Conservation may be all about wildlife and habitats - but it’s people that make things happen.
Volunteers have been the backbone of all of my conservation work - and it’s equally true here, on Brill Common. When sheep grazing ended in 1996, two volunteer groups took on the active management of the common alongside the BVCH - Friends of Brill Common (FOBC formed in 2007) and the Common Volunteers (formed in 2003). Remember that many commons are the product of centuries grazing and low-intensity use. If left unmanaged, scrub and woodland take over, shading out wildflowers, reducing open habitats, and changing the ecosystem entirely.
One of my primary roles as Ranger is to “maintain, protect and enhance Brill Common for the benefit of wildlife and people” - and supporting the volunteers in their work is a crucial means of achieving this outcome. I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside with both the FOBC (pictured left) and the Common Volunteers and, over the coming months, I’ll write more about both giving them the airtime and word count they deserve. For the time being, here’s a brief insight into how conservation works in practice and the skills and knowledge that have helped make Brill Common what it is today.
The management of any wildlife site begins with a habitat survey; a record of plant species, noting key indicator species, invasive species, and any plants of conservation concern. This information helps us assess the condition of the habitat and determine its management needs - in short; what we need to encourage - and what we need to minimise. Since 2008, the condition of Brill Common has been documented in a series of surveys and reports and the resulting work schedules have guided on-going management by all the volunteer groups.
Keeping volunteers and residents informed is a key part of my work - and something I believe to be vitally important. Here’s one small example. Last month, a BBOWT surveyor noted Brown Hairstreak Butterfly eggs on the common; fantastic news and a clear sign that our habitat management is working. The Brown Hairstreak Butterfly is just one of many species benefitting from our volunteers’ dedication and hard work. Pockets of habitat - like Brill Common - link together to form wildlife corridors; essential routes and refuges that support the long-term survival of countless species. Never underestimate the importance of even a small wildlife site - nor the people that make all this possible.
Please get in touch!
Do email me your wildlife questions including photos of things you’ve seen out on the common and would like to know more about. I’m thinking about setting up weekly nature walks. What do you think? Would you or your family be interested?
From left to right: Brown Hairstreak Butterfly egg (Gillian Thompson). Brown Hairstreak Butterfly upper wings (Iain Leach). Brown Hairstreak Butterfly under wings (Adam Gro) All photos from Butterfly Conservation website.