Working for the local countryside & wildlife in mid sussex
Gallery
2020 (Click on pictures to enlarge)
The barn owl box maintenance equipment required was transported across the open countryside to the box locations.
Every location presented the same waterlogged terrain to overcome.
Boots were quickly overwhelmed.
The barn owls found seemed to appreciate this effort and were quick to return to the cleaned boxes afterwards.
Each box is cleaned and restored with a coat of paint.
All tree growth impeding the flight path access is removed.
The sight of a magnificent barn owl from one of our boxes sweeping across the countryside makes all our effort worthwhile.
The Talbot Field Nature Reserve woodland floor is tackled to remove brush and fallen branches.
Footpaths are also cleared to restore public access.
Volunteers remove all clearance debris to allow the meadow to flourish.
The results allow wildlife to flourish in the summer months.
Summer barn owl breeding continues in our boxes.
This young owl has adult plumage forming.
The barn owl young found in the boxes were ringed when they reached a sufficient stage of development.
Observing all 2020 coronavirus social distancing and other limitations, volunteers moved in to restore the Sayers Common pond.
They quickly got to grips with the task.
Regardless of prevailing summer temperatures in excess of 30 degrees Centigrade all volunteers maintained their effort throughout the many weeks required to achieve the end result.
The banks were returned to their former condition.
The pond was returned to the distinctive landscape feature serving the local wildlife populations once more.
Licenced dormice volunteer teams visited woodlands each month to examine the boxes installed in them.
All members performed a valuable function in checking the boxes.
This wood mouse nest built on a large food-store of acorns was one of many boxes they occupied this year.
Teams of licenced bat volunteers visit each woodland to record the population of bats.
Each box is visited to determine occupancy and the findings are recorded.
This year’s occupancy results included Natterer’s, Soprano Pipistrelle and Common Pipistrelle bats in many boxes.
It was one of the best years for bats so far.
Each occupied box revealed a healthy population within.
The Pond Lye meadow sustains a rich tapestry of flora and dependant wildlife.
To keep it in good condition it requires constant nurturing.
The scythe operator begins the task in the difficult areas.
This was followed by the volunteer with a tractor and cutter.
The brush cutter volunteers then move in to help tackle the remaining difficult areas.
This takes some time to complete.
Then large numbers of volunteers are required to rake up and dispose of all the cuttings.
This also takes many weeks to complete and a lot of effort.
Thanks to their hard work and dedication the task reaches completion.
The finished view of the meadow in readiness for next year.
2019
A Common Pipistrelle bat is found inside this box on one of our seasonal inspections.
Helpers carry ladders through each woodland.
A team member steadies the ladder.
A semi-grown barn owlet found in one of our boxes.
One of the successfully reared barn owl chicks being ringed during a summer visit.
Team members check dormouse boxes.
Each box is checked for occupancy.
One of the many nesting wood mice found on our monthly woodland tours.
All results are recorded.
The Pond Lye meadow appearance was a moving feast as the season progressed with different coloured flowers blooming.
Volunteers tackled the anthill terrain with scythes and brush cutters.
We were very grateful for the help from our volunteer with the tractor and cutter which saved us much time & effort.
The meadow edges were completed by volunteers using scythes and brush cutters.
The cuttings are heaped into piles and then disposed of on completion.
The raking-up takes a long time to complete.
With the arrival of spring the new woodland carpet of vegetation appears at Talbot Field Nature Reserve.
A photograph to show an insect that is benefitting from the Talbot Field meadow.
A moth capitalising on the summer blooms.
A Cinnabar Moth enjoying the warmth of the sun.
Work at Sayers Common Pond was paused this year following last year’s clearance.
Chairman Michael Nailard pictured with author David Bangs at the April public talk.
Michael Nailard pictured with author Trevor Beebee at the August public talk.
2018
Sayers Common Pond open Day.
The Chairman leads supporters through surrounding woodland.
Volunteers tackle the explosion of reed and willow regrowth that had taken over the pond.
Machines were funded by the landowners and deployed to eliminate the problem.
The pond afterwards shown to be finally clear of the reed and willow re-growth problem.
Pond Lye SNCI volunteers finally clear the meadow back to its original boundaries.
The meadow cut began in the late summer.
Welcome assistance is received from a volunteer with a tractor.
Work began at Talbot Field, a small nature reserve in Hassocks.
The reserve had progressively become very overgrown with brush and unwanted tree seedlings which volunteers quickly remedied.
The woodland as it appeared later after clearance work had been undertaken by group volunteers.
A young barn owl being ringed and recorded prior to being gently returned to the nesting box.
Two of the many young barn owls found in our boxes this year.
Three larger youngsters residing in another box.
Some fiery kestrels found in another owl box.
A dormouse being recorded.
Dormouse boxes were mounted in woodlands by volunteers.
Investigation tubes have been mounted in further local woodlands. The locations chosen were carefully selected and mapped for easy identification on return visits when the undergrowth will be much thicker.
Bat box checks reveal a gathering of Soprano Pipistrelles.
A hibernation box is examined for occupancy and cleaned.
The success of the task is dependent on willing volunteers.
Chairman Michael Nailard (left) pictured with the renowned author and yew expert Fred Hageneder (right) at the beginning of the 2018 Public Talk.
Temporary road signs were constructed and mounted on the lane verges to prevent crossing frogs being squashed by motorists.
2017
The large barn owl conservation area created by the Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group in 2015/16 has yielded some very positive results for the species. 41 group boxes now provide nesting and roosting opportunities for the local population and the number of breeding pairs and young in the area has increased considerably. One of three young owls in a nest box being recorded this summer by The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group licenced team.
Summer visits to all our nest boxes allow us to inspect and record the breeding populations of barn owls and ensure that their development and safety is ensured.
Three younger fluffy white chicks found in a box in Twineham.
Two fluffy chicks with facial disc features in formation in a box in the north of Hurstpierpoint.
Adult owls prepare a larder of food in readiness for their young. A vole and a mouse were stored here in a box in Twineham.
The meadow restoration work being undertaken at Pond Lye Site of Nature Conservation Importance in the north of Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Parish has almost reached completion with only a small amount of clearance remaining. This work began in 2010 to remove the bramble and blackthorn that was destroying the previous value of this natural asset since originally being awarded SNCI status in 1992. Since The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group commenced the task with the agreement of the landowner, thousands of volunteer man-hours have been expended over many years.
Some of the brush cutting volunteers tackling the huge task of cutting the meadow this year.
The work undertaken by volunteers raking the cuttings into piles is invaluable in achieving this objective.
All work extremely hard to improve the meadow.
Earlier this year we were joined at Pond Lye by conservation volunteers from Brighton to remove ragwort from a newly cleared area of the meadow where it was becoming a problem. Their help was invaluable and a great deal was achieved.
Our last bat box inspection undertaken around the many local woodlands continued to reveal a good occupancy of bats. A licenced team visited each of the scores of boxes erected to help these species survive in an environment of an ever decreasing suitable habitat. We found that many box fixings required loosening to compensate for tree expansion and some had to be removed for repair where damage due to falling branches etc., had occurred. All unoccupied boxes are cleaned out so that evidence of recent occupancy can be proved on the next visit. A report of all our findings is made each year and forwarded to Natural England.
A member of the licenced team inspects a bat box and a young pipistrelle bat is found in residence.
All boxes inspections are undertaken by a team of volunteers needed to carry and manouvre the ladders required.
Each year, maintenance is undertaken to the woodland pond In Sayers Common which was restored to from an overgrown state when found buried by many trees by The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group several years ago. Since then it has become a wildlife haven and site of attractive flora which we are committed to help flourish. Group volunteers have worked for many years to achieve clearance of this wetland feature.
In spring bluebells appear on the banks.
This year we have discovered bee orchids on land adjacent to the pond. These haven’t been seen here before and add significantly to the natural value of the whole area.
Following the dormouse investigation exercise in southern woodlands undertaken in the last few years, a dormouse presence has been discovered. It is our aim to assist this threatened species to survive. This is a dormouse being recorded by licenced personelle before being placed back in a nesting box.
Originally temporary nesting tubes were fitted in these locations to determine whether there were any indigenous dormice and now this has been confirmed we are replacing these with wooden nesting boxes.
2016
Botanist Dr Rosemary Thomas, who provided valuable species identification expertise, pictured with Michael Nailard.
The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group finally achieved completion of the comprehensive biodiversity study commenced in October 2004. In January 2016 the last activity for digitising the survey results and uploading to the SxBRC database was achieved with help from the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre, Dr. Rosemary Thomas and many surveyors including Georgie Shepherd and Pat Kean.
All this information is now on the SxBRC database as well as in the group’s own archives and will provide the evidence required to help protect valuable areas of countryside from future damage.
Pat Kean & Georgie Shepherd from one of the teams of surveyors who undertook re-surveys to clarify data.
The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group finally achieved completion of the comprehensive biodiversity study commenced in October 2004. In January 2016 the last activity for digitising the survey results and uploading to the SxBRC database was achieved with help from the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre, Dr. Rosemary Thomas and many surveyors including Georgie Shepherd and Pat Kean.
All this information is now on the SxBRC database as well as in the group’s own archives and will provide the evidence required to help protect valuable areas of countryside from future damage.
The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group authorised owl team visited every one of the 41 barn owl boxes in the enlarged conservation area this year and was rewarded by an encouragingly high presence of newly hatched young within many. This is one of the boxes.
The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group authorised owl team visited every one of the 41 barn owl boxes in the enlarged conservation area this year and was rewarded by an encouragingly high presence of newly hatched young within many. This is one of the boxes.
This is a box containing Kestrel Interlopers who found our boxes ideal to breed in and raise their families. All were recorded.
This is another box containing Kestrel Interlopers who found our boxes ideal to breed in and raise their families. All were recorded.
2015
Pond Lye SNCI – Our volunteers are joined by other teams of helpers from Plumpton College and the Brighton Conservation Volunteers to help progress the ongoing project.
Pond Lye SNCI – Our volunteers are joined by other teams of helpers from Plumpton College and the Brighton Conservation Volunteers to help progress the ongoing project.
Pond Lye SNCI – Our volunteers are joined by other teams of helpers from Plumpton College and the Brighton Conservation Volunteers to help progress the ongoing project.
Pond Lye SNCI – Our volunteers are joined by other teams of helpers from Plumpton College and the Brighton Conservation Volunteers to help progress the ongoing project.
The blue outline shows the extended barn owl conservation area.
It was decided that a further boost to the survival prospects of the barn owl was needed which would provide a larger area of conservation for them. This was to give them more of a foothold in our Mid Sussex countryside and to offset the increasing damage being inflicted upon their territory by large scale building development.
To achieve this it was decided to hugely expand barn owl conservation into a much larger section of the Southern Mid Sussex countryside and adjacent areas to assist their survival. A grant was obtained and many additional boxes purchased. Landowners were approached and permission gained to spread into carefully selected areas.
The boxes have been installed and The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group Barn Owl Conservation Area now embraces the countryside of 14 rural settlements including Hurstpierpoint, Sayers Common, Goddards Green, Ansty, Twineham, Albourne, Blackstone, Woodmancote, Newtimber, Poynings, Pyecombe, Clayton, Hassocks and Keymer. It is hoped that this effort will considerably improve their survival prospects and create the wide expanse of countryside they require to flourish.
A resident owl in the enlarged barn owl conservation area created by The Woodland Flora and Fauna Group.
It was decided that a further boost to the survival prospects of the barn owl was needed which would provide a larger area of conservation for them. This was to give them more of a foothold in our Mid Sussex countryside and to offset the increasing damage being inflicted upon their territory by large scale building development.
To achieve this it was decided to hugely expand barn owl conservation into a much larger section of the Southern Mid Sussex countryside and adjacent areas to assist their survival. A grant was obtained and many additional boxes purchased. Landowners were approached and permission gained to spread into carefully selected areas.
The boxes have been installed and The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group Barn Owl Conservation Area now embraces the countryside of 14 rural settlements including Hurstpierpoint, Sayers Common, Goddards Green, Ansty, Twineham, Albourne, Blackstone, Woodmancote, Newtimber, Poynings, Pyecombe, Clayton, Hassocks and Keymer. It is hoped that this effort will considerably improve their survival prospects and create the wide expanse of countryside they require to flourish.
Amended Mid Sussex District Map to show the yellow area now providing sanctuary to barn owls.
It was decided that a further boost to the survival prospects of the barn owl was needed which would provide a larger area of conservation for them. This was to give them more of a foothold in our Mid Sussex countryside and to offset the increasing damage being inflicted upon their territory by large scale building development.
To achieve this it was decided to hugely expand barn owl conservation into a much larger section of the Southern Mid Sussex countryside and adjacent areas to assist their survival. A grant was obtained and many additional boxes purchased. Landowners were approached and permission gained to spread into carefully selected areas.
The boxes have been installed and The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group Barn Owl Conservation Area now embraces the countryside of 14 rural settlements including Hurstpierpoint, Sayers Common, Goddards Green, Ansty, Twineham, Albourne, Blackstone, Woodmancote, Newtimber, Poynings, Pyecombe, Clayton, Hassocks and Keymer. It is hoped that this effort will considerably improve their survival prospects and create the wide expanse of countryside they require to flourish.
The annual bat box inspection reveals regular bat usage of boxes in woodland with results transmitted to Natural England and The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre.
The annual bat box inspection reveals regular bat usage of boxes in woodland with results transmitted to Natural England and The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre.
The annual bat box inspection reveals regular bat usage of boxes in woodland with results transmitted to Natural England and The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre.
The annual bat box inspection reveals regular bat usage of boxes in woodland with results transmitted to Natural England and The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre.
2014
Creation of a group entrance and car park at Pond Lye SNCI to allow easier access for volunteer meadow restoration work parties.
Creation of a group entrance and car park at Pond Lye SNCI to allow easier access for volunteer meadow restoration work parties.
Sussex Living magazine featured the extensive countryside conservation work of The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group as their main feature.
Chairman Michael Nailard and one of our leading volunteers Alan Murray attended a CPRE award presentation at Firle Place, near Lewes to receive an award that had been won by The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group for the outstanding work done on countryside and wildlife conservation projects to improve the natural habitat in Mid Sussex. It was presented by Lady Egremont.
Chairman Michael Nailard and one of our leading volunteers Alan Murray attended a CPRE award presentation at Firle Place, near Lewes to receive an award that had been won by The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group for the outstanding work done on countryside and wildlife conservation projects to improve the natural habitat in Mid Sussex. It was presented by Lady Egremont.
2013
Dormouse investigation project begins to determine whether the species still exists in local countryside. These are undertaken annually initially with temporary tubes and permanent boxes are erected in every woodland and hedgerow they are found. All local countryside will eventually be covered.
Dormouse investigation project begins to determine whether the species still exists in local countryside. These are undertaken annually initially with temporary tubes and permanent boxes are erected in every woodland and hedgerow they are found. All local countryside will eventually be covered.
Water Vole investigation begins to determine whether the species still survives since last sighted in 2007 in local countryside.
Water Vole investigation begins to determine whether the species still survives since last sighted in 2007 in local countryside.
Woodland pond restoration project begins in Sayers Common.
Woodland pond restoration project begins in Sayers Common.
2012
Volunteers keeping our country lanes clear of litter. They progressively work through the network of rural lanes within our local countryside. This activity was transferred to the local Parish Council in 2016.
Volunteers keeping our country lanes clear of litter. They progressively work through the network of rural lanes within our local countryside. This activity was transferred to the local Parish Council in 2016.
2011
Pond Lye SNCI meadow restoration commences to restore its former value and make conditions suitable for distinctive flora species to return.
Pond Lye SNCI meadow restoration commences to restore its former value and make conditions suitable for distinctive flora species to return.
Pond Lye SNCI meadow restoration commences to restore its former value and make conditions suitable for distinctive flora species to return.
Pond Lye SNCI meadow restoration commences to restore its former value and make conditions suitable for distinctive flora species to return.
Beneath this jungle of damaging brush the original meadow resides. Hours of hard work by volunteers battling against blackthorn and brambles gradually cleared areas in what was envisaged to be a project that would take years to complete.
Beneath this jungle of damaging brush the original meadow resides. Hours of hard work by volunteers battling against blackthorn and brambles gradually cleared areas in what was envisaged to be a project that would take years to complete.
100 trees planted in two parish locations by a team of volunteers.
100 trees planted in two parish locations by a team of volunteers.
100 trees planted in two parish locations by a team of volunteers.
100 trees planted in two parish locations by a team of volunteers.
100 trees planted in two parish locations by a team of volunteers.
100 trees planted in two parish locations by a team of volunteers.
2010
Second Barn Owl & Tawny Owl Box Project increases survival prospects of both species in the local countryside
Second Barn Owl & Tawny Owl Box Project increases survival prospects of both species in the local countryside
Second Barn Owl & Tawny Owl Box Project increases survival prospects of both species in the local countryside
In recognition of outstanding volunteer effort in wildlife conservation a special award was created and presented to Alan Murray at the 2010 group AGM/Public Talk by Chairman Michael Nailard.
In recognition of outstanding volunteer effort in wildlife conservation a special award was created and presented to Alan Murray at the 2010 group AGM/Public Talk by Chairman Michael Nailard.
In recognition of outstanding volunteer effort in biodiversity study a special award was created and presented to Peter Heeley at the 2010 group AGM/Public Talk by Chairman Michael Nailard.
In recognition of outstanding volunteer effort in biodiversity study a special award was created and presented to Peter Heeley at the 2010 group AGM/Public Talk by Chairman Michael Nailard.
2009
Bat Nesting and Hibernation Box Project. Scores of boxes were erected in woodllands throughout the parish
Bat Nesting and Hibernation Box Project. Scores of boxes were erected in woodllands throughout the parish
Bat Nesting and Hibernation Box Project. Scores of boxes were erected in woodllands throughout the parish
Bat Nesting and Hibernation Box Project. Scores of boxes were erected in woodllands throughout the parish
Bat Nesting and Hibernation Box Project. Scores of boxes were erected in woodllands throughout the parish
Bat Nesting and Hibernation Box Project. Scores of boxes were erected in woodllands throughout the parish
2008
The box maintenance activity took place during the following winter months and each subsequent winter since in very cold & wet conditions. Boxes are cleaned, repaired and painted in readiness for next year’s breeding season
The box maintenance activity took place during the following winter months and each subsequent winter since in very cold & wet conditions. Boxes are cleaned, repaired and painted in readiness for next year’s breeding season
 2007
First Barn Owl & Tawny Owl Box Project – Boxes provided by Specialised Nestboxes whose owners L & K Hall are seen assisting above.
First Barn Owl & Tawny Owl Box Project – Boxes provided by Specialised Nestboxes whose owners L & K Hall are seen assisting above.
First Barn Owl & Tawny Owl Box Project – Boxes provided by Specialised Nestboxes whose owners L & K Hall are seen assisting above.
First Barn Owl & Tawny Owl Box Project – Boxes provided by Specialised Nestboxes whose owners L & K Hall are seen assisting above.
Barn Owl Inspection revealed instant success. The owls were ringed and recorded by licenced personnel.
Barn Owl Inspection revealed instant success. The owls were ringed and recorded by licenced personnel.
2004
Biodiversity Study Survey Groups undertaking the project which took 6 years to complete.
Biodiversity Study Survey Groups undertaking the project which took 6 years to complete.
