Bat transect results at Landport allotments, Lewes

Bat Survey

Landport allotment and Landport Community Garden

8.00pm Tuesday 7 May 2024

 Surveyor: Perry Hockin accompanied by Helen Sida

Following a fascinating introduction by Perry on bats and bat surveying a bat transect was made. Bat detectors were used to locate and identify bats by their sound frequency.

The following species were identified. Numbers are difficult to pin down.

Species identified

Soprano pipistrelle

Common pipistrelle

Brown long-eared bat

Noctule

Myotis ‘water bat’ (Daubenton’s bat?)

Bat boxes

Bat boxes have an 80-90% occupation rate in the first year of installation. This is much higher than bird boxes. Recommended bat box is a Schwegler 2F type or those similar to the 1FF. Made of woodcrete which lasts for many years. Ideally locate 4.5m high, facing north or east. Not on houses – trees and telegraph poles are good.

To take part in bird, bat, amphibian, insect, tree and wildflower surveys at your allotment in Lewes contact Helen Sida

Made possible with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Lewes Town Council

Bird survey results at Haredean Allotments

Local ecologist, Perry Hockin, of Arborweald, conducted a bird survey on the 10th April at the Haredean allotments in Lewes and identified 19 species of birds. These were:

To take part in bird, bat, amphibian, insect, tree and wildflower surveys at your allotment in Lewes contact Helen Sida

Made possible with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Lewes Town Council

Spring Newsletter 2024

Click here for a link to our Lewes Mosaic Allotment Spring Newsletter

We are running some wildlife surveys and monitoring events at allotment sites in Lewes. If you would like to take part email Common Cause for more information

May 2024

Bats                                       Tuesday 7th        8.00pm          Landport Allotments

Wildflowers & trees              Friday 10th         4.30pm           Haredean Allotments

Amphibians & Reptiles         Friday 17th         1.30pm           Paddock Road Allotments

Birds                                       Saturday 18th    8.00am           Highdown Allotments

Pollinators & wildflowers     Monday 20th     11.00am         Church Ln & Queens Rd Allotments

June 2024

Bats                                        Tuesday 4th       8.45pm           Haredean Allotments

Amphibians & Reptiles          Friday 14th         1.30pm           Landport Allotments

Nature Walk                           Friday 21st         4.30pm           Highdown Allotments

Wildflowers and trees           Sunday 23rd      11.00am          Highdown Allotments

Flower visiting insects           Monday 24th     1.00pm           Paddock Road Allotments

Free and all welcome, as numbers at some events are limited please email Helen if you are planning to attend.

Sign up to all our newsletters and receive information about Mosaic Project wildlife events on your allotment here.

Results of allotment holders survey

Many thanks to all those you completed our survey. We received 90 replies from 14 allotment sites. The results of completed surveys can be viewed here.

In summary  

·  97% of replies said growing fruit and veg was most important. Supporting and enjoying wildlife was next at 58%.

·  Time (66%) and resources (17%) are the greatest constraints to doing more. 

·  Almost everyone is already doing something to support wildlife.

·  Most respondents visit their plot more than once a week (66%), 19% visit weekly and 7% daily.

·  The majority of respondents visit their plot for between 1 and 3 hours (78%) each visit.

·  83% visit their allotments on weekdays. Marginally more plot holders visit their plots on Sunday (45%) than Saturday (38%).·  90 replies from 14 allotment sites

·  97% of replies said growing fruit and veg was most important. Supporting and enjoying wildlife was next at 58%.

·  Time (66%) and resources (17%) are the greatest constraints to doing more. 

·  Almost everyone is already doing something to support wildlife.

·  Most respondents visit their plot more than once a week (66%), 19% visit weekly and 7% daily.

·  The majority of respondents visit their plot for between 1 and 3 hours (78%) each visit.

·  83% visit their allotments on weekdays. Marginally more plot holders visit their plots on Sunday (45%) than Saturday (38%).

There is still time to take part in our allotment survey by clicking here or scan the QR code here.

Winter Newsletter 2024

Click here for a link to our Lewes Mosaic Allotment Winter Newsletter

Autumn Newsletter 2023

Click here for a link to our first Lewes Mosaic Allotment Newsletter

To kick start the project we are conducting a short survey to help us understand what your allotment means to you. Please take a couple of minutes to complete the survey by clicking here

Photos: Helen Sida

The Lewes Mosaic Allotment Project is about maximising productivity on your plot as well as making space for wildlife.