On the Ground in June 2017

July 4, 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 June 2017.

Surveyed for lapwing in partnership with the RSPB and found 16 lapwing chicks in 4 families on one survey site.
Spotted small blue butterflies on the kidney vetch for the first time at a site restored through our Nature Improvement Area project.
Released 198 water voles to the upper reaches of the River Meon. Four local schools came along to help – feeding the water voles in their release pens and adapting the pens so that the animals can self-release.
Cut and removed invasive stinging nettles from the banks of the River Meon to encourage the growth of a variety of bankside vegetation and allow water voles and other wildlife to disperse throughout the valley.
Began access land surveys on four sites to see how gates and signs can be used to encourage public access.
Started ringing first barn owl chicks of the year and ringed two boxes of kestrel chicks.
Started the invasive Himalyan balsam pulling season with work on the Rother walk in Midhurst, Stedham Mill and Hammer Stream at Chithurst.
Completed Farmland Bird Surveys as part of the South Downs Farmland Bird Initiative; good to see some key species like Yellowhammer and Skylark.
Installed 50m of post and rail fencing at a dew pond near Lancing.
Spread the message our barn owl project, work across the National Park and encouraged more people to get out and enjoy it at the South of England Show.
Cleared regrowth to encourage return of chalk grassland at Mill Hill Local Nature Reserve and Sites of Special Scientific Interest at Anchor Bottom and Beeding.
Carried out site visits to 4,000-year-old archaeology with the County Archaeologist.