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Bad Bee-Haviour...

24/6/2020

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No social distancing! A lovely warm night, but they couldn't help themselves after a visit to the pub...
Males of Melitta haemorrhoidalis roosting inside a Campanula flower.
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Life grows on at the Lagoon

20/6/2020

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The Lagoon's increasing wildlife and flowers are proving popular with the locals, a few making it a favoured destination on their walks in the area. Some of the (socially distanced) conversations I've experienced there actually show knowledge of our work. One couple were even aware of our efforts to encourage the Small Blue. Of course, there are others who make less desirable contributions, like the odd glass bottle or can and, for some reason, blue plastic bottle caps, as I discovered while litter-picking yesterday.
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One of a group of 'thumbnail' froglets near the water's edge.
The tiny young frog pictured above was one of several seen hopping about at the Lagoon. They were between the water and the protective hibernaculum we made with logs recycled  from our recent coppicing activities.
Large amounts of wildflowers continue to flourish in the meadow beside the Lagoon and some are spreading over the fence and down the sides, providing cover for wildlife and helping to prevent erosion of the steep chalk banks. 
This week's species include Wild Carrot and two large clumps of Burdock. The Cut-leaved Germander is also doing well this year.

Graham K
Plenty of growth inside the fence
Plants spreading beyond the wildflower meadow
Kidney Vetch flowering across the banks
KV seedlings spreading for next year
One of two large Burdock
Wild Carrot begins to bloom
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Part of the meadow at the Lagoon
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Barklouse

11/6/2020

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A new species for the site - the Bark louse, Mesopsocus immunis.
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Urgent action needed

5/6/2020

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This post is to draw the attention of the Surrey Wildlife Trust to an increasingly urgent conservation situation in the Eastern end of the county. 
At first glance, the first photo shows an idyllic scene: a family out on their bikes enjoying the countryside. But this bit of countryside is in a Local Nature Reserve where cycling is prohibited and the cyclists have just ridden over the site of two rare plants, Cut-leaved Germander and Ground Pine.
This highlights the current plight of this entire field (Fames Rough in Chipstead) and neighbouring Coneyboro Hill, which have been known for their rich diversity of butterflies and plants. They are regularly surveyed on behalf of Butterfly Conservation by the WoodChip Conservation Volunteers, .
For some years these sites were managed to keep the scrub growth in check and a strip of Fames Rough was regularly rotavated to provide the right conditions for the rare plants (second photo).
​Sadly, both these sites are now becoming overgrown with hawthorn and other scrub (third photo), to the point when vital habitat is being lost and it is becoming increasingly difficult to carry out surveys. This situation has worsened over several years and predates the current lockdown.
I understand that these areas are now under the control of Surrey County Council and Surrey Wildlife Trust. Can anyone from either of these organisations tell me if any maintenance  and ongoing management is planned to restore these vital areas of conservation?

Graham Kenward, Volunteer
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Cyclists in the wrong place: Fames Rough, part of the Banstead Woods & Chipstead Downs Local Nature Reserve.
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Taken several years ago, this shows the rotavated strip made in Fames Rough to assist the survival of rare plants. The dog walker is on the other strip rotavated in alternate years.
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This photo was taken on 2-6-20 and shows some of the hawthorn scrub that is taking over much of the site.
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Rare Cut-leaved Germander as it used to appear in Fames Rough
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Blooming well at the Lagoon

4/6/2020

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The planting in and around the Lagoon is flourishing despite the recent drought and this week's wildflower blooms include Cornflower, Viper's Bugloss, Poppy, Common Mallow, Clover, Tufted Vetch, Birds-foot Trefoil, Daisies, Yellow Sweetclover, White Campion and masses of Kidney Vetch in addition to that planted in previous years. Let's hope the increased Kidney Vetch is good news for the Small Blue butterfly, which may be encouraged to add the Lagoon to its usual haunts.
Wildlife observed included masses of bees, Damselflies and a Small Tortoiseshell, a Broad-bodied Chaser and a young fox, which yelped before running off towards Holly Lane car park. A wild creature observing social distancing!

​Graham K
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Broad-bodied Chaser
Birds-foot Trefoil & Daisies
Bumblebee (species?) on Viper's Bugloss
Common Mallow
Red-tailed Bumblebee on Cornflower
Kidney Vetch
Poppies & Tufted Vetch
Yellow Sweetclover
Water Plantain
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The water level in the Lagoon is around 2.5 feet lower than usual.
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    Community Woodlands Award


    ​Who are we?

    We are a self-funded group of volunteers looking after our local countryside in Banstead Wood and Chipstead Valley. We  extend a warm welcome to those  who would like to help maintain this important green space for the benefit of everyone. Here you will find details of WoodChips weekly tasks and activities. Check back soon  to see what we're up to!

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  • Home
  • About Us
  • The area we cover
  • Featured creatures
  • Our Butterflies
    • Butterfly Blog
  • Toolkit
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  • WoodChips Blog
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