Banstead Wildlife Field

11/08/2026

11/08/2026

Volunteers carried out an ad hoc rough wildlife survey of the Field in July. They concentrated on butterflies but noted other things too. The Field was pulsating with insect life with birds and others too. The rough total of butterflies was 211 from 9 species plus a few moths. 116 Meadow Brown, 58 Gatekeeper, 23 Common Blue, 4 Chalkhill Blue, 3 Small White, 2 each of Brimstone, Brown Argus and Small Heath and 1 Small Copper. The Chalkhill Blues are particularly nice and unexpected - they are very fussy and will only tolerate very healthy chalk grassland. The Brimstones were a male and a female. We also saw 2 Jersey Tiger moths, a Humming Bird Hawk Moth, a Cinnabar and several micromoths, including Oncocera semirubellus.

17/07/2026

Work continues in the Wildlife Field in Banstead. Volunteers are maintaining this area for local residents and school children to enjoy.

15/05/2026

Everyone is welcome to come along to our first AGM. We look forward to welcoming you.

15/05/2026

A new notice board has been erected at Banstead Wildlife Field, it will be a place to get information about what you can see there. Thanks to Banstead Men in Sheds for making it for us.

12/05/2026

Spotted this week in the wildlife field were these galls. Lime nail gall mites are microscopic animals (less than 0.2 mm long) that feed on the foliage of lime trees (Tilia sp.). The mites feed by sucking sap. They secrete chemicals into the plant tissue that causes the leaves to produce these galls. The mites then suck sap from plant cells lining the gall structure. Like most gall mites there is no harm done to the hosts overall heath and vigour and these animals are part of the biodiversity that healthy trees support.

12/05/2026

This week in the wildlife field we have seen the ermine catapillar. At this time of year you will often see ghostly silken webbing covering sections of hedgerows and, on occasions, individual trees. Although it can look rather sinister, don't be alarmed. The most likely culprit is a harmless caterpillar.

These striking and obvious webs hide hundreds and sometimes tens of thousands of caterpillars of a group of moths called the Small Ermine moths. Often seen on blackthorn and hawthorn, the others on spindle and bird-cherry. Occasionally whole trees can be covered by their webs, the leaves stripped bare giving the tree an eerie appearance. Sometimes these webs are so extensive that they can cover nearby objects such as benches, bicycles and gravestones.

15/04/2026

The cowslips in the Wildlife Field are looking wonderful, and the dragonfly sculpture has had a much needed makeover. Two of many things to enjoy in the Wildlife Field.

04/04/2026

Second compost bin built at the Wildlife Field today, made from recycled material. First bin is now in use and garden clippings are being composted. What great work.