Overview of Burrator Forest
Burrator Forest, located on the outskirts of Dartmoor National Park in Devon, encompasses an impressive 353 hectares adjacent to the Burrator Reservoir. This diverse woodland habitat is home to various native and non-native species. The site is owned by South West Water and managed by South West Lakes Trust, forming part of a comprehensive network of over 50 managed locations throughout south-west England, many of which feature woodlands.
Management and Funding Initiatives
The establishment of Burrator Forest involves both planting and natural regeneration, resulting in a rich tapestry of lowland broadleaved and coniferous woodlands, as well as mixed plantations and riparian woodlands. Financial support has been provided through initiatives such as the Water Industry National Environment Programme and Countryside Stewardship, with a focus on enhancing water quality, timber production, nature conservation, recreational access, and rural skills development.
Livestock Grazing Challenges
One of the significant challenges faced by Burrator Forest arises from local common land rights that permit grazing by domestic livestock, such as sheep, ponies, and cattle. The absence of fencing separating these areas from the managed forest means that animals can occasionally stray into the woodland, particularly when gates are left open by visitors or when fencing is vandalised. While gates and stiles exist for public access, their placement can lead to damage or cutting of the fencing.
When livestock enter the forest, they can inflict considerable structural and financial damage to unprotected trees. For example, Burrator Forest suffered a loss of approximately £5,500 in conifer trees due to grazing over an 18-month period from 2024 to 2025. Nicola Morris, Head of Environment at South West Lakes Trust, noted, “We planted those trees without guards, not anticipating the need. I’ve spent countless hours trying to remove ponies from the area, which can be quite challenging, especially with dense vegetation within the fence line.”
Innovative Solutions to Livestock Management
In light of these ongoing issues, South West Lakes Trust is implementing innovative solutions such as self-closing mechanisms on existing gates and plans to adopt this strategy moving forward. Volunteers are now actively monitoring the fences and conducting regular audits to ensure the protection of the woodland area. The annual cost of maintaining fencing across the Trust’s estate runs into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Through collaboration with tenant farmers via the Water Industry National Environment Programme, South West Water is trialling Nofence collars to manage cattle movement effectively. This virtual fencing system replaces traditional barriers with GPS-enabled collars. Following a successful trial of 50 collars fitted to cattle in 2024, an additional 50 collars were procured the following year.
The data gathered from these collars is currently under analysis to discern cattle behaviour patterns, including preferred grazing areas and active times of day. This information will inform a targeted protection strategy, allowing for the creation of small enclosures around trees and other sensitive environmental areas, thus safeguarding specific vulnerable spots rather than restricting cattle movement across the landscape.
A Collaborative Approach to Wildlife Management
South West Lakes Trust has partnered with Artemis Land Management Services to conduct surveys and implement control measures for deer and grey squirrels. Artemis maintains an on-the-ground presence to deter browsing animals, installing additional fencing and conducting selective culling as necessary. Efforts to manage grey squirrel populations are evolving in collaboration with local conservation organisations, aiming to mitigate the damage caused by bark stripping, which negatively impacts the economic value of the site’s commercial stock.
These partnerships not only enhance wildlife management but also provide training opportunities for personnel involved in ongoing woodland management activities. This aligns with the Trust’s aim to expand forestry operations while fostering rural skills development, ensuring the continuity of essential forestry expertise for sustainable woodland management.
Exploring Alternative Management Techniques
In a move towards integrated and evidence-based management, the Trust is trialling the use of sheep’s fleece mulch mats around the bases of individual trees to deter deer and other problematic mammals. Drawing from her experience on sheep farms, Nicola has discovered that placing handfuls of raw fleece around trees can offer effective protection. However, using fleece or other animal by-products beyond farm sites necessitates proper treatment and licensing.
Interestingly, the Trust has observed that increased foot traffic in specific areas naturally deters deer, and sheep grazing in nearby fields can further reduce damage to trees in surrounding woodlands.
The Role of Eurasian Beavers in Woodland Management
In contrast to other wildlife management challenges, Eurasian beavers have emerged as valuable allies at various sites managed by South West Lakes Trust. Their natural browsing behaviour effectively curtails the growth of willow within the woodland, thereby reducing the need for costly thinning interventions. Furthermore, their impact on vegetation along the site’s reservoirs has improved conditions for recreational activities, such as angling, by preventing excessive overgrowth that could obstruct casting lines.
While concerns about the potential negative effects of beavers occasionally arise, their presence within the Trust’s managed sites has been predominantly positive. Nicola Morris remarked, “I currently see no downside to having beavers in our woodland management. They are performing exceptionally well for us. Effective forestry management requires an open mindset, as livestock and wildlife can behave in unexpected ways. The key is to act based on evidence gathered from on-the-ground observations, as otherwise, one risks unnecessary expenditure.”
Further Resources for Woodland Management
For those seeking additional information on woodland management and related topics, the following resources may be of interest:
- South West Lakes Trust – for more information about Burrator.
- Farm Animal Welfare Committee – for an independent report on the welfare implications of using virtual fences for managing domestic livestock.
- Visual guide on grey squirrel and deer damage to trees – for identifying damage caused by these species.
- Visual guide on small mammals, beavers, and domestic grazing species damage to trees – for guidance on identifying damage by grazing species.