BioBlitz!!! Herefordshire’s first wildlife festival.
To mark the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity the Wye Valley AONB, in partnership with the Trust and the Herefordshire BAP Coordinator, is running a two day biodiversity event at Perrystone Court. Friday 18th June will see four schools visiting the site to learn about wildlife and recording.
On Friday evening there will be a bat walk and moth traps and Longworth traps will be set out for inspection the next morning.
Saturday 19th will kick off with a session checking traps and recording trapees! During the day there will be walks and talks on all sorts of subjects from veteran trees to butterflies. This is a chance to learn more about wildlife and do some recording in a parkland that has been closed to the public for many years.
For more information please check the Wye Valley AONB website.
Distressed frogs
The Trust has recently received a number of phone calls from people finding dead frogs and fish in their ponds after the recent ‘arctic’ weather conditions. The likely cause of this is reduced oxygen levels in the pond but disease is also a possibility. Many frogs overwinter in ponds and as they breath through their skin, can stay submerged for long periods. Ice forms a barrier preventing oxygen exchange between the air and the water. As vegetation in the pond rots, it uses up oxygen resulting in frogs dying from the lack of oxygen or ‘anoxia’.
The best thing to do is to keep some of the pond surface ice free by floating a football, polystyrene or plank in the pond and removing it once the pond has frozen but replacing it at night. Otherwise place a boiling pan of water on an ice covered pond to melt a hole in it. Several attempts may be needed on thick ice but never smash the ice as this can send damaging shock-waves into the pond. Pond conservation is currently collating dead amphibians after the ‘Big Thaw’ at: www.pondconservation.org.uk.
From Leintwardine...
The Longworth humane catch and release trap costs in the region of £40. Yet, in the ditches on the approach to this village, there were seen numerous soft drinks cans and plastic bottles, all capable of ensnaring, holding, and killing small mammals, amphibians and other creatures. The “cost” of these traps to the animal population could be huge. Having borrowed a “litter picker” from the Parish Clerk, a short walk from The Lion to the Knighton turn produced two full sacks of this debris. This does not refer to a nature reserve, but all our verges and ditches are frequented by badgers, otters, polecats, deer and many other creatures. The unofficial countryside if you will, but obviously vital to all our wildlife.
From our correspondent in Leintwardine
Lower House Farm book.
The Trust hopes to launch a new book about the history of Lower House Farm and its surrounding land, based on the extensive research carried out by Dr Anthea Brian MBE, one of our most dedicated past Trustees, and a former Chair of the Trust. It is hoped that the launch will take place during European Heritage Days in early September, when buildings of great historical interest that are normally closed to the public, are open for all to poke round! More information in the next edition of Wildside.
The Future of Herefordshire!
Herefordshire Council recently held an open consultation on the future of the county, especially with regard to the new housing requirement from central government. The county must provide 18,500 new homes by 2026, of which 8,000 must be in the City, the remainder to be allocated around the market towns and larger settlements such as Peterchurch. The “Place Shaping Paper Consultation” asked the people of the county to air their views on where the housing should go and how the infrastructure of the county should be improved to cope with the extra pressure on roads, water supply, sewerage and facilities such as shopping and employment. The Trust, in partnership with other environmental organisations, has responded to the consultation, but this is only the first step in a very long process. Ahead may lie some major issues, notably the provision of a relief road for the city. The Trust will keep a close eye on any further consultations and proposals and is prepared to oppose any that may be detrimental to our natural heritage, not least our Lugg Meadow.
Thank you and you.
We are very grateful to Peter and Pauline Smith for their donation of £600 towards the purchase of a new scrubcutter and tirfor hand-winch for use by our practical reserve volunteer teams. They undertake an annual birdwatch and raise funds to support conservation work, including that of the Nature Trust. This is an annual event for Peter and Pauline and we wish them luck for 2010.
Also a big thank you to Charles Wooler, who has donated a range of handtools form his home workshop. Charles used to be the workparty coordinator and also built many nestboxes for the Trust. He has always been a generous supporter of the Trust and we wish him all the best in his new home at Brockhampton.
Hunt out your unwanted mobile phones and inkjets
We'd like to spread the word about our Recycling Appeal scheme and encourage you and your friends to get involved. Over the last 12 months we have raised £204.19 from our supporters donating their old mobile phones and inkjet cartridges to our cause. Lets make 2010 even more successful!
With the design of a new recycling envelope hot off the press we have included one in with your Spring mailing. If you yourself are unable to fill an envelope then please feel free to pass it on to someone else you know who could.
If you would like more of these envelopes for yourself or to display in your place of work or club then telephone Bev Bishop at the Trust or e-mail b.bishop@herefordshirewt.co.uk. We need to get our envelopes out into the wider community so if you have any ideas then let us know.
We also accept toner cartridges but because of their size they will need to be brought into the Trust.
We're on Facebook!
Now you can follow the Trust's activities on our new Facebook page. There's also an opportunity to take part in discussions, post your pictures, hear about forthcoming events and lots more.
To find us on Facebook, simply folow the link below. If you do not have a profile on Facebook then it is easy to join and you can set your level of security so that only people you know can access any of the details you chose to put on the site.
Website: http://www.facebook.com
Your story matters
We are always interested to learn why people decide to mention the Trust in their will. Perhaps you have been a lifelong supporter of the Trust and want to remember us and the work we do by leaving a legacy that will enable us to continue our reserve management and volunteering opportunities. Maybe a specific sum of £500 has been dedicated after attending one of our children's events. We would like to hear about whatever has touched your heart and inspired you to remember us in your will. All information you give us will be treated in complete confidence.
If you have a story that you would be happy for us to include in future legacy articles then why not get in touch today for a chat. Call Bev Bishop at the Trust or e-mail b.bishop@-herefordshirewt.co.uk.
All legacies either large or small make such a difference to what we can achieve.
