 A fire swept across Upton Heath in Corfe Mullen on Friday, killing reptiles and destroying the nests of birds, including Dartford warblers. It is believed that the fire was started deliberately. Around 3 hectares of prime heathland have been devastated.
Urban Heaths Partnership staff were able to rescue a handful of smooth snakes but also found the blackened bodies of toads, snakes and lizards. These harmless reptiles will only recently have come out of hibernation, while the Dartford warblers had just completed their nests.
Nicky Hoar of Dorset Wildlife Trust, which manages the reserve, said: "This fire is disastrous for wildlife on the heath. It is bad for the Dartford warblers, which tend to stick to their territories and have now had their breeding season completely upset, but it is worse for the reptiles which were literally burned alive.
Fire on the heath could also harm grazing animals. We have a donkey and Shetland ponies on the upper part of Upton Heath, but fortunately they were not in the line of this fire."
Anybody wanting to help to protect the urban heaths should ring the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
For more information please contact Upton Heath wardens at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033
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