Our Wildlife

All our sites are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and in addition are part of the Wealden Heaths Special Protection Area for birds (SPA) set up in 1998. Thus, every year monitoring of the number of singing pairs is carried out on the three rare (Annex 1) birds that use our sites for breeding: Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler. The results of the survey are very pleasing and on Ludshott the number of churring male Nighjar increased from 18 in 2024 to 23 this year. Each churring male represents a territory held. At Conford, two churring males were found, the same as in 2022-24 and one was found on Passfield Common for the first time since 2022. The gradual increase of the population over the last 45 years is probably due to a combination of factors, and although Nightjars can breed in a range of habitat types, our management of the heathland has contributed to the increased availability of suitable habitat. The species is migratory and spends its winters in sub-Saharan Africa so it is not subject to population fluctuations caused by harsh winter conditions in this country. However being ground-nesting birds they are vulnerable to disturbance, particularly by dogs off the lead. On Ludshott the Woodlark population rose from 5 in 2024 to 7 territories this year and was the most we have ever had. Another ground-nesting species, they require a mosaic of mostly open habitats with short grass and heather for breeding and feeding. Habitat quickly deteriorates as areas scrub over. So our management techniques are key to maintaining this species. Although woodlarks are mostly resident all year round (some migrate to the continent for the winter), they leave the heathland in winter and probably move to farmland where they can survive all but the most severe weather The generally mild winter weather contributed to a further increase in the Dartford Warbler population on Ludshott, from 41 territories in 2024 to 43 this year. Dartfords are quintessentially heathland specialists needing an optimum breeding habitat comprising mature heather with low to medium height gorse. Low densities of Scots pine saplings are tolerated but birch is less favoured and so both of these trees, together with other scrubby species, are controlled so that the habitat doesn't become unsuitable. Although old gorse is unsuitable for breeding, the retention of some is important to provide shelter and food for the birds to survive harsh winter conditions.