Banstead Commons consists of four separate areas of common land, totalling 550 hectares of open space, in the north of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead.
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.
๐ฉท๐ค๐๐ค๐ฉท
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.
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 ๐ถ
๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ ๐๐ผ๐!
The Conservators would like to say thank you to volunteer and local supporter Lindsey von Backstrom who has generously given ยฃ985 to the BCC from the monies raised at the Mogador Charity Plant Sale.
๐
Our Professional Dog Walker Licence Scheme was launched today. Further info for businesses & dog owners can be found on our website:
https://t.co/eXbxDHVyFs
BCC looks forward to working together with our Pro Dog Walkers to support business & promote responsible dog walking!
๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐จ!
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 ๐๐ค๐ซ๐ ๐ฟ๐ค๐๐จ, ๐๐ค๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐!
Thank you! ๐
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 ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ค๐๐ซ๐ฌ 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:
https://t.co/GiOKETMEtq
๐ท ๐ฃ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ - ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด!
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 - https://t.co/J13l6VYZZE
๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
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?
๐ธ @karl_d_tarratt
๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ - ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ค๐๐ซ๐ฌ
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: https://t.co/joFHs8Otbj
*** 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.
https://t.co/oK1Vmjxusp
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 ๐ซก you!!
๐
It is #FungiFriday ๐
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:
โArguably our most beautiful fungus"