Patmore Heath
Patmore Heath is an outstanding example of grass heathland, now a scarce habitat in the south east. With its ponds, the reserve is rich in flora and insects.
The heath is typified by wavy hair grass, red and sheep's fescue grasses and sweet vernal grass, with characteristic summer herbs such as heath bedstraw and sheep's sorrel. In damper areas the locally rare heath rush and galingale can be found.
The ponds support all three native newts, including the locally rare palmate newt, as well as plants like creeping jenny and lesser spearwort.
In early summer the reserve comes alive with insects including dragonflies and small copper butterflies, while in winter redwings feed on hawthorn berries and green woodpeckers probe the ant-hills for food.
Patmore Heath is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and leased by the Trust from Albury Parish Council.
How we manage Patmore Heath
The management regime is designed to encourage a diversity of species. The cessation of regular grazing allowed saplings to develop on the reserve but a return to regular sheep grazing and scrub control by local volunteers now help to maintain the heath.
