Easter Holiday Appeal Urges Residents to Record Wildlife at Frimley Fuel Allotments

Local residents are being encouraged to turn their Easter holiday walks into a meaningful conservation effort, as a new community-led campaign calls on visitors to record wildlife sightings at Frimley Fuel Allotments (FFA).

With families heading outdoors over the Easter break, campaign organisers say it is the perfect opportunity to capture evidence of the rich biodiversity that exists across the site — evidence that could prove critical in future planning decisions.

The initiative follows discussions with the Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre (SBIC), the county’s official environmental records body, hosted by Surrey Wildlife Trust. When ecological data for the site was reviewed, campaigners were surprised to find that recorded wildlife sightings for Frimley Fuel Allotments remain relatively low.

Why wildlife recording matters

Despite being widely regarded by locals as a thriving natural habitat, under-recording poses a real risk.

If species are not formally logged, they do not appear in official ecological searches. Without that data, important habitats and protected species can be more easily overlooked in planning and development processes.

Campaign organisers stress that building a strong, accurate evidence base is essential to ensure the site receives the environmental consideration it deserves.

Frimley Fuel Allotments is already designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI), with notable habitats including lowland heathland — a rare and valuable ecosystem in Surrey.

Recorded species at the site include protected reptiles such as adders, common lizards and slow-worms, as well as brown long-eared bats and stag beetles. The area is also home to priority species like the grayling butterfly and silver-studded blue, both of which are closely associated with heathland environments.

Community call to action

Residents are now being asked to record any wildlife they encounter — from birds and butterflies to fungi, wildflowers and reptiles.

There are three recommended ways to submit sightings:

• Email SBIC directly with details including date, species, location and photos where possible (see below)
• Use the iRecord app, which feeds into national biodiversity systems
• Share sightings within local community groups, where volunteers can help collate and submit records

YOUR EMAIL:

TO: [email protected]

SUBJECT: Frimley Fuel Allotments

Please include: Your name, Date of sighting (you can backdate if you know the date), Species seen, Precise location (grid reference preferred or clear description or just Frimley Fuel Allotment

Organisers note that only one method should be used per sighting to avoid duplication.

Special care is also being advised when recording sensitive species. Sightings of badgers or their setts should not be shared publicly and instead reported privately to SBIC to protect them from disturbance.

A long-term effort, not a one-off

Campaign leaders emphasise that this is not just an Easter activity, but an ongoing effort.

“Every visit, every sighting, every season it all adds up,” a organisers said. “This is about building a clear, undeniable picture of what exists here.”

While organisers acknowledge that wildlife recording alone will not determine the outcome of any future development decisions, they say robust ecological data significantly strengthens the case for protection.

Responsible participation encouraged

Participants are urged to observe wildlife responsibly — without disturbing habitats, handling species or entering restricted areas.

The campaign is entirely volunteer-led, with organisers highlighting that all contributions are made in good faith and that individuals remain responsible for their own observations and submissions.

A simple message

As families head out over the Easter holidays, the message from campaigners is clear:

See it. Record it. Submit It. Protect it.