Our progress with our ongoing work to support local bat populations has increased above last year’s record achievement. The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group’s bat box conservation area initiative which began in 2009, has proved to be even more successful this year. This 2021 result is a considerable boost for our group volunteers who have worked so hard in erecting and maintaining boxes within local woodland. These boxes provide bat roosting and hibernation opportunities in areas most likely to provide suitable survival conditions.

 

Licenced teams visit all boxes in the group conservation area.

 

We already had score of boxes in suitable habitat locations around the local area but last year invested group funds to further enhance this provision in additional woodlands. This work is not easy as a great deal of preparatory work is usually required to ensure maximum utilisation of the boxes.

Teams of volunteers energetically undertook this work and their reward is reflected in the continuously improving number of bat occupants being recorded each year. Thanks are extended to them for their effort and the wonderful family of group registered supporters and friends who continue to generously offer financial donations to help us with our voluntary nature conservation work.

 

Additional woodland locations were selected and new boxes installed.

 

This year we found a welcome new species of bat occupying several boxes in three of our woodland locations. These were Bechstein’s bats, a species with a conservation status officially described as ‘restricted and rare’.

 

The first Bechstein’s bat discovered in our annual inspection.

 

This is a great addition to the various other species we normally attract like Natterer’s, Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Noctule and Brown Long-eared bats. The survey findings included a family of eight Bechstein’s bats and other individuals found in a woodland which has proved very popular with all species for many years. Additional Bechstein’s bats were found in other locations.

 

A group of Bechstein’s bats found in another box.

 

This one was found in a different woodland.

 

This was a Bechstein’s bat found in yet another location.

 

Where groups of Bechstein’s bats were found, some were tightly clustered in the roof dome of the box.

 

The many other bats found were more common species but equally as valuable to our conservation effort. The pictures below show some of our box occupants.

 

A lively Soprano Pipistrelle bat reacting to the sudden influx of light as the door was opened.

 

One of the many boxes found containing Common Pipistrelle bats.

 

This box housed a beautiful Noctule bat.

 

Most bats, even of the same species, often differ slightly in appearance from one bat to another, as seen with this Common Pipistrelle when comparing with some of the other pictures.

 

Many boxes had lone residents, some housed several and others contained group clusters. Note the delicate structure and wing membrane of this Common Pipistrelle bat and the finger clasping the rough surface of the box interior above it and the foot below.

 

A cluster of Common Pipistrelles gathered in another box. Note the bared teeth as they expressed their displeasure at being disturbed.

 

We are very sensitive to the welfare of the bats we find and do limit their disturbance as much as possible.

 

We often find families of three or four especially with the Common Pipistrelle bats shown here.

 

In these cases they are always roosting in close proximity to each other to maximise thermal insulation and security benefits.

 

Different types of boxes as this one, often house just a single occupant and usually Common or Soprano Pipistrelle’s.

 

Each bat found regardless of number or species are always rewarding and a great boost to our conservation endeavour. 

 

The overall total of bats found reached a record number this year and proves our work is now a significant factor in sustaining and improving local bat populations. It is therefore vitally important that we continue this effort to maintain the improvements achieved to date.

 

The work to achieve this is physically hard….

 

….and relies on the valued support of our team of helpers.

 

Even though the task is a long one and requiring considerable physical effort to visit every woodland and box….

 

….there remains a good spirit amongst members with always a chance to have a little fun, as shown here with our team leader keeping her troops in order.

Sayers Common Pond / Talbot Field / Super Sunday Event.

 

This summer we have undertaken many nature conservation activities/events. To cover some of these we combine several of them in one report rather than issue a number of individual ones.

 

Sayers Common Pond.

Following on from our successful barn owl breeding season, group concentration was immediately focussed on the woodland pond area at Sayers Common which had become very overgrown. Our first task was to clear the track leading to the car park area to allow volunteer’s vehicles and the tools required to utilise the area in front of the pond.

 

 

Blackthorn, bramble and other invading brush had made the track impassable.

 

It was quickly tackled to enable access to the work area. 

 

All cuttings were removed so that vehicles could proceed.

 

Having cleared the driveway our next task was the car park itself. It appears that ragwort had found perfect growth conditions this year for we faced an ‘ocean’ of yellow amongst the brambles, teasels and nettles.  The volunteers addressed the task energetically and began the clearance work required to allow the vehicles to gain access to the pond area.

 

 

A blanket of ragwort, thistle, nettle, bramble and teasel had overgrown the vehicle parking area….

 

….the clearance of which became the next task to achieve.

 

Volunteers worked hard to make the area useable again.

 

It took many hours….

 

….but steadily progress was made.

 

Having cleared a significant area, the volunteers finally reached the cabin kindly provided by the landowners and took a well-deserved break for refreshments.

 

The cabin was revealed….

 

….and a well-earned break was taken.

 

The work then resumed….

 

….until the vehicles could once again access the car park….

 

….and tools were able to be transported closer to the work area.

 

It was at this point they were able to tackle the pond and its immediate surroundings and began the required overgrowing brush clearance from around the banks.

 

 

The volunteers prepared to tackle the pond clearance.

 

With a mounting accumulation of cuttings requiring disposal….

 

….a bonfire was started….

 

….within the cleared car park.

 

With the swirling wind, it was often difficult for people to navigate a route…. 

 

….through the resulting smoke.

 

The clearance of the pond banks….

 

….required many wheelbarrow trips to the bonfire site.

 

Steadily the work progressed….

 

….and access to the pond was finally achieved.

 

The main pond was gradually revealed together with its subsidiaries.

 

Following weeks of hard work, the pond began to assume its original attractive state as the final cuttings and debris were cleared from the area.

 

 

The picturesque wildlife pond became evident…. 

 

….now cleared of all encroaching brush and visible to all.

 

Talbot Field.

Following complaints from neighbouring properties about the general intense growth of ragwort this summer at Talbot Field small nature reserve in Hassocks, a special ragwort removal day was arranged on a Saturday morning at the end of July.

 

Talbot Field entrance gate….

 

….with a group notice board attached to indicate our work involvement.

 

A working party gathered and energetically tackled the task. It was a laborious task but by lunchtime all signs of ragwort had disappeared thanks to their effort. Ragwort tends to inflame passions in people due to its danger to livestock if eaten but in the right location can be a valuable addition to support cinnabar moths, soldier beetles and other insects. The downside remains in its ability to seed and prolifically spread into adjoining locations. With nature areas quite often adjoining gardens, animal grazing pasture or other more sensitive areas, this remains a problem to be dealt with promptly to reduce complaints and any adverse consequences.

 

The offending plants were vigorously tackled. 

 

Volunteers scoured the location….

 

….to ensure all offending plants were identified.

 

Each one was removed….

 

….and placed in a wheelbarrow….

 

….for disposal.

 

The specifically designed ragwort forks….

 

….made the task much easier….

 

….and very soon the site was clear, much to the relief of the neighbouring residents.

 

Super Sunday Event.

On September 12^th we joined with many other stall holders with a presence on Hurstpierpoint High Street to advertise the work of our group and to raise funds for our work. The mastermind behind this initiative was one of our valued supporters, Mrs Evelyn Hole, who organised the tables and bric-a-brac sales with all funds going to our group. We are very grateful to her for her considerable effort and time.

 

Evelyn Hole kindly organised the group fund raising stall for the event.

 

The second table displayed a barn owl box, dormouse boxes, bat boxes and a photo-board illustrating the multitude of nature conservation initiatives currently being pursued. News Sheets from previous years were also on sale.

 

Group committee members and volunteers tended the tables throughout the day.

 

It gave us a valued opportunity to discuss our work with many interested people and answer their questions. There appeared to be a lot of enthusiasm for our effort from the public which we found encouraging.

 

A lot of interest was shown.

 

The time and effort undertaken by the group to support nature appeared to be appreciated.

 

A lot of people signed our Register of Interest to become supporters with many offering in addition to be volunteers and help with our work. Many financial contributions from the public were received to assist our effort which we were very grateful for. The amount received will help us tremendously with our ongoing costs to undertake our nature conservation activities.

 

Interest continued throughout the day.

 

Many thanks go to Evelyn, Rosemary and the group member volunteers, Graham, Jennie, Pat, John and Terry who ran the tables from 11.00am to 6.00pm and made the event worthwhile. In the absence of our usual public talks which have been prevented by Covid-19 restrictions, this occasion was very valuable to our group.

 

Each summer The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group undertake a tour of all their owl boxes included in their barn owl conservation area. We also include the tawny owl boxes that remain after the progressive year-on-year destruction inflicted on them by grey squirrels, which resulted in the unfortunate removal of the majority of the 18 erected. In total, the two types of boxes originally numbered 60 across the area but now stands at approximately 50 in total with most of these now barn owl boxes.

 

 

A member of the group’s volunteer team checking a barn owl box.

 

 

The inspection of these barn owl boxes is required to determine which of them have eggs or young developing within them. It also allows us to keep a record of which ones the barn owls are using for purely roosting or for breeding as well. It usually takes place in June at a time when it is assessed that the breeding season is underway. This in turn is dependant on the type of weather that has preceded it in the spring and early summer.

On some occasions when other birds of prey species have been spotted using the boxes, like kestrels or tawny owls who begin breeding earlier than barn owls, an earlier check is undertaken to keep a record of these species as well. Some of the barn owl boxes are returned to each year by these species so observation can easily be kept on them.

The summer inspection of the barn owl boxes takes approximately three full days as the majority of them are in remote areas of countryside, which requires walking for long distances with a ladder to reach them. Normally two people undertake these checks for ease of operation and health and safety considerations.

This year, the earlier season check revealed kestrels breeding in one box and a tawny owl in another. This resulted in 5 kestrel-young and one tawny owlet who, once inspected, were returned to later to ring and record. These are the pictures of them in their boxes.

 

 

A box found containing 4 tawny owl eggs.

 

 

The mother tawny owl leaving the box as we approached.

 

 

She swooped into a nearby woodland where a specific tawny owl box resided.

 

 

A later check revealed that one tawny owl chick had survived.

 

 

Around it the mother had placed a food store to support it.

 

 

Several weeks later the owlet was ringed and recorded.

 

 

Similarly, kestrels had once again bred in a box favoured by them for many years. 5 kestrel young had resulted.

 

 

A few weeks later when they had reached a sufficient size, they too were ringed and recorded.

 

 

When examining the boxes earlier than normal, often jackdaw young are found. Their presence in the boxes is not popular as jackdaws fill the boxes with mud and twigs which often deters later use by barn owls.

 

 

The other common non-barn owl residents found are stock doves. The two young shown above are almost fully grown.

 

 

The later barn owl inspection of the boxes revealed that in general, the season had begun later this year, for many more eggs and emerging young were found than normal. The total number of eggs found on the initial visit rarely all materialise into young. This is due to a number not hatching or predation by their siblings if food becomes in short supply. This year we found a high number of young surviving and they all appeared to be well-fed and healthy. These are pictures of some of our findings in a year that has overall, been a good one for breeding barn owls.

 

 

A clutch of barn owl eggs found in one of the boxes this year.

 

 

In several our inspection coincided with the chicks hatching. Two had emerged from this clutch and were tweeting loudly.

 

 

Another box found with chicks emerging from a clutch of eggs.

 

 

This box revealed young that had newly hatched. At this early stage they form an initial down called Neopile to protect them.

 

 

After 12 to 14 days this is replaced by a thicker down called Mesoptile. These are older birds found in another box with this thicker down already grown. At this time the facial disc feathers begin to form and the primary quills begin to emerge with downy tufts.

 

 

In this box the young show this change as barn owl coloration is beginning to emerge. On the 25th day body feathers rapidly begin to grow to replace the down.

 

 

Each box examined reveals chicks at varying stages of growth and calculations are made about when to return when they are large enough to ring and record.

 

 

So acute is the hearing of the parent owls that they usually have left the box before we reach it, however silently we approach. We always pause to admire the graceful elegance of their flight until they disappear from view. They remain one of the most attractive birds in the English countryside.

 

 

We keep detailed records of all our boxes and their usage as a year-on-year comparison of their utilisation and the effectiveness of the surrounding areas to sustain a barn owl population. We also note the condition of the boxes to ensure that maintenance and damage repair are undertaken promptly to ensure a good accommodation standard for potential resident barn owls. This year a lot of maintenance has been undertaken and much repair work and reconstruction has been carried out by our valuable team member, Alan Murray, whose innovative modifications to box design are ensuring that many problems caused by bad weather and damage are overcome.

 

 

During the breeding survey for young, the boxes are simultaneously checked for damage and repaired if necessary. Any redundant jackdaw nests where breeding has finished this year, are removed to enable future use by barn owls. 

 

 

We continue to monitor the population of barn owls within our large conservation area which has seen the scarce, amber-listed barn owl population when we began in 2007, rise to a level which takes it out of the endangered species category. This effort by our group has made a significant local contribution to the national campaign to raise barn owl population numbers within this country and it is one we are duly proud of. We therefore, as a local Sussex nature conservation group, will continue to defend vigorously the barn owl population as part of our broad overall mission to improve survival prospects for countryside and wildlife in our local area. We install, maintain and take full responsibility for all boxes we erect to ensure the best conditions are provided for them.

The Government’s current policy for all new development to achieve a biodiversity net gain of 10% should be reassuring to those who are anxious about the loss of our natural environment and our dwindling wildlife. In practice it means less, for bringing human habitation closer to whatever close-proximity measures like small areas dedicated to nature and wildlife corridors next to estates of houses, are destined to be reduced to children’s play areas or a dog walking exercise facility over time, however well intentioned the initial concept might be.

That is why the continuation of work of groups like The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group is so vital by enhancing areas of countryside and undertaking compensatory measures to keep wildlife populations flourishing.

Last month we revealed our installation of a new roosting habitat for bats in our local area. This month we are able to reveal similar initiatives for dormice as we have installed many new dormouse boxes in two further woodlands in Sayers Common.

 

The woodlands were selected as the most encouraging dormouse habitat locations in the area.

 

A team of group volunteers prepared and erected boxes following encouraging signs in the initial installations of temporary dormouse investigation tubes erected in previous years.

 

Two of the team members prepare to undertake the work which took three days to complete in the two woodlands.

 

The newly prepared boxes were transported to each site.

 

A marked-up location map was consulted to identify existing tube positions. 

 

The tubes were then located and removed.

 

Permanent box positions were placed as close to those of the temporary tubes as possible.

 

They were then fixed securely to withstand buffeting from adverse weather conditions.

 

Each new box was marked on a map….

 

….and its ordnance survey reference number noted.

 

The whole wood was steadily covered, installing boxes as the team progressed. 

 

All areas for dormouse habitation within the woodland were included in an installed grid formation….

 

….to meet national result monitoring requirements.

 

About 80 new boxes were mounted in total throughout the two woodlands.

 

All redundant dormouse investigation tubes were removed from site as the permanent boxes replaced them.

 

Dormice are very scarce nationally so every one found is recorded to monitor population numbers remaining. All positive results are entered on a national database so that further support can be provided if necessary.

 

+ MEADOW IMPROVEMENT EFFORT. 

 

Similarly our work restoring the valued local meadow at Pond Lye Site of Nature Conservation Importance has been continuing throughout the early summer.

 

Pond Lye Site of Nature Conservation Importance.

 

With an encouraging return of previously recorded distinctive flora species that had virtually disappeared due to encroaching brush prior to our intervention (including a record number of returning orchids this year), our latest attendance concentrated on reducing the number of less desirable species that were prompting complaints from neighbouring properties.

 

Thistles were increasing dramatically throughout the meadow.

 

Many were visible but others lurked amongst the grass waiting to shoot up when conditions were favourable.

 

A thorough search had to be conducted….

 

.…with volunteers collectively marking out sections of meadow and pacing every metre….

 

….to remove all that was found.

 

When one section was declared clear….

 

….all moved on to an adjoining section to tackle those flourishing nearby.

 

Local piles of uprooted thistles were created to minimise continuous walking to the main stacks.

 

Each person selected a portion of the current section…. 

 

….and determinedly cleared it.

 

With progressively more fluctuating wet and warm, dry weather occurring each week….

 

….the volunteers faced increasingly taller meadow growth to work within.

 

The thistles got larger….

 

…and appeared in varying sized clusters as big thistles often seemed to accumulate a family of thistles around them, making removal more difficult. 

 

The small individual piles were collected in wheelbarrows and transported to the main heaps.

 

By the time we reached the final sections to clear….

 

….the grass was so long that we occasionally lost site of each other….

 

….so as well as a tool count at the end of each session, we were prompted to conduct a head count to ensure no-one was left behind lost in the undergrowth.

 

When all thistles had been removed and stacked…. 

 

….the huge piles were transported from the meadow and disposed of.

 

We encountered many species of the indigenous wildlife during the course of our work including, frogs, toads and voles. All were treated with care. We after all, were the visitors to the area they regarded as their home.

 

A spider clambers across a thistle leaf within the undergrowth.

 

This frog was another of the many species of wildlife found in the meadow.

 

Initially we had tackled both the ragwort and thistle growing in the meadow but in due course we transferred our attention exclusively to the more troublesome and profusely spreading thistle. This attention each year will hopefully achieve the reduction necessary to prevent further complaints about airborne seed spreading to the properties of others.

 

Our volunteers have achieved the goal we sought over several months of hard work and we are very grateful for their effort.

 

A thistle free meadow as it appeared when we had completed our work.

 

Both the dormouse box installation and the meadow improvement work provide additional help in keeping our local natural environment in better condition to support the species that rely on it for survival, whilst addressing human concerns when ambitions conflict.

The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group is continuously seeking ways to enhance the survival prospects of local wildlife and when funds become available we undertake new initiatives. At the end of last year we provided bat boxes in a Hassocks woodland with a generous donation towards the total cost from the owner. This increased the roosting habitat opportunities for the surrounding area. We maintain and monitor them and record all usage and occupant species.

This year we received some similar generous funding from a supporter and transformed some of it into a further benefit for the dwindling local bat population in a different area of local countryside. The location we chose for this was an area we already have a high involvement with nature conservation at Pond Lye Site of Nature Conservation Importance.

One of the woodlands to the east of the huge lake is already benefitting from our previous bat box investment and supports, brown long-eared, pipistrelle and Natterer’s bats, so when we saw an opportunity to expand this benefit to another area of woodland to the north of the lake we pursued it.

 

 

The area was situated to the east of the meadow area.

 

The woodland had an existing avenue into the centre which allowed bat access.

 

 

The tree-lined passageway continued into the heart of the woodland.

 

The whole woodland was surveyed and suitable trees were selected and marked in readiness for installation.

 

 

The avenue linked into a clear area in the centre of the woodland.

 

Woodcrete boxes were selected to provide maximum durability and thermal insulation properties. The boxes were ordered and when delivered, were numbered and labelled. There was then a delay to fit the work required into a crowded seasonal conservation schedule without it delaying other important activities. We eventually organised a separate activity into one of our weekly schedules and a team was assembled to undertake it.

 

 

Volunteers assembled to tackle the task.

 

The chosen day was fine with temperatures reaching 26 degrees. The volunteers carried the required heavy ladders and equipment across the adjacent meadow to the woodland and the work commenced.

 

 

The marked trees were accessed with ladders….

 

….and bat boxes began to be mounted.

 

A suitable position was sought on each tree….

 

….and a team of helpers ensured height and orientation requirements were met.

 

The trees chosen were the most substantial ones….

 

….which were unlikely to sway or fall in high winds.

 

Clear access at box level was ensured….

 

….to allow free flight movement to each location.

 

Consideration was given to every requirement to maximise bat occupancy….

 

….and implemented thoroughly.

 

The boxes were arranged to provide various orientation choices to the occupants….

 

….to allow them to adjust to changes in temperature and weather conditions.

 

Boxes of varying shapes, sizes and types were fitted….

 

.…to maximise the differing occupancy preferences of individual species.

 

A lot of group volunteer time and money was spent to ensure adequate access and accommodation requirements were met….

 

….to try to enable maximum usage and benefit to the local bats.

 

The time taken to complete the task was longer than predicted due to the difficulties that often manifest themselves as work progresses. We eventually finished with all boxes erected in readiness for occupancy and looking forward to the check at the end of the summer to gauge how effective they have been.

This extends our wildlife support coverage across an even larger area of southern Mid Sussex and hopefully is boosting local populations accordingly. With the natural environment and wildlife generally under so much pressure both are reliant on such initiatives to compensate. To achieve these conclusions we are very grateful for the financial contributions and volunteer support received to assist us.