Come and join the Kempshott Conservation Group for our second CITO event, this time at Down Grange Meadow.
Our largest site of around 16 acres, with a mix of mature woodland, recent hardwood plantations and an ex-arable meadow, all created in the 1970s. This now supports wild flowers and grasses and is a haven for insects, moths and 27 species of butterfly. Despite being almost entirely surrounded by housing, the meadow supports a good population of mammals, both top predators and prey. It also has rare fungi, amphibians and nesting birds. The Meadow is often visited by buzzards, red kites and sparrow hawks.
Planned activities:
1. Erecting a noticeboard - digging two holes, setting some posts and attaching the board.
2. Bramble bashing - clearing bramble. It's really quite close to a Geocache, so you may be able to do two birds with one stone...and there are 6 in close proximity.
3. Blackthorn popping - using our poppers, pull out Blackthorn saplings, roots and all.
4. Litter picking - because people are people.
Terrain is walkable but rough in places. Passible but a slog in wheelchairs and with prams, although this is a walking/running area so some desire paths have been made. Some equipment is provided, but if you have a pair of loppers that would be handy. Bring thick gloves for the brambles. Sensible shoes/boots recommended. If it has rained/is raining it will probably be a little bit muddy but not too bad. Only high winds will put us off!