Meet VRM for Levin Down - Rob Eadie

Emma Chaplin
, 16 June 2024
Meet VRM for Levin Down - Rob Eadie
Rob Eadie © Roz Bassford

Tell me a bit about yourself and how you came to be VRM (Volunteer Reserve Manager) at Levin Down nature reserve

My connection with the Chalk Downs of West Sussex began when I was 12 years old, when my parents moved to a cottage on the downs near Kingley Vale NNR, a few miles north of Chichester. So began a life-long interest in the flora and fauna of the South Downs. I only recently discovered Levin Down, when I returned from working and living in London for many years. I started volunteering for Chichester Conservation Volunteers (CCV) and worked on many reserves across West Sussex, including Levin. Several years ago Bill Young, the previous VRM of Levin, invited me to take over from him, which I was delighted to do.

Levin Down © Sam Roberts
Levin Down © Sam Roberts

What does a VRM do?

As VRM I have no formal brief other than to lead volunteers on a regular basis and to carry out various tasks to help manage the reserve for its rare chalk grassland and chalk heath. Recent work includes clearing scrub encroaching the grassland, crown lifting the lower branches of Yew trees (so livestock can’t reach the poisonous foliage) and in the summer keeping the footpaths clear. Other than this, I visit the reserve on a regular basis to observe and record flora and fauna, and I also give regular guided tours to local natural history societies and other interested groups.

What’s special about this reserve?

Levin is an oasis of biological diversity set in a landscape dominated by agriculture and forestry. Too steep to plough, Levin has remained an ‘unimproved’ landscape, providing an environment in which rare chalk loving plants and insects can thrive. Levin also has a very important colony of Juniper trees - a species of conifer which has declined significantly in southern England. There is also a patch of rare Chalk Heath on the eastern slope where acid loving plants such as Heather and Tormentil thrive alongside the chalk flora.

Chalkhill Blue © Rob Eadie
Chalkhill Blue © Rob Eadie

Where’s your favourite spot?

My favourite part of the reserve is probably half-way up the sunny south facing slope - the steepest part of the reserve. Here there are stunning views to the east up the East Dean valley, and south towards Kingley Vale and the Isle of Wight. 

There is some fine chalk turf here, and this is a great spot for classic downland butterflies such as Chalkhill Blue, Brown Argus, Grizzled and Dingy Skippers.

Goldcrest © Rob Eadie
Goldcrest © Rob Eadie

Tell me about your wildlife art

I have a life-long interest in painting the landscape and wildlife of the West Sussex downs and currently I enjoy painting birds, plants and insects in watercolour. Much of my inspiration for these recent paintings comes from wildlife found and photographed on Levin Down.

Follow Rob on Instagram - @levindownwildman

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Comments

  • Henri Brocklebank:

    Stunning painting Rob. Hoping to visit Levin soon.

    18 Jun 2024 18:49:00

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