Kinoulton Swift Project are having another swift evening on 10th July at St Luke’s church, Kinoulton. Big emphasis on insects and the churchyard, as well as the colony in the tower. Swifts 61% occupancy, 25 breeding pairs so far; 10 nests with 3 chicks, 7 with 2 chicks. We have 16 nests on camera in the nave.
Attaching a flyer for the evening. Alan Wilkins Kinoulton Swift Project flyer
This is a directory of nature-based activities and Green Spaces in Rushcliffe, and is for social prescribers and healthcare workers who want to find activities for their patients, as well as individuals who are looking for an activity to get involved in. Besides using to to give yourself and family ideas of opportunities localy, if you know of any local group/activity that would seem to fit the bill please encourage them to put themselves forward for inclusion, the more the merrier. The BGB is online on https://www.rushcliffehealth.org/green-book
A partnership of organisations are looking to set up a National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme pilot, a three year project is starting currently. The pilot is looking for sites to be included in the project and it would be great to have a number of sites from Nottinghamshire included in this work. If you think you or your organisation have a site that could be used in this pilot or that you may be interested in getting involved as a volunteer please contact Lauren Moore lauren.moore@ntu.ac.
Researchers from NTU Brackenhurst are collaborating with PTES, ZSL, University of Durham and various other partners on a National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme pilot.
In brief, the survey would cover an area of 1km in which a grid of 30 motion-detection cameras would be set up by members of the team or project volunteers. The cameras will be recording 24-hours a day for 30 days, once every year (3-year pilot). The data files will then run through a piece of software that first removes all non-target data (inc. human activity, vegetation movement, bright sunshine bleaching etc.), before the data is then uploaded to MammalWeb, where the files will be individually checked, and all species identified (not just hedgehogs). The hedgehog data will be sent to the data boffins to undertake statistical analysis on population estimates. The biological records (all species) will be made available to the relevant LERCs.
Fundamentally, the aim of the project is to produce robust hedgehog population estimates. However, it is anticipated that a broad range of other species are likely to be captured and therefore the project will also help us to gain additional biological data on Nottinghamshire’s wildlife. The project has been trialled in London and is set to continue. NTU are therefore hoping to base their surveys in rural / semi-rural locations. However, all sites will be considered. This is therefore a shout out to any partners / landowners In Nottinghamshire, who would be happy to take part in the trial and are willing to provide access to suitable sites.
For more information, please contact Lauren Moore lauren.moore@ntu.ac.uk
This season, the Nottinghamshire Dormouse Group will be attempting to undertake a county-wide dormouse survey to attempt to determine if there are any ‘natural’ dormouse populations in Nottinghamshire. As far as we are aware, there have never been any surveys undertaken in the county to determine the presence / likely absence of dormice. Our understanding of their status in Nottinghamshire is based on an assumption made from information gleaned in 1885 by Naturalist George T Rope.
In other counties, there is a requirement for to undertaken presence / absence surveys to inform any planning application that has the potential to impact on any habitats that have the potential to impact dormouse habitat (hedgerows, scrub, woodlands etc). However, this is not the case in Nottinghamshire and consequently, we do not have any ‘modern day’ data on their status. We have already identified 20 priority woodlands. These are all ancient woodlands and appear to still have some level of landscape connectivity, which is crucial.
The following google sheet also list all of the woodlands, in addition to some spare woodlands (in case our preferable woodlands are not available). https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qJm6F_ohq6JBaEj9F5TeOk9UuB0fI5tmfYRbe8SsKGg/edit?usp=sharing Specifically in Rushcliffe they are interested in finding who owns Gotham Wood (SK522292) which is on Wood Lane (nr Gotham) on the other side of the shallow valley opposite Stonepit Plantation, Cottagers and Gotham Hill Wood.
If anyone knows the landowner, please let Lorna know LGriffiths@nottswt.co.uk. Also, if there are other woodlands that partners think may have potential to support hazel dormice, please do add them to the list. Ideally, we are wanting ancient woodlands with an element of landscape connectivity, be that hedgerows or nearby pockets of woodland.
Thank you – Lorna Griffiths MRes BSc (Hons) ACIEEM (City Nature Recovery Officer)
Tel: 0115 958 8242
Road verges form a significant wildlife resource in Rushcliffe, as well as providing interconnectivity for a variety of species – whether it is the wide tall grass and Cow Parsley verges in the south of Rushcliffe or pretty daisy/dandelion flower dotted verges. All have a value for a variety invertebrates, small mammals and birds etc, as well as looking grand.
The Highways Agency are responsible for mowing trunk roads (A453, A52, A46) and have a complex mowing policy involving six different categories !.
But the all other A rand rural B roads and minor rural roads are the responsibility of Notts County Council, apart from verges in villages (Parish Councils). The standard NCC regime is a 1.2 meter wide cut along the road edge twice per year, with a full width verge cut once every three years, but visibility areas at junctions etc are cut more frequently. In addition NCC manage some small verges designated as Notified Road Verges with a single annual cut (not a cheap otion). There are three NRV`s in Rushcliffe that are part of this programme and they are signed.
With all the talk of No Mow May it is worth remembering that, yes some verges will get mown in May, BUT they shouldn`t then get mown again for at least a couple of months. During that time low growing flowers such as Dandelion, Speedwell, Self Heal etc etc will get a chance to flower in areas where they are not having to compete so much with the more vigorous plants such as Cow Parsley , Red Campion and the taller grasses. But these more denser growth areas can support a different range of insects and provide cover for small mammals. These variations in habitat are important, providing opportunities for different species. So overall this is not a bad regime and reasonably inline with Plantlife guidance on a compromise mowing regime.
But it is fair to say that not everybody see it that way, some see it as untidy or as cost cutting. The point is people do write in and complain, getting councillors attention. So it is incumbent on fans of flowery, abundant roadsides to also write into councillors praising verges that are looking good, grumbling about verges cut in their prime, making the case for restraining the mowers or to julp up and down if you think a verge is being over mown.
But whilst it is County Councillors who can most influence mowing policy, Rushcliffe councillors will also get adverse comments about verges and will discus them with their county counterparts, so we would advocate contacting both your Borough Councillors and County Councilor
Whether you are pleased with how verges look, or feel they could do better stand up and be counted for wildlife friendly road verges.
Gordon Dyne (RNCSIG)
County Council Verge Management (all other A Roads + B and minor roads)
Rural verges have a 1.2 meter cut along the road edge twice per year, with a full width cut once every three years. Visibility areas at junctions etc are cut more frequently.
Selected Notified Road Verges are managed with a single annual cut in late summer/autumn with arisings removed.
But Parish councils often take responsibility for verges in villages.
On occasions house owners/landowners choose to mow verges in front of their property
Highways Agency Verge Management on Trunk Roads (A453, A52, A46)
Generally speaking grass is divided into visibility, amenity and swathe, along with wildflower and open grassland management.
The UK Government had been forging forward with a ‘sunset clause’ on the Retained EU Law Bill that would bulldoze hundreds of important laws that protect nature and people at the end of the year. But this week they have announced it will scrap the ‘sunset clause’ and keep many of these vital environmental laws. This in part is a result of passionate postcards, emails and tweets by committed supporters to MPs raising the alarm organized by various NGO`s such as The Wildlife Trusts, National Trust and RSPB (and promoted locally).
The Wildlife Trusts are not congratulating the Government for its decision to stop doing something it should never have even thought about in the first place. Given the urgent need to address the nature and climate crisis, they should be strengthening protections, not ripping them apart.
This is a huge shift from the Government, but we are concerned that some laws are still to be binned, whilst the Bill will continue to allow future Ministers, not Parliament, to revoke important laws at whim, whenever they want to.
A Bulldozer in it`s native habitat
30 Days Wild is The Wildlife Trusts’ annual national nature challenge where we ask the nation to do one ‘wild’ thing a day every day throughout June. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is running it locally.
Your daily wild activities can be anything you like – you might be having breakfast with the birds on Monday, feeling the grass between your toes on Tuesday, and watching wildlife webcams on Wednesday. There’s no set structure, so you can take part in a way that suits you. Alongside benefiting your local wildlife, taking part in 30 Days Wild is scientifically proven to make you feel happier, healthier, and more connected to nature.
Anyone can take part in 30 Days Wild, we even have resources for schools, care homes and businesses. Follow this link https://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/30-days-wild-0 to sign up today and receive a FREE pack in the post, including lots of inspiration for activities.
The Wildlife Trusts have produced a free guide ‘The Greener Gardening guide – Perfecting peat-free’ to support peoples transition to peat-free, offering up tips and tricks for getting the most out of your compost as well as shopping for peat-free compost. It is also relevant to those who are already peat-free. Follow this link https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/download-our-guide-going-peat-free
Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Strategy Implementation Group (RNCSIG) Annual Report for 2022/23. RNCSIG was originally set up in 2003 to help promote the Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Strategy. See the link for the Annual Rpt http://www.southnottswildlife.org.uk/content/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RNCSIG-Annual-Rpt-2022-23.doc and for make up of the Steering Group for the current year.
http://www.southnottswildlife.org.uk/content/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RNCSIG-Members.doc
