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Pine Grove, TN6 1DH
Crowborough,
East Sussex,
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Ranger Notes

Photo of Ranger clearing pond at the Country Park

As part of the Grounds Team, the Crowborough Town Council Ranger is responsible for maintaining, protecting and promoting the diversity of the Council owned nature reserves and ensuring they are accessible for the public, including working with schools and community groups.

As a Ranger, there is always something to do, and it varies throughout the year.  Read below to get a flavour of the work that goes into maintaining these amazing spaces throughout the year.

Montage photo of January scenes in the Crowborough nature reserves

It’s been a cold and crisp start to the year, but the grounds team and I have been back working hard to get the reserves ready for spring.

This month we’ve been busy replacing the chestnut fencing around the Country Park and cutting out some bramble to create a better mosaic of habitats; much to the delight of the robins and other wintering birds who always stay nearby to feast on the worms and insects brought to the surface.

It may be frosty, and our ponds frozen over, but the local wildlife is still out and about. I was lucky enough to encounter a fox at the Pocket Park on the 16th.  I sat nearby as it tentatively broke the surface ice to take a drink before scampering away into the bushes.

I’m looking forward to share with you all what’s happening at our reserves each month. I hope you’ll visit our reserves and have some magical wildlife moments all of your own.

January Gallery

photo of footpath in the Crowborough Country Park on frosty day

Main footpath in Bluebell Woods  on a frosty day

photo of snowy bench in Bluebell Wood

Snowy bench in Bluebell Wood

 

Frosty logpile in the Country Park

Snowy log pile in the Crowborough Country Park

Frosty Gorse in the Pocket Park

Frosty Gorse in the Pocket Park

Photo of frozen pond at the Ghyll

Frozen pond at the Ghyll

Fox visit on a frosty morning at the Pocket Park

Fox visit on a frosty morning at the Pocket Park

Photo of Country Park Footpath with January Sun

Country Park Footpath with January Sun

Haircap Moss growing at the Ghyll

Haircap moss at the Ghyll

Waterfall at the Ghyll

Waterfall at the Ghyll

photo of a Palmate Newt from the pond in the Pocket Park

Palmate Newt from the pond in the Pocket Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo of Smooth Newt from Pocket Park PondSmooth Newt from the pond in the Pocket Park  

 

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Work continues across the reserves  in preparation for spring.  It is so nice to see the signs of spring when the weather allows!  The changes we’re beginning to see this month are very exciting. Seedlings are springing up in all of our reserves, with the first spring flowers (Crocuses) being spotted in Bluebell woods.

If you go for a walk in the Ghyll you’ll see green shoots poking through the old autumn leaves along the river and carpets of green in the boggier areas of the reserve, where the wild garlic goes crazy.

We’re still finding fungi.  Elf cups have been spotted in three of our reserves, the Country Park, the Ghyll and the Pocket Park. Have you been able to find any too?

Looking forward to the continuing process of the spring ‘wake up’ as we head into March.  Unfortunately, during February we have also been busy removing old wire fencing/barbed wire and fly tipped items to keep the areas accessible and protect wildlife, something that we hope will not continue throughout the season.

Photo montage of daffodils, deer tracks, bumble bee, blossom, frogs and tadpoles in the Crowborough nature reserves in March

Spring is surging ahead. Daffodils are out in bloom and I’ve spotted bumblebees and butterflies amongst the glades. We have frogspawn in 2 of our ponds, which is progressing nicely. I’ve also spotted the tracks of deer at 3 of our reserves and a heron at the Ghyll!

Unfortunately, we’re still dealing with littering issues and dumping of garden waste at some of the reserves, so I’ve been working on removing it all as well as tackling the invasive cherry laurel and wild raspberry.

I’m also getting ready for the main wildlife surveying period, which starts next month.  We’re hoping to see a variety of flora and fauna, so keep an eye out!

 

Photo montage of bluebells, ferns, wild garlic, fungus and tadpoles in the Crowborough nature reserves in April

Spring is in full swing and with the bluebells, wild garlic and other flora in bloom, our reserves are looking lovely. They sound lovely too as we have many bird species to serenade you as you go for a stroll.

I have started this years wildlife surveys and have been lucky enough, on the sunnier days, to see 3 grass snakes at the Country Park and many more slow worms.

We’re not seeing many butterflies yet, but they are around and it’s still early in the season. Our ponds are looking healthier and if you use the viewing platforms, you may be able to spot some of the newts swimming through the aquatic vegetation.

Common Carder Bee on a dandilion Buff-tailed Bumble Bee at Palesgate Meadows Bluebells at Palesgate Meadows
Common Carder Bee on a dandilion at the Ghyll Buff-tailed Bumble Bee at Palesgate Meadows Bluebells at Palesgate Meadows
Slo Worm and Grass Snake at the Country Park Speckled Wood butterfly in the Country Park Orange Tip Butterfly in the Pocket Park
Slo Worm and Grass Snake at the Country Park Speckled Wood butterfly in the Country Park Orange Tip Butterfly in the Pocket Park

Photo montage of bluebells, wild garlic, slow worms, grass snake and wild flowersn the Crowborough nature reserves in May

All the sunshine and showers we’ve been having has greatly spurred on the vegetation growth, all over the reserves.

We’re seeing butterflies in higher numbers, when the sun is out and have seen the first damselflies and dragonflies of the season. Among the butterflies that have been spotted are: Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock and Speckled Woods.

Rabbits are out and about in the meadows and I even had a magical chance encounter with a deer in the Ghyll this month!

The beautiful bluebells and wild garlic, that have filled our reserves these last months, are starting to die back but other flowers and greenery are busy pushing for their turn, as we head into Summer.