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Dear Supporter, As we approach the end of 2024, we wanted to thank you for your ongoing support to Banstead Commons It has been wonderful to see our support grow even further this year and we would like to use this opportunity to share some of the highlights that have made it so special Volunteers We now have more volunteers and work parties than ever This has enabled us to better protect and preserve our habitats that require...
Read MoreBanstead Heath has a network of nine ponds found across the site Rich in biodiversity, they support many rare species that rely on an aquatic ecosystem to survive These include many different types of invertebrates, like dragonflies and damsel flies, as well as the UK’s rarest amphibian, the Great Crested Newt In a recent ecological survey of the ponds on the Heath it was identified that all nine require - to a greater or lesser extent...
Read More10th September, 2024 Dear Volunteer, I hope this email finds you well and you are enjoying the sunshine, what a lovely treat! Whilst it may still feel like summer this week, our butterfly recording season is drawing to a close and Autumn is in the air, especially in the evenings Autumn and Winter are the seasons when we can carry out habitat improvement work on the Commons without work impacting...
Read MoreBanstead Commons Conservators are working together with Surrey Wildlife Trust to develop 10 year Site Management Plans for each of our four sites: Banstead Downs, Banstead Heath, Burgh Heath and Park Downs A Site Management Plan details how we intend to prioritise resources and organise our land management for the benefit of people and wildlife over a period of ten years Commencing on Saturday 1 June and running until Sunday 30 June we...
Read MoreA small flock of thirty sheep will be introduced to Pen 2 on Banstead Downs on Wednesday 10 January The grazing enclosure is highlighted in yellow on the map below Visitor access to the enclosure is not permitted at this time We estimate the sheep will be grazing this section of grassland for a period of no longer than ten weeks before they will be moved to Pen 3, marked in red on the map below and the final grazing pen for this...
Read MoreDear Supporter, As the year draws to a close, we'd like to write to say thank you for your support this year Volunteers 2023 has been a memorable year for Banstead Commons Conservators Earlier this year, we launched our new website and more recently introduced our volunteer task programme on the Commons A small but dedicated team of volunteers has already joined us over the last couple of months and we hope that as the...
Read MoreIt's that time again Not just mists and mellow fruitfulness but fungi of all shapes and sizes are nearly everywhere you look in the countryside at the moment Contrary to most people's perception, fungi are all around us throughout the year, not just the microscopic ones on which most other organisms depend, but also some large and attractive fruiting bodies can be found if you know where to look For example, bracket fungi grow on trees all year,...
Read MoreThe UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the second world war We are proud that Natural England have judged that the grassland areas on the Banstead Commons are in favourable condition Our dedicated management has enabled rare and vulnerable chalk-loving plants and animals to return and flourish Approximately half of the 1350 acres of Banstead Commons is designated "priority" grassland Two of our chalk downland sites –...
Read MoreOak Processionary Moth (OPM) caterpillars are now active and can be seen on the trunk and branches of oak trees on Banstead Downs and Banstead Heath The caterpillars feed and live exclusively on oak trees and defoliate the trees OPM caterpillars and their nests contain hairs that can cause itchy rashes, eye and throat irritations, and should not be touched under any circumstances at any time The greatest risk period is May to July when the...
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