On the Ground in July 2017

August 2, 2017

Don’t forget to say hello if you spot our rangers and volunteers out working in the National Park. Here’s a taste of what they achieved in July 2017.

Worked with the East Meon Cub Group planting sedges, water mint, brooklime, water forget-me-not and marsh marigold into stream berms.
Carried out butterfly surveys on three key chalk grassland sites – highlights included Brown Argus and Essex Skipper.
Trained staff and volunteers in water safety – vital for river fly monitoring and water vole surveys.
Organised more than 40 teenagers to pull invasive Himalayan balsam and other tasks as part of their National Citizens Service scheme.
With Historic England completed Heritage at Risk surveys over the Western area to monitor the management and status of sites.
Ringed barn owl chicks on four farms in Winchester and Selborne clusters, five barn owl chicks in central downs and 11 in eastern downs.
Ran a wildflowers and pollinators event for the Winchester and Selborne Farm clusters.
Supported sessions on identification and ecology of bats and moths at South Pond with South Pond Group and the Sussex Bat Group.
Completed pulling invasive ragwort on Chapel Common.
Ran ‘Rangers on Tour’ events for National Parks Week in Brighton, Littlehampton, Bordon and Haslemere.
Joined community events included Graffham Downs picnic, Discovery Days, Summer Buzz at Bignor, Connect with the Countryside, Binsted Strawberry Fair and MIND health & wellbeing volunteering event.
Installed two new cycle parking posts at Kingley Vale.
Cleared vegetation from a medieval field system Scheduled Monument near Jevington and a cross dyke at Heyshott.
Led 16 people on a Heartsmart walk at Petworth.
Carried out chalk grassland surveys with Kew which show encouraging signs that species are returning.