DOWNLAND THYMES NEWS FOR THE SOUTH DOWNS VOLUNTEER - RANGER SERVICE ISSUE 91 | SPRING 2021 - South Downs National Park Authority
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DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING
DOWNLAND
THYMES
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH DOWNS VOLUNTEER
RANGER SERVICE ISSUE 91 | SPRING 2021
DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING
CHAIR’S CORNER
I struggled to know what to say to everyone this time around.
Volunteering has been so quiet. What on earth is there to
talk about?
On 25 January the VRS committee held a Gently my wife reminds me. Scepticism.
zoom meeting to discuss the finer details
At least I’ve done the responsible thing
for the AGM, due in March. A very
and stayed indoors. Self-aggrandism.
pleasant and productive meeting, but a
committee meeting on Zoom is hardly Like I had a choice. I was immobile most
newsworthy stuff. This year is the 40th of the time. Reflectivism.
anniversary of the VRS, so it is important
Can’t wait to get back at life though.
to mark the occasion at the AGM.
But what to say now? I note down a few
Futurism.
Editor’s Note
Ah, but ‘gently’ the specialist said.
bullet points. If the last year has shown us
Respect. Specialism.
I wrote: ‘Share a personal perspective’. anything, it’s that we can all get
And we are still in the middle of this
some strength and solace from our
I badly hurt my back a couple of months thing. Realism.
natural surroundings. As a member
ago! The cause? Lockdown activity! of the Comms Team at South Downs
Now get on and write something.
Breaking up concrete, resulting in National Park it’s been astonishing to
Journalism.
a slipped disc. Those who know me see that even when access to nature
will know that I am always over doing Return to ‘normal’ is often a slow,
and inspiring views is restricted to
things. But this has been really painful challenging and emotional process. Not
digital means alone it can still resonate
and difficult. I’ve been pretty much being stupid and hurting yourself in the
© James Carnegie Photography
with so many people.
completely laid up. Very painful. first place, much more sensible.
We’ve made it a priority to try and
Particularly in the current situation, being I wish all volunteers well. I hope that you
bring a little bit of the National Park
unwell has been an emotional roller are all finding your own ways through
to those people who are missing it or
coaster, as I guess it has for many people. the current situation. Looking forward to
can’t get outside, through imagery and
Latterly, one of the very few physical seeing some of you at the AGM, albeit
film, virtual walks and social media.
things I have been able to do, with the via a video link.
From the feedback we’ve had it has
help of prescription drugs, is walk. Stay safe and keep connected. been greatly appreciated.
I only live half a mile from the South © Daniel Greenwood
STEVE BROOKMAN, CHAIR OF THE VRS At the time of writing we’re still in
Downs. As part of my recuperation COMMITTEE national lockdown but we’re all hoping
I’ve been walking a lot with my wife.
UPDATE FROM THE
that the spring will lift us with the extra
Half a mile at first and then on to more light, sunshine and warmth. We can
ambitious walks. Recently, to give the only hope it will get us on a path to
VOLUNTEERING TEAM
walks focus I’ve shown her some of the some sort of normality soon.
local sites we as volunteers have worked
on. We’ve talked about what those sites We’re all looking forward to you
are like in full summer and the fact that getting back to volunteering tasks
we must go back in better times, and en masse but it’s wonderful that so We all know the difficulties of the past year, so let’s focus on what
better weather. many of you have managed to send
we have to look forward to. The days are getting longer, primroses
in content for this edition. Thank you
Above all I realised how much I owe – as ever it’s a pleasure to read your are in full flower and the butterflies are taking to the wing again.
the place I live in for my current sense contributions and to help put together It’s the perfect time to do a spot of microvolunteering. In this issue
of optimism and speedy recovery. Even
when ill, during a lock down and in the
Downland Thymes for your enjoyment. I’ll be talking more about the UK-wide National Parks project to
Don’t forget when you do get out
pouring rain, the Downs inspired me to promote species recording through iNaturalist.
there again – try to take some video
‘get going’ again. footage of tasks for others to see. The National Parks volunteering officers are Microvolunteering has been a key area I really hope it can be adopted and honed
Is that newsworthy? I’m not sure… but usual reviews, photos, poems and local working together to promote iNaturalist as of work in our volunteer development to help people in future to understand the
isn’t our respect for, and connectivity to interest stories are also most welcome. a phone app that can be used by anyone strategy, alongside projects which include spread of species. If natural history tells us
the world we live in the most pressing We look forward to seeing what you visiting the South Downs or any other youth volunteering. The events of the past anything, it’s that it won’t be the same as it
issue right now? After months of feeling send in to dt@southdowns.gov.uk. National Park. One of the great things about 12 months have made microvolunteering is now.
sorry for myself, today I spoke to my iNaturalist is its artificial intelligence, which far more relevant with the advances in Wishing you well and looking forward to
In the meantime stay safe and enjoy
consultant who advised that I could do can help towards a species identification technology allowing this kind of small-scale seeing you soon.
the spring!
‘a little’ extra physical something. Great! regardless of your level of knowledge. For (but high impact) volunteering to continue
CHARLIE HELLEWELL, EDITOR, more detail about iNaturalist and to find out unabated. In terms of identifying species, DANIEL GREENWOOD, SDNPA VOLUNTEER
Optimism!
DOWNLAND THYMES how to get involved in the National Parks DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Yes, I think. Back to it! Hubrism. UK iNaturalist project, go to Page 14.
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DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING
WINNER!
HIGHLY
ED
Stansted House © Mark Seaman COMMEND
Winter at the Seven Sisters
© Roger Kiernan
Photo competition:
Seasons of the South Downs
FROZEN WINTER DELIGHTS
Thanks to all of you who a year’s family membership to his local
Wildlife Trust.
entered our new VRS photo
competition! Highly commended went to James WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Tolson for ‘Winter in North Stoke’ which
We asked you to showcase the first of our beautifully captured the light and COULD YOU DO BETTER?
‘Seasons of the South Downs’ challenges movement of the snow drifting at the We know we have a talented bunch of photographers out
‘Winter’. What a gorgeous snowy set of side of a track, almost evoking the shapes there. Can you capture something that will embody ‘Spring’ in
HIGHLY
snaps you have sent in! of the downs themselves. Also to Mark the South Downs? You don’t need a fancy camera, a phone
Seaman for his wintry image of ‘Stansted
ED
COMMEND
The Downland Thymes editorial team pic is welcome too. As long as the photo is taken in the South
House’ which combined the charms of Winter in North Stoke
had a really tough job choosing a winner Downs National Park you are free to photograph anything that
cultural heritage in the South Downs with © James Tolson
but we thought it had to be ‘Winter at might feel Spring-like in the beautiful Downs. It could be lambs
the farming landscape, neatly framed by gambolling, a chalk stream in full flow, your favourite view, spring
the Seven Sisters’ by Roger Kiernan, who
really captured the seasonal chill at this
trees. A huge well done to James and Mark. wildflowers or your family out for a walk. To enter our ‘Spring’ section of Seasons of the South Downs photo
iconic spot. We particularly loved the rays The images shown here today will make competition, send your photo(s) to dt@southdowns.gov.uk by
See the full terms and conditions here. Please remember to get
of sunshine breaking through the cloud, their way in to the Authority’s image library people’s written consent if taking their photo for this competition.
midnight on Friday 28 May 2021.
the finely grained layers of chalk and the and may be used on the website, Instagram
talon like structures at the base of the cliffs. and other press. We will of course credit
Good Luck!
Many congratulations to Roger who wins the photographer.
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DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING
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5
7
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CHANCTONBURY RING, AN
ICONIC SOUTH DOWNS WALK
Images © Mick Heywood
There are many great walks in the South Downs National Park, but only a few reach
“iconic” status! According to Mick Heywood, Chanctonbury Ring is one of those.
Inhabited during the Bronze Age, Turn left as you leave the car park and To your right you are looking up the There are eight target lifts still in place At the top of the hill take the right As you approach Chanctonbury Hill, the
1 Chanctonbury Ring has been an
3 walk about 100 metres, immediately
5 scarp slope to the top of Lions Bank,
6 hidden behind a large mound as
7 path and follow it for half a mile or views really open up to your left across the
Iron Age fort that has also seen service as you have a choice, if you go straight we will be walking up there shortly. After well as the fire control room. The SDS and so until it meets the SDW. Turn right and Weald – you can see the North Downs,
a Roman Temple. The Ring’s current fame forward, you can shorten the walk to about around two miles you will come to a large local grammar school as well as the SDNP follow the SDW to Chanctonbury Hill. You BlackDown and a host of villages
stems from a crown of Beech trees planted four miles. The path in front of you, climbs display board telling you about the Steyning Rangers are trying to maintain the area and should now have spectacular views over the
After passing Chanctonbury re-join
in 1750. It is also said to be one of the most the scarp slope and leads you to the South Downland Scheme (SDS). The SDS was keep a sense of the history of the place. If channel looking towards the Isle of Wight to 9 the SDW and follow the path down
haunted places in England and, if you walk Downs Way (SDW) National Trail footpath, launched in 2007 when the Goring family you have time, you can have a look inside, the west. Normally there are red kites flying
towards the village of Washington. You
backwards seven times around it on a dark however we want to turn left and walk decided to set aside 67 hectares (165 acres) it is still possible to find expended bullets in about as well, to keep you company. You
will now descend steeply down a grassy
or moonless night without stopping, the through a farm yard. The area is being tidied of the Wiston Estate in the South Downs the earth mound behind the targets. should also be able to see Cissbury Ring,
slope through the woods. Look out for an
Devil will appear and offer you a bowl of up, but there are still some “odd” vehicles National Park (SDNP) for the benefit of the which is one of the largest Middle Iron Age
As you leave the range, look to your left and unmarked path on the right as you go down
porridge and if you accept, grant you your lying about, a tram for instance. I would love community, the land and its wildlife. Turn right hill forts in Europe. The earthworks date
follow the path up the steep hill. At the top the slope, just after a clearing. This path
dearest wish but the price is he will take to know how that got there. on the track and as you start to walk uphill, back to 250BC
of the hill there is a bench where the SDS descends to a track, which leads you back
your soul. you can see examples of what the SDS are
Continue on the track, to your left has put some poetry in a tin. These “poetry To keep the chalk grass land healthy, to the car park. Enjoy the walk through the
Now, I have never tried this, but I can say
4 you get glimpses of Wiston House
doing, with community orchards on your
sites” are dotted around the SDS, but if you
8 the normal “grazers” are augmented trees and after a mile or so you should be
right. After half a mile or so, you pass into
that whatever the weather, this walk is always and Estate. The estate is mentioned in have time and the weather is nice, here’s with other animals not often associated with back on the road where you started.
an open field and keep going forward and
worth it, offering superb panoramic views the Doomsday Book. The Goring family a good place to stop and have a rest and the South Downs, so you may come across
this will take you up to a disused rifle range. MICK HEYWOOD, VOLUNTEER RANGER,
over Sussex and into Hampshire. There are have owned the estate since the 1700’s. refreshment and take in the views across long horned cattle and New Forest ponies.
The Steyning Rifle Range was first used in CENTRAL DOWNS
many routes you can take, most will involve a It was Charles Goring who planted the Steyning and the Downs towards East Keeping the chalk grassland trim creates a
the late 19th century to train army volunteers. Please note: At the time of going to
steep climb to the top. ring of beech trees at Chanctonbury Ring. Sussex. Suitably refreshed, walk through the thriving habitat, home to species unique to
The last shots were fired in the mid 80’s and press the current Covid-19 restrictions
Although the estate remains in the Goring gate and turn left, walking up the well-made the South Downs such as the round-headed
My walk starts in the Chanctonbury
2 Ring car park, located at post code
family, the House has been leased out
since then the whole area has been kept as a
conservation area.
track. As you climb, keep taking the right rampion, orchids ranging from the burnt state that you should only take exercise
to various tenants, it was the HQ for the track. You will pass an area that has been orchid and early spider orchid to autumn in your local area. If Chanctonbury
BN44 3DR. This will be a seven-mile circular
Canadian Army in WW2, the Foreign and set aside for mountain bikers, so you do not lady’s tresses, and butterflies including the Ring is not your local area please save
walk, encompassing beautiful views and
Commonwealth office have leased the want to stray into this area! Adonis blue and chalkhill blue this walk for a time when you can
some interesting sites.
property for the past 65 years or so. spread your wings further.
6 7
DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING
SPRING UP THE DOWNS
A crusty green and white
Hoar, grass and hair frost
Soon to be lost.
As Spring’s warmth slowly thaws Winter’s blight.
The dawn sun turns the water silver.
Then orange and bright.
Longer days and less night.
From beneath the earth bulbs.
Seeds start to push and fight.
To work their way to sun and light.
To appear yellow, blue, red and white.
Floating and rolling banks of fog and cloud.
Only brief glimpses allowed.
Of the valleys and the Downs.
From High n’ Over,
EBERNOE
Ditchling Beacon, Beachy Head.
Seven Sisters cliffs to drool over.
Ouse, Cuckmere, Adur, Arun and Rother.
COMMON
Have flooded plains.
No bother to migrant birds to feed and wade.
From their northward journey made.
RESERVE
Ebernoe volunteers
The green Downs splashed with sheep and a
laying a hedge
© Colin Booty
white gambolling dot.
Occasional deer skittish with fear not so easy to
spot.Cows and calves munching the turf.
Badgers setts to see, their earth paths clear.
Close to the National Park boundary in northwest Sussex Rabbit burrows also suddenly appear.
is Ebernoe Common, a National Nature Reserve owned Walk for an hour.
and managed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT). On the top and sea afar.
CELEBRATING
According to the ‘Flora of Sussex’ bats including the rare barbastelle and Stop for a thermos of tea.
it is ‘perhaps the most interesting Bechstein’s, important populations of More walking thereafter.
woodland on the Weald clay in deadwood insects and at least 1,000 To a Pub for a pickle sandwich and a jar.
Long afternoon tramp back to the car.
OUR WONDERFUL
Sussex’. It’s an example of a habitat species of fungi.
which has been almost completely Through woods, and over a stile
In recent years the National Park
lost from Sussex – a wood pasture Or a kissing gate.
rangers and VRS have helped
where cattle roam, feeding in the That always makes me smile.
WOODLANDS
with various aspects of habitat
glades and under the trees. However, Along farm tracks, muddy lanes and a chalk path.
management. These include scything
there is also evidence of industrial use Heading home with a warm tired glow.
bracken in one of the old rews* which
with a rare example of a small scale For a meal and a warm bath.
SWT had opened up to improve
18th century brick and tile kiln, and A few pictures of the sights to show.
The trees and woodlands within the is the subject of the accompanying conditions for flowers such as wild
associated clay pits, and a Furnace
National Park are often overlooked article. There is so much to celebrate daffodils, bluebells, primroses and BY ROGER P. READ, JANUARY 2021
Lake associated with the Wealden
when you think of the Downs. This is about our trees and woods, from pignut. However, probably their
iron industry in the 16th century
a pity when you consider the jewels those ancient trees such as the Queen favourite task has been laying a
that we have from the Hangers in the Elizabeth oak in Cowdray Park and the Geologically, the reserve is basically hedge along the boundary between
west to the elms in Brighton. Kingley ancient yews in our churchyards to a story of two parts. The northern half flower-rich old grassland and the
Vale (the largest yew forest in Europe) the coppices and woods throughout is on Weald Clay, slightly acidic and neighbouring farmland. This went well
in the south and Alice Holt forest park the National Park that have supported inclined to be very wet and sticky in in the winter of 2019/20 but, like so
in the north. Together with the Weald, so many rural crafts and industries. winter. The southern half is a ‘head’ much else, COVID-19 disrupted plans
the woodlands have a far richer The SDVRS has been part of this deposit, sandy material transported for the 2020/21 season, but with luck
biodiversity than the chalk grassland heritage so why not share your from the Greensand escarpment a some hedge will still be laid in the
that so encapsulates the Downs experiences and knowledge with all of few kilometres to the south under winter.
themselves. us by writing a few words about your periglacial conditions. The underlying
COLIN BOOTY, VOLUNTARY RESERVE
favourite wood or special trees? Send geology, of course, affects the
MANAGER, EBERNOE COMMON.
The South Downs Volunteer Ranger plants present and, along with the
through to dt@southdowns.gov.uk.
Service (SDVRS) has carried out tasks variety of habitat, results in a rich *Rew – An old English word for
in many of these woodlands, one TERRY DOYLE, VOLUNTEER RANGER, flora including 68 species which are hedgerow. Also ‘hay-rew’ or
of which is Ebernoe Common and WEALDEN HEATHS ‘hedge-rew’. Cuckmere Haven at sunrise
Ebernoe Common Reserve indicators of ancient woodland. It is
© Tom Sigler
© Colin Booty home to important populations of
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DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING
With restriction on our movement due
to Covid-19, I turned to my garden
for suitable photographic subjects.
I saw an awful lot of aphids and
thought they would be interesting to
photograph and investigate. What I
learned was fascinating...
APHIDS
Aphids are true bugs (Hemiptera order) as If food is plentiful and the host plant is not
they have a straw like proboscis that enables overcrowded aphids remain wingless to
them to suck sap from plants. In large conserve their energy as wing production
numbers this damages plants, and they can is protein intensive. However, when food
also carry destructive plant viruses. These resources run low or the host plant gets
soft bodied, pear-shaped insects, measure over-crowded, they grow wings to fly to
3mm at most. Nymphs look like little adults. pastures new. However they have no control
Common names include greenfly and over flight and may end up wherever the
blackfly, and they can be other colours wind takes them, some are lucky to land on
including yellow, orange and grey and suitable host plants, many are not.
appearances can be quite different.
Aphids have a mutualistic relationship with
In optimum conditions it has been calculated some ant species. By sucking sap from plants
that a single aphid can produce millions of aphid excrement contains sugar. Sugar is a
offspring. At the start of a season, newly nutrient highly valued by ants, so they will
hatched females reproduce themselves herd aphids and protect them from predators
without fertilisation, males not needed! They to safeguard their sugar supply. Some ant
save time in the reproductive process by species go further by carrying aphids’ eggs
giving birth to live young rather than laying laid at the end of summer into their burrows
eggs. During the spring and summer all to protect them. When the warm weather
these births are pregnant females that can returns, they carry their eggs out to the
replicate the process giving birth to the next aphids’ favoured plants to create a new herd.
generation of live new fertile females. This
So, what value are aphids to nature? The best
goes on and on, so their numbers increase
answer I can give is they are at the bottom of
exponentially without a male in sight.
the food chain and should they disappear an
Aphids will freeze and die in the winter so unknown number of species higher up the
when the temperature cools, they give birth chain may disappear creating untold damage
to some males. When the males are sexually to our fragile ecosystem.
mature, they mate with the females, who
If your plants become overwhelmed with
Images © Roger Kiernan
then produce eggs that will survive the winter
aphids, please use soap solution to remove
and carry on the species. The eggs hatch
them not insecticides likely to kill other species.
into more female aphids in the spring, and
the process starts again. The males die off in ROGER KIERNAN, VOLUNTEER RANGER,
the winter like the females. SEVEN SISTERS
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DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING
LEWES MARTYRS: HIDDEN
HISTORY ON A SOUTH
DOWNS GOLF COURSE
Like many of you, as well as helping as a volunteer, I enjoy walking
in the National Park. But I also have another passion which takes
me to some very interesting and scenic areas of the downs: golf.
We are blessed with many beautiful golf This was grim reading but it nonetheless
courses in the National Park and, at the motivated me to do some research.
eastern end, a few of these are situated
The Lewes Martyrs were a group of 17
on top of the downs, affording wonderful
Protestants who were burned at the stake
views across a wide and extensive
in Lewes, East Sussex, England between
vista. One such course is Lewes Golf
1555 and 1557. These executions were part
Images © Martin Cowell Club, sitting next to Mount Caburn and
of the Marian persecutions of Protestants
providing breathtaking and panoramic
during the reign of Mary I.
THE STONE STILE AT WEST MEON CHURCHYARD views in all directions.
On 6 June 1556, Thomas Harland of
© Alan Jones
It is little wonder then that although I have
There is popular footpath on purpose of this hole-in-the- chalk slope on the other side makes a nice frame for a photo Woodmancote, Near Henfield, West
played this course many times it is only
the boundary of our garden wall (it is certainly not a source which is definitely not an of gravestones but I’m sure Sussex, carpenter, John Oswald (or
recently that, in my many attempts to find
that crosses the old brick of ready cash) but it could “official” route. that’s not its real purpose. Oseward) of Woodmancote, Near
a poorly hit golf ball on the eighteenth
and flint wall of West Meon allow a small dog through. You Henfield, West Sussex husbandman,
Walkers wearing skirts rather If anyone can throw any light fairway, I discerned what appeared to be
churchyard. At that point, there can walk alongside the wall Thomas Reed of Ardingly, Sussex and
than trousers sometimes go on this design of stile or knows an obelisk of some description, perhaps
is an unusual stile in the churchyard for a few Thomas Avington (or Euington) of Ardingly,
that way or dog-walkers with of others, I would be interested 15 to 20 foot tall, almost hidden by
that I have never seen metres and then step over it Sussex, turner, were burnt.
larger or less athletic animals to hear from them. overgrowth, looking somewhat forlorn and
anywhere else. at a point where it is lower. forgotten and standing in what appeared Richard Woodman and 9 other people
that they don’t want to lift over
However, this then involves MARTIN COWELL, VOLUNTEER to me to be a most unlikely spot just 50 were burned together in Lewes on 22
No-one seems to know the the stile! Anyway, the hole
slithering down a steepish RANGER, WESTERN DOWNS yards from the middle of the 18th fairway. June 1557, on the orders of Edmund
Bonner, Bishop of London — the largest
Having finished my round of golf, I
single bonfire of people that ever took
wandered back to the obelisk, intrigued
place in England. Somehow, knowing the
and bewildered. Closer inspection
names and occupations of those involved
DID YOU KNOW? revealed it to be a memorial to the ‘Lewes
Martyrs’. I had a vague memory of being
makes it more poignant. What I had not
realised is that the celebrations in Lewes
told of the Lewes Martyrs by a Lewesian
on November 5th commemorate both the © Alan Jones
friend some years ago. I read the plinth
Martyrs as well as the Gunpowder Plot.
TOAD IN THE HOLE AND with interest.
The text was just about legible and read:
The obelisk was erected in 1901 and an Related web sites:
PEA THROWING IN LEWES “In loving memory of the undernamed
annual service is held at the foot of the
memorial. The Sussex Martyrs
seventeen protestant martyrs who, for TripAdvisor Lewes Martyrs Memorial
ALAN JONES, VOLUNTEER RANGER
Did you know that the town of Lewes competition, which has been filmed their faithful testimony to God’s truth were,
EASTERN DOWNS Lewes Bonfire history page
hosts the annual international Toad by TV crews from around the world. during the reign of Queen Mary, burned to
in the Hole competition? Not to be Locals are unclear as to the origins of death in front of the then Star Inn now the
confused with the famous sausage the event, although some estimate it Town Hall.”
and batter dish, the game involves has been going on for over 40 years.
throwing brass coins at a small table In 2003 the world record was set
with a hole in it. The competition at the competition, when a pea was
takes place in the Town Hall in Lewes thrown a whopping 38.7 metres! The
every April and normally attracts over wind and the softness of the peas
40 teams. The game is undergoing a (frozen ones are allowed) are said to
revival; in recent years people from be important factors for competitors
East Sussex have been exporting it on the day of the competition.
around the country. The town also
TOM REYNOLDS, SDNPA APPRENTICE,
hosts the annual World Pea-Throwing
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR
© Ben Barker, Flickr, CC Lewes
© Anne Katrin Purkiss
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DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING
Youth action, Truleigh
© Daniel Greenwood
VISIT:
UK National Parks
iNaturalist Project
Download iNaturalist
app for iPhone and
Android
Seek app
Microvolunteering with the National Parks SOUTH DOWNS
This year all 15 UK National Why aren’t we using iRecord? The National Park will also benefit from
Parks are working together to
establish a microvolunteering
iNaturalist is preferable to iRecord in
promoting this kind of species recording
raising ecological awareness among visitors.
Visiting groups and families will be able to
use the app to learn about new species and
HEATHS ARE
SPRINGING TO LIFE
project on iNaturalist. as it is more interactive and accessible for habitats. This could be a huge step forward
those who are recording for the first time. in promoting responsible behaviour among
This project will aim to increase awareness Hesworth common
That is not to criticise iRecord which is a visitors. It also allows more people to © Olivia French
of species in National Parks using the vital resource for species monitoring and become involved as volunteers through the
software iNaturalist. Though it will have a conservation in general in the UK. Steps micro-task of submitting a species record.
strong visitor focus, the project can provide are being taken to ensure the two pieces of I recently joined the Heathlands Re-united team (HeRe) in November ownership by telling friends and family to
remember to stick to paths, keeping dogs
a long-term, highly rewarding experience software don’t compete with each other. 2020 as the new Communications and Engagement Officer.
for anyone interested in species monitoring. How can I find out more? out of vegetation and under control and
iNaturalist is easy to use and quick to pick Of course it’s been a strange time to start of the heathland habitat as it springs to bagging and binning dog poo. This allows
The officer leading on the project has
up. For someone visiting the National Park a new job, even more so working for a life. As part of the project, we’ve been the young of rare ground nesting species
What is iNaturalist? recorded this video outlining the plans
National Park when we are told to stay revamping the Serpent Trail guide. Wealden
for the first time looking to support with such as the Dartford warbler the best
and potential ways volunteers could be
iNaturalist is a website and app which you species monitoring, iNaturalist makes it easy. at home and limited on how far we can heath Ranger Kate has been busy replacing chance to survive. If you are lucky enough
involved in future. As well as this, stay tuned
can submit species records to. Species It also has the amazing iNaturalist Seek explore. During this latest lockdown, I’ve all of the 500+ way marker disks along the to photograph some heathland wildlife in
for an iNaturalist training session that I will
records require a basic organism type, a app partnered with it which can generate an been using my daily exercise outing to get trail in all weathers. As well as an updated the coming months, we would love to see
be delivering for volunteers on Wednesday
location and a date. You can submit records identification just by using your phone’s in- to know my local heaths and sections of the logo and waymarker for the trail, the your photos!
5 May at 11.00.
over the website or from your phone or built camera, without actually taking a photo. Serpent Trail with my dog. direction will now be colour coded, with the
Why not go one step further and become
tablet using the app for iPhone or Android. ‘Tail route’ from Haslemere to Petersfield
When will the project begin? As with all of the National Park engagement, a Dog Ambassador? You can help us
How will this benefit the Heathlands Reunited activities have largely
marked in purple, and the ‘Head route’ from
educate people and encourage responsible
What happens to the National Park? Species records are being submitted all the moved online, running virtual walks with
Petersfield to Haslemere in green. Watch
behaviour so that this beautiful place we love
this space for the launch of the new trail
species records? time but we are planning for a full launch in the Wealden Heath Rangers so that visitors can be enjoyed for generations to come.
If you look at iNaturalist you can see that the April, in time for Microvolunteering Day on guide soon!
can still get their fix of the Park and the
The species records are aligned by location most observed species is Himalayan balsam. 15 April. I hope to meet lots of you on the South
heathlands, previous walks can be found on As many of you will know, now is a
and will automatically be filed in the project This is an invasive species which many of you Downs heathlands soon!
If you have any further questions or the website here. The heaths are beautiful crucial time for the heathlands. March
by location. This data will then be sifted by know well(!). Having a distribution map that
comments please get in touch by email. all year round but as the rusty coloured to September marks ground nesting bird OLIVIA FRENCH, HEATHLANDS REUNITED
staff and volunteers to ensure accuracy and is maintained by the public will be a great
bracken and iron rich puddles give way to season on our heaths. You can help to COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
to avoid duplication with species records help to understand its impact. You can say DANIEL GREENWOOD, SDNPA VOLUNTEER
green again it’s a great time to get out and spread the word about our Take the Lead OFFICER.
submitted to iRecord. the same for many other invasive species. DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
enjoy the tranquillity and beautiful sounds campaign encouraging responsible dog
If a rare species is submitted, its location is
automatically protected by the software.
14 15
DOWNLAND THYMES SPRING
Plants in the Park
Town Hall Clock, Adoxa moschatellina Credit: Wikipedia Credit: Adoxa moschatellina from Thomé, Flora von
Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz (1885)
A SPRING CURIOSITY
One of the advantages of walking with a wildlife group, be it your
local RSPB or Sussex Wildlife Trust etc. is the extraordinary wealth
of knowledge that resides in many of your fellow walkers.
This was how I was lucky enough to be in colour and I’m sure I wouldn’t have of it in the central and western areas of
introduced to a miniature but charming noticed it if it hadn’t been pointed out to the National Park although there is a
little plant known as the Town Hall Clock, me. It flowers around April. It has five tiny large colony on the path leading up from
Adoxa moschatellina. It’s a carpet-forming flowers at the top of each stem, but in a very Jevington church in the eastern Downs.
perennial rhizome but interestingly it is not unusual arrangement; four facing outward I hope more people will look for it in
closely related to other plants so is the only at right angles to each other like the faces of future and appreciate its quirkiness.
member of the Moschatel family. a clock and the fifth facing upward. Take a hand lens!
They are pollinated by tiny flies and
It does rather hide its light under a bushel KATE FRANKLAND, VOLUNTEER RANGER,
nocturnal moths. It is a plant of damp, shady
being only up to 12cm high and green EASTERN DOWNS
woods so there are many more records
Downland Thymes: News for the Cover image: Bluebells © Charlie Hellewell /
South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service. SDNPA
Issue 91, March 2021. © SDNPA. All images © SDNPA unless stated
The information contained in this newsletter was, Design: The Way Design (2166)
as far as known, correct at the date of issue.
Web version only.
The South Downs National Park Authority
cannot, however, accept responsibility for
any error or omission.
16
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