Our Nature Reserve

Folly Wildlife Rescue’s Broadwater Forest Wildlife Hospital in Fairview Lane, Tunbridge Wells, is situated in one of the country’s finest landscapes, the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Its rolling hills, small, irregular fields, woods and lanes help make it especially attractive. The Broadwater Forest itself, which lies between Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells is an area of former heathland and remnants of ancient woodland and is also famous for the nearby sandstone outcrops and woodland at Eridge Rocks.

By the latter part of the last century, much of the forest had been extensively planted with commercial conifer, destroying much of its biodiversity, and in more recent years had been threatened with plans for a landfill site, but fortunately, a large part of it has now been purchased by the RSPB, who are looking to revert it to its former heathland glory and providing a habitat for rare birds and other species of wildlife.

Folly Wildlife Rescue’s site only extends to 5 acres, but is also a remnant of this heathland. Since the 1930’s it has been operated as a commercial nursery, but in 2007 was sold and although a small part of it has now been developed for the new hospital, it is the Trust’s intention to protect the remaining area and turn it into a nature reserve.

Part Of Our Land Army

 

The nursery operation itself was largely centred on producing ericaceous shrubs such as azaleas, magnolias and camellias (and large numbers of these still remain in the ground), but the main problem the site faces is from invasive rhododendrons which are slowing taking over. This plant, introduced to the country in the 18th and 19th centuries is now found extensively throughout the surrounding area, so although complete eradication is unlikely, we do look to bringing it under control. The rhododendron is (apart form its attractive flowers), an extremely unpleasant plant, smothering everything around it and making the ground unsustainable for other species. It is also highly toxic and can kill sheep, cattle and other grazing animals that eat it. Even the pollen is toxic and honey produced from its flowers can make the person who eats it very sick.

In addition to the Rhododendron, large numbers of native birch trees are seeding on the site, making it likely that in a few years, if they were to remain uncontrolled, the land would revert to dense woodland. As heathland it would attract a far wider range of species, including many unusual and declining species of bird such as the nightjar, tree pipit and skylark. Buzzards already nest on the nearby Broadwater Warren (the RSPB reserve) and are frequently seen flying above the centre.

Working with the Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group, the Trust have now started to survey the reptile and amphibian population there, which is showing welcome signs of repopulation, with grass snake, adder, slow worm and common lizard all recorded.

Deer At Winter

Surveys of the invertebrate and small mammal populations are also planned in the near future.

In 2010, an ecological survey was very kindly carried out, pro bono, by Dolphin Ecological Surveys and a 5 year management plan produced. Work on this plan, which involves the phased removal of rhododendron and other invasive species, as well as control of the birch, started in Autumn 2011. In time, it is also intended to introduce a small flock of hardy sheep which will help reduce any re-growth and promote the heather, which is already showing signs of strong regeneration.

This work is currently being undertaken by a small number of volunteers, who are already making good progress, but there’s still a huge amount to do and we need to get more people involved. If you have an interest (or any expertise) in this sort of work, we’d be very pleased to hear from you. The work is fairly light, usually involving just plant croppers (which we supply) and manpower rather than large machines.

If you’d like to join in, email or phone us for more details. You can work alone, with friends and family, or if you prefer, you can join one of our work parties and make a day of it!

Young Hand Reared Roe Deer

A young hand-reared roe deer.

Previous Successful Rescues

Pheasant
Badger
Hoglet

Online Donation

You can make a secure online donation via our CAF page.
Click on the button below and a new page will open with a variety of options with which to pay online.
Your kind and generous donation will directly help injured wildlife.

CAF Donate

Regular Donation

It is easy to set up a regular standing order by clicking the CAF image below. You will be taken to The Southern Wildlife Care and Advisory Trust's page on the CAF website where it will take just a few easy steps to set up a standing order by direct debit.

CAF Donate

Easy Fund Raising

easyfundraising.org.uk is a great way to raise money for Folly Wildlife Rescue just by shopping online. You don’t pay anything extra.
All you need to do is use click on the banner below to use our easyfundraising portal. Every time make a purchase from your favourite online retailers using the link below Folly Wildlife Rescue will receive a small payment, with no extra cost to you.

Easy Fund Raising

Amazon Wish List

With the endless stream of wildlife casualties brought in to Folly Wildlife Rescue we are continually looking for stocks of essential items to aid recovery. With the introduction of our new nursery we will be able to cater for even more little babies, and with that comes more expense and that is where you, our supporters, may be able to help.
Our Amazon Wish List is updated frequently with all the essential items we needr. Your support is absolutely invaluable to us and every item purchased is a vital saving for our charity.

Amazon Wish List

Adopt A hedgehog

An adoption pack makes a great gift for a birthday or Christmas (or you can always treat yourself!) and is a very practical way to help hedgehogs in distress.
As well as illnesses and injuries the species is now seriously threatened by loss of habitat and housing developments, increased road traffic and unsympathetic farming practices

Adopt A Hedgehog