WALBERTON ACTION GROUP
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Walberton Sand Pit Conservation A few years back WAG took on the conservation of a disused gravel pit that was last used to provide material for the elevated part of the Littlehampton bypass. It aimed to conserve the wildlife interest in a site of natural importance. Slindon Common Sandpits are situated just to the north of the main A27 trunk road. Extraction of sand and gravel ended in 1998 and, since then, conservation bodies have become aware of its importance as a wildlife site - especially for its populations of solitary bees and wasps. A survey in 1999 recorded 10 Red Book species - i.e. nationally rare - and 34 nationally scarce species, plus one species never before recorded in this country. The site is suitable for these insects because there is a good supply of food and, principally, because of the areas of open sand in which they can burrow to form their nests. If no management were to take place, the whole site would eventually scrub over and revert to woodland. Walberton Action Group drew up a Management Plan which set the priorities for management. They included the cutting and pulling plants invading the open areas, control of unauthorised use of motor bikes, creation and management of woodland glades to encourage flowering plants providing nectar, and the the coppicing of birch woodland to create a cycle of ages to create habitat piles for amphibians. However, for these proposals to be realised, the site needed to be protected on a long term basis and major resources (both money and manpower) would be needed. Initially, the landowners cooperated in the carrying out of conservation tasks by groups of volunteers organised by WAG and supported by BTCV and the Sussex Downs Conservation Board. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to secure the necessary funding, despite the importance of the site. In 2002, the landowners expressed the need to find some profitable use of this land and have now leased the site to an organisation which organises trail driving for 4X4 vehicles. This has proved popular and the concentrated use of the site for this purposed has resulted in considerable erosion and there is the danger that the inherent conservation value of the site may be compromised. Local residents have also voiced their concern over the noise, dust and increased volumes of traffic on event days. Working closely with the Sussex Downs Conservation Board, WAG have succeeded in ensuring that the more sensitive parts of the site will be protected from damage by the 4X4s. The two groups continue to visit the site from time to time to conserve the more important areas by keeping the scrub at bay. In due course it may also be possible to coppice some of the woodland areas to enhance the value and diversity of the site. If you would like to help with the work on site, please contact Angela Shepherd of the SDCB on 01243 811533. Regular working parties were arranged, with support from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the Sussex Downs Conservation Board. Unfortunately the owners of he land accepted an offer to allow the land to be used for training for 4-wheel drive vehicles so, for the time being, the scheme is in abeyance.
Peter Brown. |