Banstead Commons

🌿 **Tick Awareness at Banstead Commons** 🌿

As you enjoy the Commons this season, it’s worth remembering that ticks are a natural part of our grassland and woodland habitats—especially in areas of long grass and dense vegetation.

🧭 Stay safe outdoors
• Stick to paths where possible
• Wear long trousers and sleeves in higher-risk areas
• Consider using insect repellent

🔍 After your visit:
• Check your body (ankles, behind knees, waist, armpits, scalp)
• Check clothing and gear
• Shower when you get home

🛠 If you find a tick
• Remove it promptly with tweezers or a tick tool
• Pull steadily (don’t twist or crush)
• Clean the area and monitor for symptoms

Most bites are harmless, but if you notice a rash or feel unwell afterwards, seek medical advice and mention tick exposure.

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬? 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠?
Why not meet the team at our 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥

Join us on 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟒 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝟏𝟎:𝟎𝟎 – 𝟏𝟑:𝟎𝟎 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 for coffee, cake and conversation on conservation! Conservator David Hatcher will also lead a short guided walk, sharing fascinating insights into the specialist flora and fauna found on the Downs.

𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝. No commitment necessary—just come along, meet the team, and find out more.

📍 Meeting point: grid reference TQ26643 58336
What3Words: from.tanks.period

🚗 Parking: Park Farm car park (SM7 2FG), then walk across Holly Lane and on to Park Downs.

📧 RSVP [email protected]

We’d love to see you there!

👉 An incredible transformation on Banstead Heath today! ✨🌿

A huge shoutout to our incredible volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into some serious scrub clearance work 👏

Just look at the before and after… WOW. What a difference!

Your time, energy, and dedication make moments like this possible — we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for helping us care for this special place 💚🌼🐝

𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡 (𝙔𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙪𝙩𝙖 𝙘𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙖)

The Spindle Ermine moth is a small native species whose life cycle creates one of the most striking seasonal spectacles in hedgerows. In late summer, the moth lays its eggs on spindle bushes, where they remain throughout winter before hatching in early spring. As the caterpillars grow, they gather in large groups and spin extensive silken webs, sometimes enveloping entire shrubs in a ghostly white shroud.

Although these colonies can completely defoliate their host plant, the damage is only temporary. The spindle quickly recovers, showing no lasting harm. This remarkable relationship highlights both the resilience of native plants and the fascinating collective behaviour of these tiny insects—turning an ordinary shrub into a dramatic and unforgettable natural display.

Credit: Peter Wakeham

We hosted our Dawn Chorus Walk on Banstead Heath last week, with 16 walkers enjoying a leisurely stroll around the mosaic of habitats across the Heath. The birds certainly did not disappoint, and we were serenaded throughout the morning.

An impressive 39 species were recorded, including some of the UK’s most loved songbirds such as Song Thrush, Willow Warbler, Skylark, Blackcap and Garden Warbler.

Our next guided walk will focus on butterflies.

🦋 Visit our website to sign up and join us.

https://bansteadcommons.org.uk/visiting/guided-walks/

This week, our volunteer team are proud to be Chalk Downland Champions! 🌿

With perfect weather on our side, it’s been an ideal day for a bit of tree popping, stepping in to finish what the sheep and goats started.

And the best part? Those stressed root stocks are popping out like a dream

Thank you, Team BCC

💪🌱

🌿 Visitor Notice – Help Us Protect Our Ponds 🐸

Last winter, our dedicated staff and volunteers worked incredibly hard to restore and manage the ponds on Banstead Heath, creating a healthier habitat for wildlife to thrive.

We’ve recently noticed an increase in dogs entering the ponds, which can disturb the water and damage these delicate freshwater ecosystems.

🐾 We kindly ask all visitors to keep dogs out of the ponds to help us protect this special environment for nature and for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you for your understanding and support in caring for Banstead Heath and its wildlife💚

🌿✨ Young people making a difference on Banstead Commons! ✨🌿

Did you know that litter picking can count towards the volunteering section of your Duke of Edinburgh Award? It’s a simple yet meaningful way to give back, protect local wildlife, and keep our beautiful commons looking their best 🌍💚

We’d like to say a HUGE congratulations and thank you to all the amazing young people who have already taken part in litter picking here. Your effort, time, and commitment are truly making a difference! 👏🌱

If you would like to contribute to preserving the natural beauty of Banstead Commons - take a look at our litter picking page on our website for information on how to get involved 💪🍃:
https://bansteadcommons.org.uk/support-us/litter-picking/

What a wonderful work party on Park Downs today - blue skies, birdsong, great company and of course, the beautiful goats!

Downlands Grazing Partnership
Love Reigate and Banstead
Downlands Trust