DANES Annual Insect Extravaganda

The Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Entomological Society are running their annual insect exhibition at INSECT SHOW on Saturday 11th November 10.30-4.30 Brackenhurst Campus (Nottingham Trent University) on A612 just south of Southwell NG9 0QF

Come and explore the amazing world of insects. There will be a large number of fascinating and educational displays including live exhibits. There will also be various items for sale. There will be something to interest both adults and youngsters, whether you know anything about insects or not. A series of talks will also run throughout the day. Enjoy a browse, and take a break in the café for a cuppa. See www.danes-insects.org.uk

ENTRANCE AND PARKING ARE FREE Access and WC are suitable for wheelchairs. Nottingham-Southwell bus stops outside.

Grizzled Skipper Work Parties

Please find a link for the NottsBAG Grizzled Skipper Practical Work Poster 2017-18_V1  which will work on habitat management for this locally rare butterfly (South Notts is it`s most northerly colonies. Obviously the venues are still being decided but mostly are in the Rushcliffe and immediately adjacent areas. If you are interested in helping this, please get in touch with Chris Jackson for further details.

 

 

Barton in Fabis Gravel Pit – NWT Planning Response

Attached is the Notts Wildlife Trust response to a planning application for gravel extraction at Barton in Fabis Barton in Fabis proposed Quarry NWT Response Redacted October 2017. Although in the long term (10 – 20 years down the line) it will result in the creation of a lake (set to become a relatively common habitat along the Trent valley  because of gravel extraction). But it will also cause damage to  and loss of a number of designated Local Wildlife Sites. The totality of these LWS`s across Rushcliffe is about 5% of the Boroughs area.

NWT feels that such scarce habitat should not be sacrificed today in the hope of achieving some sort of mitigation decades down the line, as the creation of a rich complex habitat of plants, invertebrates etc will take decades to evolve. The sowing of a species rich grassland mix is just the start of a long process. It is also worth noting that there is no guarantee the site will end up as a “proper” nature reserve.

Where for example the East Leake gravel pit was extended a few years ago, across farmland, the Trust took the view that it would not represent a significant loss of habitat and therefore concentrated on achieving  the best possible habitat mitigation. But again the ponds created will return to the landowner who may then do with them as he wishes, they become wildlife habitat NOT nature reserves.

Every Child Wild at Rushcliffe Wildlife Watch Group

Wildlife Watch is the junior branch of The Wildlife Trusts and the UK’s leading environmental action club for kids. There are 150,000 Wildlife Watch members around the UK and hundreds of local Watch groups where young people get stuck into environmental activities. Taking part in Wildlife Watch is an exciting way to explore your surroundings and get closer to the wildlife you share it with.

The Rushcliffe Wildlife Watch Group meets every second Saturday of the month (except august) at the Education Centre in Rushcliffe Country Park. Sessions generally run from 11:00am through to 1pm and always involve some fun and games, which are usually outside in the Country Park- weather permitting. The Watch is appropriate for children from age 8 to 13, though we do have some younger ones in the group and our activities are always tailored to be inclusive.

The children are really enthusiastic have recently built a monster Bug Hotel in the Country Park. Earlier in the year they made bird boxes, discovered about the ‘Jurassic’ Country Park and at our most recent session ‘went wild’ in the country park, hugged a few trees, made some noise and played the ‘smelly sock game’ – ugh you may think – but actually quite brilliant.

At our next session on Saturday October 14th, we are really excited, as we have ‘Hawks of Steele’ coming to visit and they will be bringing some amazing birds of prey to the park. This will be a great opportunity to get close to some of our wonderful raptors and to learn all about them. Then on November 11th, we have the Notts. Fungi Group coming over for a ‘Fungi Foray’. We will be introduced to a great variety of mushrooms, toadstools and other fungi and will be great fun as we are bound to discover lots of weird and wonderful specimens. Finally for 2017, our meet on December 9th is ‘Party Time’.

And the best thing about joining Wildlife Watch is that you’ll be helping to care for the wildlife where you live! Isn’t that great?

So, if you would like to see what it is all about, come along to one of our advertised sessions, or contact Geoff East, one of the group leaders by e-mail Geoff.east@virginmedia.com or phone on 07804 297041. Alternatively, call Lynn Victor at Notts Wildlife Trust on 01159 588 242.

Website: www.wildlifewatch.org.uk