Henfield's brilliant BioBlitz

Sussex naturalist and Lost Woods senior community development worker Michael Blencowe helped out Henfield's community-led and hugely successful 'BioBlitz'. Michael shares how the Lost Woods project has supported the initiative and how your community can set-up your own BioBlitz.

There's a lot going on in Henfield this year!

Henfield Parish Council have declared 2024 their 'Year of Biodiversity' to highlight the importance the local environment, both now and for future generations. It feels like the whole parish has become focussed on surveying, celebrating and conserving the wonderful wildlife that lives there.

Henfield has always been proud of its natural heritage. It's the birthplace of William Borrer, who was one of the leading botanists of his time and the father of British lichenology (and it was his birthday recently, so Happy 243rd Birthday to him!). And Henfield Birdwatch - a very active birdwatching community - may not be as old as Borrer, but this year they are celebrating their 25th anniversary.

The Lost Woods project has been working closely with Sustainable Henfield 2030 and the Parish Council to support their 'Year of Biodiversity' initiative. I gave a talk on the biodiversity of Henfield at the launch event in January, one of our volunteers Sim Elliot recently led a Lichen walk, and we're supporting their upcoming bat events too.

We also attended a great event held in the Tanyard last Saturday- a 'BioBlitz' where Henfield residents surveyed and recorded every species of wildlife they could find.

‘Bio’ means ‘life’ and ‘Blitz’ means ‘to do something quickly and intensively’. Together they make ‘BioBlitz’, a collaborative race against the clock to discover as many species of plants, animals and fungi as possible, within a set location, over a defined time period (usually 24 hours). (BioBlitz guide, Natural History Consortium) 

There were moth trappers who revealed amazing hawkmoths and other species that have been flying around Henfield at night, local licensed bird ringer Val Bentley gave a demonstration of mist netting, and Katie Parker (Sussex Wildlife Trust) helped children pull Water Scorpions and newts from the Tanyard Pond. A huge male Stag Beetle even flew in to join the party.

I gave a short talk on local woodland mammals  before exploring the small Tanyard woodland, and opening Longworth small mammal traps. At one point it seemed like the local mammals were not taking part in the event but one brave Wood Mouse heroically let himself get trapped so we could have a look at him (before being released back into the wood).

There were other stalls too promoting Henfield Birdwatch and Sustainable Henfield 2030 who have been very supportive of the Lost Woods project since it began.

It was also lovely that this event was being held right next to William Borrer's house. In the grounds of the adjacent Red Oaks you can still see the giant Red Oak trees that Borrer planted over two centuries ago.

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But despite all this biodiversity on display, the highlight for me was a walk along nearby Blackgate Lane where, overnight, an enchanting collection of crocheted creatures had emerged.

To support the 'Year of Biodiversity', the anonymous knitters and crocheters of Henfield had produced an amazing assortment of animals and birds that hung in the trees and bushes. All of these creations were amazing - but I particularly fell in love with the Magpie!

There are plenty more events being held this year as part of Henfield's 'Year of Biodiversity'. You can find out more here.

Is your community or conservation group feeling inspired? 

If you're inspired to organise your own BioBlitz in your community, then read over this great guide from the Natural History Consortium and email the Lost Woods team and we can chat with you about what's involved.