A Year at Broadway Gravel Pit

9 of us enjoyed the last couple of work parties at Broadway Gravel Pit tackling such jobs as path clearance, removal of derelict blackthorn in readiness for replanting with new hedging, pollarding an overgrown goat willow, cutting back brambles to encourage damson trees to flourish and pulling up huge swathes of nettles between the hide and the first pool.

Emperor dragonfly (c) Mike Averill

As I write we have clocked up over 530 volunteer hours so far this year and still managed to host some extraordinary wildlife. Again as I write we have had four visits by a kingfisher, regular attendance by grey wagtails, grey heron, buzzards, bullfinches, treecreepers etc. Grass snakes, smooth and great crested newts are all breeding successfully, we have had various moths, bees, dragonflies and butterflies including the rare hornet clearwing, emperor dragonfly (a mature male). Greylag goose was a new record this year when two pairs dropped in. Stoat, badger and roe deer are all notable residents/visitors.

The reserve bird list for 2014 currently stands at 47 species with the best single day count being 23 species on 6th July.

Mark, Broadway Gravel Pit

Winter at Hill Court Farm

The Hill Court Farm reserve is a wetland reserve, but even here I don't think we've ever seen it quite as wet!

This was the view last week, showing just how flooded some of the fields have become -

A large number of wetland birds such as ducks, swans and waders have been taking advantage of the flooded landscape making quite a spectacle at times.  But I'm sure the conditions have made life difficult for other birds and mammals wildlife on the reserve, just as it has made every day life a little trickier for many of us.

As for our intrepid volunteers, we have spent the winter clearing, coppicing and laying a long length of hedgerow which, as we've slashed, chopped and sawn away, has seemed an almost destructive task at times. 

However, when Spring comes around and the hedge begins to sprout new growth we will end up with a healthier, thicker hedgerow which will provide an important source of food and shelter for a variety of birds and other animals e.g. small mammals and butterflies.

If you would like to become involved in the volunteer work at Hill Court Farm our next volunteer work party is taking place this Saturday 22 February, when we will be planting new trees - one of my favourite tasks because it feels so constructive and nurturing.

For more details contact Rob or Naomi on 01905 754919 or email enquiries@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org.

Sara, Reserve warden Hill Court Farm 

Roving volunteers at Upton Warren

Yesterday the rovers were putting in some new fox proof, stock proof fencing, ready in time for the bird breeding season; a pair of avocets have already arrived! The fence will stop foxes getting in to disturb birds, and we're also confident our lovely Dexter cows won't be able to bash through either.

Contrary to what you might expect, we've been having some lovely bright days on work parties recently, with temperatures picking up and the days getting longer. Thanks to everyone for your continued effort.

Naomi, Volunteer Coordinator

Updates from Feckenham

This summer has been a good one for Feckenham Wylde Moor. In particular and probably most importantly we have had a hay cut. Yes I can hear you all gasping with amazement but it's true.

Half mown....

The long dry spells enabled us to make the cut on August 21st when the ground had been dry for some weeks. Those of you who remember last summer and the reserve will know how wet it was and we had to revert to plan B which was to blitz graze the un-cut meadows with 20 plus Herefords. They did good job considering but nowhere near as good as having the meadows mowed, baled and removed.

...full mown...

So, after the initial cut the hay was left to dry out for a few days over a hot weekend and then baled up and stacked on the drier part of the reserve adjoining Moors Lane.

...baled...

All we need now is to get the cattle onto the ground for a couple of months to munch through the new growth.

...and ready!

There is a slight problem there in as much that our grazier can only move cattle once TB testing has been done and no reactors found and the paperwork issued This takes a while and therefore we are still waiting but hope to see either Herefords back on or there is a chance of some hardy Jacobs sheep. Whichever it will be very welcome and will significantly benefit the reserve for next year and the future.

 On another note, we have had good numbers of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies and Brown Hairstreak eggs have once again been found in reasonable numbers on the reserve so that bodes well for next year.

Paul, Feckenham Wylde Moor reserve warden

Mowing at Upton Warren

Thanks to Gordon, his friend with machinery and volunteers several areas were mown on Saturday prior to the breeding season. Flashes East (Sewage meadow) now looks 100% better than it did - which will improve the habitat for the birds, wild flowers and insects over the coming months.

Since we have been regularly mowing the area around the main hide we have seen notable increases in wild flowers such as lady's smock, meadow buttercups and vetches as well as knapweed, marsh thistle and other composite-type plants which are highly attractive to butterflies and bumblebees. This provides valuable extra interest during the summer months that are often relatively quiet, bird-wise. Despite a series of summers with poor weather, we continue to see increasing numbers of marbled White, ringlets, meadow browns and skippers in this area, for instance. Such insects are becoming scarcer in the intensively-farmed wider countryside.

This diversity is in contrast to the sewage meadow which, because of inadequate management in the past, mainly consists of tussock-forming coarse grasses with relatively little interest. Hopefully, this will now start to change.

With this in mind I hope we can look forward to mowing of the sewage meadow twice a year (once in spring and again in each autumn).

David, Upton Warren

Bittern

The bittern has been showing well on the North Moors. Its been catching plenty of nice sized fish (for a bittern) that appear to mostly roach.

Maybe it's building up its energy reserves for the flight back to the breeding area?

Stuart, Upton Warren

Taster at Tiddesley

On march 7th we were off again into the woods, to clear some trees and put up some deer fencing, Yippee!! This had been organised by the Trust as a taster session to give newbies like me an idea of what volunteering is all about.

This was only my 3rd time volunteering and I was really looking forward to getting out of the splitting barn (although for those who know me, I'm quite partial to a bit of splitting!). I worked on the understanding that when Claire says "prompt" she means prompt, so me being me I arrived way too early and it took about 30 minutes before people started to show!

We set off from the car park and into the wood, where there were the beginnings of what was promised to be a roaring fire (if only it was a easy as that)!

Eventually there was a gang of about 10 of us and we had a briefing from Rob about why we were doing what we were doing, which always helps your motivation! We were clearing an area to promote new growth; most of the work was thanks to the deer having a taste for the small, fresh growth that we also wanted, albeit for slightly different reasons!

I had a great time, thirsty work mind! So at 11.00 a tea break was very well earned (thanks to Claire with the camping stove)! We were like a bunch of hobbits, huddled around a little kettle!
Oh and the Jammy Dodgers were very well received!!

It's amazing how much a group of willing people can achieve in a few hours, it'll never cease to amaze me. I think if anyone walking dogs had stumbled upon us at certain points they may have wondered what was so amusing.. there was a lot of giggling going on, and it wasn't just me, sorry chaps! I do believe we even had Harry (Green) tittering on a few occasions!

Overall another great day. We finished at 3.00, packed up and cleared out, with only the squelching of our boots to be heard!

Thanks to all involved and I look very much forward to seeing you all again soon

Heather, Tiddesley Wood

Slavonian Grebe footage

I managed to get some footage of the Slavonian grebe on Friday. We were hoping it would stay around for longer.

Paul, Feckenham Wylde Moor

Of deep ploughing & sheep!

The Heathland restoration at Blackstone Farm took another important step forward last Tuesday when the first of the newly acquired arable fields was deep ploughed to bury the nutrient-rich top soil and bring the nutrient-poor sub soil to the surface. This required the use of a much more powerful tractor unit than would be used for normal ploughing. The operation was not just appreciated by the Trust as part of its plan but also by the ever hungry black headed gulls.

The Devil's Spittleful monthly volunteers work group spent last Thursday morning cleaning the scrub from alongside the boundary fencing with the Severn Valley Railway track and fitting stock-proof netting ready for the introduction of rare breed (Soay) sheep to the Reserve. The sheep will help to keep the existing grass meadows suitable for the Reserve's unusual flora. The photograph shows the group taking a well deserved lunch break before moving on to upgrade the field gates and collect litter from around the rock outcrop.

John, Stourbridge local group

Slavonian Grebe at Feckenham

The arrival of the Slavonian grebe has certainly put Feckenham on the map!

Stuart, Upton Warren

Rarity for Feckenham

I first noticed the Slavonian Grebe at 10.30 am on Wednesday when the resident Coot started to get agitated. It chased the Grebe before diving on top of it and forcing it under water. The Grebe however, surfaced some distance away leaving the Coot totally puzzled as to where it had gone. As the Grebe was now well out of the Coot's teritory it left it alone to feed for the rest of the afternoon. Diving every 3 or 4 minutes, on most occasions it was coming up with a Stickleback.

It spent most of the afternoon feeding before settleing down for a sleep in the sun, only to be disturbed by the family of returning Canadas!

Paul, Feckenham Wylde Moor

Moths at Monkwood

The first visit of last year was in early March. An impressive amount of clearance work and coppicing had been done over the winter and the piles of cut poles produced signs of one of the scarcer moth of the year. 41 Ectoedemia atrifrontella is one of very few Nepticulid moths that mine bark rather than leaves. The larva's tunnels leave a raised pattern on the bark of young oak branches. The moth is Nationally notable. Tony Simpson had recorded the moth at Monkwood in the 1980's so it is good to know it is still there.

The final trapping session of the year was Mike Southall's public event in September. 38 species were recorded from 7 traps. Highlights were 2364 Frosted Orange, a very late 2422 Green Silver Lines and a large number (115 between us!) of 1658 Oak Lutestrings. Monkwood must be the best site for this species in the county by some distance. The event was well attended by
members of the public who were new to moths and enjoyed seeing them close up.

Over 182 species were recorded for Monkwood in 2009. The site continues to offer excellent
habitat for some of our county's scarcer moths. I'll keep you updated as 2010 unfolds!

Oliver, Monkwood

Yesterday on Ipsley Alders were two little egrets around the north pond, also good flocks of goldfinch, redpoll and siskin.

I spoke with Rob regarding the cattle - the TB test were all negative so that is good news - he is going to return the seven cows within the next couple of weeks.

There may be a problem with Blacksoils brook in so far as the culvert that goes under Alders Drive is blocked with rubbish washed down by melt water and recent rain - the brook has overflowed but only into the reserve so far as I can see. I will not be able to get to it until the first weekend in February - provided there is no heavy rain there should not be a problem.

Michael, Ipsley Alders

(Photo of Ipsley Alders by Tony Kelly)

Bee hotels

Our OPAL (Open Air Laboratories) West Midlands contact has been to see our 'bee hotel' and we've found lots of bees!

As part of their research across the region we've had a 'bee hotel' throughout the summer. This has been specifically designed to help a range of bees find a home. Our hotel was taken apart and we were able to see the cocoons that bees make to allow them to sleep throughout the winter. We discovered 2 different types of leafcutter bees as well as red mason bees.

Leafcutter bees are amazing - they collect fragments of leaves to contstruct individual nest cells. They cut the leaves to make a smooth semicircle about 20mm in diameter. They're then used to build up a cell within a tube-like nest (either one they've already built or artificial like ours). Each leaf-lined cell is provisioned with nectar and pollen, an egg laid into it and sealed. A nest tunnel may have up to 1 dozen or more of these cells. Once finished, the adult seals the end and leaves nature to take its course.

You'll be pleased to hear that although we've removed the cells from the tube the bees will remain safe until the weather warms in late spring. Can't wait to see them flying around in the gardenin the summer. And we're all looking forward to receiving our next bee totel this year.

Mary, Lower Smite Farm

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

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

700 million years of Earth's history

The last indoor meeting of the SE Worcestershire local group at Wulstan Hall, Pershore hosted a speaker from the Earth Heritage Trust, Eve Miles, who gave a very interesting and enthusiastic talk on Linking Geodiversity and Biodiversity.

It was fascinating to find out how special the geology of Worcestershire is, how old the Malvern hills are, and how the geology of a region can influence the plants that grow. Eve brought with her an excellent presentation, fossil bearing rocks, landscape and geology trail leaflets and newsletters from the Earth Heritage Trust.

By far the most amazing revelation was the Geopark Way, a 109 mile walking trail through the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark that I didn't know existed, it looks fantastic - and now I can't wait until the spring so that I can start exploring 700 million years of the Earth's history!

Our next indoor meeting is on Thursday 15th December at Wulstan Hall, Pershore when we will be welcoming Roger Umpelby to talk to us about Friends and Foes in the Garden - and its our Christmas meeting so festive refreshments will be available - come along and join us!

http://www.earthheritagetrust.org/

Jayne, SE Worcs local group