THE first-ever BioBlitz in Haslemere was a real voyage of discovery, with an impressive 512 species of wildlife recorded – 198 different varieties of flowering plants, 173 of insects and 14 of mammals.

Haslemere Natural History Society (HNHS) led the detailed audit covering a 1km radius of the town hall with a particular focus on Haslemere Educational Museum and the National Trust’s Swan Barn Farm.

Some uncommon insects, spiders and snails were found in the museum’s grounds and in the damp meadows to the east of the High Street. Especially impressive was the range of moths that were attracted to light traps at Swan Barn Farm in the warmth of Saturday night.

Martyn Phyllis, bat expert and HNHS vice-president, said: “An amazing seven species of bat were detected, including Britain’s largest and smallest species. The real surprise was several records of the extremely rare western barbastelle bat Barbastella barbastellus, of which there are perhaps just 5,000 left in UK. One was even seen flying low over our heads during the evening bat walk, just a few hundred metres from the town centre.”

HNHS president Andy Swan added: “Haslemere is unusual in having the countryside just next to the High Street, and many of the local wild places are still in quite good condition for wildlife. At a time of climate change and competing pressures on the countryside, it is important we maintain knowledge of the extraordinary wildlife we have in our area.”