Site survey

The site survey records are based on observations over the entire area during each year. It is a continuous project which aims to identify the changes in flora and fauna on EWOS. Plants are only recorded when in flower, and newly planted ones are marked with a "P" to identify the month of introduction. This helps the volunteers review their success rate and gauge the importance of the site as a wildlife haven.

The first survey resulted in the following totals:

• 115 species of plant
• 34 species of tree
• 17 species of butterfly
• 34 species of bird

Since this original survey in 1999 many changes have taken place. The entire scenery has been transformed and the tree growth is marked. New plants, trees and wildlife have flourished. Much of the growth is due to seed sowing and planting of flowers, shrubs and whips. Further changes in the appearance of the site, however, have been brought about by variable weather conditions, the improved grass-cutting regime and the summer fires. These developments are reflected through the seasons and illustrated in the following photos.

Plants

As the Open Space is a mix of natural grassland, scrub, closely cut grass and small areas of woodland, there are many varieties of plants and wild flowers. All surveys have shown a wide range of growth including bluebells, broom, common cats ear, common storksbill, vetch, cow parsley, garlic mustard, periwinkle, poppies, red campion, snowdrops, crocuses, wild daffodils and a host of other species.

The magnificent display of daffodils at the Wickham Street entrance in the Spring of 2007

Further bulb planting took place in November 2007 alongside the Highbanks path in memory of our former Treasurer Joyce Goldsack.

Butterflies

The butterflies have included the comma, green veined white, holly blue, large white, orange tip, peacock, red admiral, small copper, small tortoiseshell, small white and speckled wood.

Birds

The bird population has fluctuated in the last few years. There are welcome signs that sparrows, starlings and song thrushes are gaining in numbers and we have made every effort to encourage them, particularly the sparrows, with our hedgerow maintenance. Ring necked parakeets, a species which has for some time been resident in the borough, are now a common sight for those strolling over the grassland. Black caps, white throats, green and spotted woodpeckers, robins, wrens and tits can be seen regularly at appropriate times of the year. In recent years, we have seen fewer kestrels, although one pair still seems to be using the site.