In the first of an occasional series, Maddy Crews, Estate Ranger writes:

Hello. I’m not quite sure where my first 4 months as West Dean’s Ranger have gone… they have flown by. I thought I would introduce myself and tell you about my time on the estate so far.

How did I become a Ranger?
I became a Ranger having completed a 'ranger' apprenticeship with the South Downs National Park (SDNP) in 2019, working alongside the ranger teams, gaining practical skills throughout this time, I also studied part time at Sparsholt college, gaining a level 2 in Environmental Conservation. I then spent the next 3 years, as a ranger for Forestry England across Hampshire and Surrey.

5 years later, here I am at West Dean, an estate I hold close to home, and one I have been exploring for as long as I can remember. I fondly reflect on my first visit to the estate being strapped to my father’s back at only a few weeks old.

What do I do on a typical day?
There isn’t really a “typical” day in the life of a ranger! Usually the day starts with me checking my emails and picking up on any jobs which might need dealing with as a priority e.g. herding mischievous sheep back into the parkland!

My initial focus has been ecology, working varying hours from dawn to dusk carrying out species surveys, watching birds of prey circle overhead and tracking them to their nests; spending evenings listening to the eery sound of Nightjar churring in West Dean Wood, to seeing Stoat bounding their way through the grasslands in Hooksway. The estate is a haven for flora and fauna, I see a new species on the estate most days, and even species’ I haven’t seen before, such as spotted fly catcher.

Starting in late spring has been a joy, from seeing young Roe and Fallow deer, to watching juvenile Red Kites take their first flight (well attempt to!), to engaging with estate visitors who themselves have emerged from spending the winter indoors and are now venturing along the many miles of public rights of way across the estate.

I’ve met the volunteer group who selflessly give up their time to manage coppice coups on the estate and do a brilliant job at managing hazel in rotation each year, fixed up fences and gates, undertaken chalk grassland surveys in Millpond Bottom and so much more!

What’s my favourite part of the job?
I have several favourite aspects of the job, my first would be the variation of environment I get to work in, from species rich chalk grassland, through to wonderful woodland and farmed land, the changing landscape is a pleasure to call my ‘office’.

Since starting at West Dean, so many people have been keen and excited to share recent and historical sightings and information with me. I love wildlife, and it’s a pleasure to see other people excited and curious about what inhabits the estate.

What wildlife can you see at West Dean in early autumn?
Whether you are in the parkland, or walking far and wide on the estate, keep your eyes in the skies. Buzzards and Red Kites are displaying well, juvenile birds are learning how to stretch their wings, circle the sky and find their call.

There have been a number of Barn Owl sightings across the parkland and grasslands around West Dean village, usually leaving their nests as dusk draws in, their slow flight, gives the birds ample time to locate and pinpoint prey on the ground below.

That’s it for now.

With best wishes,

Maddy