On the Ground in September 2017

October 10, 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 September 2017:

Talked to 250 year 6-7 pupils at Avington and Bereleigh Estate about how farmers make room for rough grass strips and associated wildlife.
Continued open access land surveys for sites across the western downs and at Bevendean near Brighton.
Carried out seed harvesting at a local chalk grassland site then spread the cowslip, yellow rattle and scabious seed at a nearby site which we are managing with the landowner.
Completed the cut and collect at Kithurst Meadow and road banks in partnership with Butterfly Conservation and WSCC.
Attended Alresford agricultural show, West Grinstead Ploughing Match, Laughton Ploughing Match, Findon Sheep Fair and spent a day on Littlehampton and Brighton seafronts talking to people about the National Park, our work here, what makes it special, responsible dog walking and how they can get out and enjoy it.
Led guided walks for Arundel festival and Steyning food festival.
Led 40 people on two Heart Smart walks and attended a disabled ramble event at Kingley Vale.
Supported St Roach’s day service at the Trundle.
Carried out a dormouse box survey at Graffham Down.
Discovered a new population of rare triangle-web spiders at Kingley Vale.
Installed 100m of stock fencing to facilitate grazing at Steyning Downland.
Carried out annual maintenance work at Peppering dew pond SNCI
Replaced two stiles with kissing gates to improve access at Graffham Down Nature Reserve
Carried out scrub clearance at Tower Hill SSSI.
Built 4 metres of flint wall and repaired a further 5 square metres at Stanmer Estate on a wall originally constructed by Napoleonic prisoners of war.
Prepared the ground at Tide Mills ready for the interpretation panels to be installed as part of a partnership project to interpret the remaining buildings at this important historic site.
Carried out two days of hedgerow management at Folkington Estate.
Installed all-weather leaflet dispensers for the Roedean Residents Association – to promote responsible dog walking through our Take the Lead campaign and promote Rights of Way ambassadors for Brighton & Hove City Council.
Completed assessment and provided data to Historic England for all 28 ‘At Risk’ and ‘Vulnerable’ Scheduled Monuments in the eastern downs.
Coppiced blackthorn for the brown hairstreak butterfly at Pheasant’s Field Local Wildlife Site.