On the ground in May 2017

June 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 May 2017.

Surveyed for rare Duke of Burgundy butterflies near Winchester, found some egg-laying and occupying areas cleared last winter.
Found kidney vetch and horseshoe vetch, both food for blue butterflies, establishing near Winchester, following work to restore chalk grassland.
Received a special mention for work supporting silver studded blues on Chapel Common in new The Butterflies of Sussex book.
Started the summer events season by attending the Green Fair in East Meon and Plumpton Open Day.
Made good progress in controlling invasive species on the River Meon to improve the important bankside vegetation for wildlife.
Began a new season of water vole latrine surveys on the River Meon to monitor release sites.
Gave landowner advice on managing river banks, meadows and woodlands as part of the Meon Valley Partnership Project.
Finished staking and binding hedge at Stedham Campsite.
Spent a week restoring the historic flint wall at Stanmer.
Cut out invasive rhododendron on Stedham Common, started tackling invasive Himalayan balsam along Rother near Chithurst and scythed bracken from a heathland site in Hammer Wood, Chithurst.
Gave talks on South Downs Dark Night Sky Reserve to Crewkerne Astronomy Society, Ebernoe Parish, the Society for National Parks Staff and Bepton Parish.
Moved cattle above Steyning for conservation grazing to new area of chalk grassland.
Gave a lecture on Nature Conservation to Law & Policy Masters Students at Brighton University.
Carried out surveys of access land between Ditchling and Lewes.
Installed four new South Downs Way finger posts on Eastbourne Downland, put in two new kissing gates on access land, replaced a stile and picked up litter at Littlington and replaced a field gate at Lullington Heath.
Worked to enhance habitat at Mill Hill Local Nature Reserve and Anchor Bottom Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Carried out farmland bird surveys.