See attached a link to the 2017 report of the South Notts Ringing Group http://www.southnottswildlife.org.uk/content/?attachment_id=1052

This years AGM saw the endorsement of the following people as the Local Group Committee – Gordon Dyne (Chair), Jacquie Glen (Secretary), Valerie Holt (Treasurer), Judith Booth, Neil Glen , Margie Richards, Cath Lovatt and Chris Overton. Attached are links to the

Groups annual report  http://www.southnottswildlife.org.uk/content/?attachment_id=1047

and annual accounts http://www.southnottswildlife.org.uk/content/?attachment_id=1048.

The AGM was followed by an inspirational talk by the Keeping It Wild team, a wildlife Youth Group for people between 13 and 25. Originally set up in October 2016 around the Skylarks nature reserve project out reach, it is now and active vibrant group within Notts Wildlife Trust (in the same manner as Local Groups and WATCH Groups). They are actively engaged in the management of Woodthorpe Meadow, in promoting public engagement with wildlife, but also in getting out and enjoying our natural environment. Although they get some support from the Trust they are largely self financing, so also carry out fund raising

The group is marking it`s 10th anniversary with a get together for supporters of the group at 2:00pm on Saturday 12th May at St Paul’s Church Hall, West Bridgford  followed by a visit to the wood. We will be looking back at our achievements and launching the next 5 year Management Plan for the future. The Friends have a achieved a lot over the past 10 years starting from scratch and now have an actively managed wood. Unfortunately  they are also facing some significant issues with the housing develoopment and there is currently particular concern about the effects on the Badger sets.

This has been set up to help control the population of Signal Crayfish in ponds at Bulwell Hall in order to help protect populations of native Crayfish further up stream in the River Leen. For more about the project see link to information sheet  www.southnottswildlife.org.uk/content/?attachment_id=1042. The project is being run by the Notts Biodiversity Action Group. Most of the control work is being done by volunteers and if you wish to assist please contact Chris Jackson chris.jackson@no,scc.gov.uk

Good news. The Trust has received another four years funding, to the tune of around £120k, from DEFRA to continue TB vaccination in the Cropwell Butler cheese/dairy “triangle”. Although as the total project is costed at £180k this will need to be matched with contributions  from farmers and companies and also donations. The requirement is to achieve over 70% vaccination levels of sets in the area and the target area extends into Leicestershire.

Tim Williams one of the volunteers who help at Wilwell, buoyed up by his successful investigation into the inmates of leaf litter, has also been looking at what little critters hibernate on tree trunks, using as you would small cardboard squares stapled to trees over the winter (having seen a previous study at Bunny Wood by one Nottm Trent University Ecology student). This has added a number of new species to the Wilwell species list and his short photographic report can be seen on Wilwell Hawthorn Squares

The South Notts Local Group AGM is on Thur 19^th Apr, followed by a talk by the Keeping It Wild Young Peoples Group (Notts Wildlife Trust) on their work and activities. 7.30pm in Room 5, West Bridgford Methodist Church, (junction of Patrick Road and Musters Road), West Bridgford, NG2 7PQ. Admission free. We are interested in hearing from anyone who might be interested in joining the committee for 2018/19 and help us in our work promoting and interest in wildlife locally and supporting the work of Notts Wildlife Trust. If you want to know more please contact me on gordon.dyne@gmail.com or 0115 8784842

The Rushcliffe Wildlife Watch Group has been voted winners of the prestigious ‘Wildlife Watch Group of the year’ for 2017 by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. The announcement made last week said;

“This year, the winner of the Wildlife Watch Group of the Year Awards is Rushcliffe Wildlife Watch Group from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Well done Rushcliffe! This fantastic group is really led by the children – they spent lots of time outdoors (a must for a Watch group!) and lots of their members have won Hedgehog Awards this year by helping wildlife in their area. 

Their group has a knitted hedgehog mascot called Mr Hedgehog. The children take it in turns to take Mr Hedgehog on adventures, completing his diary over the course of the year. In 2017 they made treats for the birds, built a minibeast hotel, picked litter, went on a fungi hunt… and that was just a few of their sessions! “

Judge Ellie Bottomley said: “A fun, creative and enthusiastic group who impressed me with their hedgehog diary of wild adventures which carried on outside of group activities!”

Judge Ben Cook said: “This group is really led by what the children want to do. A good mix of fun and learning: great!”

The Rushcliffe Wildlife Watch Group meets every second Saturday of the month throughout the year, (bar August) at the Education Room in Rushcliffe Country Park – whatever the weather.

The group, which is the junior section of the Wildlife Trusts, is aimed at children aged from 8-13, though there is no strict age restriction at the Rushcliffe group, as there are some younger siblings that enjoy the sessions very much and the group always welcomes new members with open arms.

The next session is Saturday 10^th March 11:00 – 13:00 at the education room in Rushcliffe Country Park, when the group will be discovering all about Myths, Monsters and Folk Tales associated with the natural world. Be prepared to be spookily entertained.

Then on Saturday 14^th April it’s all about Wormholes! A most varied and fascinating subject.

For further information, contact Geoff East on 07804 297041/ Geast@nottswt.co.uk.

The pub quiz at the {Poppy & Pint last Sunday was a great success, with 25 teams and nearly 100 people taking part  There were some demanding questions, badger bonus rounds and spot questions. The winning team got a cracking 83 out of 100 points.

We raised around £418 from entrance fees, raffle and sale of wooly badgers.to help the work of NWT in Rushcliffe and across the county. A big thanks to Niel Glenn, our question setter, to the rest of the team who collected money and tore up raffle tickets et al. But also to the Poppy & Pint who allowed us use of the room (and a prize), but also Castle Rock Brewery, Notts County Football Club, Notts County Cricket Club who also contributed to the prizes, as well as Boots, and Sue Reesby who provided raffle prizes.