monitoring status 2014 and strategy - butterfly conservation

VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

of 27 Butterfly monitoring © Harry E. Clarke 2015

Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy Introduction A large number of UKBMS transects are walked within VC17 – Surrey every year. However, are these

transects monitoring what needs to be monitored? This is the question that this paper attempts to address,

by analysing what species need to be monitored, and what locations need to be monitored.

Resources are limited, so transects need to be located where they will achieve the greatest benefit. Priority

should be given to monitoring different habitats within VC17, protected areas, and species that are a priority

for conservation. However, it is recognised that volunteers will want to walk transects that are close to

where they live, and that are good habitats for butterflies. It is recognised that this can result in difficulties in

trying to monitor particular areas because of their remoteness, or maybe restricted butterfly abundance.

Habitats Natural England has defined 159 National Character Areas (NCAs) which share similar landscape

characteristics, and which follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries,

making them a good decision-making framework for the natural environment.

There are ten NCAs that occur within the boundaries of VC17 – Surrey, although three of these, North Kent

Plain, Hampshire Downs and the High Weald, are only very partially within the boundaries of VC17. Thames

Valley is mostly outside of VC17, but includes important sites such as Richmond Park and Wimbledon

Common so are included. Only the Thames Basin Lowlands is nearly all contained within VC17, a significant

proportion of the other NCAs occur outside of the county.

There are three principal habitats that occur within VC17 that effect the butterfly populations found within

them

Chalk represented by the North Downs

Sand, which provide heath habitats are represented by the Thames Basin Heaths and Wealden

Greensand

Clay are represented by the Thames Basin Lowlands and Low Weald

Canopy Butterflies The following species are canopy butterflies, which are widespread throughout VC17 – Surrey, but are hard

to monitor by traditional means:

Brown Hairstreak

Purple Emperor

Purple Hairstreak

White-letter Hairstreak



Monitoring Strategy 1. Ensure each NCA is monitored in the west, centre and east of VC17 (where applicable)

2. Ensure all conservation priority species in each NCA are monitored at least two sites

3. Ensure that key sites within each NCA is monitored.

4. Ensure that each Hectad is monitored.

Key Hectads The map below shows the 33 hectads (10km squares) within the VC17 recording area.

Key Sites RAMSAR sites are wetlands of International importance

SAC (Special Area of Conservation) sites are of European importance to conserve key habitats and species

SPA (Special Protection Area) sites are of European importance to conserve vulnerable birds

SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) sites are of National importance to conserver key habitats and

species.

NNR (National Nature Reserves) are key places for wildlife and natural features in England



Priority Species The table below shows the Surrey butterflies that have protection under the Schedule 5 of the Wildlife &

Countryside Act 1981 from harm or sale. Section 41 of the Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act

2006 lists those species which are of principal importance for conserving biodiversity in England (also known

as BAP species). JNCC’s Red List of Butterflies for Great Britain, 2010 provides the list of butterflies at risk

from extinction, EN=Endangered, VU=Vulnerable, NT=Near Threatened, with butterflies of LC=Least Concern

being excluded.

Butterfly Wildlife &

Countryside Act

Sect.41 Action

List

JNCC Red List

Adonis Blue Sch5 NT

Brown Hairstreak Sch5 Medium VU

Chalkhill Blue Sch5 NT

Dingy Skipper Low VU

Glanville Fritillary Sch5 Low EN

Grayling Low VU

Grizzled Skipper Low VU

Purple Emperor Sch5 NT

Silver-spotted Skipper Sch5 Medium NT

Silver-studded Blue Sch5 VU

Small Blue Sch5 Medium NT

Small Heath Low NT

White Admiral Low VU

White-letter Hairstreak Sch5 Medium EN

Wood White Sch5 Medium EN



Inner London

Character 100% urbanised with a population of 3m+ (2001 census). The soils are alluvial gravels overlying London Clay.

Rivers within VC17 part of Inner London are the Thames and Wandle.

Main Hectads Eastern Hectads – TQ27, TQ37

Key Locations SAC & NNR – Richmond Park (most of the park is in Thames Valley)

SAC – Wimbledon Common (part in Thames Valley)

Priority Species Purple Emperor

Small Heath

White Admiral

White-Letter Hairstreak



Thames Valley

Character The Thames Valley predominately occurs in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, only a small proportion occurs

within Surrey.

Sands and gravels overly London Clay. Mainly agricultural (44%), with large urban (33%) areas, remaining

woodland (13%). Population 1.5m (2001 census)

Rivers Thames flows through the Thames Valley.

Main Hectads Central hectads – TQ16, TQ17

Eastern hectads – TQ27

Key Locations RAMSAR – South West London Water Bodies (part only)

SSSI – Knight & Bessborough Reservoirs

SSSI – Thorpe Park No. 1 Gravel Pit

SAC & NNR – Richmond Park (small part in Inner London)

SAC – Wimbledon Common (part in Inner London)

SSSI – Barns Elms Wetland Centre

London Wetland Centre

SSSI – Langham Pond, including

Runneymeade

SSSI – Windsor Forest & Great Park (main part in Berkshire)

Priority Species Purple Emperor

Small Heath

White Admiral




Thames Basin Lowlands

Character London Clay, 59% urbanised, population <1m (2001 census), oak woodlands (13%), and remaining 33%

agricultural.

Rivers Wey, Mole, Hogsmill and Wandle flow through the NCA.

Main Hectads Western hectads – SU95

Central hectads – TQ05, TQ15, TQ16

Eastern hectads – TQ26, TQ36

Key Locations SSSI – Epsom and Ashtead Commons

NNR – Ashstead Common

SSSI – Esher Commons, including:

Fairmile Common

SSSI – Bookham Common

Priority Species Brown Hairstreak

Purple Emperor (key)

Silver-studded Blue (Fairmile Common)

Small Blue

Small Heath

White Admiral




Thames Basin Heaths

Character Sands and gravels, which allow heathland to flourish. Agricultural (63%), woodland (18%), urban (13%).

Population <0.8m (2001 census)

Rivers Wey, Mole, Blackwater and Bourne, and the Basingstoke canal all flow though the Thames Basin

Heaths.

Main Hectads Western hectads – SU95, SU96

Central hectads – TQ05, TQ06

Key Locations SAC – Thursley, Ash, Pirbright & Chobham (part), consisting of:

SSSI & NNR – Chobham Common

SSSI - Colony Bog and Bagshot Heath, including

o Brentmoor Heath

SSSI - Ash to Brookwood Heaths

SPA – Thames Basin Heaths, includes all those in the SAC

SSSI – Whitmoor Common

SSSI – Basingstoke Canal

SSSI – Horsell Common

SSSI – Ockham & Wisley Commons

SSSI – Smarts & Prey Heaths

SSSI - Papercourt

Priority Species Grayling

Grizzled Skipper (one site only)

Purple Emperor

Silver-studded Blue

Small Heath

White Admiral




North Downs

Character Chalk Hills topped with clay, giving rise to Beech woodlands on the slopes and oak woodlands on the clay.

Key habitat are the chalk grasslands

Predominately agricultural (80%), urban (9%) and woodland (1%). Population <0.6m (2001 census)

Rivers Wey and Mole bisect the North Downs

Main Hectads Western hectads – SU84, SU94

Central hectads – TQ04, TQ05, TQ15

Eastern hectads – TQ25, TQ35, TQ36

Key Locations SAC - Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment, includes the following sites:

Norbury Park

Box Hill

Headley Warren

Headly heath

Brookham

Betchworth

Buckland Hills

Colley Hill

SSSI - Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment, includes SAC sites and

Wingate Hill

SSSI – Wey Hill Meadows

SSSI – Colyers Hanger

SSSI – Combe Bottom

SSSI – Sheapleas

SSSI – Hackhurst & White Downs, including:

Hackhurst

White Downs

Blatchford Down

Denbies Hillside

SSSI – Ranmore Common

SSSI – Banstead Downs

SSSI – Chipstead Downs, includes

Banstead Wood

Park Downs

SSSI – Farthings Downs & Happy Valley

SSSI – Quary Hangers

SSSI – Riddlesdown

SSSI – Woldingham & Oxted Downs

Priority Species Adonis Blue

Brown Hairstreak



Chalk Hill Blue

Dingy Skipper

Glanville Fritillary (Hutchnison Bank only)

Grizzled Skipper

Purple Emperor

Silver-spotted Skipper

Small Blue

Small Heath

White Admiral




Wealden Greensand

Character Sandy Soils to loam. Heathlands are dominant to the west. Predominately agricultural (70%), woodland

(25%) and urban (7%). Population is >0.6m (2001 census)

Rivers Wey and Mole flow through the area.

Main Hectads Western hectads – SU84, SU93, SU94

Central hectads – TQ04, TQ14

Eastern hectads – TQ25, TQ35 (possibly)

Key Locations RAMSAR - Thursley & Ockley Bogs (also a SAC and SPA)

SAC - Thursley, Ash, Pirbright & Chobham, consisting of the following sites

NNR – Thursley Common

Hankley Common

Frensham Common

Ockley Common

Witley Common

Tildford Common

SPA – Thursley, Hankley & Frensham Commons (part, area is also part of the SAC)

SPA – Wealden Heaths Phase II (part), consisting of the following sites

SSSI – Devil’s Punch Bowl, includes

o Hinhead Common

SSSI – Puttenham & Corooksbury Common

SSSI – Charterhouse & Eashing

SSSI – Wey Valley Meadows

SSSI – Blackheath

SSSI – Leith Hill

SSSI – Reigate Heath

SSSI – Titsey Woods


Grizzled Skipper (one site only)

Grayling

Purple Emperor

Silver-studded Blue

Small Heath

White Admiral



Low Weald

Character Low lying clay vale. Mostly agricultural (83%), woodland (16%) and urban (3%). Population <0.5m (2001

census).

Rivers Mole and Eden flow through the Low Weald

Main Hectads Western hectads – SU93

Central hectads – TQ03, TQ04, TQ13, TQ14

Eastern hectads – TQ24, TQ34

Key Locations SSSI – Chiddingfold Forest

SSSI – Smokejack Clay Pit

SSSI – Vann Lake & Ockley Woods

SSSI – Clock House Brickworks

SSSI – Glovers Wood

SSSI – Blindley Heath

SSSI – Staffhusrt Wood


Dingy Skipper

Grizzled Skipper

Purple Emperor (key)

Small Heath

White Admiral


Wood White



UKBMS Transects

Transect Status UKBMS Transects sorted by National Character Area and Hectad.

Site Name Grid Ref. Hectad NCA Protection Years

Cole Kitchen TQ085488 TQ04 Downs none 9

Hackhurst Down TQ093485 TQ04 Downs SSSI 26

Pewley Down TQ008489 TQ04 Downs none 10

Sheepleas TQ088515 TQ05 Downs SSSI 15

Blatchford Down TQ106486 TQ14 Downs SSSI 2

Denbies Landbarn TQ135498 TQ14 Downs none 11

Denbies Landbarn B TQ134498 TQ14 Downs none 13

White Down TQ103487 TQ14 Downs SSSI 18

Box Hill: Dukes TQ185511 TQ15 Downs SAC 14

Box Hill: Viewpoint TQ179510 TQ15 Downs SAC 20

Box Hill: Zig Zag TQ177520 TQ15 Downs SAC 19

Brockham Lime Kilns TQ198510 TQ15 Downs SAC 2

Denbies Hillside TQ150500 TQ15 Downs SSSI 27

Headley Heath TQ195533 TQ15 Downs SAC 24

Headley Warren TQ190540 TQ15 Downs SAC 11

Norbury Park grassland TQ153539 TQ15 Downs SAC 1

Norbury Park woodland TQ151538 TQ15 Downs none 1

Nower Wood TQ195548 TQ15 Downs none 5

Betchworth Quarry NR TQ205513 TQ25 Downs SAC 4




Juniper Hill TQ222572 TQ25 Downs none 11

Park Downs TQ267584 TQ25 Downs SSSI 17

Wingate Hill TQ266524 TQ25 Downs SSSI 12

Banstead Downs TQ257615 TQ26 Downs SSSI 29

Howell Hill TQ239619 TQ26 Downs none 13

Priest Hill, Ewell TQ230613 TQ26 Downs none 1

Coulsdon Common TQ325571 TQ35 Downs none 25

Dollypers Hill, Coulsdon/Kenley TQ315584 TQ35 Downs none 1

Farthing Downs TQ300576 TQ35 Downs SSSI 25

Happy Valley, Coulsdon TQ308568 TQ35 Downs SSSI 15

Kenley Common TQ333585 TQ35 Downs none 24

New Hill, Coulsdon TQ305576 TQ35 Downs none 11

Nore Hill TQ377572 TQ35 Downs none 15

Oxted Downs, Grangers Hill TQ375542 TQ35 Downs SSSI 12

Oxted Downs, Whistlers Steep TQ385542 TQ35 Downs SSSI 12

Quarry Hangers NR TQ317536 TQ35 Downs SSSI 7

Riddlesdown Quarry TQ337594 TQ35 Downs SSSI 15

Chapel Bank TQ386605 TQ36 Downs none 7

Featherbed Lane Roadside verge The Gallops TQ376621 TQ36 Downs none 7

Hutchinson's Bank TQ382615 TQ36 Downs none 18

Riddlesdown NR TQ331600 TQ36 Downs SSSI 25

Hill Park, Tatsfield TQ422560 TQ45 Downs none 1

Devils Punch Bowl SU891373 SU83 Greensand SPA 3

Hinhead Common SU894351 SU83 Greensand SPA 2

Bealeswood Common SU823409 SU84 Greensand none 7

Frensham SU859415 SU84 Greensand SAC 2

Frensham Common SU844403 SU84 Greensand SAC 4

Frensham Common (Little Pond) SU855418 SU84 Greensand SAC 6

Hydon Heath SU978395 SU93 Greensand none 7

Swan Barn Farm SU913327 SU93 Greensand none 13

Thursley Common SU907405 SU94 Greensand SAC 3

Witley Common SU926403 SU94 Greensand SAC 10

Prey Heath SU989555 SU95 Heaths SSSI 9

Smarts Heath SU985558 SU95 Heaths SSSI 9

Brentmoor Heath SU936612 SU96 Heaths SAC 20




Chobham Common NE SU974657 SU96 Heaths SAC 11

Chobham Common South SU974633 SU96 Heaths SAC 13

Wandsworth Common Woodland TQ272734 TQ27 London none 5

Wimbledon Common TQ230728 TQ27 London SAC 10

Sydenham Hill Woods & Cox's Walk TQ344726 TQ37 London none 5

Farnham Park SU841480 SU84 Lowlands none 10

Tice's Meadow, Badshot Lea SU869488 SU84 Lowlands none 1

Ashtead Common A TQ180594 TQ15 Lowlands SSSI 17

Ashtead Common B TQ179592 TQ15 Lowlands SSSI 13

Epsom Common TQ188606 TQ16 Lowlands SSSI 6

Fairmile Common TQ118617 TQ16 Lowlands SSSI 9

Horton CP TQ187619 TQ16 Lowlands none 3

Hogsmill LNR. Ewell TQ209636 TQ26 Lowlands none 1

Mitcham Common A TQ286679 TQ26 Lowlands none 20

Mitcham Common B TQ294675 TQ26 Lowlands none 19

Morden Hall Park TQ261688 TQ26 Lowlands none 1

Warren Farm, Ewell TQ232629 TQ26 Lowlands none 1

Roundshaw Downs TQ308628 TQ36 Lowlands none 8

South Norwood CP TQ353683 TQ36 Lowlands none 17

Runnymeade, Egham TQ004718 TQ07 Valley SSSI 1

Richmond Park TQ194740 TQ17 Valley SAC 12

London Wetland Centre TQ226768 TQ27 Valley SSSI 19

Oaken Wood SU991338 SU93 Weald none 20

Wallis Wood TQ121388 TQ13 Weald none 2

Holmwood Common TQ178458 TQ14 Weald none 5

Earlswood Common TQ273486 TQ24 Weald none 7

Mynhurst TQ228454 TQ24 Weald none 1

Lingfield Wildlife Area A TQ387442 TQ34 Weald none 11

Lingfield Wildlife Area B TQ387441 TQ34 Weald none 2

Key Hectads The table below shows the number of UKBMS Transects per Hectad

Hectad UKBMS Transects

Walked 2014

SU84 7 3

SU93 3 3

SU94 2 2

SU95 2 2

SU96 2 2

TQ03 0 0

TQ04 3 2

TQ05 1 0



TQ06 0 0

TQ07 1 1

TQ13 1 0

TQ14 5 3

TQ15 12 10

TQ16 3 3

TQ17 1 1

TQ24 2 0

TQ25 5 2

TQ26 8 7

TQ27 4 2

TQ34 2 1

TQ35 11 9

TQ36 6 5

TQ37 1 1

TQ44 0 0

TQ45 1 1

Protected Sites

National Nature Reserves All three NNRs were monitored within VC17 during 2014

Thames Valley – Richmond Park (1 transect)

Thames Basin Lowlands – Ashstead Common (1 transect

Thames Basin Heaths – Chobham Common (2 transects)



RAMSAR Neither of the two RAMSAR sites within VC17 are monitored.

Thames Valley – South West London Water Bodies

Wealden Greensand – Thursley & Ockley Bogs

Special Area of Conservation All five SAC sites within VC17 were monitored during 2014

Inner London – Wimbledon Common (1 transect)

Thames Valley – Richmond Park (1 transect)

Thames Basin Heaths – Thursley, Ash, Pirbright & Chobham Common (2 transects)

North Downs – Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment (7 transects)

Wealden Greensand – Thursley, Ash, Pirbright & Chobham Common (2 transects)

Special Protection Area Only two of the three SPA sites within VC17 were monitored during 2014

Thames Basin Heaths – Thames Basin Heaths (2 transects)

Wealden Greensand – Thursley, Hankley & Frensham Commons (2 transects)

Wealden Greensand – Wealden Heaths Phase II

Sites of Special Scientific Interest The 48 SSSI sites within VC17 were monitored by 31 transects during 2014, with 11 transects in just two

SSSIs. The table below shows the statistics for each National Character Area

NCA SSSIs UKBMS Transects SSSIs not monitored % SSSIs monitored

Inner London 1 1 0 100%

Thames Valley 6 3 3 50%

Thames Basin Lowlands 3 3 1 67%

Thames Basin Heaths 9 4 7 22%

North Downs 13 18 6 54%

Wealden Greensand 9 2 8 11%

Low Weald 7 0 7 0%

1. Inner London – Wimbledon Common (1 transect)

2. Thames Valley – Richmond Park (1 transect)

3. Thames Valley – Barns Elms Wetland Centre (1 transect)

4. Thames Valley – Langham Pond (1 transect)

5. Thames Valley – Knight & Bessborough Reservoirs

6. Thames Valley – Thorpe Park No. 1 Gravel Pit

7. Thames Valley – Windsor Forest & Great Park

8. Thames Basin Lowlands – Epsom and Ashstead Commons (2 transects)

9. Thames Basin Lowlands – Esher Commons (1 transect)

10. Thames Basin Lowlands – Bookham Commons

11. Thames Basin Heaths – Chobham Common (2 transects)

12. Thames Basin Heaths – Colony Bog and Bagshot Heath

13. Thames Basin Heaths – Ash to Brookwood Heaths

14. Thames Basin Heaths – Whitmoor Common

15. Thames Basin Heaths – Basingstoke Canal



16. Thames Basin Heaths – Horsell Common

17. Thames Basin Heaths – Ockham & Wisley Commons

18. Thames Basin Heaths – Smarts and Prey Heaths (2 transects)

19. Thames Basin Heaths – Papercourt

20. North Downs – Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment (7 transects)

21. North Downs – Wey Hill Meadows

22. North Downs – Colyers Hanger

23. North Downs – Combe Bottom

24. North Downs – Sheapleas

25. North Downs – Hackhurst & White Downs (4 transects)

26. North Downs – Ranmore Common

27. North Downs – Banstead Downs (1 transect)

28. North Downs – Chipstead Downs (2 transects)

29. North Downs – Farthings Downs & Happy Valley (2 transects)

30. North Downs – Quary Hangers (1 transect)

31. North Downs – Riddlesdown (2 transects)

32. North Downs – Woldingham & Oxted Downs

33. Wealden Greensand – Thursley, Hankley & Frenshamd Commons (2 transects)

34. Wealden Greensand – Devils Punch Bowl

35. Wealden Greensand – Puttenham & Corooksbury Common

36. Wealden Greensand – Charterhouse & Eashing

37. Wealden Greensand – Wey Valley Meadows

38. Wealden Greensand – Blackheath

39. Wealden Greensand – Leith Hill

40. Wealden Greensand – Reigate Heath

41. Wealden Greensand – Titsey Woods

42. Low Weald – Chiddingfold Forest

43. Low Weald – Smokejack Clay Pit

44. Low Weald – Vann Lake & Ockley Woods

45. Low Weald – Clock House Brickworks

46. Low Weald – Glovers Wood

47. Low Weald – Blindley Heath

48. Low Weald – Staffhusrt Wood

National Character Areas Status of UKBMS Transects for the different National Character Areas

NCA West Hectads

Central Hectads

East Hectads TOTAL

Inner London 2 2

Thames Valley 0 2 1 3

Thames Basin Lowlands 2 4 6 12

Thames Basin Heaths 4 0 4

North Downs 0 13 18 31

Wealden Greensand 5 0 0 5

Low Weald 1 1 1 3

TOTAL 12 20 28 60



Priority Species A summary of the status of monitoring of the priority species is provided in the table below.

Butterfly Monitoring

Adonis Blue Good

Brown Hairstreak Bad

Chalkhill Blue Good

Dingy Skipper Improve

Glanville Fritillary Good

Grayling Improve

Grizzled Skipper Improve

Purple Emperor Bad

Silver-spotted Skipper Good

Silver-studded Blue Improve

Small Blue Good

Small Heath Good

White Admiral Improve

White-letter Hairstreak Bad

Wood White Improve

Adonis Blue

Well monitored throughout is known distribution



Brown Hairstreak

Traditional UKBMS transects are inappropriate for monitoring this butterfly which is reflected the results. A

widespread species wherever Blackthorn grows.

Chalkhill Blue




Dingy Skipper

Generally well monitored, but could do with extra monitoring in the Low Weald.

Glanville Fritillary

Well monitored at Hutchinson Bank. As an introduced species not a priority for monitoring.



Grayling

Not well monitored, needs extra coverage in SU95 and better coverage in SU96 and TQ06

Grizzled Skipper

Generally well monitored, but could do with extra monitoring in the Low Weald.



Purple Emperor

Traditional UKBMS transects are inappropriate for monitoring this butterfly which is reflected the results.

Key sites appear to be Chiddingfold Forest (SU9833 & SU9834), Smokejacks Brickworks (TQ1137), Bookham

Commons (TQ1256) and Ashtead Common (TQ1759), and potentially others.

Silver-spotted Skipper




Silver-studded Blue

Not well monitored, needs extra coverage in SU95 and better coverage in SU96 and TQ06

Small Blue




Small Heath

Well monitored, but could do with increased monitoring in the Low Weald.

White Admiral



Not monitored at its key sites in SU93. TQ14 and TQ15

White-letter Hairstreak

Traditional UKBMS transects are inappropriate for monitoring this butterfly which is reflected the results. A

widespread species wherever mature Elms grows.

Wood White



Needs improved monitoring at other sites in SU93 and TQ03.

Conclusion

National Character Areas Status of UKBMS Transects for the different National Character Areas

NCA West Hectads

Central Hectads

East Hectads TOTAL

Inner London 2 2

Thames Valley 0 2 1 3

Thames Basin Lowlands 2 4 6 12

Thames Basin Heaths 4 0 4

North Downs 0 13 18 31

Wealden Greensand 5 0 0 5

Low Weald 1 1 1 3

TOTAL 12 20 28 60

Improved monitoring is required for four NCAs, Thames Valley in the west, Thames Basin Heaths in the

Centre, North Downs in the west, and the Wealden Greensand in the centre and east where there is no

monitoring. The Low Weald is not monitored in four hectads (TQ03, TQ13, TQ24. TQ44).

Priority Species A summary of the status of monitoring of the priority species is provided in the table below.

Butterfly Monitoring

Adonis Blue Good

Chalkhill Blue Good

Glanville Fritillary Good

Silver-spotted Skipper Good

Small Blue Good

Small Heath Good

Dingy Skipper Improve

Grayling Improve

Grizzled Skipper Improve

Silver-studded Blue Improve

White Admiral Improve

Wood White Improve

Brown Hairstreak Bad

Purple Emperor Bad

White-letter Hairstreak Bad

Protected Sites All National Nature Reserves and SACs within VC17 are monitored.

RAMSAR Sites are not monitored – Thames Valley and Wealden Greensand.



SPAs are partially monitored, with 2 out 3 sites. Wealden Greensand is not monitored.

SSSIs are partially monitored with 16 out of 48 sites. Two SSSIs are over monitored with a total of 11

transects (Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment and Hackhurst & White Downs). While thirty-two SSSIs (67% of

all SSSIs) have no monitoring.

The table below shows the statistics for each National Character Area

NCA SSSIs UKBMS Transects SSSIs not monitored % SSSIs monitored

Inner London 1 1 0 100%

Thames Valley 6 3 3 50%

Thames Basin Lowlands 3 3 1 67%

Thames Basin Heaths 9 4 7 22%

North Downs 13 18 6 54%

Wealden Greensand 9 2 8 11%

Low Weald 7 0 7 0%

Hectads There is over- monitoring in two hectads (TQ15 and TQ35) with a total of 19 transects walked in 2014, all but

one on the North Downs. While six hectads had no monitoring at all in 2014, particularly in the Low Weald.

Hectad National Character Area

TQ03 Low Weald

TQ05 Thames Basin Lowlands Thames Basin Heaths

TQ06 Thames Basin Heaths

TQ13 Low Weald

TQ24 Low Weald

TQ44 Low Weald

monitoring status 2014 and strategy - butterfly conservation

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