Dedicated Ranger encourages wildlife at Mole Valley sites
In May 2007 Mole Valley District Council awarded Surrey Wildlife Trust the management of five of their open spaces; Glory Wood, Deepdene Terrace, The Nower, Ashtead Park and Inholms Claypit.
For the first time in the history of these sites, a dedicated ranger, Steve Glasspool, has been assigned to patrol them and implement suitable management techniques. Steve has spent this summer getting to know the sites and talking to the people who use them which, combined with his specialist knowledge of habitat ecology, has helped him put together a plan of works that will enhance the sites for public amenity and wildlife.
Many local people have taken great interest in Steve’s new role, understanding the value of having someone on hand to listen to and act on their views. Management of the Nower has evolved in this way; the grass cutting regime has been altered to allow an area of close cut grass to be available for recreational pursuits, whilst the slopes have been left longer to promote wildlife.
‘This will allow wildflowers and taller grasses to become established providing a more attractive habitat for insect life. This in turn will provide food for small mammals and birds and so on up the food chain. You would never see a kestrel hovering over a football pitch but you might just see this at the Nower, now that there is some diversity in the grassland’, Steve explained.
Footpaths have also been cleared back and some tracks have had low overhead branches removed to allow better and safer access. At Milton Heath the car park has been re-landscaped to accommodate better parking and safer entry and exit to the site. General servicing of the sites is ongoing, including the emptying of general litter and dog waste bins twice a week. This can be an unpleasant job when the two get confused; users of the facilities are asked to make sure they use the appropriate bin for the type of waste they are depositing.
Tailor-made management plans have been created for each of the five sites; each area is currently being assessed for tree safety and remedial work and thinning operations are planned for the winter. Rides will also be improved. The trust hopes to get more local people interested in conservation and offer them hands on experience by starting up a local volunteer group to help out on site once a month. Anyone interested in joining can find out more from the information boards at the sites or by calling Steve on 07968 832516.
Steve concluded ‘As with any new sites we manage there must be a period of getting to know the sites and the way people enjoy them. We hope in the future that the management we introduce is for the benefit of both the local public and the local wildlife. This is a fine balancing act which occasionally tips one way or another, but generally given time and patience that balance can be achieved.’
Surrey Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee and is a registered charity No 208123
