Volunteers committed to the conservation of the South Downs achieved almost 6,000 days of effort in the twelve months to April 2008, according to the Annual Review just published by the South Downs Joint Committee.

Tasks varied from replacing fencing and stiles, such as that on the Downs at South Stoke near Arundel, (above) to carrying out wildlife surveys and practical work to conserve threatened chalk downland habitat. Keen local walkers spent 253 days ensuring that public footpaths and other rights of way were clear, whilst other volunteers checked the condition of more than 50 Scheduled Ancient Monuments. In all, 724 practical tasks were tackled as a result of local people generously giving their time and skills.

The Volunteer Ranger Service makes an important contribution to the delivery of the work of the South Downs Joint Committee and its partners including Natural England, The National Trust, The Forestry Commission, local councils and a range of smaller local groups.

Ian Hartle, Volunteer Co-ordinator for the South Downs Joint Committee, expressed his gratitude to the Volunteer Ranger Service, saying:

‘It really is an honour to be associated with a group of individuals who do so much to ensure the future of the landscape and wildlife of the South Downs. The volunteers’ work makes the Downs a better place for people and wildlife.’

An innovative new scheme is being launched this autumn in Chichester Harbour to help protect the migrating flocks of Brent Geese. Called ‘Goose Watch’, volunteers are being recruited to help monitor the movement of the Geese over the coming months.

Last winter, a peak of over 12,000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese visited Chichester Harbour, making the area internationally important for this species with about 5% of the population. The Geese are easily identified by their ‘cackling’ sound as they fly overhead in their favourite ‘wavy’ formation or form groups plodding over the mudflats on their sturdy webbed feet. In the daytime the Geese will often move inland and can be seen grazing on fields.

They favour crops such as wheat, oil-seed rape as well as grassland. This can be a problem for arable farmers. Keeping track of their movements as they look for new grazing land can be a bit of a headache for Conservation Officer, Ed Rowsell. Ed says, ‘Each year we try to build up a picture of where the Geese go, which fields they use and how many visit Chichester Harbour. Over the years we developed an understanding of how the Geese use the harbour and the surrounding fields in the AONB. It is my task to try and track them down.’

To help with this important work, a new scheme called ‘Goose Watch’ has been launched. Five keen volunteers have already signed up but lots more are needed.  Under the scheme local volunteers will be allocated a sector within which to monitor the geese on a fortnightly basis. Reports will then be fed back to the Harbour Office to help the Conservancy build up a much better informed picture of the habits of these special winter visitors.

Anyone interested in joining ‘Goose Watch’ should contact Ed Rowsell at the Harbour Office 01243 510985. No birdwatching experience is necessary as training, maps and recording forms will all be provided.