Earlswood Wildlife Partnership News Letter 18

Contact us at: ewp2010@btinternet.com or on 07528 595444            

Dormouse Survey

Having found some potential dormouse nests at the end of the last survey, we now have feedback from our expert Andy Bucklitch:-

“I carefully dried out all 3 nests so I could look at the structure more closely, see what was 'constructed' or woven rather than stuck together.

Thoughts as follows:-

81 - all grass, no clear structure at all, acorn husks & a bit musty -  almost certainly Wood mouse/Yellow neck mouse

77 - all grass, fairly good woven structure, no smell or feed remains - possible Dormouse but not 100% conclusive due to lack of outer 'shell' material

78 - as 77 but much softer finer strands - again possible Dormouse & very characteristic but again not conclusive due to lack of outer material

On the whole, 77 & 78 were more “dormousy” than any other species so I'd put some money (but not a lot!) on those being the culprit.”

So, not conclusive, but promising none the less. The survey will continue and we will be putting the tubes back out at the end of March.

Butterfly Survey

Thanks to all those who returned their forms, 2014 was again a good year for butterflies although not as good as 2013 with 17 species of butterfly recorded in Earlswood gardens but fewer numbers than in 2013.

This year the most common was the Small White followed by the Peacock. The Large White, which has previously been the most common sighting, was this year in 3^rd place. Butterflies are being seen over longer and longer periods of the year, the earliest sighting we had in 2014 was on 7^th March but the latest was a Brimstone on 20th December! So keep your eyes open and let us know of any butterflies you see. Every garden has different habitats so the more people who take part in the Earlswood Butterfly Survey the more information we will be able to gather, and you don’t even have to leave your garden!

Again we will be e-mailing the recording forms to everyone on our list so if you have not received this newsletter by e-mail and would like to receive a form please get in touch.

Birding For Beginners

Tony Philp will again be running a “Birding for Beginners” course aimed at the genuine novice who would like to learn more about the fascinating world of birds and bird watching. The course will cover basic elements such as equipment, field guides and field craft as well as identification of many local birds. This practical course will take place around the lakes on Saturday 25^th April from 09:00 – 12:00. This course is always very popular so BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL as numbers are limited. Contact us at ewp2010@btinternet.com or on 07528 595444 to book a place.

Binoculars can be provided if required. The course is free but any donations on the day to EWP funds would be gratefully received. NB.Stout footwear is recommended.

AGM

Monday 27^th April 7.30pm at Earlswood Village Hall

This year we are very lucky to have David Brown (Warwickshire moth recorder) giving us an illustrated on talk on how moths evade predators. This promises to be a fascinating talk and is highly recommended – Please come along and catch up with all we have been doing. Tea and cakes available!

Working with Tanworth in Arden Brownies

EWP members have been working with Tanworth Brownies to help the Brownies achieve their Wildlife Explorer badge. Tony Philp and Ken Scivyer helped the Brownies and their parents to assemble 23 nest boxes and bird feeders from kits they had previously prepared with the help of Len Creswell.

Thanks to Tony, Ken and Len for all their hard work and a big thank you to Davies Timber, Wythall for providing the wood free of charge.

Events diary for 2015

Sat 28^th March 10 am - Dormouse survey, meet at Clowes Wood car park, (Wood Lane) 

Sat 25^th April 9.00 – 12.00–Birding for Beginners– BOOKING ESSENTIAL please contactewp2010@btinternet.com

Mon 27^th April 7.30pm – AGM, Earlswood Village Hall

Sun 3^rd May 7pm – Evening Chorus Walk, meet at Clowes Wood car park (Wood Lane) donation £2

Sat 30^th May – “Springwatch” Day, Look out for further details soon!

Sat 11^th July 11am – Dragonfly Survey meet at Malthouse Lane car park

Mon 14^th September – Bat Walk meet at Engine House Car Park – time to be announced later in the year

Sat 19^th September – Bat Survey - time to be announced later in the year

Mon 21^st September - Bat Walk meet at Engine House Car Park – time to be announced later in the year

Bob Roberts