which are already carpeted with heather. Alongside this newly created heath are patches of broadleaf woodland, stands of pine, forest ponds and rough areas of bramble and gorse. These new habitats quickly attracted their specialist birds; it is a fine example of planned physical management increasing biodiversity.

(Western) Stonechat Saxicola rubicola. December 2015.

The highlights are the Woodlark and Nightjar, both of which have been present on the reserve in the spring and summer for 5+ years now, alongside Yellowhammer, Tree Pipit, Woodcock, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Stonechat amongst more common species. The excitement of hearing the first Woodlark song over the heath so close to home is memorable.

I have been working abroad for the majority of the last five years but whenever I am in the area I visit Broadwater Warren and see how it is progressing. I managed to visit four times throughout December this year and saw these Common Crossbill. Other interesting species I have recorded here include Firecrest in 2012 (the first for the reserve), a Redstart this spring and a Raven a week ago.     

Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra. December 2015.

A report of the first Dartford Warbler for the reserve was made on November 5th, moving with a group of Stonechat, but has not been seen since. It is surely just a matter of time however until these charismatic birds settle at Broadwater Warren, yet another reason to visit this dynamic and constantly changing reserve in the High Weald.

Regenerating heath. December 2015.