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10th 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 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 MoreOn a bright and sunny day in November, the Conservators warmly welcomed Bill Downey to Banstead Heath in what was a modest but significant tree-planting event in Surrey Bill is the Species Champion for the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly at Surrey and SW London branch of Butterfly Conservation In his role, Bill not only helps to survey for populations of the butterfly but also creates habitat for the species by planting its sole larval...
Read MoreOn Friday 17 November, Gloucester the Dog, pictured above, hijacked our social media accounts and asked our followers to identify the mystical cluster of mushrooms he found on his walk In response to those who followed the thread, we solve the mystery below and it has nothing to do with dancing fairies! Fairy Rings on Banstead Commons Many different mushrooms form so-called fairy rings Some of these rough circles can be made out...
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 MoreOver the last two years Preston and Tadworth residents and other users of the Burgh Heath woods could see close up the extensive reworking of the area around the Lonesome Ponds Although we are now approaching winter it is worth while remembering the improvements carried out at the Lonesome Ponds located near the Chetwode Road entrance to Burgh Heath woods And a reminder that spring and then summer are not too far away At the pond nearest...
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 MoreDo you love nature on your doorstep Would you like to volunteer to help conserve Banstead Commons for future generations to enjoy and wildlife to thrive We are recruiting volunteers to join regular work parties that will be held on the four sites that make up Banstead Commons: Banstead Heath, Banstead Downs, Park Downs and Burgh Heath Tasks will include invasive species control, scrub clearance, coppicing and litter...
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