A volunteer wildlife project committed to improving the natural environment at the Sussex Police HQ in Lewes has proved to be a huge success.

The project has seen plant diversity in the wildflower areas increase by sixty per cent in its first season, since the project was started earlier this year.

There has also been over 200 individual wildlife sightings submitted by officers and staff at HQ including:

• 31 bird species including green woodpecker, kestrel, sparrowhawk and tawny owl.
• Two reptile species, slow worm and grass snake.
• 54 flowering plants, including pyramidal orchid and the common spotted orchid.
• Badgers, foxes and grey squirrels.
• Thirty invertebrates have been identified, including nine butterfly species - these included the clouded yellow butterfly, the lesser stag beetle, the southern hawker dragonfly and the elephant hawk moth. 
• Twelve tree species - including elm, yew and fig.

The 'Improving Biodiversity Project' co-ordinated by PC Jason Ede was started earlier this year not only to enhance the plant and animal species but to enrich the working environment for staff at HQ. Jason said:

"Many people may be surprised to learn that HQ already boasts a good variety of trees (including oak, elm, beech, yew, ash and birch) and also includes formal gardens and grassy areas used by a wide range of birds, foxes, squirrels and grass snakes.

"We have created some wildflower meadow areas on what was bland and lifeless grass areas, and built some hedgehog hibernacula and dead wood communities across the site. Also added to the site to improve to help the wildlife are stag beetle nest pots, reptile basking areas and a bug hotel comprising of many wooden pallets stacked up with individual niches created in the spaces."