The Scrubland Superheroes Project has been making fantastic progress in its mission to increase biodiversity across Sussex.

This collaborative land project has brought together farmers and land managers, university students, volunteers, and ecologists to restore thorny scrubland habitats, a crucial yet often overlooked ecosystem that benefits a wide array of species. It is especially crucial as nesting habitat for birds, including our threatened turtle doves, nightingales and cuckoos. It is also laying the groundwork for the potential reintroduction of the red-backed shrike, a once familiar Sussex bird, now nationally extinct as a breeding bird.

One of the highlights has been the completion of an important multi-site survey looking at the abundance and diversity of invertebrate prey that might support in increase in bird populations. The red-backed shrike particularly favours larger hard-shelled beetles. It is a challenging survey to run with sample sites all over the corridor often tucked away in far corners of farmland only accessible by foot. We are beyond grateful to the students and volunteers who trekked to the the sites and rolled up their sleeves to sort through samples, leaving a waft of ethanol and vinegar rolling across the Sussex landscape.

As part of our partnership with Sussex University, the survey is now in the analysis and write-up phase, and the dataset holds exciting potential for future research. To manage wilder species surveys, we also recruited six volunteer butterfly surveyors and four reptile surveyors, who all worked tirelessly to complete surveys by the end of October. Adverse weather conditions posed challenges, but their dedication to the task ensured we gathered valuable data to inform our strategies around the scrubland sites.

Taking all this in to account, we’ve developed detailed management plans for six key project sites that are well suited to scrubland regeneration. These plans include site maps, recommended actions, and methodologies, tailored to address the unique needs of each location. In addition, a network of connector sites have also been included in the restoration vision.

In September we started the capital works on the ground to prepare areas for new scrubland and manage scrub that had become poor quality habitat. Initial works included grassland mowing, baling, and scrub flailing with additional actions like bare ground creation, installing protective exclosures, and wildflower planting.

A major milestone was securing a further £12,500 in funding from Natural England for rotational scrub management and mosaic creation at Peacock Farm, with activity completed in early November. Along with similar works at Iford farm, on the River Ouse, these flagship works harnessing the power of specialist machinery to mimic the type of disruption that large herbivores would inflict on scrubland, creating clearances and pathways to allow for light and species activity.

Once again, volunteers have propped up this vital landwork. Their support and hard graft has been the cornerstone of the project and a prime example of how Sussex communities turn up for nature. Since October, we’ve hosted five volunteer days, bringing together over 50 participants to engage in activities like scrub coppicing, invasive species management, and wildflower plug planting. These efforts have been supported by Wilder Ouse and Wilder Horsham project officers, who provided tools, training, and insurance to ensure the success of these days.

They have been a chance to share learning about habitat management approaches, with highlights included conservation grazing with horses at Beedings Meadow, turtle dove habitat management at Peacock Farm, and wildlife-friendly campsite improvements at Fairoak Farm. To date, 1,125 wildflower plug plants have been distributed and planted, further enriching the local ecosystem.

We have a further three months left to complete this first phase of the Scrubland Superheroes Project. We are seeking funding to continue to support the landholdings with the management of the new scrubland and expand the project along the corridor.

Projects like these are a testament to the power of collaboration and community in conservation. From the field to the lab, every contribution has played a vital role in protecting Sussex’s habitats. As we move into the winter season, we’re excited to build on this momentum and continue our work to restore these critical stepping stone sites.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this mission—together, we’re making a real difference for nature recovery.