Wildlife on the site
The site attracts a wide range of wildlife and one of the joys of working on our plots is spotting something that we might not see so easily otherwise.
The Nature Reserve attracts additional animals and insects such as frogs, toads, newts, lacewings and dragonflies. In the Spring the frog, toad and newt spawn can be seen filling the ponds, later on growing through their life stages to eventually becoming adults. Dragonflies and damselflies are also now frequent visitors and known to be breeding in the ponds.
We do ask that members don’t remove anything from the ponds to take home. The spawn, tadpoles and other creatures will become the next generation to live on the site.
Birds
The site attracts a range of birds that are common to suburban London, such as robins, blackbirds, pigeons and members of the tit family. You may also see both Green and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers (although you might hear them before you see them) and keep an eye out for seasonal visitors. Swallows, swifts and house martins can be seen feasting on the many insects over the site. Blackcaps and Lesser Whitethroats have been seen in recent years and of course the Ring-necked Parakeets are always around!
Looking up to the sky some unusual birds can occasionally be seen. In the last couple of years buzzards, kestrels and red kites have been noted, cruising around for a minute or two before moving on towards Wimbledon Common or Richmond Park.
Bees
Several plot holders have kept beehives on the site in recent years but the only one currently operational is in the Nature Reserve. There are also several varieties of bumblebees can be found looking for nectar. We need them to help improve the pollination of the flowers which lead to our fruit and vegetable crops and, with the significant falls in national bee populations, it’s an important relationship we need to foster.
Other Animals
Slow worms are frequently found on site by plot holders. Mice are sometimes seen but more often their collections of nibbled plum stones identify that they are around. A vole has also been seen recently, a new addition to our wildlife collection. Of course there are a few foxes wandering around the site, mostly seeming to come from the golf course via the wildlife hole in the fence. This hole is also allowing a badger to visit the site, our wildlife camera in that area picks up his/her visits several times a week. We are also home to stag beetles and if you come across very large white grubs in your compost heaps, these are the grubs of the beetles. Please leave them to turn into one of the most impressive insects that Britain can offer, Surrey is one of their last strongholds
We encourage members to report any less common birds and animals that they see so that we can build up a picture of who else enjoys the site other than plot holders.
Site of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINC)
In September 2019 we were assessed for our wildlife diversity and subsequently recommended as a SINC. The assessment looked at the diversity of plant life (apart from what’s grown by plot holders) and the range of animals around. A surprising note in the report was that the 100 year old hedges around some of the borders of the site were considered a significant attribute for wildlife.