Banstead Commons Conservators

It was not only the gardeners amongst us who welcomed the rain last night… 🌧️

Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris) is bursting bud in the calcareous grasslands of the North Downs. The fluffy flower heads on their slender stem remind us of a peaceful firework display exploding across the grassland sward of our downland sites. 🩷🤍💛🤍🩷

It is a good day to be a beautiful Beulah on #BansteadDowns ☀️ @Downygrazers @DownlandsTrust

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) photographed on #BansteadDowns today. The Brown Argus feeds almost exclusively on Common Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium) when recorded on calcareous grasslands.

Wood Anemone on #BansteadHeath

Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, Skylarks, Song Thrush and Whitethroats amongst other bird species are in full song on #BansteadHeath. Slow your step this Spring and enjoy natures therapy 🎶

𝗔 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂! The Conservators would like to say thank you to volunteer and local supporter Lindsey von Backstrom who has generously given £985 to the BCC from the monies raised at the Mogador Charity Plant Sale. 💚

Our Professional Dog Walker Licence Scheme was launched today. Further info for businesses & dog owners can be found on our website: bit.ly/4hXVFIM BCC looks forward to working together with our Pro Dog Walkers to support business & promote responsible dog walking!

𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙠𝙮𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙨! It was fantastic to observe many dogs with their #pawsonpaths this week as we engaged with dog owners on our sites. A big shout out to all those responsible dog walkers who 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝘿𝙤𝙜𝙨, 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚! Thank you! 💚

Signs of Spring on our Chalk Downland sites this week 🌺

March is the beginning of bird nesting season. Please ensure #pawsonpaths and keep dogs under close control or on a short lead when walking through our grassland and lowland heath habitats. Thank you for your cooperation at this special time of year.

From 1 April, all 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 operating their business on our 4 sites (Banstead Heath, Banstead Downs, Park Downs & Burgh Heath) must be licensed to operate on the Commons. Information Meeting is being held next week: bit.ly/3Qqb1ul

It is a bit fresh on the Downs today but our awesome team of volunteers are making a difference! 💚

📷 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴! A part-time vacancy has arisen for an Office Manager with a keen interest to work in conservation. If this sounds like an ideal role, head over to our website for further info - bit.ly/42wWyUG

𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬 These three little beauties were papped on #BansteadHeath this week. They are often regular visitors to gardens, especially at this time of year. Can you identify them? 📸 @karl_d_tarratt

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 Commencing 1 April, we are introducing a licensing scheme for all commercial walkers who use the Commons to operate their business. Further info can be found here: bit.ly/4fSCA9R

Good morning followers!

*** VISITOR NOTICE *** Strong winds are forecast today due to Storm Bert. With severe weather warnings in place, we would advise visitors to be careful when visiting the Commons and where possible avoid areas with tree cover. bit.ly/493e4AW

A great big THANK YOU to all our unsung heroes who quietly operate on #BansteadCommons clearing rubbish which is sadly deposited by our less respectful visitors. We see the difference you make to our countryside and we salute 🫡 you!! 💚

It is #FungiFriday 🍄 Our team got rather excited this week when they discovered this fantastic specimen on the Commons. Collins Complete Guide to British Mushrooms and Toadstools says the Coral tooth (Hericium coralloides) is: “Arguably our most beautiful fungus"