In the Field Witley Common Discovery Trail By Ralph Connolly - Weald Field Officer & Volunteer Coordinator The ARC field teams maintain some of the best– managed Heathland sites in the country, home to a whole range of species that are highly specialised to this unique habitat. From discussions with visitors to our sites here in the Weald however, it is clear that few are aware of the nationally rare reptiles living around them or how internationally important a resource heathland is. Antisocial use of heaths, whether through leaving dog mess, littering or inadvertently starting fires can also be very detrimental for this fragile ecosystem but people cannot be expected to value something if they do not understand it. Increased access to natural spaces for the local community and awareness of the work involved in maintaining this habitat can only benefit the long-term conservation of wildlife. Funding from the Postcode Local Trust, and plenty of digging from ARC volunteers has allowed us to install a board and series of six information posts around a new waymarked trail on Witley Common which describe some of the site’s features, how we manage it for wildlife and helping visitors appreciate and take ownership of their local heathlands. We’ve also now have a set of brand new gates made from local Oak to make the site more secure but also more welcoming. The ARC managed area of Witley Common packs a lot into a small site, as well as the open heath there are areas of mature deciduous woodland, ponds, hazel coppice and grassland and it’s about time this beautiful site gets the recognition it deserves - come and see for yourself! Photo: New Witley Common interpretation board © ARC
ARC Volunteers in the Spotlight A look at some of ARC’s volunteers and their invaluable contributions.
Dave Meyers
In the Field
Started volunteering with ARC: 2012
6
Our very own Heath Robinson, Dave is one of the longest serving Wealden volunteers. Along with producing videos documenting our work parties he has devised numerous bits of now invaluable kit, including, a sand trace tamper, fire bellows, tree popper, fire fork and has embellished that most important piece of volunteer day equipment - the storm kettle - with some nifty augmentations. If a tool is broken, or sometimes even if it isn’t, he will be the one to repair and reinvigorate it! Memorable wildlife experience: ‘One early June day I was trying to video a common lizard arranging its best basking position, when a Cuckoo landed above me and went off on one, and as I looked up I saw a pair of Redstarts in a gorse bush...awesome.’ Combined with a keen eye for spotting reptiles, no matter how cryptically they may be basking, Dave is an invaluable member of the ARC Weald team. He was also responsible for the fine carpentry work that went into the new Information Posts installed along the Witley Common Discovery trail (see above). If you’re interested in volunteering to help with our work in the Weald contact ralph.connolly@arc-trust.org
