Mixed News on Biodiversity on Wimbledon and Putney Commons
Conservators' report shows new species but others declining in numbers
A sparrowhawk on the Commons. Picture: J Reeves
October 27, 2023
The latest analysis on wildlife and the environment on Wimbledon and Putney Commons has given a mixed picture.
The Conservators have published their annual Monitoring Report for 2022 in which a detailed look is taken at progress being made in conserving the 1,140 acres of land for which they are responsible.
These reports have been produced since 2014 when the Conservators were keen to get a sense of how their management of the area known as “The Plain” (the open area adjacent to Windmill Road) was impacting its ability to provide an area for ground-nesting birds, particularly Skylarks, and other species important to a thriving area of acid grassland. Since then, the monitoring has spread to the Commons as a whole and incorporates birds, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, reptiles and amphibians, moths and plants.
There were some positive developments to report including sightings for the first ever time of two rare Dartford Warblers and Little Grebe breeding successfully on Bluegate Pond with Firecrest numbers increasing significantly. Whilst the latter is not a species of concern, the report concludes that it is encouraging to see them expanding on the Commons.
Nine new moth species were found, with a total of 432 species being recorded including one of the UK’s largest moths, the Emperor Moth, which is the only kind in the UK that spins a silk cocoon.
28 species of butterfly were recorded - a slight increase on 2021 but there was a more noticeable increase in dragonfly species up by nine to 21 including a single Norfolk Hawker and a Keeled Skimmer which is a typical wet heathland species not seen on the Common since 2018.
16 Common Lizards were spotted, an increase on the previous year while frogs, toads and newts continue to spawn in many of the ponds.
The stag beetle population continues to decline with only 21 reported by visitors, a continuation of the fall since 2014.
While a number of new species are appearing, there is broader concern expressed in the report that commoner species of butterfly are declining in numbers continuing a trend seen over the last few years. In particular Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Common Blue are showing significant declines over the past 5 years.
Grassland management has been largely the same, so it is thought this is unlikely to be the reason. It is speculated that the unusual weather conditions particularly in the Spring maybe to blame and the possibility of more people using the Commons is also a contributory factor. We have also wondered whether additional recreational pressure on the Commons is responsible.
Around 80% of the Commons was made a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1953, making it one of the oldest protected areas in England. In 2004, large parts were also made a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), in recognition of its internationally important habitats and species.
Defra-appointed Conservator, Oliver Bennett, said, “The Commons are still home to a fabulous range of species from Dartford Warblers to Stag Beetles and Emperor Moths. However, our monitoring suggests that the abundance of many species has gone down in recent years, sadly following a general national trend. The heatwave and drought last year may have contributed further to this decline. Our ongoing volunteer surveying programme will help us to monitor the situation and will inform our future conservation efforts. Initiatives such as the development of the Commons' first Land Management Plan and our proposals to raise more funds for nature conservation remain essential in helping us to reverse these negative trends."
Copies of the full report can be found here.
The conservators have launched a public consultation on their plans to significantly increase the levy which concludes on 29 October . Residents subject to the levy are being urged to take part and have their say on the proposals.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |