Compartment 15 runs along the northwestern edge of the common and covers an area of 7.6 ha. It is not divided into subcompartments. The compartment contains a mix of grassland with fragments of remnant heath, pioneer communities on bare gravel substrate and and scrub and mature trees. The area is adjacent to the Pyle Hill car park so is very well used by the public.
This compartment comprises a variety of habitats ranging from pioneer communities on gravelly substrates though to species-poor neutral grassland within which there are damper areas typified by rushes and willow scrub. There are some extensive stands of gorse and patches of mixed scrub with some individual small trees (hawthorn) and groups of mature trees. Mature trees include oak, notably some planted Turkey oak, birch and poplar. There are 3 juniper bushes that have been planted. A number of exotic plant species have been introduced or have colonised from neighbouring gardens (e.g. pyracantha, cotoneaster). There are some interesting small inclusions of heather, lichen heath and acid grassland within this mosaic. Although generally level there are a number of small depressions and rises, within one of the former is a small ephemeral pool. Species known to use this part of the common include: Linnet, common whitethroat, yellow wagtail, long-winged conehead, field grasshopper, meadow grasshopper and common green grasshopper. As with the rest of the common this compartment is of interest for the range of bryophytes that occur here - typically Brachythecium glareosum, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Dicranum scoparium and Ceratodon purpureus. Shorter grass swards can include Bryum capillare and Syntrichia ruralis along with Hypnum jutlandicum.
Where fragments of lowland heathland, including lichen heath communities, and dry acid grassland exist these should be maintained and expanded if practicable, managing adjacent scrub to prevent encroachment. The bulk of the area is dominated by grassland with elements of scrub, this should be retained. Gorse should be managed to increase structural diversity and to prevent it flourishing at the expense of other adjoining habitats, namely grassland and heath. Areas of scrub should be maintained at their current extent. Although there are some introduced plant species it its thought that most of these do not detrimentally affect either the habitat or aesthetic appeal of this part of the common. They appear to be neither vigorous nor invasive in this environment. However, there are a number of Turkey oaks here which may cause problems in the future.
| Objective | Area | Method | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
15.1) Attain a 5% increase in grassland and heath area at the expense of gorse over 5 years to 2016.HLS objectives
|
Throughout compartment. | Cut and stump treat selected individual gorse bushes to favour existing grassland and heath habitats. | |
| 15.2) Retain scrub cover (other than gorse) at its current extent. | Throughout compartment. | Coppice small sections of scrub annually on a 20 year rotation. | |
| 15.3) Start creating and maintaining a diverse structure in dominant gorse stands by 2013. | Dense gorse stands at eastern end. | Coppice sections of dense gorse on a rotation. Allow to regenerate. Cut and remove using chainsaw or cut and collect mower. Do not treat stumps. | Important for Dartford Warbler. |
| 15.4) Maintain gorse and scrub screen alongside the main east-west path. | Coppice a small section each year and allow scrub to re-grow to maintain a thick screen. | Regrowth may need protection from deer and cattle. | |
| 15.5) Keep stock fence clear of scrub on both sides. | Northern edge of compartment and roadside. | Cut scrub using hand tools or chainsaw where necessary from 2011 and every third year thereafter. Remove arisings. | Treat stumps? |
| 15.6) Maintain existing east-west path through compartment. | Mow and trim sides annually to retain 1.5 m width. | Refer to Heathland rotational mowing plan. | |
| 15.7) Retain stands of mature trees. | Northwestern end of compartment. | Inspect annually starting 2011 with WBC Tree Officer.
Remove any dangerous limbs overhanging path, car park or roadside. Reduce height and leave any dead trees as 'pegs'. Leave limbs where they fall (away from paths/car park/roadside). Pollard where necessary to prolong life and for wildlife benefits. |
Advice from WBC Tree Officer.
Wildlife benefits for deadwood invertebrates (saproxylic beetles) and a host of mammals, birds, fungi, lichens and bryophytes. |
| 15.8) Retain and rejuvenate pioneer communities on gravel substrate. | Southern side of compartment. | Monitor progress of succession.
Scrape selected small (10 m x 10 m) areas back to bare gravels using a mini digger to re-start succession. . |
Expected from 2013, depending on progress of succession. |
| 15.9) Control ragwort to prevent seed dispersal. | Throughout compartment. | Mow annually and remove arisings at end of season (late summer) to prevent seed dispersal. | Ragwort is an important native plant, particularly as a nectar source for invertebrates (cinnabar moth is now a BAP species). |
| 15.10) Control potential spread of Turkey oak seedlings. | Northwest corner of compartment. | Monitor for presence of Turkey oak seedlings, cut and treat Turkey oak saplings where they appear and treat seedlings with herbicide as necessary. |