Bats in Somerset

I've noticed from the visit counter that people regularly view this Blog searching for information about bats. As I have posted very little on the subject it may help if I put some contact details and web links in this post. Hope this is useful.

Somerset Bat Group
Contact Name:	David Cottle
Telephone:	01749 674257
The Somerset Bat Group provides an advisory service on Bat problems and conducts roost visits on behalf of Natural England. It carries out systematic recording and regular monitoring of a large number of summer and winter roost sites. It has close links with the Bat Conservation Trust and is a branch of the Somerset Wildlife Trust.

David can also be contacted via the Wildlife Trust on telephone: 01823 652400

**********************************************************************************
Here is a web site link to The Bat Conservation Trust:
Here is an extract from their site:

What are bats doing now: July

Young bats will start to fly at three weeks old, although their mothers will still be feeding them with milk. Young bats are very small (less than an inch) with thin, slightly grey fur, and are sometimes found on the ground as they learn to fly.

The Trust runs a forum which you can use , after registration, to raise any questions about bats.


**********************************************************************************
Here is a link to a web site, "First Nature Guide" giving photos and details of UK bats.

Heart of the Levels Group events.

An Art and Wildlife Workshop 26th July

"Level Light” an Art and Wildlife Workshop.

Date: 26th July 2008 Please note that at present this workshop is planned for Sat 26th only.
Time: 10:00 AM

Location: Stoke St Gregory village hall.

A moderate walk on the moor, led by Jenny Graham, a well known local artist, to explore visual images of the landscape which can be interpreted through drawings/paintings/poetry and photography to record its beauty and natural value for wildlife.

Bring your lunch, camera, sketch pad, suitable footwear and your imagination!

Meet at Stoke St Gregory village hall where parking is available. Adults £4. Unsuitable for wheelchairs/limited mobility.

Numbers for workshop limited to 20 so please contact David German , Heart of the Levels Group or Jenny Graham or the Somerset Wildlife Trust, telephone: , to reserve your place and to check on start time.

Walk on East Poldens Ridge

Date: July 19th

Time: 10.30 am.

Jane Salisbury will guide us on a favourite walk along
the East Polden Ridge. Great views, summer wild flowers and
butterflies.

Meet at the Combe Hill car park at Grid Ref ST 503 331
This walk is unsuitable for wheelchair user or people of limited mobility.
The Group would appreciate a donation of £2 for this walk.

Our local wildflower meadow

Our local Wildflower Meadow.

Although our meadow is a small 4 acre field on the outskirts of a village, it is part of a larger living landscape. Immediately along side is an almost identical 4 acre field privately managed as a wildflower meadow and beyond that is farm land, run on a wildlife friendly basis. It is also linked by hedges and generous margins to small fields some of which have been turned over to wildflower meadows by the same farmer. In the area generally hedges are being allowed to grow taller and occasionally trees are left to grow. However all this could change; farming methods could revert to past intensive practices and the rich biodiversity of the meadow could be easily destroyed

The history of the field is only partially known but its use for agriculture probably ceased around 1985. It was used briefly for sports activities but that also ceased after three or four years around 1993. Since then it has been left alone with only an annual hay cut by a local farmer with the hay baled and removed. The hedges were not managed and have spread into the field in places. It was given the status of a County Wildlife Site in 2007.

The meadow has now come into the ownership of the Parish Council which has to decide what to do with it. A number of options are still being considered.

The field is regarded by informed observers as being of high ecological value which explains why it is attracting a great deal of interest. The most detailed assessment of its value is in a flora report made after a survey of the adjoining field by Dr Jon Marshall for the private owners. The survey described that field as herb rich, unimproved neutral grassland of nature conservation value. It was carried out in two stages in Aug 2005 and May 2006. It lists a total species count of 105, made up of 15 woody species, 61 flowers and 29 monocotyledons (including two species of Orchid, Bee and Pyramidal).

Dr Marshall commented that the two adjacent fields have essentially the same species present. Arrangements are in hand for two further surveys to be made on the new field and reports are awaited. The findings will be important.

Birds of prey hunt over the fields and small mammals must be present. Grass snakes have been seen.

There is a blackthorn hedge running across the eastern end of the field and the eggs of the Brown Hairstreak butterfly have been found on new growth. All the usual meadow butterflies are present including a large population of the Marbled White seen for the first time this year on June 22nd, Large Skipper, Meadow Browns in large numbers, Common Blue and the day flying Burnet Moth.

Another first sighting for this year on June 24^th was a Great Green Bush Cricket which does indeed make the grass shake as it moves. Among the large number of grass species present is the delicate Quaking Grass.

One of the most curious plants to find in the meadow is the perennial and parasitic Broomrape which is present in significant numbers distributed across the 4 acres. The exact species identification is still being argued about!

Despite the sometimes dominant grasses the Bee and Pyramidal Orchids continue to show each year in most areas of the field sometimes in quite numerous groupings.

Visitors to the field have all commented on its quality, the variety of its flora and its potential with good management to develop its beauty and diversity. However the future of the meadow is uncertain.

Save our wildflower meadow

Here are some photos of a Bee Orchid and two specimens of Broomrape found in the meadow in the last few days and actually only discovered after the letter shown below had been written.
****************************************************************************************************************



I am reproducing this slightly abbreviated letter sent to our local council as part of our campaign to get the ecological value of a meadow recognised before decisions are taken that could destroy the impressive diversity of the flora and fauna. I hope that this letter and other submissions will be sufficient to win the argument. If we don't succeed the field will become just like any other recreation ground and, by comparison, virtually a green desert.


Dear ,

re: future use of the 4 acre field

I have recently had discussions with David German (Chair: Heart of the Levels group, SWT) about the above-mentioned subject.

My own interest in this is as an academic biologist who has had extensive experience in ecological research and fieldwork in the UK and African countries. I have been resident in South Somerset since 1988.

I have had a recent opportunity to examine the field in question and I have known the adjacent plot for about a year. At present both effectively form a single ecological entity which is an excellent example of an increasingly rare habitat in England. The species-rich meadow on the adjacent field has been found to harbour over 100 higher (flowering) plant species, including grasses and two orchid species: it is virtually certain that a similar composition exists in the field subject to debate.(Report by EJP Marshall, 2006).

My further comments in this letter will focus primarily on the field now proposed as a nature reserve. When seen on 8 May this field was impressively wildflower-rich, which emphasised the striking botanical biodiversity of the site. No doubt, the animal biodiversity will be similarly rich, particularly with respect to the insect life. For example, it is known that the nationally rare Brown Hairstreak Butterfly is established there and the nationally very local Marbled White Butterfly also breeds on the site, along with many commoner species.

The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 states that "Every public body must, in exercising its functions, have regard...to the purpose of conserving biodiversity". The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) indicated in its Guidance for Local Authorities on Implementing the Biodiversity Duty (2007) how local authorities can be assisted in fulfilling their duty in this respect.

A local authority can demonstrate that it has fulfilled its Duty with regard to biodiversity aims in several ways. For example, it can show that opportunities have been taken to integrate biodiversity considerations into all relevant service areas and functions, and in particular, to have ensured that biodiversity is protected in line with statutory obligations. Also, the local authority needs to raise awareness of staff, managers and elected members about biodiversity issues, and to demonstrate a real commitment and progress in relation to key local biodiversity initiatives, such as the field under consideration.

Full ecological protection and management of the field is urgently required in my own view as a professional biologist and ecologist. The Council is indeed fortunate to possess such a wonderfully diverse ecological site, the like of which, unfortunately, does not exist in my own parish. In order to conserve the structure of the flower-rich meadow it is important that the greater proportion of the field should not be altered significantly in any way. One or two pathways across the field could be mown to allow access so that the public can better appreciate the plant and animal (especially insect) life through the seasons. A track winding around the perimeter of the field would allow walkers and joggers to follow a fitness trail and would also encourage the inspection and appreciation of the hedgerows bordering the field. For example, searching for, and finding eggs of the Brown Hairstreak butterflies on blackthorn twigs in the winter would be a fun activity for children and families. And, a competition could be organised to find the first recorded sighting of an adult of the same species of butterfly on the hedgerows. They are incredibly difficult to find, even though they may be numerous in a particular area!

I hope these comments help you in deciding on the development and management plans for the field. If you have any general or specific questions I will be happy to try to answer them.

Yours sincerely,

Somerset Wildlife Photographs around our local nature reserve

To see the photos more clearly just click on the picture.


Not really in a recognised nature reserve and not very well camaflauged I found this moth sitting on our front door!
I make it a Pale Tussock ( Calliteara pudibunda)




Our new 200m native species double hedge soon after planting in April and it is now looking quite healthy after about 6 weeks. Included, spindle, field maple, wild privet, blackthorn, quickthorn, wayfarer tree and common dogwood.





And finally a photo of the first Bee Orchid of 2008 I have found in our local nature reserve.

We have also got a good crop of Yellow Rattle now flowering and hopefully beginning the job of suppressing the grasses to give other flowers a better chance.

Wildlife photography in Somerset

Trying again to make my photos available to a wider audience including local members of Somerset Wildlife Trust.

Try this link to see photos of our recent visit to Babcary Meadows on 10th May.

(or use this asddress: http://www.flickr.com/gp/11602906@N02/5J22u1 )

This is my third attempt to make this link work so I hope its third time lucky!

Spring flowers in Aller Wood

These three photos from our walk have taken about 3 min each to upload to Blogger and as there are several more I am going to try a new approach to showing you photographs from our events. This may be the best way to cover a reasonable number of pictures. If it works OK that is, so here goes.

The following is a link to Flickr , a photographic web site which anyone can join up for free or you should be able to view my photographs also for free. So click here:

Or copy and paste this web address:

http://flickr.com/groups/705361@N24/

Local Nature Reserves

As I may have mentioned in an earlier post I am trying to convince my local authority of the value of conserving a four acre unimproved wildflower meadow instead of keeping it mown with the future intention of building tennis courts or a bowls club. Such development would of course destroy the rich flora and fauna presently on the field. An extract out of my recent letter to the council follows.

"As I think you know I am not very happy with the way the Council is handling the future of the Field.

As a volunteer member of the Field Sub Committee I would like to clarify and confirm my views which appear to be somewhat different to the majority of Council Members.

Since 2004 I have written a number of times to the Parish Council on the subject of creating a nature reserve using the field.

This concept has had support from Somerset Wildlife Trust and many others including local members of the Wildlife Trust.

Recently the result of the Councils questionnaire once again clearly shows a high level of local support for conserving what is a rare example of a natural unimproved wild flower meadow.

It is pleasing to see that Council accepts several aspects of the written proposal submitted last December for the first public consultation meeting. However the main feature of the proposal has been so emasculated as to be hardly recognisable.

The plan attached to the Design Brief handed to me yesterday relegates the meadow to a size of about one acre at the eastern end of the four acre field. Even some of this will be taken up by the 6 foot wide walking and fitness trail. The remaining three quarters of the field is to be marked out and may be kept mown as a general recreational area set aside for possible future development as a bowls or tennis club or other use. The Parish already has a recreational area close by which is not greatly used so adding further space is unnecessary and especially at the cost of environmental damage in terms of biodiversity loss.

If this is the outcome it may be difficult to encourage local residents to visit. If for example a bench was installed the view would be less than inspiring!

Such action would destroy the meadow and all it contains and be yet another example of destruction of a special site with rich biodiversity. It is ironic that whilst other parts of Government are passing Acts of Parliament requiring Parish Councils to protect, conserve and even improve biodiversity, Our Parish Council is taking such negative and damaging actions.

I hope I have explained why I am recording my strong disagreement with the present intentions of the Field Sub Committee.

I would therefore request a re appraisal of the area to be designated a nature reserve before your design brief is taken any further.

Yours sincerely,"

Conservation of wild flower meadows

Here are some photos from the field described below.
They show the Bee Orchid,Common Blue butterfly, Field Scabious and Yellow Rattle.

We are hoping to see a new local nature reserve created on a grass meadow. This kind of landscape is becoming rare here due to the usual culprits of intensive agriculture and urban development. We have the support of the Wildlife Trust and the following note has been sent for publication in our local news paper as part of our efforts to get the support of the community.

A new nature reserve

I am very hopeful that we will eventually see the Council adopt part of the unimproved wild flower meadow as a nature reserve. This means that part of this open unspoilt field will be managed in future to maximise the already rich flora and fauna. Two species of wild orchid are already well established. This autumn, we can start the process of restraining the stronger growing grasses to encourage an increasing number of wild flowers. One way we hope to do this is by spreading Yellow Rattle seed.

*******************************************************************************

Here is a description of this interesting plant:

Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus Minor

Flowering season June-august

Height 10-50cm

Yellow rattle needs sowing in the autumn and in amongst grass.

It can help weaken existing grasses which may leave room for other wildflower species to flourish.

Yellow rattle is an annual it is also a parasitic plant, which will not survive unless sown amongst grass. Ideally sow it in the autumn, once established it will self seed readily.

******************************************************************************

A proposed walkway round the field should be agreed in time for visitors in 2009 making it easier to get close to this natural landscape.

On the southern boundary in the adjoining field, a new 200 yard long hedge has just been planted with volunteer help. This new hedge contains 7 different native species such as Wayfarer Tree, Field Maple and Spindle, all attractive to wildlife and this will become a major feature of both fields.

The adjoining field is also being managed as a wild flower meadow and the two areas will be complementary in their ecological value.

Last summer fifteen species of butterfly were seen in the fields and hedges.

The need for sporting opportunities has not been ignored. With the encouragement of a local running club it is hoped to base a new junior running and fitness group at the field, making use of the track around the field and the existing recreation ground. As a member of the club with some relevant experience I am supporting this proposal and welcome your involvement.

It was very encouraging to see so many replies to the Questionnaire in favour of the reserve. Now, with the plans taking shape, more help is needed to make this a new important feature of the village.

If you would like more information or can offer to help in any way please call me.

********************************************************************************

Conservation on nature reserves

I've been discussing with one or two members why we in our local group of the Wildlife Trust find it difficult to find volunteers for the many ways in which they can easily help both our local group and also the work on the nature reserves. One way may be to use our summer visit programme , see our diary blog, to get people out and to explain what jobs are there to be done.
The Trust has developed its web site quite well over the last year or so and now has a diary showing where help is required out on the reserves. Here is a copy of the current web page. You can see it and more on the SWT web site. ( see link on this blog):

PRACTICAL CONSERVATION AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Date Time Who Where What March Sun 30 10.30am SCV Greylake ST 399 348 40,000 reed seedlings to plant. Please bring garden trowels or hand forks. Wellies advised. Meet at main gate on A361. April Thu 10 10am TCV SWT. Fyne Court. Path and step repairs and surfacing. Meet car park GR 222321. Contacts: Jim & Jean Ayling 01823 337462. Sun 13 10.30am SCV Catcott Heath ST 406 413 Cutting internal paths, internal ditch clearance and flap-valve repair. Meet at end of Higher Ropes Drove. Thu 24 10am TCV NT. Wellington Monument. Step building and access work. Meet car park GR143167. Contacts: Jim & Jean Ayling 01823 337462. Sun 27 10.30am SCV Chilton Moor Reserve ST 377 430 Lowering gutter ends, gate and fence repairs . Meet at end of Plain Heath Drove. May Sun 11 10.30am SCV Street Heath Reserve ST 465 392 Bracken control, path cutting, fence repair. Meet on approach drove beyond Rose Cottage. Sun 25 10.30am SCV Sharpham Moor ST 465 389 Erect new stile, handrail and sleeper bridge, fence repairs and bramble cutting. Meet at reserve gate, reached from drove at Avalon Farm-Durston's Peat. **This will be led by Mark Blake (07795 147910) June Sun 8 10.30am SCV Westhay Moor ST 453 436 Bracken control and removal, fencing works in the old mire. Meet at main car park. Sun 22 10.30am SCV West Sedgemoor ST 381 264 Clearing ragwort to allow graziers a hay cut to maintain the fantastic diversity of these meadows. Meet at Dewlands Farm. July Sun 6 10.30am SCV Street Heath ST 465 392 Bracken control, path cutting, maintenance of rare sedge pits, fence repair. Meet at approach drove beyond Rose Cottage. Sun 20 10.30am SCV Stoke Camp ST 483 513 Helping Chalkhill Blues by removing thistle, nettle and ragwort. Meet at Draycott Sleights entrance, some 600m up New Lane between Old Chapel and Red Lion pub in Draycott. August Sun 31 10.30am SCV Catcott Heath ST 406 413 Clearance around decoy pond to open flight path for birds and to minimise leaf litter silting pond. A few trees to be felled. Meet at end of Higher Ropes Drove. Contact details: SCV: Sedgemoor Conservation Volunteers:Anne & Norman Lees 01278 641521 P&SCV: Polden Hills and Somerton Conservation Volunteers: Emma Daniel c/o SWT 01823 652400 TCV: Taunton Mid-Week Conservation Volunteers: Margaret Palmer 01823 337570 WSCV: West Somerset Conservation Volunteers: John Dixon 01643 703654 PMCV:Peat Moors Conservation Volunteers: Alan Brown 01458 223067 Swains Lane Residents Group: John Morton 01823 661996 BTCV Somerset : Tel 01935 415255; email: p.sherriff@btcv.org.uk NP: Neroche Project: Sam Winzer:

Clearly there is a great deal that can be done and its obviously a good idea to ask other groups how they go about finding people. We really need a volunteer to volunteer to make a project of researching the problem!!