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Saving Worcestershire's heathlands

View over Dropping Well Farm, The Devil's Spittleful and Rifle Range nature reserves by Wendy Carter

Beccy introduces herself and this amazing heathland restoration project...

Hi, I'm Beccy and I’m the Engagement Officer for the Saving Worcestershire’s Heathlands Project. This is an incredibly exciting project where we will be restoring 38 hectares of arable farmland of Dropping Well Farm to heathland.

Dropping Well Farm forms the centre of four existing reserves – Blackstone Farm Fields and The Devils Spittleful SSSI, owned by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, and Burlish Top and Rifle Range, which are owned by Wyre Forest District Council. Dropping Well Farm will connect these nature reserves, creating the largest heathland block in the county that will sit in around 600 acres of mixed habitat. As part of the project we will be connected existing paths at Burlish Top with Dropping Well Farm so that people in the local area can come and enjoy the transformation.

Annotated aerial photograph of Dropping Well Farm and surrounding nature reserves by Andy Young

Annotated aerial photograph of Dropping Well Farm and surrounding nature reserves by Andy Young

Our project is especially important because over the last 200 years around 85% of UK’s heathland has disappeared and in Worcestershire we’ve lost 90% of our heathland. This is due to dramatic changes in farming practices, the spread of towns and mismanagement or neglect of this important habitat. In Worcestershire only a small area of heathland remains and it is found in the north and northwest of the county.

The Devil's Spittleful

The Devil's Spittleful © Wendy Carter

Heathland in Worcestershire is characterised by heather, gorse, broom, bracken, oak and silver birch, which grow together to form a mix of open heather with patches of trees and woodland.

Heathland and grassland are precious habitats that are valuable for many species of wildlife including reptiles, such as common lizard and grass snake, birds such as wren, yellowhammer, stonechat and the rare owl-like nightjar as well as for many insects - especially mining bees and wasps - that easily tunnel into the sandy soil or feed on the heather nectar.

three people walking along a path at The Devil's Spittleful with trees in the distance and a blue sky by Beccy Somers

Walking at The Devil's Spittleful by Beccy Somers

However, the creation of this large and beautiful green space will not only benefit wildlife but also people. I will be working within the local community to deliver a broad range of activities that will involve local people, particularly young people, in the care and protection of the heathland. I hope to create a sense of local ownership that will help to ensure the future protection of this unique and valuable wildlife habitat. But I won’t just be on the reserve, I will also be working with the local community to take action for nature in their local greenspaces, gardens or school grounds as well as delivering public events, working with local dog owners to learn how we can protect ground-nesting birds and other wildlife on heathlands and delivering a volunteer training and schools programme.

I am so excited to be a part of this project and having met some key partners in the local community already, I’m looking forward to working together with them to encourage people to take action for nature in their local areas and on our beautiful new reserve.

Check back in for news, updates, information and more about our restoration, the wildlife that we find and our work with the community. For now, you can find out a little more about me and the project in this short video...

National Lottery Heritage Fund logo - crossed fingers with 'Made possible with Heritage Fund'
Beccy is working with people close to Dropping Well Farm and would love to hear from you if you'd like to get involved in helping wildlife in the area. Give her a call on 01905 754919 or drop her a line at beccy@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org 

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