Treemendous work to commemorate Kenley’s Canadians
Sharp-eyed visitors to Kenley Common may have noticed a new addition to the Hayes Lane entrance near the Tribute. At the very start of March, the wonderful volunteers from the Kenley Revival project and Kenley Common planted a Red Maple tree which will be dedicated to the many Canadians who served at RAF Kenley – they make up just under one-third of the pilots killed flying from our airfield during WWII.
All are welcome to join us at 1pm on 31st March by the Tribute for a short service of dedication led by Revd. Annie Kurk of St Luke’s Whyteleafe. Our guests of honour will be Colonel Jonathan Bouchard RCAF, relatives of S/Ldr. James Fielden Lambert and Dilip Sarkar Mbe, historian and author.
Meet the new arrivals
It has been a bustling winter in the barn as our herd of Sussex cattle welcomes its newest members. For the rangers, this season has meant vigilantly checking the cows day and night for signs of impending birth. Many thanks to Ameena Rojee, who’s visit coincided with the arrival of a newborn calf. Ameena, is a Croydon-based photographer who has documented people and nature in her work. You might have seen our livestock in the ‘Rural Croydon‘ project last year, highlighting conservation grazing efforts across the borough.
Once again, we are excited to host our popular ‘Meet the Calves’ event at the Merlewood Estate Office. Visitors will have the chance to see the newborn Sussex calves and learn more about the work of the rangers, as well as the role of conservation grazing livestock on the four Coulsdon Commons. Additionally, there will be stalls and volunteers from the Kenley Revival project showcasing intriguing finds, photos, and artifacts from RAF Kenley.
Join us on Sunday, March 17th at the Merlewood Estate Yard on Coulsdon Common anytime between 11am and 2pm. No booking is required for this event, but you can find more information here.
Bird of the month: stonechat
The Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) is a strikingly patterned small bird often seen perched prominently on scrubby bushes in grasslands making a call like two small stones being hit together. Stonechat is a partial migrant, with many birds staying here all year, and some migrating to southern Europe and North Africa. It is thought that a series of mild winters favours those birds that stay behind.
This species has undergone a dramatic change in distribution over the last few decades. In winter, the species distribution has increased to cover 80% of the UK, whilst the breeding range is creeping eastwards from its western strongholds. Best seen and heard on Farthing Downs and Kenley Common this bird is often found searching for seeds and berries above the grasses.
Water way to go: Two new ponds for Kenley Common
If you read February’s newsletter you might well have seen that we’ve been enhancing ponds on Coulsdon Common for wildlife. In addition to the new pond on Coulsdon we’re pleased to say we’ve been working on creating two ponds on Kenley Common.
Contractors have completed work to dig out the two new ponds, this time on Kenley Common. The first pond, located in the area known as Plantation Woods, is in the northwest corner of the site. With the first pond dug out and holding water well (thanks in part to a very wet February), we hope that the next pond, which is located along the Yellow Brick Road to the north of the Common in an area of woodland close to Hawkhirst Woods, will soon fill up with rainwater too. The general idea is that these ponds will contribute to the mosaic of existing ponds and woodland habitat in the local area, providing refuge for amphibians and other wildlife.
Historically, there have been several ponds on Kenley Common but were likely filled in when the site was requisitioned for an airfield where aircraft were assembled and tested before being flown to the Western Front. Much of these ponds likely provided cattle with drinking water and, being situated on the plateau above the drier chalk slopes, would have held water well – a lifeline for wildlife and livestock!
Healthy hedges
Rangers and volunteers returned to the task of hedgelaying on Coulsdon Common, continuing our work from previous years in the Merlewood Paddocks to restore and renew healthy hedgerows for wildlife. Working along the hedge line over two days, it was a group effort to lay the native tree species in the traditional South of England style.
Well-managed hedgerows are a vital component of the countryside ecosystem in the UK; they are nature’s super-highways connecting other habitats and provide food, shelter, and breeding space for a huge number of bird, mammal, and insect species.
Events
Meet the Calves – Merlewood Estate Office/Coulsdon Common
Sunday 17 March 11am-2pm
Come and meet the young calves at the Merlewood Estate Yard on Coulsdon Common! There will also be displays, activities, and artifacts from the Kenley Revival Project. More info and donations via Eventbrite.
Royal Canadian Air Force Centenary Tree Dedication – Kenley Common
Sunday 31 March 1pm
Revd. Annie Kurk, of St. Luke’s Church, Whyteleafe, will lead a short service and tree dedication ceremony to mark the centenary of the formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force in remembrance of the many Canadians who served at RAF Kenley throughout its history. Booking not required, more info via the Kenley Revival website.
Volunteer dates for your diary
To be added to the mailing list for volunteering and updates on where to meet and times etc., please sign up here.
Riddlesdown
Thursday 14 March 10am-3pm
Kenley Common
Tuesday 19 March 10am-3pm
Sun 10 March 10am-2pm
Farthing Downs
Thursday 28 March 10am-3pm
Coulsdon Common
Thursday 4 April 10am-3pm
