We currently carry out a number of species surveys to record biodiversity at East Sheen allotment sites. All our species records are reported to iRecord (platform for sharing wildlife observations) or GIGL (stores environmental data for London)

Mapping

We are mapping all our five allotment sites to record important habitats for biodiversity including ponds and plots which are known to house protected and BAP species.

Reptiles

In 2024 we carried out a reptile survey using survey mats and discovered slow worms and grass snakes at three of our five allotment sites. We have a healthy breeding population of slow worms with adults and juveniles recorded. In addition to this we recorded a small number of grass snakes.

Ponds and amphibians

In 2025 we are undertaking a site wide survey of our ponds, measuring water quality and recording amphibians, in collaboration with the University of Oxford and as part of a wider study of public ponds in the local area. We have several ponds that are successfully used as breeding sites for common frogs and smooth newts.

Butterflies

In 2025 we started a weekly butterfly survey as part of a transect that includes Palewell Common and Fields in collaboration with the conservation charity Barnes Common. This is one of the first transects as part of the national UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme of around 2,500 transects to include an allotment site.