Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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.

Wildlife & Sect.41 JNCC Butterfly Countryside Action Red List Act 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

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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  White-Letter Hairstreak

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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  White-Letter Hairstreak

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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  White-Letter Hairstreak

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

 Chalk Hill Blue  Dingy Skipper  Glanville Fritillary (Hutchnison Bank only)  Grizzled Skipper  Purple Emperor  Silver-spotted Skipper  Small Blue  Small Heath  White Admiral  White-Letter Hairstreak

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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 Priority Species  Brown Hairstreak  Grizzled Skipper (one site only)  Grayling  Purple Emperor  Silver-studded Blue  Small Heath  White Admiral

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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 Priority Species  Brown Hairstreak  Dingy Skipper  Grizzled Skipper  Purple Emperor (key)  Small Heath  White Admiral  White-Letter Hairstreak  Wood White

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

UKBMS Transects

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

Protectio Site Name Grid Ref. Hectad NCA n 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

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

Protectio Site Name Grid Ref. Hectad NCA n Years 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 Greensan Devils Punch Bowl SU891373 SU83 d SPA 3 Greensan Hinhead Common SU894351 SU83 d SPA 2 Greensan Bealeswood Common SU823409 SU84 d none 7 Greensan Frensham SU859415 SU84 d SAC 2 Greensan Frensham Common SU844403 SU84 d SAC 4 Greensan Frensham Common (Little Pond) SU855418 SU84 d SAC 6 Greensan Hydon Heath SU978395 SU93 d none 7 Greensan Swan Barn Farm SU913327 SU93 d none 13 Greensan Thursley Common SU907405 SU94 d SAC 3 Greensan Witley Common SU926403 SU94 d SAC 10 Prey Heath SU989555 SU95 Heaths SSSI 9 Smarts Heath SU985558 SU95 Heaths SSSI 9 Brentmoor Heath SU936612 SU96 Heaths SAC 20

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

Protectio Site Name Grid Ref. Hectad NCA n Years 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

UKBMS Walked Hectad Transects 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

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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)

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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

West Central East NCA Hectads Hectads 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

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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

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VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

Brown Hairstreak

Traditional UKBMS transects are inappropriate for monitoring this butterfly which is reflected the results. A widespread species wherever Blackthorn grows. Chalkhill Blue

Well monitored throughout is known distribution

VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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.

VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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.

VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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

VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

Well monitored throughout is known distribution Silver-studded Blue

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

VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

Well monitored throughout is known distribution Small Heath

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

VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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

VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

Needs improved monitoring at other sites in SU93 and TQ03.

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

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.

VC17 Monitoring Status 2014 and Strategy

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

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