Warwickshire

Warwickshire
The official magazine of
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Summer 2009
wild
Issue 132
In this issue...
An Introduction to
Area Groups
Planting for Pollinators
Species Focus
Butterflies and Bees
Reserve Focus on
Brook Meadow
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Us and Wildlife
Contents
Despite the continuing
popularity of wildlife
programmes on the television,
their newsrooms still tend to
focus on wildlife as the ‘cuddly
animal’ story at the end of the
news. It is as if wildlife were
that ‘optional extra’ rather than
having direct value to our lives.
02 Cars and Wildlife - Andy Tasker
03 An Introduction to Area Groups
News in Brief
04 Brueton Park and Smith’s Wood
Heritage Projects
05 Parkridge Centre Goes Wild
Forest Schools 2 years on
06 Membership on the Increase
Hello to…
Andy Tasker
07 New Project Partnership
Many Thanks Darren
Chief Executive
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
08 Sowe Valley Project
10 A Room With A View
11 Your Questions Answered
Features
12 Species Focus - Butterflies and
Bumblebees
14 Reserve Focus on Brook Meadow
16 Planting for Pollinators
18 Corporate Business
Cover photo: www.istockphoto.com
We welcome articles and photographs
for future editions - please send your
contributions to Pip Vigor, the Editor at
the Trust address.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is a registered charity
(Number 209200) and a company limited by
guarantee. Registered in England, Number 585247.
Warwickshire Wildlife Magazine is produced three
times a year for Trust Members. Views expressed in
this magazine are not necessarily those of the Trust.
Warwickshire Wildlife Magazine is produced on FSC
stock, using vegetable based inks.
Advertising: Vera Brown,
Telephone: 024 7630 2912
Email: [email protected]
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Brandon Marsh Nature Centre
Brandon Lane, Coventry CV3 3GW
Telephone: 024 7630 2912
Fax: 024 7663 9556
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk
Parkridge Centre
Brueton Park, Solihull B91 3EN
Telephone: 0121 704 0768
This issue was highlighted by Prince Charles the other day, in his Dimbleby Lecture
on BBC1. As national patron of The Wildlife Trusts, it was good to hear him saying
the things he did. Firstly he made clear the connection between the maintenance
of the world’s natural ecosystems and the economic well-being of nations: "We are
standing at a moment of substantial transition where we face the dual challenges
of a world view and an economic system that seem to have enormous
shortcomings, together with an environmental crisis - including that of climate
change - which threatens to engulf us all.”
More importantly, he added: “We must remember that the ultimate source of all
economic capital is Nature's capital. The true wealth of all nations comes from
clean rivers, healthy soil and, most importantly of all, a rich biodiversity of life.”
So if we all depend on the natural world, how come we’ve all forgotten the links?
And how should we think differently about our own impacts on the world? For
most of us, driving is our biggest controllable impact on the environment, adding to
CO2 emissions for each mile that we drive. We know that if CO2 levels continue to
rise at their current rates, average temperatures will keep rising, which will impact
on the planet, on wildlife – and on us. So the more all of us can do to reduce
emissions from all sources, the better our future will be.
The good news is that average new car emissions in the UK fell by 4.5% in the
first quarter of this year compared to 2008, to reach a new low of 153.9g CO2/km.
And there are now lots of new cars available with CO2 levels around 100g/km. So a
further question is for how long we can continue to equate ‘luxury’ in cars with big
fast vehicles that use two, three or four times more fuel than they need to. And
then why do we decide to buy them, knowing that they are contributing to a faster
finish for us all?
The answer, as the Prince put it, is that we are “at an historic moment - because
we face a future where there is a real prospect that if we fail the Earth, we fail
humanity. To avoid such an outcome, which will comprehensively destroy our
children's future, we must urgently confront and then make choices which carry
monumental implications.”
Somehow we need to change our thinking about what we want, and add an
environmental component into the mix. We need to make the links between our
choices and the future for both wildlife and ourselves. And part of the Trust’s role is
to make the connections between wildlife and our lives, so it’s not just the ‘cuddly
animal’ stories at the end of the news.
Andy Tasker
Design and Production
Rapport Design
www.rapport-design.com
Printed by
Centreprint UK Ltd.
www.centre-print.co.uk
You can hear extracts from Prince Charles’ speech at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8141490.stm
02 | Warwickshire Wild | The official magazine of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
An Introduction to
Area Groups
We currently have four
local groups across the
county, made up of
dedicated volunteers who
highlight local issues, raise
awareness at local events,
raise funds and organise a
variety of popular events
and talks on behalf of the
Trust in their local area.
Volunteers at Cock Robin Wood
Stratford Area Group
Stratford Area Group has been organising monthly wildlife
based talks in Stratford upon Avon for over 25 years. Talks
are held once a month in the Annex to the Methodist Hall,
Old Town from October through to March.
Members of the group are also involved with the
management of two local Trust nature reserves: Hampton
Wood where volunteers meet every Sunday and Snitterfield
Bushes where they meet most Saturdays to carry out a range
of habitat management tasks.
The Rugby Group
Rugby Area Group mainly focuses on practical conservation
and in recent times have been lucky enough to gain a healthy
number of new volunteers. They are always eager for more
hands to help achieve even more for nature conservation and
provide the opportunity for the local community to enjoy it to
the full. They work closely with our friends and colleagues
from Butterfly Conservation to ensure a harmonised and
balanced approach.
Rugby Area Group carry out much of their work at Ashlawn
Cutting (also known as Great Central Walk) where they strive
to keep the grasslands open for the benefit of much wildlife
including wildflowers, butterflies and moths. Work parties
venture out on Sunday mornings between October and May.
Work is also carried out at Newbold Quarry and the Malpass
site by the cement works. Activities include brush cutting,
raking and clearing, controlling the scrub and trees and
removing the leaf litter to help the wildflowers flourish. They
have recently been lucky enough to obtain a grant to open up
more grassland and will certainly need new volunteers to
lend a hand. Recently Derek Lill has also set up a group to
focus on Cock Robin Wood and they have carried out various
tasks to tidy up the woodland, to encourage wildlife but
discourage some of the anti-social behaviour it had become
renowned for, with marked success. This group meets on
Monday at 10.00 a.m. Contact Derek Lill on 01788 521069 or
e-mail.
Solihull Area Group
Solihull Area Group organise a varied programme of activities
throughout the year. For some, the most interesting place to
start would be to attend one of their many illustrated talks which
are held at the Parkridge Centre, Brueton Park, Solihull.
For those of you interested in guided walks, Solihull Area Group
works with Solihull Park Rangers to deliver guided walks around
Brueton Park. For the more active, Volunteer Wardens Ron Hill
and John Clarke regularly hold work parties at Clowes Wood and
Temple Balsall nature reserves; carrying out a variety of habitat
management tasks on the reserves on Sundays. The group also
organises the delivery of the Trust’s magazines throughout
Solihull with its team of volunteers.
Sutton Coldfield Area Group
Sutton Coldfield Area Group holds a number of talks from October
through to March at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church Hall,
Sutton Coldfield. They also organise a number of guided walks and
visits to a variety of locations throughout the year with previous
excursions including a visit to Ladywalk Reservoir and bird ringing
demonstrations in Sutton Park.
All local groups are run by much valued volunteers. New members
are always welcome, so why not find out how you can get more
involved by contacting your Local Area Group representative? If you
would like more information on up coming events please see our
event guide for details.
Rugby Area: Phil Parr – Telephone 01788 578272
Solihull Area: Anne Adams – Telephone 0121 743 5288
Stratford Area: Chris Ivin - Telephone 01608 685695
Sutton Coldfield Area: Harvey Skelcher – Telephone 0121 605 9823
If you are interested in an area not listed, please contact Amanda
Henshaw at the Trust office.
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News in Brief
All photos by Ben Mochrie
Brueton Park and Smith’s
Wood Heritage Projects
Young people from Solihull are taking
part in the Brueton Park and Smith’s
Wood Heritage Projects.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, working in
partnership with Solihull schools and
youth groups, has secured funding from
The Heritage Lottery Fund and Solihull
Partnership to enable us to offer the
projects to young people of Solihull.
The aim is to encourage young people to
research the heritage and natural history
of Brueton Park and Smith’s Wood
nature reserves, documenting and
recording their findings through a variety
of digital media. Groups are also involved
with practical conservation tasks at the
sites, all of which are to be recorded.
The film footage, audio recordings and
photographs will be used to create short
documentary films for display in schools,
Solihull Central Library and Warwickshire
Wildlife Trust visitor centres. Participants
are also able to take part in the Arts
Award and John Muir Conservation
Award to gain some recognised
accreditation for their work.
involved in the project. With the help of
Youth Engagement Officer Ben Mochrie
and Solihull Metropolitan Borough
Council’s Local Nature Reserves
Officer, Gary Farmer, they have planted
a new native hedgerow in Brueton
Park’s grassland reserve.
As part of their personal development
programme, year 10 pupils from Forest
Oak School have taken part in the
project, working with hazel in Smith’s
Wood and on their school site to create
pea and bean poles for their newly
planted allotment. The group also built
an invertebrate habitat at the Parkridge
Centre and completed the John Muir
Award at Explorer Level.
The projects are ongoing and open to
young people between the ages of 13
and 19 from Solihull, so why not get in
touch with Ben on 0121 704 0768 if you
would like to take part?
A group of year 9 and 10 pupils from
Alderbrook School are currently
04 | Warwickshire Wild | The official magazine of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Parkridge Centre Goes
Wild in the Garden
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has been
awarded £1000 from SITA Greenprints
to create a wildflower meadow and
wildlife garden within the grounds of our
Parkridge Centre with young people
aged 13 – 19 years. The meadow and
garden will attract butterflies, moths,
bees and other insects, as well as
increasing the availability of food for
birds. Increasing the floral biodiversity
within the park will directly support and
enhance the diversity and abundance of
wildlife at the Centre.
The area will be made available to
schools and during school holidays,
workshops will be run to increase
people’s appreciation for, and
understanding of the natural
environment and wildlife.
As a result, it is hoped that everyone
who takes part will be encouraged to
behave in a more responsible,
sustainable way in the future, perhaps
even inspiring them to apply what they
have learnt in their own gardens.
NOTICES
Food &
Farming
Fair
CANCELLED
Sunday 13th September
WWT
Due to unforeseen circumstances, it
is with great regret that we have had
to cancel the Food and Farming Fair
this year.
The site at Parkridge Centre where the garden will be created
Forest Schools Two Years On
The Forest School project has just
reached the end of the second year of a
three year funded project. It aims to
train teachers and educational
professionals from Coventry,
Warwickshire and Solihull to become
Forest School leaders and run their own
programmes of outdoor learning.
WWT
The project had an initial target to train
90 teachers - a tall order for a level 3
training course (A-level equivalent) which
takes 9 months to complete. To date, the
Forest School team have successfully
trained 68 people and supported them
through their qualification.
The training has been well received and
so far, students have attained a fantastic
100% pass rate.
Senior Forest School Coordinator, Sarah
Klaes said; “We are very proud to
support new Forest School practitioners
as they develop their own sites and take
their first steps towards some serious
outdoor education. It is a privilege to see
how much people grow and blossom as
they get a taste for helping children to
learn about our natural environment”.
This leaves only 22 people to train in the
final year of the project before reaching
our target!
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News in Brief
Membership on the Increase
Despite the economic uncertainty, the
Trust is both relieved and delighted to
report that membership is still
climbing. A fantastic 2,819 new
members have joined this year to date
which means we are only just short of
a staggering 22,000 members.
ever and we are immensely thankful to
all our members for supporting
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust through
this difficult period. Because of you –
our members - we are able to carry on
with vital work across the county,
ensuring that, despite the downturn,
Warwickshire’s wildlife can and will
continue to flourish.
Quite simply – Thank you.
At times like these charities need the
support of their members more than
Dave Payne
Undoubtedly one of the first things we
all did at the start of 2009 was to look
at ways to tighten our belts, and
unfortunately charities are the first to
feel the effects of economic
constraints as supporters cancel
memberships and donations. Sadly,
environmental charities have
historically been the ones hit hardest.
Although the Trust has indeed
experienced an increase in members
resigning, and a decline in general
donations, the continuing stream of
new members joining us more than
makes up for this.
Hello
to…
Jenny Lee Hi, I’m Jenny Lee and I’m
the new WildPlay Co-ordinator. I studied
for a degree in business and leisure at
Manchester Metropolitan University.
Once graduated, I went to live and travel
around Australia for a year, doing
voluntary conservation work around the
State of Victoria. I then went on to work
for First Choice, as a holiday rep based in
Europe where I organised fun, exciting
activities for children and families. After
three seasons, I settled back in the UK
and began an events organiser role. I
started volunteering with BTCV and the
Wildlife Trust’s education team, based in
Brandon. Whilst volunteering, I
discovered WildPlay and felt very
passionate about the project. I am very
excited to be involved in the project.
Tim Haselden Hi, I’m Tim Haselden and
I’m the new Wetlands Living Landscape
Officer. I joined the Living Landscapes
team from Solihull Council where I
worked as a Park Ranger and also in
environmental management. This role
included habitat management, working
with volunteers and the community, and
delivering events, education and general
park improvements.
My new role here will encompass
wetland projects around the area and at
a landscape scale, whilst also focusing
on community development and reserve
management in North Warwickshire - all
with the aim of getting local people,
landowners and organisations involved in
helping wetland conservation and
wildlife in general.
06 | Warwickshire Wild | The official magazine of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Nicola Perryman I recently joined the
Wildplay team as a part-time WildPlay
Ranger. I have been running outdoor
activities in various schools and parks
including painting with mud and lots of
wildlife games. It is great to help children
enjoy themselves and keep active out of
doors, in a safe environment.
Before moving to Warwickshire last year,
I lived in Kent and worked as an
Education Tutor with Kent Wildlife Trust.
I love being outside whenever possible
and at home I am trying to grow lots of
fruit and vegetables in my garden. Also,
my son has dug me a big pond and in
just a few months it is already full of life!
New Project Partnership
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is working on a new and exciting
project in partnership with Bishops Itchington Parish Council.
The Yellow Land Natural Heritage Project will be developing an
acre of land in Bishops Itchington into a wildlife and
conservation area thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery
Fund. The primary focus of the project will be to encourage
local people to become more aware of the wildlife and wild
places on their doorsteps.
alongside local schools where a programme of children’s
activities will be run. Oral history recordings of local people’s
memories of the site will be documented and interpretation
boards and leaflets will be produced.
The project will take approximately eighteen months to
complete and recruitment of a Project Officer is underway.
Work will begin in earnest towards the end of July so keep
your eyes peeled for more details once it is underway.
Working alongside the Trust, the Parish Council is planning a
programme of conservation work which will include scrub
clearance and wildflower planting. A path and seating will also
be installed at the site, enabling the local community to enjoy
the scenery further. In edition the project will involve working
Izumi Segawa
Many Thanks Darren
Darren Tipper, from Protec Engineering Services (Bham) Ltd.
kindly offered his services for free to help Warwickshire
Wildlife Trust deliver a successful community event, building a
bird watching feature in Lavender Hall Park, Balsall Common.
The park became a public open space in 2000, and it has been
improved massively by the local residents, volunteers and
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) over the years.
The new woodland was planted in 2006 and 2007, through the
local residents and The Rotary Club of Meriden, receiving
grants from the Big Lottery and private fundraising. This year,
the club has been awarded more funding from the Big Lottery
to further improve the woodland.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust organised and led a successful
community event in July to build a bird feeding enclosure in
the park. This was hugely helped by Darren and his colleague
Keith Busst, head-starting the project by driving posts into the
hard ground on the very hot sunny day.
Izumi Segawa, Living Landscapes Officer for Solihull said:
“I am very grateful for their generosity, and they have been
extremely reliable. They have done a really good job and the
local people also had a good time completing the enclosure.
Hopefully people will come back to do some bird surveys
with us so we can create a bird information board for people
and wildlife.”
The Trust is currently working in partnership with SMBC to set
up a ‘Friends of Lavender Hall Park’ group to encourage local
people to get involved and influence what happens in the park.
If you are interested in finding out more about the group,
please contact Izumi Segawa on 024 7630 2912 or at
[email protected]
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News in Brief
Karen McAree
Sowe Valley Project
We are delighted to announce that the Trust has secured £211,512 funding for
the Sowe Valley Project, from Natural England through Access to Nature as part
of the Big Lottery’s Changing Spaces programme. This would not have been
possible were it not for the overwhelming generosity of our members who have
donated a fantastic £14,263.13 to the Sowe Valley Appeal, which brings the total
funding secured for the project to £264,390.
The aim of the Sowe Valley project is to
engage local people, community groups
and schools in a range of activities,
training opportunities and events along
the river corridor, over a three year
period. The project will see increased
access to natural spaces to improve
health and well-being, increased access
to training opportunities for the local
community and improved green spaces
for people and wildlife.
The Trust will work closely with its
partner organisations and local people to
deliver a range of community events,
training, conservation and children’s
activities to local people living within the
project’s target areas. These activities
will be conducted at eight sites and be
open to as many members of the public
as possible. The sites chosen for the
project were established through current
plans and strategies for the area, detailed
consultation with the local communities
and those identified by the Trust’s
Conservation Team as having poor
habitat quality.
Similarly, the activities to be conducted
as part of the project were chosen
08 | Warwickshire Wild | The official magazine of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
following detailed consultation with the
local community. The responses to the
project from the communities involved
were overwhelmingly supportive and the
Trust has worked hard to develop a good
relationship with all of the communities
surrounding the sites. We have
incorporated all of the activities the
residents wanted to see as part of this
project.
The Trust believes passionately in the
benefits people can gain from increasing
their access to natural spaces. This
project is an excellent opportunity to help
not only communities most in need of
the physical, mental and social benefits
that nature can provide, but will also aid
in improving the habitats and wildlife
value of the area for the community,
both during the life of the project and
long into the future.
We are currently in the process of
recruiting two new members of staff to
deliver the project – a Project
Coordinator and a Training and Education
Officer. It is intended that staff will be in
post from August with a view to the
project activities starting in October. In
the meantime, if you would like more
information about how you can get
involved, please contact Claire Cunniffe,
the Trust’s Community Manager on
024 7630 8985 or at
[email protected].
Karen McAree
Eddie Asbery
Karen McAree
So, thank you once again to those of you
who donated to the Sowe Valley Appeal,
the project would not be able to take
place without you. We would also like to
take this opportunity to thank Bovis
Homes, Keepmoat Homes and Westbury
Partnerships, Environment Agency and
Coventry City Council who are all also
donating funds and/or staff time to the
project.
Trust Nature Reserves in the Sowe Valley.
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News in Brief
The Trust is currently re-vamping the
viewing area adjacent to the tea room at
Brandon Marsh to enhance the area for
both wildlife and people. The project has
been kindly supported by HSBC who
have not only provided £5,000 worth of
funding, but also donated staff time to
improve the area.
It was identified that although the
viewing area provided excellent
opportunities for feeding birds, it
lacked suitable provision for insects
and other animals.
Work started by erecting rabbit proof
fencing around the site. This will help
protect the wildflowers and plants which
are being planted, hopefully preventing
them from being nibbled by greedy
rabbits. Once established, the plants will
provide excellent nectar sources for
insects including bees and butterflies.
Further improvements to the area will
include the installation of insect houses
and a wider variety of feeders, additional
electronic viewing equipment and habitat
enhancement work to the pond later in
the year.
Why not bring the family along to
Brandon Marsh Nature Centre and check
out our new viewing area for yourselves!
10 | Warwickshire Wild | The official magazine of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Sharon Moreton HSBC
A Room With A View
I have read about the parasite that is threatening honey
bees, but didn’t think that bumblebees were affected?
No, the good news is that the varroa parasite doesn’t affect
bumblebees, which also pollinate many crops, although not as
many as the honey bee.
Philip Precey
Your Questions Answered
Bumblebees are however suffering from habitat loss, so the
best thing you can do is to plant the flowers that they need in
your garden such as traditional cottage garden species (see the
article on page 13). Letting your garden go a little ‘wild’ will
encourage other wildlife too.
You could also provide a nesting box in your garden to
encourage them – the shops in our Visitor Centres stock them,
but if you fancy making one yourself visit:
http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/nest_boxes.htm
Did you know?
Bees are vegetarian. They derive carbohydrates from nectar
and protein from pollen. Wasps are vegetarian as adults but
feed their young on insects, spiders and other arthropods. This
difference in habit is evident in their shape. Bees have lots of
fuzzy hairs to help them collect pollen, wasps are smooth.
I noticed in the last issue that you are removing Himalayan
Balsam to help water voles, what does it look like?
It is the tallest annual plant in Britain. It has hollow, jointed
pinkish-red stems which are sappy and brittle. The leaves are
shiny, dark green and spear-shaped with a dark red midrib and
up to 150 mm long. The flowers which appear between June
and October are fragrant, purplish-pink, slipper shaped and held
on long stalks.
Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera
The numerous seeds are widely scattered by an explosive
seed capsule, and can travel along water ways into new areas.
When the plant dies back in the autumn it leaves bare patches
which cause particular problems along riverbanks which then
become prone to erosion. It can be seen along the banks of
rivers, in wet woodland and on waste ground.
Your reserves have grid references like SP 380 769, but I
don’t know how that works?
The Ordnance Survey has produced a comprehensive step by
step guide to reading a grid reference, to view it go to:
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/gi/national
grid/nationalgrid.pdf.
Don’t forget to shop at Brandon
...where every sale saves wildlife
– Vine House Farm bird food
– Many types of nest boxes
– Bird tables and feeders
– Greetings cards
– Opticron binoculars
– Wildlife books
…and much more
Wildlife Gift Shop, Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Brandon Lane, Coventry CV3 3GW Tel: 024 7630 2912
Open: Mon-Fri 9am - 4.30pm | Weekends 10am - 4pm | Credit cards accepted | Plenty of parking
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Species Focus
Butterflies
People tend to perceive butterflies in one of two ways; either as ‘those pesky
cabbage white’ destroying the valiant efforts of budding ‘Good Life’ gardeners, or
preferably, as something with an enigmatic presence in the countryside. Beyond
knowing that they start out as caterpillars, most people actually know very little
about these wonderful creatures.
Comma Polygonia c-album
With approximately 60 species found
across the UK, Warwickshire is home to
an estimated 38 of these butterflies.
Unless you have a particularly butterfly
friendly garden already, the range of
species visiting may be restricted. You
may be lucky enough to view some of
the more common species found here
in Warwickshire such as comma,
gatekeeper, orange tip and ringlet.
These are able to exploit habitats where
there is a good mix of nectar-rich
flowers and sunny or sheltered spots to
bask. Our gardens can provide vital
places for butterflies to feed and lay
their legs and turning yours into a
butterfly haven couldn’t be simpler (see
article on page 17).
But what of the unfamiliar species where do they fit in to the picture?
These lesser known species tend to be
heavily dependent on uncommon food
plants and certain types of habitat such
as wildflower meadow and woodland.
Due to the significant loss of the natural
habitat which they rely on, their numbers
are declining at an alarming rate, both
locally and nationally.
Our changing weather patterns also
threaten many butterfly species. The wet
Peacock Inachis io
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
Butterfly images are kindly supplied by
one of our members, John Carter. To see
more of his wildlife photography go to his
website:
http://www.john-carter-images.com
If you would like to contribute to future
Trust publications contact
[email protected]
summer of 2007 was a disaster for
butterfly populations. The summer of
2008 proved even worse; the second
poorest on record since monitoring
began by the UK Butterfly Monitoring
Scheme. According to the survey, at
least 12 species reached their lowest
ever population levels in 2008.
Habitat loss and unsympathetic
management coupled with two
successive wet summers greatly
concerns the Trust and butterfly
enthusiasts alike, and action must be
taken to reverse their decline.
This cements the importance of our
nature reserves and the habitat
enhancement work we carry out across
the county and the Trust’s Living
Landscape approach will work to address
habitat loss, bringing more areas of land
under sympathetic management.
12 | Warwickshire Wild | The official magazine of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Large White Pieris brassicae
A great example of this work is reflected
in our Princethorpe Woodland Project
which focused on improving conditions
for the wood white butterfly which
depends upon limited food plants and
shady woodland edge habitat for their
survival. Ryton Wood SSSI is now a
beautiful reserve where conditions are
perfect for the wood white. The reserve
is full of the sights, sounds and smells of
summer so why not take a stroll there to
see if you can spot one of
Warwickshire’s butterfly gems?
Eddie Asbery, Woodland Project Officer
To find out more about butterflies
why not visit
http://www.warwickshire-wildlifetrust.org.uk/Trust/
partners.htm#organisations
Bumblebees
Rachel Scopes
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common carder bee Bombus pascuorum
Warwickshire bumblebees:
Buff tailed bumblebee
(Bombus terrestris)
White tailed bumblebee
(Bombus lucorum)
Early bumblebee
(Bombus pratorum)
Red tailed bumblebee
(Bombus lapidaries)
Common carder bee
(Bombus pascuorum)
Garden bumblebee
(Bombus hortorum)
Due to decline of habitat and
various environmental factors the
British bumblebee is under threat
and in worrying decline. Britain once
had 27 species of bumblebee but
sadly three are now thought to be
nationally extinct, with six others
designated UKBAP species.
BBCT
Richard Burkmar
Joan Burkmar
Ask anyone “what is the sound of summer?” and most people will say the buzzing
of a Bumblebee. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating many of our flowers and
crops, they are a keystone species and our countryside would look very different
and dull without them.
Buff tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris
White tailed bumblebee Bombus lucorum
Warwickshire once supported fifteen
species of bumblebee; today only a
shocking six species remain common
across the county (see box on left). Two
of the rarer species that are still surviving
in Warwickshire are the brown banded
carder bee (Bombus humilis) and the
large garden bumblebee (Bombus
ruderatus) both of which have suffered
severe national declines.
workers. It is now that the queen lays
both female and male eggs. Females are
given extra food as they will become the
next season’s queens. Once they have
hatched, flown and mated they find a
safe place to burrow underground until
the following spring. The remaining
queen and workers die off in the autumn
and the nest decays; the whole cycle will
start again the following spring.
Bumblebees are social insects and live in
a colony with a queen and her daughters
(workers). As they have an annual
lifecycle it is the queen that starts a new
nest in the spring. She can be found
from February onwards feeding on early
flowers and searching for a suitable nest
site. For some bees this will be
underground whilst others prefer areas
of dense grass or leaf litter.
There are many reasons for the decline
of the bumblebee, the main one is loss
of suitable sites of flower rich habitats
for foraging and nesting. There are
many simple things we can all do to
help the bumblebee which will also help
other wildlife.
Julie Turner, Living Landscape Officer
Once a stock of pollen and nectar has
been gathered, the queen will lay her
first batch of eggs. These hatch a few
days later and start the task of helping
their mother in expanding the nest and
gathering food.
For ideas on what you can do
today to help butterflies and
bumblebees check out our
‘Planting for Pollinators’ article on
pages 16 and 17.
They can be seen out foraging in the
early hours as well as later into the
evening collecting pollen and nectar for
their brood. By the time summer comes
one colony could hold several hundred
If you would like to find out more about
bumblebees why not visit
http://www.warwickshire-wildlifetrust.org.uk/Trust/
partners.htm#organisations
www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk | 13
www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk
Reserve Focus
This 1.73 Ha (4.27 acres) meadow is
designated as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI) for its herb-rich flood
meadow grassland. It is home to a wide
variety of plants characteristic of
traditionally managed flood meadows.
These include devil’s-bit scabious,
meadow vetchling, autumn hawkbit, and
cuckoo-flower. The meadow is also one
of two localities in Warwickshire for
meadow thistle, and conservation
management since 1998 has
encouraged this plant’s return.
The diversity of the flora is enhanced
by the presence of wetter areas which
encourage flowers such as marshmarigold, ragged-robin and greater
bird’s-foot trefoil and as many as
sixteen species of grasses have been
recorded here.
The management of the nature reserve
is largely carried out in partnership with
local farmers. In recent years this has
involved a late summer hay cut (after the
wild flowers seeds have shed), followed
by light grazing with belted galloway
cattle through the autumn until the
weather conditions prevent it from
continuing. Volunteers have improved
and maintained the boundary fences and
help to keep the brambles from
encroaching too much on to the
meadow. In November 2008 the Trust
entered the site into Natural England’s
Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. This
farming scheme will help support the
management work undertaken on the
site for the next ten years, supplying
valuable funding for maintenance and
improvements.
14 | Warwickshire Wild | The official magazine of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Ragged Robin Lychnis flos-cuculi
Eddie Asbery
Brook Meadow is situated in central Warwickshire, on
the border with Solihull and is located just east of
Darley Green. It is a traditional, species-rich hay
meadow, surrounded by hedgerows of mature
trees and shrubs. Cuttle Brook forms the western
boundary, flooding or water-logging the field each
winter on its way to Temple Balsall Nature Reserve.
It became a Trust nature reserve in 1992 and the Trust
took ownership in 1995.
Julie Turner
Eddie Asbery
Brook Meadow
Meadow brown Maniola jurtina
on Common knapweed Centaurea nigra
Want to
Help us ?
The best time to visit this nature reserve
is undoubtedly during the spring and
summer when you can witness the
magnificent displays of wild flowers.
Richard Burkmarr
the Trust has a mini baler it is hoped that
it can be achieved at some of our nature
reserves, so watch this space!
Ian Jelley, Reserves Manager
S. Leszczynska
The Trust is currently in the early stages
of planning an exciting new seed
translocation programme where seeds
are harvested from nature reserves like
Brook Meadow and are used to try and
improve some of our less floristically
diverse meadows elsewhere in the
county. This has been undertaken with
varying degrees of success on other
sites elsewhere in the country, and now
If you want to help us manage
nature reserves in Warwickshire
contact Ian Jelley on
024 7630 2912 or email
[email protected]
Belted Galloway at Brook Meadow
Cuckoo Flower Cardamine pratensis
www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk | 15
www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk
Planting for
Wildlife
Einstein suggested that ‘if bees died out then humans would follow four
years later.’
The humble bee, does it deserve this level of attention and just what
impact, if any, would its demise have on our lives? Without them there
would be no fruit or vegetables on the shelves of our local shops,
followed by the disappearance of meat and dairy produce.
Eddie Asbery
Planting for Pollinators
A life without bees – do you want to take the chance...
Many flowers and shrubs provide colour
and interest in our gardens and are
laboured over by keen gardeners,
however we invest time destroying the
insects that live on these plants using
pestcides to keep these so called ‘pests’
at bay. Beyond our own gardens since
the 70’s a staggering 97% of our
grassland meadows together with acres
of wood and heath land have been
destroyed as we make way for new
homes, roads and the trappings of a
more modern existence. But at what
cost? The destruction of these natural
habitats has seen a massive decline in
our native bee, butterfly and moth
populations - the ‘pollinators’ and now
the many eco systems that depend on
them are under threat.
Peat bogs are an important habitat for
many rare butterflies along with many
other animals so using an alternative to
peat in your garden will help conserve
this vanishing habitat.
So what steps can we take to
help these ‘pollinators’?
1. Plant pollinator friendly flowers.
Bees and butterflies rely on garden
flowers to provide them with pollen and
nectar which provides them with a
diverse diet and fuel to keep them flying
and breeding. You can support and
encourage them into your garden by
planting flowering plants, herbs and
vegetables.
Pollinators require nectar-rich flowers all
year round but crucially during spring
and autumn months. Early flowers are
important for butterflies and bees that
are just emerging from winter
hibernation and late autumn nectar
sources offer them a good food store to
last them over the winter period.
Although flowers like pansies, petunias
and bizzie lizzies add colour into our
gardens the best plants for pollinators
are the traditional cottage flowers and
our own native wildflowers. The ideal
would be a wide variety of different
flowers that provide nectar throughout
the seasons.
It is also important to consider that
some butterflies and moths prefer
certain plants for laying their eggs on as
their caterpillars are very particular about
their food source. Some important plants
for caterpillars are listed below:
• Stinging Nettle - food plant of the red
admiral and comma butterfly
caterpillars
• Garlic Mustard and Cuckoo flower food plant of the Orange tip and
Greened-veined White
• Holly - food plant of the Holly Blue
16 | Warwickshire Wild | The official magazine of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Philip Precey
It does not matter about the size of your
garden - we can all make a difference,
from the smallest plant pot or window
box to creating a mini wildflower
meadow in your garden.
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
White Clover Trifolium repens
WWT
We are all familiar with pollination - the
process of transferring pollen grains
from flower to flower, ensuring that a
plant will produce fruit or fertile seeds
capable of germinating - and we take
for granted that this process with little
interference from us will just happen;
however our interference is indeed
having a major impact.
Common Primrose Primula vulgaris
Here are just a few examples:
Spring/Summer
Primrose
Bluebell
Clover
Daisy
Lilac
Dead nettle
Rosemary
Summer/Autumn
Buddleia
Common knapweed
Foxglove*
Lavender
Honeysuckle
Catmint
Sunflower
* Please note, all parts of the
foxglove are poisonous
3. Stop using pestcides in your
garden.
Adopt organic gardening methods; avoid
using pesticides, herbicides and
fungicides try to use organic pest
control. Companion planting is a good
alternative to avoid pest problems in
your kitchen garden e.g. Large and small
white butterfly caterpillars (commonly
known as cabbage white) love
nasturtiums so plant these with your
cabbages to deter them.
Instructions:
– Gradually fill the container with twigs,
canes & leaves.
– Break the twigs etc to fit in the
container and finish when you can’t fit
any more in.
– Push a few dead leaves in between
the twigs if there’s room.
4. Provide a ‘home’.
– Place the container somewhere off the
ground or suspend from a wall or fence,
ideally on a sunny south facing wall.
200 species of solitary bees need a
home - this can be a simple as placing
six inch cut bamboo canes inside a
plant pot.
– If you have an old coconut doormat, roll
tightly with a few old bamboo canes
cut to size in the middle and secure
with ‘securing material’ of your choice.
The shop at Brandon sells a range of
insect homes but you could also try your
hand at making one.
– (Tubes for mason bees need to be 5 7mm diameter, but 7 - 10mm for leaf
cutter bees.)
You will need:
– There is a temptation to use glass or
polycarbonate tubes but these sweat
inside, encouraging mould to form on
the stored forage.
– The wish to encourage insects into
your garden.
– An old discarded container, preferably
made from natural material
– Or an old coconut doormat
– Dead twigs and/or old bamboo canes
– Dead leaves
Dave Payne
Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines
WWT
If you do have the space then let an
area of your garden go wild and create a
wildflower meadow. You can achieve
this by letting the grasses and plants
already there grow; these can be
supplemented with wildflower plants or
seeds. It will only need mowing once a
year in late summer once the seeds
have been set. You then need to make
sure you take off the cuttings and you
will have a beautiful meadow the next
summer which will attract lots of
butterflies like ringlets, meadow browns
and small skipper.
John Carter
2. Do nothing - be a lazy gardener
5. Learn a little more
Visit the Trust’s web site to discover
how to join our campaign to create 1000
wildlife friendly gardens, it's free and if
you take just a few simple steps then
the Trust will recognise your
commitment and send you a plaque to
display in your garden, so go on,
befriend a bee.
http://www.warwickshire-wildlifetrust.org.uk/WildlifeGardening/home.htm
A range of insect homes
available at the Brandon shop
www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk | 17
www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk
Corporate
Business
Our Corporate
Members
March 2009
GOLD
BMW Plant Hams Hall
Coventry Telegraph
Jaguar Land Rover
National Grid
SILVER
Birmingham International Airport
BRONZE
Consumer Insight
Ellisons
Lafarge Aggregates
Microstat
Rugby Borough Council
Serious Waste Management Ltd
xoserve
STANDARD
Birse
Britannic Fire & Security
Systems Ltd
Coventry Telegraph Strikes Gold with Trust
THE COVENTRY Telegraph has become
the first newspaper to become a gold
corporate member of Warwickshire
Wildlife Trust.
something back into nature when, as a
business, you might not be able to do
that directly.”
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust presented
the Telegraph with a stunning certificate
to mark the occasion.
Chief executive Andy Tasker said:
“Corporate membership is a
demonstration of your commitment to
the environment. There are a range of
corporate membership levels, giving local
businesses a way to engage with the
local community. It’s also a chance to put
Andy Tasker presenting Editor David Brookes
with their Gold Member certificate
Woodside Conference
Centre Feed the Birds
Jerry Toth, Operations Director at Sundial Group kindly stepped forward when asked
by the Trust to host an outside broadcast from BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Radio
as part of their ‘Do One Thing for Nature’ campaign.
Jo Preston, Communications Manager at the Trust said “Whilst Springwatch was on
the television the Trust and local BBC radio station got together to produce an outside
broadcast each morning, highlighting different nature activities that listeners could do
themselves. We wanted to highlight the work our corporate partners do to support
wildlife and Woodside, with their varied bird feeding stations set in the magnificent
grounds of their conference centre in Kenilworth, seemed an obvious choice.”
Jerry Toth from Sundial said “It was great to be asked to be involved with this
campaign. Woodside is very fortunate to be located in such a beautiful setting and
we can boast woodpeckers amongst our regular visitors.”
Collins Extrusions
Coventry and Warwickshire
Chamber of Commerce
The Design büro
Hanson Building Products
Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
JLT Online
Keller Ground Engineering
North Warwickshire
Borough Council
Solihull Metropolitan
Borough Council
Sundial Venue and Events Group
Tarmac Limited
Tompkins Construction
WWT
Harris and Sheldon
Valpak staff get to work.
Roundhouse
Rollicks
On Wednesday 3rd June, staff from recycling company Valpak started work on
Brandon Marsh’s latest addition – an Ancient British Roundhouse. Staff worked
tirelessly for two days with the roundhouse specialist, David Freeman, to clear the
site, build an enclosure and construct the roundhouse itself, learning green
woodworking and willow weaving skills along the way. The team also built raised
flowerbeds which, when planted with wild flowers, will enable children to learn about
cold water dyes and herbal medicines.
In a thank you letter sent to the Trust, Valpak’s CEO Steve Gough said; ‘‘The
feedback from our staff is that this year’s summer team building event was the best
yet; they all agreed it was an enjoyable and very rewarding experience.’’
18 | Warwickshire Wild | The official magazine of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Corporate
Business
Ecological Surveys Are
Still In Demand
Despite the doom and gloom constantly
reported in the media, Middlemarch
Environmental Ltd is pleased to report
the demand for ecological surveys is still
high. Wholly owned by Warwickshire
Wildlife Trust, Middlemarch hopes to
follow the success of the last financial
year where a £3 million turnover
resulted in over £200,000 being passed
by Gift Aid to the Trust to fund local
conservation projects.
Phil Fermor with two of the new vans at
Citroen Coventry
Based in Coventry, the team of 39
ecologists travel throughout the UK to
provide ecological surveys of our native
flora and fauna. With such a wide range
of clients, the team can find themselves
surveying for water voles for a major
company such as Severn Trent Water in
one area, while bat surveys are carried
out for a private land owner looking to
develop a barn in another.
Dr Philip Fermor, Managing Director of
Middlemarch Environmental
commented;
Middlemarch Chair Eamon Collins and Katy Read
with the BSC award
“No two days are ever the same and
although we have noticed a shift in
client requirements, we are encouraged
by the amount of work still being
commissioned at this difficult time for
UK developers.
Bat surveys are on the increase this
summer, evidence that land and
property developers understand the
issue of ecology and the importance of
completing the works during the
appropriate ecological window”.
Proud of the quality of their work, the
team was recently honoured by the
British Safety Council who awarded
Middlemarch an International Safety
Award. Coupled with the ISO 14001
which proves commitment to
environmental issues within the
workplace, Dr Fermor is justifiably proud
of his team.
Recently Middlemarch purchased seven
vans from Citroen Coventry. You can be
sure that more species are being
identified and protected across the UK
when you see one of the brightly liveried
vans on the road!
To learn more about the work of
Middlemarch Environmental please visit
www.middlemarchenvironmental.com
The Simple Carrier Bag Makes
All The Headlines
The seemingly innocent carrier bag has in recent months
become more talked about than the products they transport,
but Debenhams in Coventry has found a way of combating
this debate.
Ed Booth from Debenhams takes up the story…
“17.5 billion plastic carrier bags are thought to end up in
landfill each year and so, here at Debenhams, we wanted to
do our bit for the environment we all share. Having looked at
various ways that we could reduce our carrier bag usage we
decided to ask our shoppers if they needed a bag at the point
of purchase and, if they did, charge them a nominal fee,
which in turn is donated to the Wildlife Trust. We are
delighted to support the work that the Trust does to enhance
wildlife habitats and species. Feedback from our customers
has been enormously positive and we are looking forward to
developing this relationship further. We will soon be housing
an in-store display telling customers what the money has
been spent on in Warwickshire.”
Yvonne Stevens, Corporate Manager at the Trust said, “It’s
fantastic that a company as well known as Debenhams is
taking this issue so seriously. The money they have donated so
far has supported the management of Nature Reserves in the
Coventry area such as Tocil Wood and Harvest Hill.”
www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk | 19
www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk
Give it some Welly
for local wildlife!
Wear your Wellies for Wildlife Week 19th-25th October 2009
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is calling all members and
supporters to fundraise for the Trust whilst wearing
your ‘Wellies for Wildlife’ during the week of
19th – 25th October 2009.
The idea behind ‘Wear your Wellies for Wildlife’ is
simple. Choose a day to wear your wellies, whatever
you are doing, and encourage your friends, colleagues
or classmates to do the same. We suggest each person
joining in makes a small donation, for example £1, for
the privilege!
Wear your wellies wherever you are and whatever you
are doing and send us your photos for the next issue of
Warwickshire Wild magazine!
The funds you raise will go towards helping wildlife
habitats in your area.
To find out more, or request your fundraising pack,
please return the coupon below or email your address
to [email protected]
✂
Yes, please send me my
Wellies for Wildlife Fundraising Pack today!
NAME
EMAIL
ADDRESS
POSTCODE
20 | Warwickshire Wild | The official magazine of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Please cut out or photocopy this slip and
post it to:
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
FREEPOST NAT19399
COVENTRY
CV3 3BR
(If you use a stamp, more money goes
towards the work of the Trust).
Thank you!