Gatekeeper
Cowslips
Hedgehog
Common Blue
Purple Emperor
Once agricultural land, this 24 acre site of recently planted woodland and open grassland with wonderful views, is managed to benefit local people and wildlife.
Our aims include improving wildflower and wildlife diversity and raising awareness and understanding of wildlife and how to enjoy it.
For more information about our group, take a look at our leaflet, Discover Old Down
The Group
The Old Down and Beggarwood Wildlife Group was formally constituted on 17 October 2007. The group is mainly looking to the local communities in Kempshott, Hatchwarren and Beggarwood for support but is open to anyone interested in what they do.
Overall Aims
These are:
- Regeneration and management of public land known locally as Old Down and Beggarwood Woodland Parks, for the benefit of wildlife and the local community - concentrating first on Old Down.
- Develop interest and learning through individuals, families, local schools and community groups.
- Encourage the community to enjoy and take pride in the sites through involvement in their management and enjoyment.
- Promote the human as well as aesthetic value of bio-diversity.
Objectives
- Increase the diversity and distribution of habitat appropriate flora and dependent species of fauna (birds, butterflies, etc).
- Develop sustainable methods of habitat management that are harmonious with nature.
- Enable people to understand the impact of people and their activities on the natural world.
Butterflies
The Group initiated a full seasonal butterfly transect in 2010. Known species increased from 8 to 23. The distribution chart below shows where these butterflies were found. Among the newly identified species were a Small Blue, a national priority species for protection and restoration and a Purple Emperor.
Bird report
Since November 2007, the group has been contributing roving records to British Trust for Ornithology’s Bird Atlas. Bird Atlas is a national fieldwork survey of the distribution and breeding patterns of birds found in the UK and Ireland. The current Atlas lasts from 2007-2011. For more information on the Atlas, visit the British Tust for Ornithology's website.
http://www.bto.org/birdatlas/index.htm
If you would like to read the full report, please click here
Crickets, bugs and ladybirds
In August 2010, David Glover conducted a survey of grasshoppers in the area and at the same time included a survey of other bugs and ladybirds. For more information about David's findings, please click here
Volunteering
For more information about volunteering with the Old Down group, please visit our volunteering page http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/leisure/conservation/Volunteering.htm
Work Parties
Work parties depend on seasonal workload, last two hours and are usually on Thursdays or Tuesdays mornings and occasionally on a Sunday when we have a team leader. You can join an email list for weekday or Sunday sessions, or both and we will notify you when work parties will be held. Our group is very friendly and informal and people are invited to come as infrequently or as frequently as they wish. Meeting point is at the noticeboard beside Old Down Hall, Kempshott Lane. Being on our email list does not mean that we expect you to attend!
We are also keen to attract people who might like to do other things, such as wildlife surveys, organising events or leading work parties. If you are interested to learn or have the skills then please get in touch by calling Paul Beevers on 01256 475944 or by emailing paul_beevers@tiscali.co.uk.
There are many more opportunities to volunteer with other conservation groups in the borough, click on this link to find out more.
