A daring bug rescue attempt has been carried out in Beacon Hill by the Haslemere Biodiversity Group and the National Trust.

The UK has lost a shocking 97 per cent of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s, leading to alarming declines in insect populations. The annual Bugs Matter survey revealed a staggering 78 per cent drop in insects between 2004 and 2023, assessed through the unflattering "car numberplate splat test."

This led conservation charity Buglife to identify crucial ‘B-lines’ – habitat corridors vital for insect movement – across the UK and Europe.

But there is good news for the bugs because large areas around Haslemere lie within these insect superhighways, which are crucial for pollination and as a food source for local bats and birds. The area’s diverse habitats host rare species, including the elusive nightjar, known for its haunting calls and insatiable appetite for insects.

Local conservation group Haslemere Biodiversity has partnered with Buglife to restore wildflower habitats within these B-lines. In early October, a team of volunteers from the National Trust and Haslemere Biodiversity braved the rain to sow wildflower seeds in Beacon Hill. The National Trust owns the verge, while Haslemere Town Council oversees its management. Guided by Buglife, they planted two specific seed mixes suited to the area’s soil. While the verge may look a bit messy now, come next year, bugs and humans alike will be stopping to smell the flowers.

As autumn sets in, residents can help wildlife by creating spaces for wildflowers in their gardens and leaving berries on trees.