Merry Christmas

We'll only be having a short rest over Christmas as there's lots happening in the New Year and our wildlife tends not to celebrate Christmas. From log sales at Tiddesley to New Year walks with the Wyre Forest local group as well as indoor talks with Bromsgrove and Worcester local groups during the first week of the New Year, there's plenty to do and get involved with.

Some of us will also be trying our hand at sorting out and taking photos for the calendar competition that's just been launched - this frost is making for some lovely shots! There's information on our main website if you're interested in entering.

So, until 2010, we hope you have a wonderfully Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

We hope some of you will join is in the New Year!

WWT volunteers

Bittern at the Moors

I popped in to the Moors on Saturday afternoon hoping to see the Bittern again and I wasn't disappointed!

When I scanned the Bittern's usual resting place on the North Moors the bird was sitting out in the open as per the photo.

After about 20 minutes the Bittern wandered off into the reed bed.

I hope you all have a good Christmas and a happy New Year.

Stuart, Upton Warren

Log sale fun

Our Tiddesley Wood log sales went well at the weekend. Hopefully lots of you can now cosy up in front of a real fire for the festive season.

Don't forget to come and support us again at our next log sales in January. And we've got an extra special Valentines Volunteers log sale in February!

Merry Christmas!

Harry, SE Worcs group

Work party fun

As a rookie volunteer, Claire suggested I blog about the recent taster days I’ve attended, so here goes...

For my first practical experience of conservation work I learnt all about coppicing on a near perfect, sunny day at Trench Wood. Loppers and band-saws in hand, we made the most of the glorious autumnal sunshine; cutting down scrub so that it will grow back denser and create a better habitat for the wildlife. Having greatly enjoyed the day, I then went for a second helping at Devils Spittleful where we cleared more scrub from an area of heathland, this time with the focus on uprooting many of the unwanted saplings. Not only did I discover the difference between Aspen (long, thin, pointed buds) and Silver Birch (short, fat, rounded buds), but I had a very satisfying time learning how to swing a mattock!

It’s hard work – I’ve discovered muscles I didn’t realise existed – but knowing you are making a practical contribution to the preservation of these important habitats more than makes up for a bit of pain!

I’m happy to say I’m hooked and looking forward to getting involved in more work parties for the Trust.

Alison, rookie volunteer

Lots of Logs!

Need some logs to keep warm this winter? Then don't forget our TIDDESLEY WOOD LOG SALE this coming weekend, 12th & 13th December, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 1pm.

We've plenty of excellent seasoned hardwood logs for sale either in bags (£4.50) or loose at base price of £85 per cubic metre. We will happily fill car boots, trailers etc! All profits help towards
wildlife conservation.

Sales at the old barn near Tiddesley Wood, Pershore, on the road towards Besford from the Worcester to Pershore road. Take the turn at the top of Allesborough Hill signed to Croome Park.

Harry, SE Worcs local group

Goosander at Upton Warren

This female goosander was on the Moors yesterday. She flew off mid morning & then returned a little later.

Stuart, Upton Warren

Roving Volunteers

The first time the Tuesday Roving Workparty visited Lower Smite Farm this autumn we joined forces with the Smite farming volunteers. Some 400 new blackthorn and other shrubs and trees were used to plant a new hedge between the gate and the field edge at the top of the hill. The field will host a new project including lavender and wild bird seed production units. The second visit had us taking out old gateposts that had been very deeply entrenched, with the added bonus of being bell ended and encased in water.

(The team discovering the depths that a gatepost goes to)

We marked out the new footpath ready for the Smite team to lay another new hedge and helped with the new fencing alongside the road at the back of the house and garden.

Last Tuesday the team visited Long Meadow to undertake coppicing and clearance. The ground was wet and having navigated with map and compass we all gathered and took instruction from Claire.

Ramsay Reaney, Tuesday Roving Volunteers