Help us build a picture of the wildlife in Groombridge.
Wild Groombridge is a community group, open to all, and our goal is to understand and protect the wildlife and habitats of our village, sharing our enthusiasm and knowledge with local people.
We take practical action that will give the biodiversity of Groombridge the best chance to thrive for generations to come.
Get active for wildlife!
As Wild Groombridge grows, we’re getting involved in exciting projects around the village.
We are exploring ways to create a wildlife-friendly corridor between RSPB Broadwater Warren and Groombridge Place, funded by the High Weald Nature and Community Fund – we’ve planted trees, created a meadow, restored a pond and have more plans afoot.
With the Owl and Raptor Centre, based at Groombridge Place, and the High Weald Nature and Community Fund, we’re supporting a bird nest box project to give all kinds of wild birds a better chance around the village. Groombridge Men’s Shed, the Scouts and Guides are our partners in this.
We’re running a wild verge trial on the grassy slope outside the Parish Council office in Groombridge – we started surveying in July 2022 and in spring 2024 we sowed local wildflower seeds in two sections of the verge. We picked a tricky spot to try this, with almost the worst soil for wild flowers, but in 2026 we began to see the first results.
We’re working with Withyham Parish Council to look after the pond at Park Corner. Volunteer Phil has established that Chiff Chaffs, Nuthatches, Blackcaps and more nest there (see the News page for a photo sheet of birds you might spot at the pond).
With the support of the owners Groombridge Place, a team of muddy volunteers cleared a ghyll of the invasive plant American Skunk Cabbage. More action days coming soon!
Survey Groombridge’s wildlife
We’re building a picture of the wild birds, insects, plants, trees, mammals, fish and fungi in our village. Together we’ll learn about the wildlife, habitats and biodiversity around us.
All you need to do to join is download the free iNaturalist app on your phone. Then get out in the garden, fields, woods, streams and heathlands and see what you can find!
Any observation you add to iNaturalist will be added automatically to the Wild Groombridge iNaturalist project as long as you make it within the area immediately around the village.
Take a look at the project here to see what people have seen in the village this week! https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/wild-groombridge
