March is the start of meteorological Spring, and a time of reawakening for nature. As the days grow longer and – hopefully – the temperature rises, our flora and fauna change with the season. So, as you take your Covid-permitted walk in Rushcliffe, what might you see? Follow this link for some highlights of What to look out for in March 2021 final
Monthly Archives: February 2021
Wilford Fields, West Bridgford
Cllr Rod Jones reports that: “Wilford Fields is owned by Notts County Council. It is a well walked area and wildlife sanctuary. It is flanked by ponds including the Kingfisher pond. We often walk there during lockdown and lots of people wait to see the kingfisher.
It is not currently planned for housing but it is at risk.
I think there is hope of the NWT taking it on and a friend group starting.”
The petition is on this hyperlink and it goes through Reach.
http://chng.it/kcMjXwgGwq
You may wish to sign the petition.
Note Wilford Fields is the area of land behind the Roko Sports Center on Wilford Lane, bordered by Greythorne Dyke & the new housing and Compton Acres.
Road Verges – Wildflower Seeding at East Bridgford
South Notts Local Group Monthly E Mail
We have reintroduced a monthly local group E Mail which will look at news etc of local wildlife interest in the Rushcliffe area. If you are interested in receiving a copy please get in touch with gordon.dyne@gmail.com.
Notts BAG Forum 10th March
Notts Biodiversity Action Group
We have some exciting news to share with you regarding our Annual Forum Event 2021. This year’s event will be held online on Wednesday 10th March. We have been working with our partners at NTU to plan an online event, featuring 4 fantastic talks and an afternoon of amazing workshops, that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
This year’s event theme is “Rewilding and Landscape Scale Approaches to Biodiversity”, and we are very lucky to have secured speakers on four topics to share their expertise:
- Prof Alastair Driver, Director of Rewilding Britain
- Derek Gow, Ecological Consultant, Author of “Bringing Back the Beaver”
- Janice Bradley, Head of Nature Recovery (North) for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
- Gareth Jones, Clumber Park, National Trust
A selection of workshops have also been planned for the afternoon, each highlighting an area of Nottinghamshire that has great biodiversity potential. Local specialists running each workshop will discuss opportunities that have been highlighted through the Biodiversity Opportunity Mapping process.
I have attached a programme that gives a bit more detail about the event. Big BAG Programme 2021 FINAL
If you would like to book a place at this year’s event, please could you send your completed booking form (attached) to Janet Valenti (janet.valenti@nottscc.gov.uk).
Booking fees can be paid by debit/credit by calling Janet Valenti, Nottinghamshire County Council, tel – 0115 993 2593. Janet is available tomorrow or from 22nd Feb onwards.
See booking form –Big BAG booking form
Best Wishes – Chris Jackson BAG Officer – Christopher.Jackson@nottscc.gov.uk
Badger Cull
This item was “borrowed” from the Friends of Sharphill Wood E Mail.
Please see the comprehensive update on the badger cull issue in National Geographic featuring input from Gary Cragg, NWT’s Badger Edge Vaccination Project Manager
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment-and-conservation/2021/01/badgers-cattle-and-scapegoats-is-controversial-science-putting
If you signed the Parliamentary Petition to ban the cull https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/333693 this has received the necessary 100,000 participants, but debate is still awaited.
Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group Web Site
The Notts BAG exists to promote Action for Biodiversity across the county and locally is involved in activities like the Grizzeled Skipper Project and Himalayan Balsam control projects. They have now set up a new web site https://nottsbag.org.uk/ where you can find out abot projects, biodiversity action plans, species action plans relating to the county.
Gresham Marsh, Wilford Lane
Notts Wildlife Trust, under the Rushcliffe Service Level Agreement are working to bring the Gresham Marsh site (Wilford Lane, West Bridgford) under active management, designated as a LOcal Nature Reserve and are involved in setting up a Friends Group. Gresham Marsh is an interesting fragment of old Trent flood plain, owned by the Environment Agency. If you are interested knowing more contact NWT`s Southern Conservation Officer Ben Driver BDriver@nottswt.co.uk
South Notts Local Group Committee
Our AGM is coming up in April and although we have been restricted in what we can do over past year we are still looking for new committee members. Current issues are if we can run something like the Ruddington Spring Fair, putting together a programme of wildlife walks for the spring and summer, the future direction for the Winter Wildlife Talks programme and what we do this year about taking the nature table out to summer fetes. If you are interested in joining the committee please contact gordon.dyne@gmail.com
Developing Farming Nature Recovery Networks – locally and across the county
Notts Wildlife Trust obtained £180k funding from Severn Trent Water for a three year project to promote wildlife friendly farming in Notts, in particular creating improved linkages between prexisting wildlife sites. Four areas are being targeted around the Idle Valley Nature Reserve and the Erewash Valley and in Rushcliffe itself the Smite catchment, covering the Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme Area at the southern tip of Rushcliffe (where we already have had substantial farmer contacts) and also the Cotgrave Forest Focal Area. The project officer is now in place.