Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to volunteer with the Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT), joining their reserves team on a series of practical conservation days across various of Surreys nature reserves! Each day brought new challenges, discoveries, and a deeper appreciation for the ecological balance of our natural habitats.
One of the most memorable experiences was participating in the harvest mouse survey at Riverside Nature Reserve near Guildford! Wading through dense tangled vegetation, we searched for tennis-ball-sized nests nestled in the undergrowth. I was thrilled to find a few nests myself, a wonderous surprise every time! We even spotted three tiny harvest mice darting through the grass, their squeaks giving away their presence. Despite the wet weather, the excitement of the finds made it all worthwhile!
At Royal Common, I helped tackle the fast-growing silver birch and Scots pine trees. Although native to the UK, these species can overwhelm heathland habitats if left unmanaged! Both Scots pine and Birch can cast a deep shadow over the shrubbery below, stunting the growth of heathland. Using hand saws and tree poppers, we removed them to allow heather and other vegetation to thrive. This opened up the area, letting more sunlight to reach the ground, also helping our reptile and invertebrates friends to bask in the heat. Delicious tea breaks with cake and biscuits, along with some fungi spotting added to the calmness of the day.
This day began with a serene stroll around Westfield Common, spotting the various and fascinating array of mushrooms dotted around! Later, we joined forces to coppice willow trees near a dried-up pond. Willow trees, striking in their large size and spread, cast great shadows that steal the ground of its sunlight, leaving little chance for other species to thrive beneath their canopy. Because this could negatively impact the ponds ecosystem, annual maintenance of the willow is very much needed!
