News
EXPLORE!
09/06/11 11:32
Explore!
Explore the Steyning Downland Scheme with a variety of free Sunday afternoon activities and walks
Led by local experts
2nd Sunday of the month 2 – 4pm
Meet at the old NTC hut off Mouse Lane
10th July: Herbs and Folklore
14th August: Bugs and Beasties
All welcome
More Information here
RANGER DAY
07/05/11 11:54
Our newly formed Ranger Group had another outing on 7th May.
Here’s Nigel Bowman’s review of the day:
A great day was had on the 7th with personalities starting to develop.
We took on the task of first clearing the secondary growth around the Elms that were planted in the winter. Amazingly all the saplings have survived and no casualties to report so far. After this we went up to the Flint Barn to block off a desire line the Mountain Bikers had created that was at the top of a very steep bank. It was decided by Dave "the brains" Buckett to build a dead hedge. Not a normal dead hedge but a "Marks and Spencer" dead hedge that was more of a woven fence panel crossed with a laid hedge.
We set too and gathered the necessary stakes for the posts and whips to weave in. Soon Rupert "slasher" Avon soon showed his prowess with a bill hook and was deforesting every Ash sapling in a 200 meters radius. We eventually caught him eyeing an 80 foot Beech but was able to distract him with the offer of a cup of tea.
Here Rupert is trying to get into my waterproof trousers and asking "does my bum look big in this" and finding that he did not fit.
A very civil light lunch was had (very light as I had bought some muffins and sausage rolls for everyone but forgot to bring them) where Sarah and Debbie had the sense to bring some food and the rest of us sat there looking forlorn in the hope that they would feel sorry for us and thank goodness Debbie did.
Finally we went up to Steyning Coombe and laid out another dozen covers for the reptile surveys. This adds to 80+ that Tom has already done!!!!
Here’s Nigel Bowman’s review of the day:
A great day was had on the 7th with personalities starting to develop.
We took on the task of first clearing the secondary growth around the Elms that were planted in the winter. Amazingly all the saplings have survived and no casualties to report so far. After this we went up to the Flint Barn to block off a desire line the Mountain Bikers had created that was at the top of a very steep bank. It was decided by Dave "the brains" Buckett to build a dead hedge. Not a normal dead hedge but a "Marks and Spencer" dead hedge that was more of a woven fence panel crossed with a laid hedge.
We set too and gathered the necessary stakes for the posts and whips to weave in. Soon Rupert "slasher" Avon soon showed his prowess with a bill hook and was deforesting every Ash sapling in a 200 meters radius. We eventually caught him eyeing an 80 foot Beech but was able to distract him with the offer of a cup of tea.
Here Rupert is trying to get into my waterproof trousers and asking "does my bum look big in this" and finding that he did not fit.
A very civil light lunch was had (very light as I had bought some muffins and sausage rolls for everyone but forgot to bring them) where Sarah and Debbie had the sense to bring some food and the rest of us sat there looking forlorn in the hope that they would feel sorry for us and thank goodness Debbie did.
Finally we went up to Steyning Coombe and laid out another dozen covers for the reptile surveys. This adds to 80+ that Tom has already done!!!!
CATTLE IN STEYNING COOMBE
29/03/11 12:47
The small herd of Sussex cattle which have done such a good job of grazing the Rifle Range over the winter have now been moved up to the Steyning Coombe SSSI.
Our main problem with getting this area grazed was the lack of a water supply. We have now arranged for a water bowser to be taken there and the cattle will now be grazing for a couple of weeks or so.
Our main problem with getting this area grazed was the lack of a water supply. We have now arranged for a water bowser to be taken there and the cattle will now be grazing for a couple of weeks or so.
ELM PLANTING
28/01/11 13:35
In association with the Sussex Butterfly Conservation, we are pleased to announce that thirteen Elm trees have been planted in a small area adjacent to the path from Mouse Lane to the Rifle Range.
These Elms are cultivars from a project to find Dutch Elm Disease resistant varieties at Portsmouth University. They have be tested extensively and so far have been found to have excellent resistance and so are likely to develop into full grown trees in due course.
Most of our elms have been wiped out by this disease over the past 40 years or so, & any young trees that emerge die well before reaching maturity.
The main reason we have planted these elms is because they provide the only habitat for the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly which has suffered badly due to DED. We hope that when the trees reach a reasonable size, in eight to ten years time, these lovely butterflies will find them and we will have a breeding colony here. They will also grow into beautiful trees that have been missing from our landscape for too long.
A keen and enthusiastic group of volunteers gathered on friday morning and spent about four hours clearing spaces for the saplings in an area which was covered in the remains of young elms that had not survived.
Our grateful thanks to our volunteers, Tom Ottley & Neil Hulme from Sussex Butterfly Conservation (who also provided the elms), and also to David Buckett & Nigel Bowman.
CATTLE & GRAZING
08/10/10 14:53
We are pleased to announce that our Chalk Grassland Management Strategy re-commences during the week beginning 11th October. A small herd of Sussex cattle will be allowed into the Rifle Range & Pepperscoombe Bank for most of the winter.Steyning Coombe will also have cattle in it sporadically over this period, for about two weeks at a time.
Cattle are an essential part of our management plan and will greatly improve the biodiversity of the site by keeping under control the coarse invasive grass species which tend to outgrow and swamp other less dominant but more useful plants. We are already seeing some benefits in the butterfly species seen, and hopefully this trend will continue, giving us all a much more diverse site to enjoy. More information here.
Please ensure all dogs are kept under control & do not disturb the cattle, and please continue to enjoy walking in the area over the winter.
GETTING CLOSE
26/09/10 15:40
Read Sherie New’s article about getting close up to the botanical wonders of the Steyning Downland Scheme site.
Article & photos here.
"JEWEL IN THE CROWN"
03/09/10 11:48
We are very pleased to announce that it looks as if our recently introduced management policy for the Rifle Range, specifically the introduction of cattle grazing last winter, has already born fruit. The Adonis Blue butterfly, an indicator of prime chalk grassland habitat, has been absent from the site for many years. We now have confirmed sightings of five freshly-emerged males & a single female.
To learn more about this amazing butterfly, Read Neil Hulme’s article here:
To learn more about this amazing butterfly, Read Neil Hulme’s article here:
BUTTERFLY WALK
28/08/10 22:04
Neil Hulme today led a very successful butterfly walk up on the Rifle Range. Here is his account of the day:
‘The BC Sussex field trip calendar reached a spectacular grand finale at Steyning Rifle Range on Saturday, blessed by initially clear blue skies and warm sunshine. It was difficult to assess the number of attendees as a sizeable group forged ahead for an early start, and helped out by spotting Brown Hairstreaks for us (thanks Colin, Tom, Roger et al.); and quite a few left before midday after seeing the main party amassing on the slopes in a scene straight out of 'Braveheart'! Earlier I had counted 49, but at one point there must have been 55 enthusiasts simultaneously looking at these beautiful butterflies! There was no effort required in spotting this usually elusive species, as there were regular shouts of "two together here", "one here", "another one here". Despite an over-sized group everyone managed to get up close and personal with a Brown Hairstreak, many for the first time. Without trying too hard we notched up 7 during the course of the walk. The species list (including those seen after the official walk) comprised Brown Hairstreak, Wall, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White and Brimstone. The Adonis Blue was particularly significant, as this is the first sighting here for many years, and probably reflects the early signs of habitat improvement after just one winter's grazing. I suspect a female Adonis reached the Rifle Range during the spring brood, probably from Mill Hill. All-in-all it was a great way to finish my walks for the year - and great to see so many friendly faces. (Neil Hulme)’
Thanks to Neil for being such an entertaining & informative host for this very popular walk.
‘The BC Sussex field trip calendar reached a spectacular grand finale at Steyning Rifle Range on Saturday, blessed by initially clear blue skies and warm sunshine. It was difficult to assess the number of attendees as a sizeable group forged ahead for an early start, and helped out by spotting Brown Hairstreaks for us (thanks Colin, Tom, Roger et al.); and quite a few left before midday after seeing the main party amassing on the slopes in a scene straight out of 'Braveheart'! Earlier I had counted 49, but at one point there must have been 55 enthusiasts simultaneously looking at these beautiful butterflies! There was no effort required in spotting this usually elusive species, as there were regular shouts of "two together here", "one here", "another one here". Despite an over-sized group everyone managed to get up close and personal with a Brown Hairstreak, many for the first time. Without trying too hard we notched up 7 during the course of the walk. The species list (including those seen after the official walk) comprised Brown Hairstreak, Wall, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White and Brimstone. The Adonis Blue was particularly significant, as this is the first sighting here for many years, and probably reflects the early signs of habitat improvement after just one winter's grazing. I suspect a female Adonis reached the Rifle Range during the spring brood, probably from Mill Hill. All-in-all it was a great way to finish my walks for the year - and great to see so many friendly faces. (Neil Hulme)’
Thanks to Neil for being such an entertaining & informative host for this very popular walk.
GLOW WORMS
25/06/10 14:14
When is a worm not a worm? When it’s a Glow Worm! This is, in fact, a beetle and the female has the amazing ability of bioluminescence. When she is ready to mate, she positions herself in grassland and signals her readiness by emitting an eerie green light from the end of her abdomen. Males home in on this, mating occurs, she lays her eggs and then dies!
Last Tuesday evening a group of Steyning wildlife enthusiasts accompnied Simon Jackson over the Rifle Range & Steyning Coombe searching for this elusive glow in the dark. It didn’t take too long for one of the party to announce a discovery and soon many others were found. It’s good to know we have a healthy population of this uncommon but amazing beetle. Sherie New managed to get some good photos:
Learn all about glow worms at http://www.glowworms.org.uk/
Last Tuesday evening a group of Steyning wildlife enthusiasts accompnied Simon Jackson over the Rifle Range & Steyning Coombe searching for this elusive glow in the dark. It didn’t take too long for one of the party to announce a discovery and soon many others were found. It’s good to know we have a healthy population of this uncommon but amazing beetle. Sherie New managed to get some good photos:
Learn all about glow worms at http://www.glowworms.org.uk/
SURVEYS
25/06/10 12:54
SDS has seen two botanical surveying days so far, getting down into the detail of the chalk grassland species. Following a day supported by the Sussex Botanical Recording Society, six intrepid local surveyors mapped surveying routes, and grappled with identifying the wild roses. There are three more days over the summer. If you are interested in learning
alongside other interested people, let us know at SDS, and we'll fill
you in on the details. The results of the first survey are HERE, if you
want to know what we found.
STEYNING COUNTRY FAIR
31/05/10 12:55
Did you know that chalk grassland is as diverse as the tropical rainforest - and rarer! The SDS stall at the Steyning Fair gave a practical demonstration of this with two pieces of turf from the project site. One, ungrazed, showed one or two species of tall grasses.The other, grazed, showed an amazing variety of plants in the same area. Lots of people came to visit the stall and found out more about just what a special area Steyning has right on its doorstep.
CATTLE
25/05/10 15:13
The Sussex Cattle have now been moved off the Rifle Range, but are continuing to graze on Pepperscoombe Bank. Our arrangement with a local farmer will hopefully allow us to have both cattle & sheep grazing at appropriate times over the next few years. This will create a much improved chalk grassland habitat for wild flowers, butterflies etc. Some of the cows are now having calves. Please ensure dogs are kept under control.
PONDS
25/04/10 15:20
We are fortunate to have some unique & interesting ponds & spring-fed chalk streams on the site. These sorts of watercourses are rare and can support some unique species. During this year these areas will be surveyed and then a management plan created &, in due course, implemented.
Further information about the ponds is available HERE.