Supporters News Sheet 2021

SUMMARY OF NATURE CONSERVATION ACHIEVEMENTS.

 

This year has been slightly better than last year in terms of restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic but far from normal in terms of group activities and public events. This has meant safety restrictions applied to travel to sites, sterilising tools after work sessions and no physical group meetings and events. Despite the difficulties this has caused, our supporters and volunteers have rallied round and a tremendous amount in terms of work undertaken, donations received and compensatory fundraising events have been achieved. We are dedicated to countryside and wildlife conservation and have been extending our effort to improve it. The items below highlight some of these areas.

 

BARN OWL CONSERVATION AREA PROVIDES RESULTS.

 

During the winter months The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group volunteer owl team withstand the harsh weather conditions to undertake the box cleaning and maintenance required to keep our barn owl conservation area flourishing to encourage occupancy and breeding within it. Since this initiative was started in 2007 the local population has flourished as a result, which has helped raise their status from an amber- listed threatened species to one that is flourishing again. The effort of these volunteers in achieving this has required years of dedication and physical commitment. This year’s breeding results are a reward for all the hard work undertaken.

 

 

In the cold winter months, the boxes are maintained.

 

In the summer we return to check on occupants.

 

With so many boxes spread across such a large area of Sussex countryside, our owl conservation area is constantly reviewed and adjusted to maximise the effectiveness of the sanctuary we provide. If surrounding habitat has unfortunately altered and box positions are no longer as suitable as they previously were, our working parties alter positions accordingly so that maximum effectiveness is maintained throughout. Currently we are operating within the borders shown on the map below to provide a group conservation area for barn owls. It includes areas identified by us and any approaches from other people for inclusion in our effort if considered suitable.

 

A barn owl leaving a box in Keymer on an inspection visit in 2021.

 

The group barn owl conservation area.

 

One of many boxes found with barn owl eggs hatching.

 

Others contained young barn owl chicks beginning to develop.

 

Occasionally we found broods of kestrels using the boxes.

 

This one contained a young tawny owl.

 

All are recorded as part of our data collection/monitoring initiative to increase population numbers.

 

2021 – A BOOM YEAR FOR OUR BAT CONSERVATION EFFORT.

 

Following last year’s tremendous advance in local bat population numbers utilising The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group’s area bat box conservation initiative which began in 2009, this year’s has proved even more successful. This is a considerable boost for our group volunteers who have worked so hard in erecting, inspecting and maintaining boxes within local woodland areas to provide roosting and hibernation opportunities in locations most likely to provide suitable survival opportunities.

 

 

Volunteers visit all boxes each year.

 

All occupants found are recorded.

 

The volunteers work together as a team.

 

Strong ‘discipline’ is maintained for safety reasons.

 

We already had scores 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.

This year we found a welcome new species of bat occupying boxes in three of our woodland locations. These were Bechsteine’s bats, a species with a conservation status officially described as ‘restricted and rare’. This is a great addition to the various other species we normally attract like Natterer’s, Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle and Brown Long-eared bats. The survey findings included a family of eight Bechsteine’s bats found in a box in a location which has proved very popular with other species for many years.

The total number 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.

 

 

This box contained a family of Bechstein’s bats.

 

This was one of many containing a group of Pipistrelles.

 

In this box we found a Noctule bat.

 

One of the many ‘restricted and rare’ Bechstein’s bats found in other boxes around our conservation area.

 

It is hoped that with careful nurturing, our year-on-year bat box occupancy results will continue to improve and increase the survival prospects of our local bat populations. With so much pressure on wildlife survival today, they need all the help they can get to maintain population numbers. The results achieved to date is therefore compensation for the time and effort expended on this project over the last twelve years by many dedicated group members.

 

DORMICE BOX CHECKS CONTINUE IN 2021

 

Dormice are very scarce and frustratingly difficult to find. In many areas conservationists rely on nesting and feeding evidence left, footprint tunnel detection pads and motion detection cameras in order to confirm their presence when physical sightings are not possible. Sadly, it is the case across the country that dormouse numbers are even declining at re-introduction sites where a presence has been re-established. In our area we only erect dormouse boxes where we have at some stage witnessed them, or found old nests or food left- overs that bear their hallmarks. This currently amounts to four possible locations selected from a survey of all woodlands in our local area.

In these woodlands we have mounted an even distribution of boxes and check them frequently throughout the summer between April and November. Such is their scarcity, that we no longer expect to find a dormouse but when we do, we celebrate its presence.

The checks also tell us that in early summer bluetits hi-jack the boxes and later wood mice utilise them for breeding and storing food, so they benefit wildlife populations generally even if the species we seek is as elusive as the ‘Scarlet Pimpernel’. We will continue diligently with our checks knowing that we have either had a presence or discovered signs of a possible habitation in each of the areas.

This year wildlife has again occupied our boxes but we have unfortunately found no specific physical presence of dormice in a very busy year that forced a reduction in the number of inspections undertaken. All food stores found were examined for dormouse consumption and other clues but the vast majority of wildlife species found were non-dormouse related. Here are some of the alternative occupants discovered.

 

 

A family of young bluetits asking to be fed. 

                                            

A mother bluetit nursing her eggs.

 

       One of the many individual wood mice found in one box.

                                                             

A family of wood mice in another.

 

 WOODLAND POND CONSERVATION EFFORT CONTINUES. 

 

Our summer return to the woodland pond at Sayers Common to maintain the area, proved to be a challenge. The year had proved a good one for the growth of brush and the task before us included the initial clearance of the track leading to the car park area next to the pond. Until this was clear our vehicles couldn’t park next to the pond itself to unload their tools. The volunteers swiftly tackled this and we were soon working to clear the car park to remove the forest of ragwort, bramble, teasel, nettle and thistle that covered it.

Once this had been addressed, clearance of the banks began. This was not an easy task, working on steep slopes where bramble and thistle grew in abundance and in many cases towered above the height of the volunteers battling to clear them. Every tall thistle that was felled required volunteers to step back to miss the spiky plant falling on them without being tripped by the equally thorny brambles entangling their legs.

 

 

Volunteers swiftly tackled the driveway to the pond.

 

Once completed their attention turned to the car park area.

 

Working in teams, some cleared whilst others shifted debris.

 

After much effort the banks of the pond became visible again.

 

Having spent many years restoring the pond from the overgrown, murky and dishevelled area it originally was, The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group return every year to ensure it remains in good condition as a tranquil sanctuary for wildlife.

Much assistance had been given in previous years by the extremely supportive landowners Evelyn and Donald Hole with the removal of the stubborn tree roots, overgrown reeds and silt when the volunteers began to struggle due to the huge recurrence of previously cleared growth. They provided assistance with heavy machinery which reached the sections the volunteers were struggling with. Extremely grateful for this help, we make sure that it remains in this condition each year. This annual endeavour is proving to be very effective.

 

 

The Sayers Common woodland pond as it appeared when our work was completed.

 

 TALBOT FIELD NATURE RESERVE WORK CONTINUES.

 

The small nature reserve area at Talbot Field in Hassocks is regularly visited each year for maintenance and wildlife project work. In the early months, group volunteers attack the sprawling spread of brush which would without control, spread across the area and stifle all growth of the distinctive flower species that emerge in the spring and summer.

 

 

Volunteers clear the woodland floor of debris.

 

Fallen branches are stacked into piles and bramble cleared.

 

There always seem to be a lot of fallen branches to clear and to pile into wildlife stacks throughout the woodland area. This creates indigenous wildlife habitat in which species can flourish and hibernate in safety. This not only allows woodland flora species to grow and provide wildlife cover but with the simultaneous removal of brambles, makes the manoeuvring of heavy ladders to inspect the bird and bat boxes in the later months less hazardous to volunteers. Nothing proves so dangerous to operators than undertaking ladder work when tangled, looping bramble growth trips up individuals and prevents safe ladder erection by snagging sections and preventing movement. Safety becomes paramount in these situations. In the spring, the now cleared ground permits flowers to emerge freely to carpet the woodland floor.

 

 

All cuttings are removed and disposed of.

 

Later wildflower plugs are planted and watered regularly.

 

In the early summer we returned to plant wildflower plugs which had been nurtured by the group until ready to plant in the meadow. These included ox-eye daisies, mallow and foxgloves which were carefully watered.

 

 

Newly planted foxgloves provide a colourful addition.

 

Ragged robin from last year’s plugs, enriches the meadow.

 

In July we received a call from a concerned neighbour that a large outbreak of ragwort had appeared and as there were horses grazing in locations nearby, they asked if we could remove it. We responded promptly and a working party gathered on a Saturday morning and quickly dealt with the problem.

 

 

Volunteers remove ragwort…

 

…. after receiving complaints from a neighbouring landowner.

 

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 volunteers worked in teams….

 

….and quickly completed the task.

 

Another return visit has been scheduled to clear out the bird nesting boxes following our very successful check on all the bat boxes in September. This location remains one of the best bat roosts in our area with many boxes installed to accommodate them. Similarly, most of the many bird boxes have nests and young in them.

 

POND LYE SNCI MEADOW WORK CONTINUES IN 2021.

 

Our work at Pond Lye Site of Nature Conservation Importance this year was extensive as we began in the early spring with a massive effort to remove ragwort and thistle from the meadow. This was again to reduce the annual complaints received from neighbouring properties about their tendency to seed and spread.

 

 

Meticulously volunteers scoured the meadow…. 

 

….and removed as many of the offending plants as possible.

 

The area was then left to flourish naturally and once again become a blaze of floral colour and wildlife activity. Each evening the meadow tranquillity was only disturbed by the presence of teeming wildlife rustling through the undergrowth and the occasional sound of flower movement in the breeze, punctuated by the occasional animal cry.

 

 

During the summer months the meadow is transformed into a blaze of colour and wildlife activity.

 

In late summer we return again to cut the meadow to keep the conditions suitable for the distinctive flora that thrives there to continue to flourish. For this we are lucky enough to have a supporter with a tractor and cutter who kindly relieves us of so much effort required to tend the meadow with brush cutters and scythes instead. There is still a requirement for these alternatives however, to tackle the uneven areas the tractor is unable to cut. We are extremely grateful for his annual tractor cutting help.

 

 

Our volunteer with his tractor kindly attends to assist us with the massive task of meadow cutting.

 

The time and effort this saves us is immeasurable.

 

After the cut the volunteers return once again to gather up and dispose of the cut hay to keep the meadow in good condition.

 

 

Afterwards, the volunteers return once again to gather up the cut hay.

 

GROUP STALL ADVERTISES WORK AT HURST FESTIVAL.

 

On September 12th 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 its continuation. 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 raised going to our group. We are very grateful to her for her considerable effort and time.

 

 

Group members discuss our nature conservation work with passers-by

 

 

Our valued supporter Evelyn Hole manning the bric-a-brac table.

 

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 by our group. It gave us a valued opportunity to discuss our work with many interested people and answer their questions. Back-copies of news sheets were also on sale and were eagerly purchased. There appeared to be a lot of enthusiasm for our effort from the public.

 

MEMORIAL BOX MOUNTED FOR GROUP SUPPORTER.

 

A tribute to a long-standing group member, Tim Wren.

 

Last month we received a generous donation collected from the funeral of one of our longest standing supporters since 2004, Tim Wren, who was enthusiastic about all our work. In return the family asked for a commemorative wildlife feature to be erected in his memory on one of the regular walks he used to undertake. We have fulfilled this wish and mounted a tawny owl box with a plaque to his memory on a tree near Foxhole Cottages in an area near the South Downs. His continuous support since the group began was highly valued and we are extremely sad to lose a good friend and a valued supporter.

 

NO GROUP TALKS HELD IN 2021.

 

No talks were held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent ‘lockdowns’ and safety restrictions applied by the Government. Next year’s events could be equally uncertain.

 

SUPPORTER MESSAGE.

 

We thank all our supporters for their interest in our activities and our valuable volunteers for their help. We also give heartfelt thanks to those supporters and organisations who have generously provided donations to support our funds during this difficult time. If you too would like to be a supporter or volunteer please contact: – Michael Nailard. Telephone: 01273 834001.        Email: dralianmarine@aol.com

 

 

 

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