NWT Roebuck 136 July - November 2015

oebuck R

The Wildlife Trust Magazine for Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland

Issue 136 July - November 2015

Our Wildlife Join our wildlife celebration

Fantastic Photos North East wildlife competition winners

Hauxley Update New caravan, vehicle and building underway plus news from around the UK

Red Squirrels

The Foyle Foundation

The Red Army marches on

Cash boost for Hauxley

The Lynx Effect Reintroduction debate continues

Contents geoffry willey a fond farewell

4

dobbies welcome to our latest partner

5

fantastic photos winners round-up

6-7

new app find new places

8

our wildlife join our wildlife celebration

9

samuel hood

Local News

Funding st oswalds ultra get running for wildlife

10

shining legacy make a bid

11

Corporates nestlĂŠ fun family fun with chocolatiers

12

dennis common helps out Hauxley

13

6-7

Competition Winners

lady of the north looking for assistants

14

round-up updates around the region

15

Alex lister

Reserves & Volunteers

Conservation nifca protectors of the sea

16-17

the lynx effect the debate continues

18-19

the power of ponds students survey

20

bird ringing with the BTO

21

AGM

AGM

22-23

financial activities at 31 March 2015

24-25

Fifty Shades of Ga

A Secure Donation nifca

strategic report details activity

14

12

UK News eco-maps launched in Bristol

26-27

uk news round-up national news

28-29

orchard restoration benefits everybody 30-31 dogger bank is it safe?

32-33

local wildlife site hidden treasures

34-37

Reptiles galore where are they?

38-39

Patrons: Conrad Dickinson, Bill Oddie, Chris Packham & James Joicey President: Chris Mullin Vice Presidents: Charles Baker-Cresswell, Angus Lunn Vice President & Founder: Tony Tynan Chairman: Caroline Stewart Vice Chairman: Ian Armstrong Honorary Secretary: Nigel Porter Honorary Treasurer: Sue Loney

16-17 Sea Protectors

Chief Executive: Mike Pratt Head of Marketing & Fundraising: Sheila Sharp Head of Conservation: Steve Lowe Head of Land Management: Duncan Hutt Head of Business Management: Jane Speak EcoNorth: Vicki Sixsmith, Managing Director Red Squirrels Northern England: Nick Mason, Project Manager

34-37

Hidden Treasure

Find us on: /northumberlandwt

@NorthWildlife

Chief Executive’s Comments ncj media

11

Legacy Coins alex lister

abions neal trafankowski

Northumberland Wildlife Trust Ltd Garden House St Nicholas Park Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT Tel: (0191) 284 6884 Fax: (0191) 284 6794 Web: www.nwt.org.uk

Change on the agenda Only weeks after the general election we are finding out how the environment and wildlife may be affected as the new government picks up its pace.

Like all political parties, the Conservatives expressed interest in, and a degree of commitment towards, the idea of connecting nature with health and wellbeing. Moves are being made to recognise this in the legislative framework, but it is looking doubtful if we will see any new protection of our wild places.

There is already undermining of the Nature Directives established through the European Union to care for our best species and habitats, all those Special Areas of Conservation and other designated sites we are lucky to have, and some of which are in our areas of Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside. Conservationists have genuine worries about the continued prioritisation of these areas in the future and, more especially, if we leave the European Union.

I write this, not to be overtly political, but to remind us that we cannot, even now in the enlightened years of the 21st Century, take for granted that wildlife is well looked after and that we need to create green spaces and conserve wild land.

At a local level, we are embattled and continue to stand up for nature whenever new development proposals rear their heads. The aggressive land take in North Tyneside for housing seen in North Tyneside Council’s core strategy, and the proposal to open-cast mine at Highthorn on Druridge Bay are examples of where we really do have to stand up for nature.

Conservation is rarely ‘black and white’ and in these instances we are being pragmatic, as well as protective, recognising that if these go ahead we need to secure a large net gain for wildlife in the form of new habitat areas and connectivity of wildlife corridors. This pragmatism means this Trust sometimes taking ‘flack’ from both sides of the argument, but it is our job to get the best deal for wildlife whatever happens. Whilst we may accept that land in our urban fringe may be developed, it is a ‘double whammy’ if it goes ahead

Registered Charity No. 221819 Registered Company No. 717813 Registered in England & Wales VAT No. 556 103264 Roebuck Editor: Fiona Dryden Roebuck Designer: Richard Clark Thank you to all contributors.

Large text version available

and protection of the very best land in the uplands and other areas is not maintained... who would be a conservationist!

Ultimately getting people behind us as members and supporters is where we will win through. Our appeal to secure more members on the back of our Last Red Squirrel in the North East campaign and other recruitment initiatives are starting to pay off, but still we need more members to fight the fights.

In an ideal world, if we could double our membership, we could double our local action for wildlife. Seeing red squirrels returning, rarer bird species like the osprey and marsh harrier spreading further afield and better protection of the marine environment, will all demonstrate that we can stand up for wildlife if we are tenacious enough and stand together.

Don’t forget, on Sunday 27 September, we will be hosting ‘Our Wildlife 2015’ at Kirkley Hall in Ponteland. This day will bring together our staff, members, volunteers, supporters and the general public to celebrate our fantastic Northumbrian wildlife, the ongoing work we are doing together to conserve it and the legacy we are leaving for future generations.

Iolo Williams (BBC Springwatch, Countryfile and Iolo’s Special Reserves) will be helping us to launch the day and there will be an opportunity to meet him and put your wildlife questions in a question and answer session. But we won’t just be talking about wildlife, you’ll be meeting it too as you will have the chance to get up close and personal with many types of wildlife via a variety of activities including small mammal trapping and release, bird netting and release, and invertebrate sampling both on land and in the water.

Log onto www.nwt.org.uk/whats-on to book your ticket before they sell out! I hope you can join us, and if you do, come and say hello to me.

Mike Pratt Chief Executive Northumberland Wildlife Trust

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is a member of the largest voluntary organisiation in the UK concerned with all aspects of wildlife protection - The Wildlife Trusts. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the Trust or the Editor. Whilst every effort is taken to check accuracy of the information contained herein, no responsibility can be taken for errors or omissions.

The contents are Copyright.

Front cover photo: Hare Portrait © Kevin Murray All other photos © NWT unless otherwise stated

Roebuck is printed on Regency Satin Carbon Balanced paper.

Local News

Trust wildlife champion and photographer bows out sue bishop

Tributes were paid in April to fearless photographer, and the Trust’s oldest member, Geoffrey Willey, who died in Ponteland just months short of his 104th birthday.

Geoffrey Willey was one of the original members of the Trust when it was set up in 1971. He became a life member, and launched, and judged, our annual wildlife photography competition, to which he donated a trophy.

When the Trust joined forces with the Natural History Society of Northumbria and the other two Wildlife Trusts in the region to launch the joint regional wildlife photography competition, Geoffrey was not forgotten. He was invited to choose a winner for his cup, and at the age of 102 he turned up at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle for the event.

He was a truly wonderful man with a lifetime of wildlife expertise and great photographic experience and had seen many different types of camera arrive onto the market - box brownies, Polaroids, digitals and iPhone cameras, and Mike Pratt, NWT Chief Executive with Geoffrey Willey at the age of 102 he picked his competition winner using a laptop.

Born in 1911 in Honley, a village two miles from Holmfirth in Yorkshire, he was given his first camera, a Kodak No 2 Box Brownie at the age of 13, which started him on the road to a career as a professional photographer.

When the Second World War began, he worked in Newcastle for the Ministry of Information Films Division. The unit made black and white films designed to keep up wartime spirits and which were shown by Geoffrey and his projector in cinemas and village halls around the Region, as well as to workers at Consett Iron Works and the Swan Hunter and Hawthorn Leslie shipyards on Geoffrey was a gentleman, a genius and a the Tyne.

He later worked as a photographer at the Spadeadam rocket establishment wonderful character. He used his photographic near Gilsland in Cumbria, documenting Blue Streak, which began as a skills to promote nature conservation and you missile and was later used for space launches. couldn’t put him off anything.

It was in 1962, as senior photographer at Newcastle University, that Tony Tynan, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Founder Geoffrey met Trust founder Tony Tynan and forged a friendship that would and former curator of the Hancock Museum last 53 years.

The spring months are a great time to be out and about with your camera, but it’s also a time of year when our regular subjects are very vulnerable.

As they set about producing the next generation, disturbance can derail that process and for some species that can have a dramatic impact at a local level.

Recently there was an incident that involved photographers standing directly in the flight line to and from a Barn Owl nest on the Northumberland coast.

The digital age has brought many benefits to wildlife photography, but ‘photographers’ who care more about the image than the wildlife are sadly too common, and the stupidity of anyone who thinks that sort of behaviour is acceptable is beyond my understanding.

There are jaw-dropping wildlife images waiting to be captured, just by sitting still and blending in, shooting from one of the many excellent wildlife hides that are open to us or even using your vehicle as a hide - which is how I captured this image of a Black Grouse, well away from a lekking site.

There are a lot of factors that cause mortality in wildlife; predation, weather, disease are just a few…but disturbance by wildlife photographers should not have a place on that list.

Martin Kitching Senior Guide Northumberland Experience Wildlife Tours www.newtltd.co.uk

4 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

martin kitching

The welfare of the wildlife

Squirrelling away Four years into the Red Squirrels Northern England Project, the surprises and exciting challenges keep coming thick and fast. A record 123 volunteers have helped us complete the 2015 squirrel range survey across 300 sites, in seven counties, for the fourth consecutive year. Overcoming unseasonal cold, equipment failure and livestock misbehaviour, committed and highly skilled community members, such as Margaret, Ken and Alison of the Slaley Red Squirrel Group, have continued to make this survey one of the largest and most rigorous single species monitoring programmes in Europe. Our team is analysing the thousands of digital images and squirrel hairs gathered and will share the results with you in the next issue. We hope, and expect, the pattern of stability of red squirrel populations to continue; this amazing volunteer team ensures we always know exactly how red squirrels are

doing! Huge thanks to them and to the Garfield Weston Foundation for its support this year.

Another welcome surprise has been the success of our Last Red Squirrel in the North-East campaign. A huge welcome to the 160 (and counting) new Trust members and the 40 individual donors who have supported this campaign. Our conservation work is stronger thanks to you.

We look forward to welcoming all interested in red squirrels at the Our Wildlife event featuring Iolo Williams, on Sunday 27 September (see page 9). Iolo is a passionate red squirrel conservation supporter and will be sharing some of his views and experiences of squirrels on the day.

katy cook

Alison Williams and Margaret and Ken Bates

Dobbies names new charity partner The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) has been voted Dobbies’ 150th anniversary national charity partner, having fended off strong competition from two other finalists.

Dobbies’ UK fundraising target of £50,000 will help to bring wildlife into school grounds up and down the country, including those in our Region, by creating habitat for wildlife and places where children can explore, play and get close to nature as well as providing advice and activities.

Wildlife gardening activity booklets, titled ‘My Wild Garden’ have been created to help families make wildlife part of their gardens, no matter how big or small their outdoor space.

The booklet, which is available in this Region, from Dobbies, Ponteland for a suggested donation of £1, offers tips and tricks to make our gardens into wildlife havens, including species to look out for and monthly activities to undertake - from setting up nectar cafés to planting night-scented plants and more.

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 5

Wildlife in the Landscape - 1st & Overall Winner Cock Pheasant in Dawn Light, Jonathan Gaunt

Wildlife in the Landscape - 2nd Barn Owl Sunset, Alan Wennington

Wildlife in the Landscape - 3rd Guillemots at Sunset, Irene Dunton

Wildlife in Action - 1st Shakin’ Grebe, Samuel Hood

Wildlife in Action - 2nd Boxing Hares, Renton Charman

Wildlife in Action - 3rd Kestrel Vs Barn Owl, Chris Castling

Wildlife Portrait - 1st Waxwing with Berry, Tim Cossins

Wildlife Portrait - 2nd Wren, Christopher Wren

Wildlife Portrait - 3rd Hare Portrait, Kevin Murray

Talented snappers never fail to impress Following the success of the previous two North East Wildlife Photography Competitions, Northumberland, Durham and Tees Valley Wildlife Trusts again joined forces with the Natural History Society of Northumbria and the Great North Museum: Hancock to host the 2015 competition.

The competition attracted a total of 1,661 entries and left our panel of judges, which this year included Tony Henderson The Journal 6 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

Environment Editor and Janet Blair, Editor of Living North magazine, highly impressed by the quality of submissions, and the final awards ceremony hosted by George McGavin, TV wildlife presenter and resident ‘bug man’ on BBC 1’s The One Show, proved to be a real winner.

This year, there were six competition categories to enter: mobile nature, nature up close, young person’s, wildlife portraits: photos that capture the character, essence or traits of

a species, wildlife in action: photos that capture interesting, funny or amazing behaviour and wildlife in the landscape, with each category winner and runner-up receiving a great prize and an overall winner being selected from one of the categories for the main prize of £250 which was provided by Nestlé Fawdon.

Special thanks to Alan Hewitt Photography for creating the new website and managing the judging process.

Nature up Close - 1st Spider to the Fly, Patrick Bibby

Nature up Close - 2nd Mainly Blue, Patrick Bibby

Nature up Close - 3rd Hoverfly Syrphus Ribesi, Joseph Finlay

Mobile Nature - 1st Camoufish, Jenny Shutt

Mobile Nature - 2nd Pollen Gatherer, Tracey Laing

Mobile Nature - 3rd Cowslips, Simon Kirk

Young Person’s - 1st Snow Grouse, Max Eve (age 10)

Young Person’s - 2nd Caterpillar Curl, Max Eve (age 10)

Young Person’s - 3rd The Puffin, Tabitha Burnett (age 15)

Organisers & Supporters:

Prizes donated by: Natural History

Centre

www.wcwpc.co.uk

HA

NC OC K

Society of

Northumbria

Westcountry

W ldl fe Photography

Good Food, Good Life Northumberland, Durham & Tees valley

FARNE ISLANDS BOAT TOURS

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 7

Local News

Go wild and find nature with new Android app

The Trust’s People & Wildlife Team has been hosting a number of family events for visitors to Amble Caravan Park throughout the spring and early summer.

From kite making and puffin themed arts and crafts to rockpooling and treasure hunts, the events have proved so popular, Park Leisure has invited the Team back in October to run a series of spooky Halloween events. lauren ogilvie

Finding new places to experience encounters with wildlife is now a lot easier with a new free app offering a guide to more than 2,000 nature reserves and thousands of Wildlife Trust events and activities up and down the UK. Explore secret city spots and wild quarries, sit by quiet streams and rivers, admire ancient trees and wander through wildflower meadows with ‘Nature Finder’, The Wildlife Trusts’ free Android app, which is also available to iPhone users, enables people to carry a comprehensive guide to local wild places on their phone.

‘Nature Finder’ is a simple location-based app which enables the user to find Wildlife Trust nature reserves and events wherever they are. There is also a directory of Wildlife Trusts around the UK, with links to online information.

Created by volunteer, Rhisiart ap Gwilym, who developed it based on the original iPhone version, launched in 2013, it uses GPS technology to automatically find the user’s location and display maps and listings of nature reserves and events.

Suitable for all iPhone models and Android devices, ‘Nature Finder’ is available from the App and Google Play Stores - just search for ‘Nature Finder’. www.wildlifetrusts.org/app

Amble family fun

mike jeffries

First in the queue He’s a year early, but this visitor has proved he is both polite and literate!

In the photo, taken by Trust member Mike Jeffries, Teaching Fellow at the University of Northumbria’s Department of Geography, an eider duck is waiting outside our Hauxley reserve, having seen the sign on the gate that it’s closed, but is prepared to wait patiently for it to re-open.

Don’t forget the entire reserve is closed until summer 2016, during the building of our new Wildlife Discovery Centre, however our other five reserves along Druridge Bay: East Chevington, Druridge Pools, Cresswell Pond, Cresswell Foreshore and Linton Lane, are open as usual.

La mb joints available soon

Why not try some of our delicious shearling lamb?

They will be available from April, 2015.

For more information contact Stephen Comber at flexigraze@northwt.org.uk or call 07590 426 243. Keep in touch: www.flexigraze.org.uk

F lex ig ra z e High Quality Shearling Lamb from Conservation Grazing 8 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

Each half la mb has: 2 leg joints, 2 shoulder joints 3 chu mp chops, 12 loin chops and 1lb of mince

Come and celebrate

Our Wildlife 2015 arden’s wild g l ur

up clos Get e

Meet S pr in

t o: J o

Iolo W tch’s ill a ia w g

s m

Pho

t

ildlife ow

ife

courage y En o

with Northumberland Wildlife Trust Sunday 27th September 2015, 10am - 4pm

Ph

n H a w kin s

: Am

Si m

on

P h ot o:

y Le

F ra

w is

Tom

Ma

rs h

al

l

P h ot o:

o to

se

p h o to g r

ap

et

e

el

a w il dlif

pp

dl

if

hy

ur

H

ve

yo

ra

ck

er

r

Im p r o

Be r o te c t w il

Supported by players of

An extravaganza of hands on workshops, activities, demonstrations and talks Handle local wildlife • Have a go at taxidermy • Learn to draw wildlife Get your face painted • Meet our living lawn mowers • Enjoy watching wildlife

Tickets

• £12 per adult • £8 per child, under 5s free • Includes BBQ lunch • Half price Zoo entry and zip wire • Members’ AGM at 12 noon

Booking essential, go to: www.nwt.org.uk/whats-on

Venue

Kirkley Hall Ponteland Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 0AQ

Protecting wildlife in Newcastle, Northumberland & North Tyneside

Funding

Get running and raise funds for wildlife The Trust is the official charity of the second St Oswald Ultra Run Series which takes place in September, with scores of enthusiastic runners already registered from as far afield as Canada, New Zealand and Japan, to make the 100 mile journey across Northumberland.

With a dawn start on Holy Island on Saturday 26 September, the challenging 100 mile race route passes through places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early 7th century. Runners will race down the stunning Northumberland coast before heading inland across beautiful countryside to Hadrian’s Wall, and then finally descending to finish in Chollerford on Sunday 27 September.

If you feel 100 miles might be too much of a

Don’t forget Remember a Charity Week Monday 7 - Sunday 13 September

challenge, there is also a 50km which finishes at Craster and 100km race which finishes at Rothbury - both wonderful villages, or you could run the relay race with up to 12 friends.

Everybody entering the race is asked to make a donation to the Trust when they register for a place and race organisers are actively encouraging all participants, their friends and family to fundraise and donate to help support our work around the region.

So, if you want to run or know of somebody who does, or wish to sponsor a runner, log on at www.stoswaldsultra.com. You can browse images of the 2014 run for a flavour of the event on the website… you never know, you may be inspired to take part.

Having a ball Newcastle University Biology Society (BIOSOC) which adopted the Trust as its ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2014/15 has raised almost £300 through a raffle at its annual BIOLOGY SOCIET Y Spring Ball.

We are working to support Northumberland Wildlife Trust which shares our values of protecting and enjoying our wide-open natural spaces.

Phil Smith St Oswald Ultra Run Series Organiser

kaleelzibe.com

£150 has been raised for NWT by Level 3 Animal Management students at Kirkley Hall College by doing a car wash, collecting change, having a swear jar and doing a sponsored silence.

Cash boost from The Foyle Foundation The Trust has received a hugely generous grant of £25,000 from The Foyle Foundation to be spent on the ‘fit-out’ of our new Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, as part of the larger Heritage Lottery Fund funded Dynamic Druridge Project.

The Foyle Foundation was formed to implement the terms of the will of the late Christina Foyle, the daughter of William Foyle

10 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

who, with his brother, founded the family owned bookshop Foyles in Charing Cross Road, London.

Since it became operational in November 2001, the Foundation, an independent grant making trust, has disbursed £63.2m in grants (up to 30th June 2014).

The Trust has received a legacy of 52 beautiful silver coins.

They form the Conservation Coin Collection with each featuring an endangered animal from a country and a notable person from that country usually the head of state.

They are 38.61mm in diameter, have a fineness of .925, weigh 28.28gms and are silver.

There is also a wooden storage box which will hold some of them, but not all.

They were issued by Spink and the Royal Mint on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund and International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources with one being sold each month to form a collection.

They were available from the mid 70’s onwards and we have records of purchase for many of them plus six books on the different coins and countries.

We are inviting financial offers for the collection as they would appeal to wildlife lovers. To place an offer or arrange a viewing of them,

ncj media

Shining legacy

email Sheila Sharp, Head of Marketing and Fundraising at sheila.sharp@northwt.org.uk.

The coins were left to us by Trust member Zoe Jenkins, who lived in Corbridge, and who was Head of Religious Education at Newcastle College of Education (later to become Northumbria University) and was for 10 years,

Osprey Watch is back for a sixth year, and, due to its success, the project team has recently purchased a fabulous new tripod and telescope, and erected a very public nesting platform at Bakethin Nature Reserve, all of which have been supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Last year, 2014 was the first year three pairs of ospreys bred successfully at Kielder.

Supported by players of

kelly hollings

Flying high thanks to charity lottery players

Senior Tutor for Reader Education in the Diocese of Newcastle. A knowledgeable gardener, horsewoman and steadfast conservationist, it was the express wish of Miss Jenkins that the coins should be sold to help our conservation work.

Where there’s a will...

Don’t leave a financial nightmare for your loved ones! Make sure you have an up-todate will as it’s all too easy to put it off. It’s well worth tackling as soon as possible both for your beneficiaries and for your own peace of mind.

The Trust is delighted to have been named as a beneficiary in two recent legacies.

Joyce Reay from Whitley Bay had been a Trust member for 34 years. Following her death towards the end of 2013, she bequeathed a £55,000 legacy to us.

Eric Whittle who, most latterly, resided in Southend-on-Sea, was also a Trust member for 34 years. He bequeathed a £70,000 legacy following his death, again, towards the end of 2013.

The selfless generosity of both members is hugely appreciated and these sums are significant amounts of money which will be used carefully to continue our valuable conservation work.

If you are inspired by the wildlife and landscapes in our Region, please consider leaving us a legacy to safeguard them for future generations.

Visit our website www.nwt.org.uk/ legacies for more information.

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 11

Corporates alex lister

Donation keeps site secure Riverside Leisure (Hexham) Ltd has very generously donated a large caravan to our Hauxley Build Project, which is being used as a base by our round-the-clock site security team on our Hauxley reserve.

Based in Tyne Green, Hexham, the family owned holiday park has been a very valuable silver category member of the Trust for the past 19 years.

Family fun at Nestlé, Fawdon

Quids in

As part of our ongoing relationship with Nestlé, Fawdon, the Trust held a Family Wildlife Day for employees and their families, which was attended by over 100 people.

With the emphasis very much on connecting people with where food comes from, a team from the Trust held a number of hands-on sessions including the ‘above and below’ vegetable quiz, planting sunflowers in individual pots as part of a tallest sunflower competition this summer, a session on bees and butterflies and their importance in the ecosystem and a butterfly spotting trip around the Fawdon site’s butterfly meadow.

Many thanks to national retailer Poundworld for inviting our staff and volunteers to fundraise at the opening of its new multi-price Bargain Buys store in Cramlington.

A total of £75.00 was collected.

A quick trim courtesy of Gustharts Many thanks to Gustharts, bronze category members for the past 12 years, for its donation of a set of STIHL HSA 25 cordless shrub shears, designed for trimming shrubs, but which will be used to give the Hauxley Build Project straw bales a haircut before the walls are plastered.

12 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

nestlé

Good Food, Good Life

Northumberland Wildlife Trust offers three levels of corporate membership which are designed to enhance your Corporate Social Responsibility commitments, provide year-round benefits to your business and support your staff development, PR and marketing strategies. You choose the level that you feel reflects your company’s commitment to the local environment.

To find out more about becoming a corporate member contact our Marketing Office on 0191 284 6884 or via email to sheila.sharp@northwt.org.uk

BRONZE

SILVER

GOLD

A-one + www.aone.uk.com

Howick Hall Gardens www.howickhallgardens.org

Elanders Ltd www.elanders.com

Esh Group www.esh.uk.com

Albion Outdoors www.albionoutdoors.co.uk

NCFE www.ncfe.org.uk

Harlow Printing Ltd www.harlowprinting.co.uk

Lafarge Tarmac www.lafargetarmac.co.uk

Bell Ingram www.bellingram.co.uk

Northern Experience Wildlife Tours www.northernexperiencewildlifetours.co.uk

Karpet Mills www.karpetmills.co.uk

Mears Ltd www.mearsgroup.co.uk

Mountgate Caravans Ltd www.silvercarrscaravanpark.co.uk

Nestlé Confectionery Ltd www.nestle.co.uk Northumbrian Water Ltd www.nwl.co.uk

Berwick Holiday Park www.haven.com/parks/ northumberland/berwick

Northumberland County Council www.northumberland.gov.uk

Blyth Harbour Commission www.portofblyth.co.uk

Ord House Country Park www.ordhouse.co.uk

North East Chamber of Commerce www.ne-cc.com

Colton Excavations www.coltonplanthire.co.uk

Percy Wood Leisure Ltd www.percywood.co.uk

Port of Tyne www.portoftyne.co.uk

Croft Veterinary Hospital www.croftvets.co.uk

Poltross Enterprises www.poltross.com

Potts Printers Ltd www.potts.co.uk

Geoffrey Lurie Solicitors www.geoffreylurie.com

Sykes Cottages www.sykescottages.co.uk

Riverside Leisure www.riverside-leisure.co.uk

Gustharts www.gusthart.com

Wardell Armstrong www.wardell-armstrong.com

Hexham Steeplechase Co Ltd www.hexham-racecourse.co.uk

Whitley Bay Golf Club www.whitleybaygolfclub.co.uk

The Banks Group www.hjbanks.com Thermofisher Scientific www.thermofisher.com

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 13

alex lister

patrolling reserves and transporting volunteers.

The Isuzu D-Max was chosen as it is one of the few makes and models with a 3.5T towing capability, and, as the vehicle is already being used to tow tractors, mechanical diggers and move the straw bales around the Hauxley reserve, power and reliability were key factors in the choice. fiona dryden

Generous donation from motor dealer

The Trust has taken possession of a brand new Isuzu D-Max pickup as part of our Dynamic Druridge project which is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Always keen to use local companies, the vehicle was supplied by Dennis Common, the Longframlington based Four Wheel Drive specialist, which made a very generous £5,000 donation towards the total cost of the vehicle.

The vehicle will initially be used on our Hauxley reserve during the construction of our new Wildlife Discovery Centre, before being driven along the whole of Druridge Bay

Reserves & Volunteers alex lister

Fifty shades of gabion The groundworks and foundations for our new Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, which is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, were completed at the end of May by Amble based contractor G.L. Groundworks and project architects and main contractor, North Shields based Brightblue Studio.

The month of June saw our volunteers construct, and fill, over 150 gabion baskets.

More commonly spotted stabilising riverbanks, the baskets measuring 1 metre x 0.5 metre and which have been filled with stones from Howick Quarry in Littlehoughton, will form part of the building’s foundations and act as plinths for the walls, which will be built using straw bales.

Whilst members of the public may be disappointed that our Hauxley reserve is closed until next summer, the resident wildlife is thriving, thanks to the peace and quiet.

Since the 1980s, a team of volunteers has recorded the number of birds visiting Hauxley reserve every weekday, and last year, a total of 165 different species of bird visited the reserve which is great news.

However, volunteers have already noticed an increase in the number of birds venturing into to the public areas of the reserve, not to mention a willow

warbler nesting 3ft away from the path, a wren nesting in one of the bird hides and moorhens nesting on the edge of the car park. Red squirrels are now frequent visitors and otters can often be seen out of the water, and all since the reserve closed after Easter A tawny owl recently caused a flutter of excitement as it flew up one of the reserve’s main paths towards bird recording volunteer Jimmy Alexander, for, in the 15 years since he started his recording, he hasn’t spotted one single tawny owl on the site.

tim mason

Making the most of it

Willow warbler at Ha uxley

The Trust is hoping to recruit a number of Volunteer Visitor Centre Assistants to work at Northumberlandia, the unique piece of public art set in a 46 acre community park near Cramlington. The centrepiece is a reclining lady, the world’s largest human landform sculpture.

Volunteers can choose to work in either the

14 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

Visitor Centre (Wednesday - Sunday, 9.00am - 5.00pm) or the Café (Wednesday - Sunday, 10.30am - 4.00pm).

For further information on these roles and others currently on offer, log on at: www.nwt.org.uk/volunteers

the land trust

Help the ‘Lady of the North’

RESERVES ROUND-UP Barrowburn Wood:

A team of volunteers has been carrying out essential repairs at our Holywell Pond reserve, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

They headed out to the reserve, lying to the north of Holywell Village, to dig out and re-level the path between the site’s south and east meadows, which in the winter months have seen

joe christie

Fallen tree protectors were recently repaired, a considerable number of selfseeded trees were found growing within and outside them. Cuckoo were heard and pied flycatcher and redstart seen on the reserve.

Take a seat

Supported by players of vehicles and volunteers get stuck in the mud.

Spurred on by the wonderful sunshine, the Team then went on to replace an old seat near Holywell Dene which has been on the ‘to do’ list for months and is a very popular resting place for dog walkers and visitors en-route to Holywell Dene.

Fencerhill Wood: The amount of Himalayan Balsam on the reserve continues to decline annually, thanks to the efforts of the volunteers. Grange First School has begun to use the reserve for educational visits. We hope to continue creating further links between schools and our reserves.

Holywell Pond:

West Fleetham: The huge effort by volunteers to remove water soldiers from Farm Pond last year has resulted in limited cover of the plant this year; we will continue to remove the plant as it appears, in the hope of eradicating it. On a similar note, the annual removal of Himalayan Balsam from Long Nanny Wood has seen a continued reduction of this invasive species.

Grasslees Burn Wood: Volunteers removed old tree guards and litter from the reserve and were treated to the sight of redstart and pied flycatcher.

Back row: (L-R) Mustapha Kabah, Mo Dewar and Cathy Bell Front row: (L-R) Ken Simpson, Paul Smith and Derek Statton

Volfest returns for a second year

susan wilson

Vandals recently daubed the public hide in spray paint inside and out. A fantastic effort by the volunteers has seen the graffiti removed and the hide repainted. On a lighter note, despite staff shortages, our strong links with Holywell First School have continued to develop thanks to volunteer wardens leading a series of sessions on the reserve. Poor weather last summer prevented hay production, however the additional sheep introduced to graze the reserve over the winter has resulted in the continued improvement in the quality of the meadow.

Following the success of last year’s first ‘Volfest’ which celebrated the service of our volunteers, the Trust held its second festival at the end of April.

Sponsored by the Trust’s Save Our Magnificent Meadows (SOMM) Project which is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, it was fitting that the event was held in the Bardon Mill & Henshaw Village Hall, which is not only an amazing eco-build structure, but is in the vicinity of our Beltingham River Gravels reserve - a species rich calaminarian grassland area and one of the sites involved the SOMM Project.

As per last year, a volunteer awards ceremony was held with the ‘Jack of all Trades’ Award going to Cathy Bell for the second year running, an Outstanding Service Award for the most recorded hours of service going to Mo Dewer and the Special Recognition Award being presented to Joanna Dailey for her service to the Ospreywatch project over the past 6 years.

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 15

nifca

Conservation

The Watchers on the Shore As a maritime nation, Britain has a long heritage of sea based activities. The sea is not an easy place to look after and for centuries we have used the sea without due consideration for the long term impacts. Indeed in the early 20th century it was still considered that the sea was inexhaustible.

A new approach was needed and we are now at an exciting time with a fundamental shift in our cultural approach to marine management.

We are beginning to understand the interrelated nature of all the seas resources and it is broadly recognised that all the various marine

stakeholders from dog-walkers to lobster potters need to pull together to achieve the long term goal and vision of healthy seas providing “ecosystem services” for the future.

The Wildlife Trusts lobbied for a Marine Bill and once this became law, it established Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) as a new type of regulator to work with stakeholder groups to achieve this common aim in English inshore waters. IFCAs replaced the Sea Fisheries Committees and have extended responsibilities not only to achieve sustainable inshore fisheries, but also to help

achieve conservation objectives, working in strong partnership with Government and other regulators with the aim of securing the future of the seas and the benefits we all get from them.

Locally we now have the Northumberland IFCA, which has jurisdiction over an area between the midpoint of theTyne and the Scottish/English Border from the National Tidal Limit (“NTL”) then out to 6 nautical miles from the baseline. This includes all rivers and estuaries with the NIFCA district up to their NTL. The NIFCA is funded by 2 constituent authorities: Northumberland County Council

conservation ROUND-UP Watery work:

Otter Project:

Water voles:

mcz’s:

Living Seas:

nifca:

We have received confirmation of two awards from the Environment Agency’s Catchment Partnership Action Fund (CPAF) totalling £62,000 and £10,000 from Northumbrian Water Ltd.’s ‘Branch Out Fund’ to extend the floating islands on the Ouseburn.

All sites have been identified for survey in 2015 and a Memorandum of Understanding established with the Waterford Institute, Eire, regarding the analysis of DNA from the River Tyne catchment.

MSc student, Rachael Omans, has been recruited to develop a population model for donor water vole populations in the North Pennines.

We are now developing the water vole volunteer groups in the North Pennines, and elsewhere in the project area.

Aurelie Bohan, Living Seas Officer, has been developing communication materials for the Marine Conservation Zones consultation which saw a national campaign aimed at getting the general public to respond, in order to demonstrate a continued support of marine protection.

Living Seas will be running a summer school for 11 to 14 year olds, in partnership with Newcastle University’s Dove Marine Laboratory in Cullercoats, over the school summer holiday. Planning is going well to develop a varied programme, which is both enjoyable and educational.

Steve Lowe, Head of Conservation at the Trust has been appointed to the NIFCA as a MMO appointee for a term of four years.

16 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

nifca

The aims of NIFCA are:

nifca

• To ensure that the exploitation of sea fisheries resources is carried out in a sustainable way • To balance the social and economic benefits of exploiting the sea fisheries resources of the district with the need to protect the marine environment from, or promote its recovery from, the effects of such exploitation • Take any other steps which in the Authority’s opinion are necessary, or expedient for the purpose of making a contribution to the achievement of sustainable development • To balance the different needs of persons engaged in the exploitation of sea fisheries resources in the district • To ensure all objectives of any Marine Conservation Zone in the district are furthered

nifca

The aims will be achieved by: • Monitoring fisheries other than migratory fisheries within the Authority limits • Making byelaws when appropriate in the interests of fisheries and the environment • Enforcement of byelaws • Enforcement of other legislation (both European and national)

(NCC) and North Tyneside Borough Council (NTBC) with 6 members and 1 member on the Authority respectively. In addition there are 11 Marine Management Organisation (MMO) appointed members and 1 representative from each of the government agencies Environment Agency (EA), Natural England (NE) and MMO (staff member). One recent appointee is NWT’s Head of Conservation, Steve Lowe.

These are exciting and challenging times for the Northumberland IFCA team. Amongst many areas of work, they are prioritising the revised approach to fisheries management

People and Wildlife:

Undersea artist:

June saw our People and Wildlife Team engaging with 427 school children via visits to Howick and Barrasford Quarries, bird activities around the launch of the Northumbria Bird Atlas, trips to Weetslade Country Park and water vole activities courtesy of the Tyne Rivers Trust.

Aurelie has been liaising with the national Living Seas team to organise filming opportunities for the Northumberland coast.

Chris Rose, an artist based in the Scottish Borders, recently won the RSWT/ Society of Wildlife Artists’ (SWA) Undersea Artists Award.

in the European Marine Sites and Marine Conservation Zones in the next year. This has involved gathering large amounts of new data on the local inshore environment such as monitoring lobster populations and mussel beds, grab sampling and fish surveys.

NIFCA has also just taken delivery of its new patrol vessel, the St. Aidan, which will ensure the NIFCA can adequately respond to the growing demands of its role. This includes surveying for whales and dolphins with groups such as the NE Cetacean Project, an excellent example of partnership working. Indeed,

Chris will dive within the Coquet to St Mary’s potential MCZ, and will produce a painting inspired by his underwater experience, which will be included in the SWA’s annual autumn exhibition in London.

Save our Magnificent Meadows (SOMM): Volunteers, led by Trust Conservation Officer Naomi Waite, have been carrying out practical work on sites, including the removal of Himalayan balsam on our Williamston reserve and the planting out of maiden pink plug plants.

although the NIFCA is new it has established itself as flexible, pragmatic and above all accessible.

For more information see, www.nifca.gov.uk Steve Lowe Head of Conservation Northumberland wildlife Trust MMO appointee to NIFCA

Naomi and her volunteers have been carrying out monitoring surveys of each of the project sites, with interesting results already.

Early pioneer, annual species are beginning to establish in the areas of cleared soil and all, but one, of the maiden pink planted out at Gunnerton Nick are surviving.

Art students from Newcastle College have been painting the calaminarian grasslands and will be putting their finished pieces together for an exhibition at Haltwhistle Library throughout August.

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 17

Conservation

Species reintroductions: when is it a sensible option?

With the arrival of Jurassic World on the big screen, it seems timely to discuss the latest news in bringing extinct species back to British shores. But we’re not talking about recreating dinosaurs, we’re talking about reintroducing species that were once native to Britain and can still be found in other countries.

“WE ARE going to release a lynx near you” came the announcements earlier this year indicating plans were afoot to reintroduce this once native species back to Britain. Such a bold statement of intent mistakenly assumes everyone agrees with this idea and will allow it to happen without even being asked.

Is this a novel approach to UK reintroductions or slight naivety?

Putting a species back into the wild where it once lived is always guaranteed to spark lively debate.

‘Shouldn’t we concentrate on what we have left?’ or following the classic line from the original Jurassic Park film “Dinosaurs had their shot and nature selected them for extinction”. It is a thorny subject and one with supporters on both sides. I personally believe each case should be assessed individually as I can see both the merits and follies of such exercises having been involved in one or two reintroduction efforts over the years.

Problems arise from the start with many people simply not understanding the terminology. I get tired of hearing my angling friends (who are otherwise intelligent human beings) and the angling media blaming ‘reintroduced’ otters for everything but biblical plagues. Some may say it’s pedantic, but if a whole species’ reputation is being tarnished through ignorance, then a little explanation should follow.

For the record, again, historical records show quite clearly locations and numbers of otters in Britain, indicating that very few otters were ever deliberately reintroduced. Probably around 99% of the modern population came from free living ancestors that naturally recolonised the available water space from existing wild populations.

So what should we do about reintroductions?

There is talk of reintroducing wolf or lynx into the British countryside. The Nature Conservancy Committee looked long and hard at the feasibility of wolf reintroductions on the Isle of Rhum many years ago but decided against it. The arguments for reintroduction include: they used to live here and they should be back where they belong, they will control our growing deer population naturally and they will increase tourism. Now I must say these are largely not my own opinions but rather those gathered from many sources, as I personally would love to live in a country 18 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

with free ranging wolf packs in the woods; however, I am a realist and the UK is not the place these days for such things regardless how some may paint the picture.

Stop for a moment and think logically about this.

Would these animals be truly wild? In real terms, they are not wild and would have to be managed, which in turn raises challenges associated with species control, which are the realities associated with this type of reintroduction in an overcrowded country like the UK. There are many examples of successful reintroductions all around the globe, but in Britain with its burgeoning towns and cities, and increasingly few, and certainly much smaller, wild spaces, do we have the space when compared with the vast American state of Michigan, the Swedish districts of Varmland, or the German/Czech border regions of uninterrupted forest and wilderness?

So what about changing views and the tourism argument? We already have zoos and safari parks where these creatures can be seen easily by thousands of people every day. I spent six months in Sweden tracking wolves in the wild and I saw a grand total of one animal at a distance of 1.5 miles, in a region as large as Scotland, with more wolves than people and vistas as far as the eye can see. I have visited Bavaria and the Czech Republic and spoken to lynx conservationists who have spent over 10 years reintroducing lynx and in all that time they had observed lynx directly for about 20 seconds. Have they made any difference to deer populations? Not in the slightest as there are still as many deer shot by hunters now as there were before lynx were brought back; if anything, there are more deer as they respond to increased predation with more twin births. The point I am hoping to make is that tourists want to see things, but they won’t see wolves and certainly not lynx, so what would be the point? These are not arguments to reintroduce a species; they are arguments to placate a misplaced and often romantic notion that we can turn back time and make space in our crowded nation for a lost wilderness.

Personally I believe lynx would survive and prosper in the UK, but wonder whether it would be ethically sound to reintroduce wolves. Wolves are pack animals and need vast uninterrupted ranges to wander and they exploit the easiest and freely available food sources , which would be domestic livestock. Lynx are solitary hunters that also need large areas but there are always fewer of them, they are rarely encountered, and have little impact outside of their own small space. Wolves don’t attack humans

(this is largely a myth) but they do make a lot of unearthly noises and scare the living daylights out of most folk. Meanwhile the lynx just vanishes and is virtually unnoticeable where it lives. There are many, more subtle nuances to these arguments that could go on forever, but the reality is quite simple... concentrate on what we

lynx: mpiet wolf: vf harris

already have because we are losing it too quickly, bring back only if we must and only those that will actually benefit the overall landscape.

So finally I will leave you with two strong possibilities and suitable candidates for reintroduction: the beaver (“what a surprise” those who know me will say) and of course the water vole. A harmless vegetarian, it took over 10 years of research and lobbying to get the beaver back

into the Scottish countryside, even then only on a trial basis. Now, although it still has its detractors it’s firmly established in several locations now and other wildlife is flourishing around it. However, just to bring further hope that some reintroductions, can help conservation, we can look no further than the humble water vole. If reintroduced back into an environment free from his nemesis, the mink, this charming little emblematic species can

re-establish itself quite readily and successfully.

So there you have it, time to make your own mind up.

Kevin O’Hara Conservation Officer Northumberland Wildlife Trust

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 19

Conservation

Druridge Bay and the power of ponds mike jeffries

mike jeffries

20 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

Pete Gilbert launching a floating chamber to measure gases coming off the pond at Warkworth Lane ponds jeffries

Dr Michael Jeffries Department of Geography Northumbria University

(L-R): Dav eC Pete Gilbe ooke (Co-Supervis or), rt and Sco tt Taylor ta sediment king cores at H auxley Re serve

mike

The Trust’s Dynamic Druridge Project conjures up the Bay’s ever changing moods and landscape; the long rolling waves, towering skyscapes and wildlife changing with the seasons.

There are also less familiar, invisible but powerful forces at work all along the Bay that have only just begun to yield surprising insights into what nature does for us.

Researchers from the Department of Geography at Northumbria University have been working in partnership with the Trust to test the role of ponds in capturing or releasing carbon to the atmosphere.

It is easy to take ponds for granted because they are small and familiar, but their sheer number may make them important players in the cycling of carbon. Ponds are shallow and productive, their plants taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere as they grow and trapping the carbon in the pond’s sediments when the plants die down.

However ponds can also release carbon back to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide or the even more potent greenhouse gas methane.

Two postgraduates, Pete Gilbert and Scott Taylor, have been measuring the levels of carbon in cores taken form ponds along the Bay. They also record the gases being absorbed or released from ponds as sites dry or wet, and through the changing hours of the day; capturing the ‘aquatic breath’, as Pete puts it.

Results so far show that the ponds along the Bay have very carbon rich sediments, much richer in carbon than the soils from the terrestrial grasslands around about, because the ponds are waterlogged the lack of oxygen down in the sediment stops the normal processes of decay that could release the carbon back to the atmosphere.

The trouble is that as sites dry out, as many do in summer, the base of the ponds is exposed to the air and can start to release much more carbon. Overall it looks like small ponds could be an important but missing part of the carbon budget and that carefully designed ponds could be potent carbon traps.

Watch out next time you are up at the Bay searching for summer avocets or winter geese.

Those people out in the ponds taking cores or launching floating chambers to catch gases will be Pete and Scott in search of the invisible dynamic Druridge. Find out more about our work on our blog pondstimeandplace.blogspot.co.uk.

ert onds te Gilb and Pe worth Lane p e k o o C k r e a v a W D at a core taking

BTO Constant Effort Study at Hauxley bryan galloway

Kingfisher caught for ringing at Hauxley Reserve

Sparrows with a decline in Sedge and Willow Warblers and Reed Buntings.

The numbers of Blackbirds, Robins, and Dunnocks have remained fairly constant. The most productive years for all species were 2006, 2009 and 2014 the least productive years were 2002, 2004 and 2005.

The reasons for changes are not clearly understood but can be influenced by such factors as climate variation, habitat change, availability of food and nest sites, adult and juvenile survival, predation, disease etc. As the study continues the BTO, who correlate data from some 130 other sites in the UK, will acquire a better understanding of the population dynamics of our most common breeding species.

Thanks to the efforts of the staff and volunteers at Hauxley the net rides and access paths are kept open allowing the ringers easy access to the site.

All the data produced from Hauxley helps influence the long term management plans of the site.

Bryan Galloway Northumbria Ring Group Secretary The ringing group will be joining the Trust at the next Hauxley Open Day on Sunday 9 August, so if you are lucky, you may get a chance to observe ringing in action.

bryan galloway

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Constant Effort Study (CES) commenced in 1983 and was set up to monitor nationwide breeding passerine (perching birds, including all songbirds) population changes in a variety of habitats. Of particular interest was the long term study of adult and juvenile survival and the annual variation in productivity.

The methodology involves annual catching and ringing of breeding birds by qualified ringers in mist nets supplied by the BTO during the period 1 May until 31 August. The same length nets are erected in the same locations for the same length of time on twelve evenly spaced visits.

The Hauxley Reserve study commenced in 2002 and focuses on the willow carr and thorn scrub area on the south side of the reserve. Eight mist net locations were selected and a total of three hundred and fifty feet of netting is employed over a period of six hours.

Fifty three species have been handled at Hauxley since the project started and twenty eight are considered to be breeding. The number of individuals caught each year has varied between 243 and 384. The year by year variations in the numbers of adults and juveniles are correlated, the number of adults is an indication of the breeding population and the ratio of the numbers of juveniles to adults provides an indication of the variation in productivity.

The Willow Warbler, a trans Saharan migrant, is the most numerous species with caught one hundred and ninety seven adults and five hundred and seventy nine juveniles caught over the length of the study. Willow Warbler have declined quite dramatically in some southern counties in the last ten years but conversely the numbers have increased in northern Britain, especially in Scotland. The numbers of adults have declined at Hauxley, especially since 2005, but one adult survivor, ringed as a male in July 2002, returned to breed in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Two examples of the routes taken on their autumn migration to Africa are that of a juvenile ringed on 16th July 2007 and re-trapped in Kent on 9 September 2007 and another ringed on 18 July 2008 and re-trapped at Icklesham in Sussex on 8 August 2008.

Over the thirteen years of study there has been an increase in the numbers of Blackcaps, Reed Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Wrens and Tree

Juvenile Sedge Warbl er caught for ringing at Hauxley

Reserve

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 21

AGM

AGM

Northumberland Wildlife Trust Ltd: Strategic Report 2014/15 was a productive and successful year for the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. Significant progress was made with key projects and the achievement of a surplus outturn meant that a further step was taken towards ensuring the Trust’s long-term financial stability. For a small to medium sized charity with over 50 staff and 250 active volunteers, the organisation continues to deliver an impressive volume and quality of activity.

The Directors’ Annual Report for 2013/14 set out 5 key priorities for the Trust and these are listed in the table opposite, together with a summary of performance against each target. Financially, whilst sustaining membership income remains challenging, the Trust’s legacy strategy appears to be bearing fruit with significant legacy receipts and notifications in the year. The financial outturn for the year shows an unrestricted surplus of £166,831 and a restricted deficit of -£22,626, both of which represent a significant improvement against budget. The company’s balance sheet once again shows a stable position with a modest increase in cash compared with the prior year.

Project activity remained high with notable successes in the red squirrel project where monitoring is showing real impact on red populations, in development of the Dynamic Druridge project with a successful Stage 2 bid to HLF, and a positive start to a new, 3-year meadows project.

In some other areas, notably development of new landscape-scale projects, progress has been slow due to time and capacity constraints but additional management time was allocated to this work and towards the end of the year this started to reap rewards. Overall there was a high level of achievement against Business Plan goals, including with EcoNorth which has again generated a profit, is expanding and has a healthy forward order book.

Notwithstanding this positive performance, the Trust remains exposed to risks. The build-up of restricted funds as a result of the year-end surplus, and particularly the need to spend accumulated funds in the 2015/16 year on the Hauxley building, means that the Trust is exposed to possible cash flow risk and this will require careful management. There remains a medium risk that the Trust will not be able to secure sufficient large-scale project funding to sustain the vital red squirrel work, with the results of two significant bids currently awaited. Securing new membership income, and sustaining current membership levels, remains a particular challenge; a new, events-based approach is being tried and a membership campaign in the last quarter has come close to meeting its target which is encouraging. Other potential risks include loss of key personnel or buildings and failure of IT infrastructure; these are recognised and actively managed by the Directors and staff.

The Trust’s financial position at March 2015 shows an overall improvement against the prior year. A summary of key achievements follows, and more detail about activity in the year is provided in Part Two of the Directors’ Report.

Election of Directors and Pen Portraits

No Directors have resigned during the year. The following Directors retire by rotation: David Jones, Sandra King, Caroline Stewart. David Jones and Sandra King are eligible to stand again. Caroline Stewart has reached her maximum 9 year tenure and is standing down. The Board recommends the election of Ian Jackson, currently serving as a co-opted Trustee. No Directors were appointed by the Board during the year to fill casual vacancies. Pen portraits for the three candidates are shown below.

David Jones

I have served as first a co-opted and then an elected Trustee for the Northumberland Wildlife Trust for the last 4 years. I have also been a director of EcoNorth, the Trust’s wholly-owned consulting subsidiary, since its inception. Before I retired I held senior positions in marketing and business development in high technology and service industries. As an NWT board member, I have taken a keen interest in marketing the Trust, helping to identify ways in which we can grow our membership and develop additional income streams, both of which are needed to secure our financial and social health. I believe that my commercial experience serves to complement the wildlife and environmental skills and knowledge possessed by my colleagues on the board.

Sandra King

I have been a trustee of Northumberland Wildlife Trust for 6 years. During this time I have been involved in several areas of the Trust’s work including, more recently, the exciting new straw bale building as part of the Hauxley Gateway Project. I started my career in the NHS, working mostly in public health. I then moved to the charitable sector, working at The Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, where my main role was business development. I was also policy lead for the Community Foundation’s environmental work, which included establishing a dedicated grant making fund for environmental projects – the LEAF Fund. Since 2008 I have worked freelance, on various local and national projects, mostly relating to improving public health, with a particular emphasis on the interface between the charitable sector and the NHS. I also undertake work with charities on business development, including delivering training for charity boards. I live in Acklington and have recently taken on responsibility for monitoring four barn owl boxes near the village, which is hugely rewarding. The owl boxes are my main claim to any practical conservation, other than trying to incorporate as many wildlife friendly features as possible into my organic vegetable garden! I spend a lot of my free time walking and cycling in Northumberland.

Ian Jackson

I retired and returned to live in Northumberland in 2011. Prior to that I worked for the British Geological Survey, initially as a field geologist (including 10 years mapping in Northumberland) and ultimately as Chief of Operations. I am currently a co-opted trustee of NWT and also a trustee of the Northumberland National Park Foundation. I am actively involved in the development of The Sill project. I hope that my experience both as a geologist and director of a large public/private funded environmental science organisation will add value to the work of NWT scientifically and strategically.

22 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

Summary of Key Achievements Dynamic Druridge • • • •

Complete Rescued from the Sea post excavation report and engagement programme targets Submit Stage 2 HLF application and supporting bids for Dynamic Druridge Complete land purchase at Hauxley Undertake initial site works for the replacement Hauxley building and new pathways

Achievements • Land for Hauxley extension purchased, fenced off and being grazed for habitat improvement • Path works at Hauxley completed and site facilities set up; delays in starting the building due to planning issues are expected to be resolved early in the new financial year • Stage 2 HLF bid for Dynamic Druridge submitted and successful; a further £25,500 secured from other funders so far

Deliver ongoing projects • • • • •

Complete third and final year of Biffa-funded RSNE work Develop a LIFE partnership bid for RSNE Deliver the Acorns to Oaks people engagement project and seek new funding to support this area of work Recruit a Living Seas Project Officer and deliver year 1 targets for marine awareness programme Deliver year 1 targets for the Save our Magnificent Meadows HLF project

Achievements • Biffa-funded squirrel project successfully completed; monitoring shows that populations of reds are stable • A bid has been submitted to the EU LIFE fund and the outcome is awaited • Acorns to Oaks nearing successful completion and demand for other education work remains buoyant, although securing new funding for education activity has proved challenging • Year 1 of the Living Seas project has been successful with all 1st year targets met including a response to the MCZ consultation • Year 1 of the Meadows project has gone well with all targets met

Develop new projects • • • •

Research and plan a Health &Wellbeing project and submit outline bid Secure funding to continue Local Sites work; review 30 sites per year Take forward next stage 2 of Dynamic Druridge after current project Scope the potential for a Living Landscape project at Kielder including development of the Kielderhead Wildwood

Achievements • Positive meetings with the Mental Health Trust and other potential partners in a Health & Wellbeing project have taken place and project development is underway • Planning work for stage 2 of Dynamic Druridge has not yet started • Specially grown Scots Pine seedlings have been planted across a 2 hectare site at Kielderhead has been undertaken and an expression of interest for a further funding bid has been submitted to HLF

Growing and nurturing resources • • • • • • • •

Grow and develop a training programme for staff, volunteers and trustees Invest in a dedicated HR Officer post Improve performance management through systematic monitoring against targets Develop and embed Health & Safety practice improvements Invest in staff support with IT network improvements and a new phone system Investigate realistic opportunities for a new HQ Seek ways of growing core functions such as reserve management, business support and planning Improve monitoring, measuring and evaluating across the organization

Achievements • Business resourcing has been enhanced with dedicated roles created for HR, IT and Health & Safety, resulting in streamlining of systems, additional support for staff and increased efficiency • Infrastructure improvements include a new phone system, IT hardware and a replacement decking around Green House Two follow-on events to the 2013/14 business skills training programme have been held • Good progress has been made with adoption of a new Health & Safety system • Specific targets have been included in the Business Plan but there remains more work to be done to identify key performance targets and to measure against them

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 23

AGM

AGM

Northumberland Wildlife Trust Limited Consolidated Balance Sheet at 31 March 2015 2015 £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets CURRENT ASSETS Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand

CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS

2014 £

£

841,328

£ 727,246

500 559,011 570,281

425 607,907 445,503

1,129,792

1,053,835

(234,071)

(177,193) 895,721

876,642

1,737,049

1,603,888

-

(11,044)

NET ASSETS

1,737,049

1,592,844

CHARITY FUNDS Restricted funds Unrestricted funds

470,712 1,266,337

493,338 1,099,506

1,737,049

1,592,844

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES CREDITORS: Amounts falling due after more than one year

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).

Approved by the Board of Directors on 30 June 2015 and signed on their behalf by C Stewart and S Loney.

24 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

Northumberland Wildlife Trust Limited Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 Restricted Funds 2015

Unrestricted Funds 2015

Total Funds 2015

Total Funds 2014

£

£

£

£

INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generated funds: Voluntary income Activities for generating funds Investment income Incoming resources from charitable activities Other incoming resources

1,229,583 5,763 171 58,174 1,244

813,289 308,597 1,617 35,400 15,476

2,042,872 314,360 1,788 93,574 16,720

2,371,115 259,628 241 112,314 17,655

TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES

1,294,935

1,174,379

2,469,314

2,760,953

RESOURCES EXPENDED Cost of generating funds: Costs of generating voluntary income Fundraising expenses and other costs Charitable activities Governance costs

853 1,343,738 -

130,193 273,245 430,644 146,436

130,193 274,098 1,774,382 146,436

112,121 247,383 1,929,181 79,159

TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED

1,344,591

980,518

2,325,109

2,367,844

(49,656)

193,861

144,205

393,109

27,030

(27,030)

-

-

NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE YEAR

(22,626)

166,831

144,205

393,109

Total funds at 1 April 2013

493,338

1,099,506

1,592,844

1,199,735

TOTAL FUNDS AT 31 MARCH 2014

470,712

1,266,337

1,737,049

1,592,844

NET INCOME BEFORE TRANSFERS Transfers between Funds

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 25

UK News

Ready, steady... wild Avon Wildlife Trust’s pioneering Bristol eco-map is a blueprint for bringing wildlife back to every city

We’re all aware that bringing wildlife back into our daily lives makes us healthier and happier, and that wildlife-rich places are more resilient in the face of climate change. The question is, what can individual people do to help create such places?

Avon Wildlife Trust has come up with the answer.

Its 20 My Wild City maps show Bristol as never before: a network of wildlife habitats and green spaces showing householders, businesses and local authorities the best thing they can do for wildlife in their local area.

“We want to turn Bristol into a giant nature reserve,” says Avon Wildlife Trust’s director of conservation programmes Dr Lucy Rogers.

“The maps allow you to zoom right in to your own street and garden level. They identify the areas where it would help to improve woodland and grassland habitat, or to do other things such as put up bird boxes, dig a pond or simply plant up a tub.”

The Trust hopes that linking gardens, passageways and other green spaces will create corridors for wildlife to move easily around the city.

“It doesn’t matter the size of your garden, or if you live in a flat,” says Lucy. “There are still lots of small changes you can make that will benefit wildlife.”

Bristol

Extreme detail The maps, which draw on more than 200 datasets, give detail down to individual houses and gardens to guide optimal action for wildlife

Hengrove and Stockwood

■ Read more and download

one of the maps at avonwildlifetrust.org. uk/mywildcity

Key

■ Buildings and roads ■ Water

■ Areas with sealed surfaces, for example car parks

■ Gardens with opportunity for tree, shrub and wildflower planting ■ Gardens with opportunity for tree planting

■ Gardens with opportunity for wildflower planting

■ Gardens without green space, opportunity for bird boxes, planters etc ■ Existing semi-natural habitat, for example woodland and hedges ■ Green space with opportunity for further wildlife enhancement ■ Other green space, for example sports pitches

■ Agricultural land which can be enhanced for wildlife

26 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

Get talking The Trust hopes that communities will talk about what they can do in their local urban areas. Five demonstration sites will kickstart the project

dlife!

Lat newsest UK-w ide wildl and issue ifetru s org/n sts. : ews

Local Wildlife Sites

5 species that could benefit from local action

Chaffinch One of many birds to benefit from garden feeders

david chapman

Lesser stag beetle Lives as a grub in dead hardwood

david chapman

Common frog A network of ponds helps colonies thrive

david chapman

rupert paul

paul hobson

paul hobson

Hedgehog Create holes in fences to allow hedgehogs safe passage

Honey bee Plant nectar-rich plants to benefit bees and other pollinators matthews roberts

Local Wildlife Sites. Local Wildlife Sites. Apparently when you hear things three times it sticks. And I’m resorting to repetition because, despite our championing these hidden gems non-stop for decades, few people have ever heard of them. Yet in many places Local Wildlife Sites hold most of our remaining wildlife, covering up to ten times the area of their legally protected SSSI cousins.

It’s not that Local Wildlife Sites have been designated on a whim. Scientific experts have surveyed the land field by field. Using rigorous criteria they’ve mapped out 52,000 places across the UK – our most important reserves of wildlife and soil. So what’s the problem?

In our centralised culture the word ‘local’ can, wrongly, mean ‘not so important’. So these amazing places get overlooked. And, because they have a variety of names, and data on them is held locally, they are harder to integrate into centralised decisions.

But our economic prosperity and social fabric depends on our starting ecological restoration in earnest and Local Wildlife Sites are a massive part of that equation.

Thank you for supporting your Wildlife Trust. By doing so you are helping the biggest champion of your Local Wildlife Sites – whether in quiet locations away from the public eye or in the centre of cities.

Stephanie Hilborne OBE Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts Together The Wildlife Trusts have more than 800,000 members. We are the largest voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving all the UK’s habitats and species. Contact us on enquiry@ wildlifetrusts.org or 01636 677 711. To join your Wildlife Trust, visit wildlifetrusts.org/joinus.

Natural World, The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road, Newark, Notts NG24 1WT. Editor Rupert Paul Communications officer Emma Websdale.

Layout editor Dan Hilliard Avon Wildlife Trust is mapping habitats in urban areas to raise awareness

twitter @wildlifetrusts facebook.com/wildlifetrusts

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 27

UK News

Giving back to our seas As an island nation, we haven’t taken care of our seas; despite our seas taking care of us. After centuries of putting our seas under pressure, the marine environment is degraded and we are losing species at an alarming rate.

But all is not lost. We can help our seas recover by establising an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas (MPAs).

We are progressing towards that. In Scotland, 30 national sites were designated last year. Northern Ireland has designated its first site and is working to designate more.

Wales is protecting inshore waters from scallop dredging and in England, 23 sites have been designated.

However there are still gaps in our network, both geographically, for example in the Irish Sea, and in terms of species (for example, to protect our whales and dolphins).

Better protected seas are good for us all. By creating areas safe from damaging activities, the habitats within them can recover – which benefits both wildlife and people.

The new designations will protect habitats such as this reef off Devon

paul naylor

Achieving an ecologically coherent UK network of marine protected areas

Did you know?

andrew pearson

t As only protec All these MP ne no e ar re s. The static animal mobile sharks yet for highly and dolphins

A spiny seahorse in Studland Bay, Dorset which we hope will also be an MPA in the future

Prince Harry visits Northumberland’s reds HRH Prince Harry harboured a desire to see red squirrels in Northumberland ever since trekking to the South Pole with explorer (and Northumberland Wildlife Trust patron) Conrad Dickinson last year to raise money for injured servicemen. This year the Prince, who planted a Trust flag at the Pole, got his chance.

28 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

He visited the Haydon Red Squirrel Group and Frankham Woods near Fourstones, where new conservation techniques are helping red squirrels return to the wood.

“It’s tremendous that the Prince found time to support what he sees as a very worthwhile cause. He loves red squirrels,” said Conrad.

Harry tries out a thermal imaging scope used to study the returning reds in Northumberland

nick upton / naturepl.com

English beaver makes history

With a slap of its flat tail and a fast paddle to freedom, this beaver was released into the wild this spring on the The first beaver is returned to th e wild river Otter. It was an historic moment for the wild colony discovered living in a Devon river and finally given the green light to remain. Now Devon Wildlife Trust will monitor the animals and study what impacts they have on the local area.

The beaver was hunted to extinction in the 16th century.

Its disappearance from the UK meant the loss of the species’ function as a wetland engineer. Beaver activity can improve water quality, create new wetland habitat and even reduce the effects of flooding.

Other Wildlife Trusts are working hard to bring back this keystone species, including the Scottish Wildlife Trust who is expecting a decision on the The Devon beavers were either an beavers at Knapdale later this year. escape or unsanctioned release.

It now has Government approval

■ More on wildlifetrusts.org/beavers

hugh clark

paul harris / 2020 vision

More forest schools Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery is giving hundreds more city-dwelling schoolchildren regular access to nature with The Wildlife Trusts’ Forest School activities. Trusts in Leicestershire & Rutland, Lancashire and Birmingham & the Black Country have begun giving children the chance to experience the natural world, develop confidence and build relationships with their environment.

Volunteers needed for bat research How do bats use the landscape to roost, forage and commute? Tees Valley Wildlife Trust is beginning a two-year study in East Cleveland to find out. The area is heavily wooded, and important for at least eight of the UK’s 16 bat species.

But first the Trust needs volunteers to help survey for these fascinating and long-lived mammals. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t done this kind of work before; training is provided.

“We want to build up the pattern of bat distributions across the area to create a unique batscape and help with their conservation,” says Bat Officer Sarah Barry. Thanks to funding from HLF and the Branch Out Fund.

The new Forest Schools ■ Leics & Rutland: wildforestschool.org.uk ■ Birmingham & Black Country:

bbcwildlife.org.uk/ForestSchools

■ Lancs WT: lancswt.org/forest-schools-manchester

Brown long-eared and (top) pipstrelle bats are two of the species in the project area

■ Interested? Contact Sarah on

sbarry@teeswildlife.org

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 29

UK News

Orchards for people

fergus coyle

When people restore an old orchard, the benefits flow both ways. Emma Websdale went to Herefordshire to find out how

A few years ago this little orchard had fallen into neglect, but today it’s back in business selling juice and cider, thanks to a band of happy, motivated volunteers

It’s a beautiful spring morning at Davies Meadow in Herefordshire, and the pear blossom is out.

Clare is sizing up one of the fruit trees, her pole saw leaning against the trunk. Like her fellow colleagues, she seems completely at peace with her surroundings.

Clare is a farmer by profession, but she’s not at work today. She’s here to relax, meet friends and get in contact with nature. “Farming can be really isolating – it’s so nice to enjoy the social life here, and to know that other people like apples!” she says.

It’s not just about this year’s cider crop. Clare is also recovering. “Being affected by mentall ill health can feel isolating. You feel away from the world, but here you’re connected. I like the whole cycle of these trees. I enjoy finding neglected trees and putting their fruits to good use.”

30 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

Clare is volunteering for Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s Orchard Origins, which aims to improve people’s wellbeing as well as manage some of the county’s most beautiful – and formerly neglected – orchards. Every Friday, the Trust brings together local people and clients from Herefordshire Mind to care for a space that is part fruit crop, part wildlife habitat.

“We try to create an environment for people to talk, to feel comfortable and relaxed,” explains Laurence, Orchard Origins manager. “About

half of our volunteers are recovering from or managing recognised mental health conditions, but all feel better for being involved.”

Volunteers undertake in every step of cider making, from pruning to bottling and labelling.

The new skills, friendly atmosphere and green surroundings are a huge help. “The change in these people is absolutely massive,” says Laurence. “In the first week, people’s chins are down, and you can tell they’re thinking, ‘Why on Earth am I here?’ After a few weeks, the

After a few weeks, they walk through our gates with proud smiles.

That’s the magic.

Left: Clare finds the process of restoring old fruit trees hugely beneficial. Right: spring maintenance; removing crossed branches and checking for blossom damage.

Below right: “I love keeping the old trees going.” Martin has been a volunteer since 2012. Below left: juice and cider sell locally.

Tell your story, find out more

We’d like to ca pture how in timate important na ture is to you. and ■ Sha re your story at mywildlife.o rg.uk ■ Le arn more ab out Orchard Orig ins at orchardorig ins.org

tension in their shoulders has gone and they walk through our gates with shoulders back and proud smiles. That’s the whole magic of it.”

Pouring out tea for each of his hard-working volunteers, he smiles proudly. “I have the best job in the world. It’s all about making people happy.

How can you not enjoy that?”

Nature ‘could save the NHS £2.1bn’ Herefordshire is one of many Wildlife Trusts to run a nature-based social enterprise to improve people’s mental and physical wellbeing. Wildlife Trusts in Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Lancashire, London, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Tees Valley, Warwickshire and Yorkshire run similar projects, many in partnership with local NHS Trusts.

They are doing so because a huge body of research shows that access to nature has great benefits for people, among them reduced depression, obesity and diabetes. Mental ill health

costs the UK £105.2 billion in 2009-2010 (The Centre for Mental Health). One study suggests green therapy could save the NHS £2.1bn a year.

This is one reason why The Wildlife Trusts and RSPB are campaigning for a Nature and Wellbeing Act, to put nature at the heart of decisions such as health, housing and education. It would also put wildlife habitats back into the landscape, and reconnect people with nature. Find out more at wildlifetrusts.org/ naturewellbeingact

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 31

UK News

harbour porpoises These small cetaceans feed here in large numbers

Dogger Bank: safe

Abundant wildlife has made the UK’s largest sandbank a Special Area of Conservation – but so far the protection isn’t hap beam trawling This destructive form of fishing carries on regardless

F

or most people, the shipping forecast’s lilting rhythm is their only connection with the Dogger Bank, conjuring up images of brave fishermen, battling the elements somewhere far off in the North Sea. The name comes from an old Dutch word for fishing boat, dogge, but there is more to the Dogger Bank than fishing. Formed during the last ice age, it was part of the large ‘Doggerland’ which connected Britain to mainland Europe.

Around 8,000 years ago, rising sea levels gradually cut off this connection, leaving just a raised sandbank area in the middle of the North Sea, the Dogger Bank. It is the largest sandbank in UK waters and, despite being 609 miles from the English coast, is only 17 metres deep in places.

32 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

Sandbanks may not have the obvious splendour of a rocky reef or kelp forest, but look a little closer and they support a wealth of marine life. Within the sandy and gravelly seabed live many different worms, crustaceans, molluscs and anemones. Hermit crabs and starfish patrol the seafloor searching out food. Sandeels burrow into the sand for protection. In turn, this provides food for more charismatic animals such as porpoises, dolphins and whales. Seabirds, including fulmars, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and the spectacular plunge-diving gannets, also feed on the Dogger Bank.

In recognition of its ecological importance and its declining state of health, the UK government plan to designate the Dogger Bank as a Special Area of Conservation, with Germany and the

Netherlands doing the same for the parts of the sandbank in their waters. This should give the Dogger Bank strict protection against damaging human activities, but we have concerns that this is not yet happening.

The biggest impact comes from fishing. Boats from several European countries exploit the rich variety of commercial fish, including herring, sprat and gurnard, often using methods that damage the sensitive sandbank. Despite efforts to better control these fisheries, there are no management measures in place. Oil and gas extraction and aggregate dredging may also be licensed, and there are plans to build 1200 wind turbines here, making one of the world’s biggest offshore wind farms. As well as impacting the seabed, the construction of wind farms creates

dan hillard design

Proposed wind farm building 1200 turbines will create huge underwater noise

e yet?

shoaling fish Sprat and herring exploit plankton blooming in the shallows

ppening, reports Eleanor Stone

crustaceans Several crab species recycle nutrients up the food chain

sandeels These swarming, sand-burrowing fish are food to seabirds

huge amounts of underwater noise. This will disturb the thousands of harbour porpoise and other marine mammals for whom the Dogger Bank is so important.

We want to see better protection of the Dogger Bank. We are pushing for a reduction in human impacts and proper management of this important site, so that it can thrive once again. â– If you want to support The Wildlife Trusts

in pushing for greater protection for harbour porpoises in protected areas like the Dogger Bank, please sign our e-petition at wildlifetrusts.org/oceangiants

starfish They and brittlestars are slow-speed predators of the sea floor

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 33

UK News

neal trafankowski

liz dack

Hoe Common, Norfolk – one of more than 52,000 Local Wildlife Sites in the UK. This one is in safe hands but many are being lost or damaged

Patrick Barkham is a natural history writer for The Guardian, and author of The Coastlands and Badgerlands

Hidden treasure

There are more than 52,000 Local Wildlife Sites in the UK. But they are often overlooked or neglected.

Patrick Barkham visited Hoe Common in Norfolk to learn why they’re worth saving

34 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

Find mor Loca e out l Waibout Site ldlife s Jo

i Twitt n our exp er on e Tu rt pane Twee 11.00amesday Ju l on ly 28 t you , r q -12.00. #Sec uestions us retSp ing

aces

A woodpecker is drumming on an old oak, two green hairstreaks twizzle round an overgrown hawthorn and, somewhere in the bracken, adders are gathering in the growing heat of the day.

Entering Hoe Common, near Dereham in Norfolk, is like discovering a secret room in the countryside. Not much bigger than a couple of football pitches, it is unsignposted, tucked away in the Norfolk countryside. I grew up ten miles away but never knew of its existence.

Like many other Local Wildlife Sites, it is

unheralded and yet treasured by those who live next to it. There are 42,865 Local Wildlife Sites in England, covering at least 5% of its land mass. There are 1,300 in Norfolk alone, from large commons to an old tennis court boasting more than 200 orchid spikes.

A dome of bracken and heather-covered heath, Hoe Common is a remnant of a much larger common which was parcelled up during the Enclosures. This sandy patch was deemed agriculturally useless and so was left as a ‘fuel enclosure’ for poor people who would

collect gorse and firewood, overseen by local landowners who administered it as a charity.

A small group of villagers, led by Eilean MacGibbon, and Dick and Sue Malt, took on its management in 1994. Determined not to let it return to its overgrown past, they asked Helen Baczkowska of Norfolk Wildlife Trust for help.

Most Wildlife Trusts employ someone like Helen, whose job is to work with landowners to better manage unprotected countryside.

Despite their designation, Local Wildlife Sites are hugely vulnerable. A survey by the Wildlife July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 35

UK News Delights of Hoe Common: green hairstreak butterflies in May

Pink and orange fruits of the spindle tree in early summer

Light grazing to encourage species-rich grassland

And nest boxes to multiply the benefit of the old oaks

Trusts revealed that out of 6,590 Local Wildlife Sites, 717 were lost or damaged in the five years to 2013.

Helen finds most farmers and landowners are proud of their Local Wildlife Sites but mistakes do happen: planting ornamental trees on meadows, for instance. “People don’t always know how to manage them or realise how important they are,” she says. The most common problem, however, is neglect. Meadows and heaths quickly become overgrown and their unique plants and animals disappear.

The hidden gems where wildlife clings on and can move through the landscape Helen reassures landowners that she will not impose rules on them. “What I say is that the Local Wildlife Site notification opens doors. I can help find funding, graziers and, in some cases, volunteers. It’s about saying, ‘Look what we’ve got, it’s fantastic’”.

The first thing Helen did was help the Hoe volunteers enter the Higher Level Stewardship scheme so they could obtain a modest income to manage the land. Then she did a botanical survey and devised a management plan to stop their precious heath scrubbing over.

Volunteers received scything lessons from the environmentalist Simon Fairlie because the fascinating presence of First World War training trenches prevents the use of big machinery.

Residents also conducted an adder survey while the Wildlife Trust enlisted the Hawk and Owl Trust to help clear bracken and give the common and bell heather a chance to flourish. Now the residents will use their stewardship funds to fence the cleared area for grazing with native ponies.

“The Wildlife Trusts’ report, Secret Spaces, really sums up these places,” says Helen. “They are not well-known like nature reserves but you 36 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

can tell how important they are to local people.”

I walk onto the common with local volunteer Danny Danson and Helen. We check under the corrugated iron for adders and slow worms but it is still too cool. At our feet are heath speedwell and heath bedstraw. A buzzard soars on a thermal above several ancient apple trees planted by the poor for cider.

Danny began volunteering after attending a local parish meeting. “I worked in an office for 40 years but I’m an outside person – rolling up my sleeves really appeals to me.” He’s derived great satisfaction from seeing Hoe Common revived.

“There’s a good community spirit engendered from this and you’re enhancing the natural habitat as well.”

I’m excited by the honeysuckle hanging from

so many of the trees: this looks good for white admiral butterflies. Like many Local Wildlife Sites, however, Hoe Common is relatively underrecorded, though Hoe Bird Walk has recorded 134 bird species. Local residents held a moth night last year but are keen to find out what else is here – bats, insects and other wildlife. This – recording, and enjoying it – is the next, exciting step.

“These are the hidden gems where wildlife clings on and can move through the landscape,” says Helen.

■ Download our Local Wildlife Sites report on

wildlifetrusts.org/secretspaces

Why do Local Wildlife Sites matter?

Local Wildlife Sites have different names across the UK, but their value, and the threats they face, are the same wherever you are.

Because of their spread, LWS act as refuges, stepping stones and corridors between other wildlife-rich places. They also provide buffer zones to protect nature reserves and SSSIs from damage.

If areas for nature are to become bigger, better and more joined up in future, to recreate resilient ecosystems, then LWS need better protection than they have today – and the right kind of care and management. We also need to identify new ones and get neighbouring landowners involved wherever possible.

Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (Wales)

■

Local Nature Conservation Site (Scotland)

■

Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance (Northern Ireland)

■

Manx Wildlife Site (Isle of Man)

under threat derbyshire wt

Asham Wood East in Somerset is a typically valuable Local Wildlife Site. It provides a link between a maternity roost for greater horseshoe bats and another nearby protected ancient wood. The roost (which holds 12% of the UK population) is protected by European law. This connected chain of habitat helps the bats to find shelter, and to forage and breed safely.

laurent geslin

Asham Wood: a link in the landscape

■

Nationally recognised names

Quite simply, Local Wildlife Sites are where most of our wildlife is. In some counties they contain more biodiversity than National Nature Reserves or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which are protected by law.

In Nottinghamshire, for example, Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) cover ten per cent of the land area, while SSSIs make up just 1.5%. Greater London has 36 SSSIs, compared with 1,500 LWS covering eight times the area. In Wiltshire, LWS contain three quarters of the county’s broadleaf woodland.

Also known as...

Habitat damage by development at Dale Road LWS, Buxton More than 10% of surveyed Local Wildlife Sites in England have been lost or damaged in the five years up to 2013. Worryingly, the status of a further 35,000 sites is unknown. This is due to a lack of resources for regular surveys and advice on management.

Reasons for loss

Greater horseshoe bats need joined-up habitats. They hunt for large moths and beetles in woodland and old pasture

What you can do Local Wildlife Sites are some of the last fragments of our natural heritage, and a last defence against a landscape devoid of nature.

They should be protected as the seed bank that will restore our countryside and ecosystems. Instead, they are being neglected or destroyed at a terrifying rate.

1 2

JOIN your local Wildlife Trust, which fights to protect LWS

3

ASK FOR ADVICE If you own LWS, or a piece of land that could be one, contact your Wildlife Trust. We offer expert advice.

SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGN IN ENGLAND for a Nature and Wellbeing Act, and the creation of local ecological networks: wildlifetrusts.org/actfornature

83% Lack of management 74% Inappropriate management 54% Change of land use 40% Agricultural practices 28% Access/recreation 25% Ploughing 13% Pollution 11% Vandalism 9% Consequence of development 9% Highways, gas works etc 20% Other

Percentages add up to more than 100 because the cause is often due to mutiple factors

July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 37

UK News

Places to see

Reptiles A glimpse of one of Britain’s six reptile species adds a thrill to any walk. Here’s where to find these ancient, mysterious and long-lived animals

matt cole

1

Snelsmore Common Berks, Bucks & Oxon WT This 100ha mix of heather, wet bog and woodland is home to a host of nationally rare species.

There is a good chance of spotting adder, grass snake, common lizard and slow worm in one visit. A pond also hosts breeding palmate newts.

Where is it? 2 miles N of Newbury off the B4494, opposite Mary Hare School. Grid SU 468721.

38 ROEBUCK 136 July - November 2015

2

Rackenford and Knowstone Moor Devon Wildlife Trust With the adjacent Hares Down, this is the county’s largest remaining block of Culm grassland, and designated an SSSI and SAC. Walk slowly and carefully to see adders and slow worms basking on the tussocks.

Where is it? 9 miles west of Tiverton on the A361. The reserve is either side of the road.

Grid SS 851 211.

3

Gilfach Reserve Radnorshire WT A hill farm of open moorland, flower-rich grasslands and oak woods. Follow the river upstream and out along the Monks Trod.

This is the walk where you are most likely to spot up to 50 common lizards basking in the sun – an amazing sight.

Where is it? Off the A470, 7 miles from Llangurig and 2 miles from Rhayader. Follow brown Nature Reserve signs.

4

Potteric Carr Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Level paths wind around the ponds and channels of this exceptional wetland. Newts, frogs and whirligig beetles are easy to find. But come early in the day and you’ll see grass snakes of all sizes in the ponds in Loversall field, or along Loversall delph.

Where is it? Just south of Doncaster, post code DN4 8DB. By bus from city, get off at B&Q. Grid SE 589 007.

5

7

6

8

Sandwich & Pegwell Bay Kent Wildlife Trust The only ancient dune pasture in Kent, with inter-tidal mudflats, saltmarsh, shingle beach, sand dunes, chalk cliffs, wave cut platform and coastal scrubland.

Look closely in the dunes. You may see the extremely rare sand lizards there.

Where is it? Between Sandwich and Ramsgate. Post code CT12 5JB. Grid TR 341 632.

Upton Towans Cornwall Wildlife Trust Internationally important dune grasslands harbour glow worm, pyramidal orchid, skylark and adders. It also has wonderful views across St Ives Bay. A must visit if you’re holidaying in mid Cornwall this summer.

Where is it? Between Hayle and Gwithian off A30. Grid SW 579 398 (extra parking at SW 581 407).

Where to find these places

Higher Hyde Heath Dorset Wildlife Trust One of the best areas in England to see all six native reptiles: an internationally important mix of wet, dry and humid heaths, plus peaty pools, mire and wet woodland. Besides the reptiles there are many dragonflies and damselflies, nightjar, Dartford warbler, woodlark and tree pipit.

Grayling and silver-studded blue butterflies can be found on the open heath.

Where is it? 2 miles N of Wool on Puddletown Rd, between Bovington and Wareham. Grid SY856899.

Britain’s six native reptiles Adder

66cm, bears live young. Bogs, heaths, woodland clearings

Common lizard

14cm, spider hunter. Heaths and woodland clearings

10

Fulbourn Fen Wildlife Trust BCN These old meadows have never been treated with pesticide or fertiliser, and swarm with plants and animals. Look for grass snake and common lizard in the wettest meadow, East Fen, where hundreds of orchids bloom in early summer.

Where is it? 6 miles from Cambridge. Grid TL 526 557.

■ Access/transport details for

each site: wildlifetrusts.org/ wildlife/reserves

Sand lizard

20cm, very rare. Sandy heaths and dunes

Slow worm

54cm, legless lizard. Grassland, woodland and heathland

a one-minute guide tO

Reptile watching Unlike us, reptiles need a warm day before they can be active. So it’s often easiest to see them early in the morning, when they are still soaking up the rays. Snakes in particular can feel the vibrations of your footsteps, so tread softly.

Never chase a reptile or try to pick one up.

5 4

2

1 9

70cm, constrictor. Predator of other reptiles. Heaths

75cm, frog hunter.

Frequents lakes and ponds

7 6

david chapman

3

Smooth snake

Grass snake

10

bruce shortland

See our full listing of places to see reptiles and more species information at wildlifetrusts.org/ reptiles

9

other pics: stewart canham

Stanford Warren Essex Wildlife Trust One of the largest reedbeds in Essex, created by gravel extraction in the 1920s, plus marsh and rough grassland.

The grassland is where you’ll find common lizard, grass snake and adder. There are harvest mice nesting among the reeds too.

Where is it? 1 mile S of Stanford-le-Hope, and just N of the new Thurrock Thameside reserve. Grid TQ 687 812.

the wildlife trusts

Harbottle Crags Northumberland WT A beautiful open moorland where nearby rocks have been scratched and polished by the last glaciers. The eastern end has sphagnum mosses but adder, slow worm and common lizard are easiest to find in the heathland areas.

Where is it? 0.6 miles SW of Harbottle. Use Forestry Commission car park. Grid NT 922 040.

Reptiles can be irresistible, but leave handling them to experts

8 July - November 2015 ROEBUCK 136 39

Northumberland Wildlife Trust and People’s Postcode Lottery

Join Northumberland Wildlife Trust at its Our Wildlife 2015 event on Sunday 27 September at Kirkley Hall, Ponteland and meet Iolo Williams from BBC Springwatch and find out more about what’s living on your doorstep.

Photo: © Simon Fraser

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery continue to protect wildlife in your region, but why not find out for yourself!

Over the past eight years, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, £894,940 has been raised for Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

By playing you support hundreds of good causes.

Find out more at www.postcodelottery.co.uk

People’s Postcode Lottery manages multiple society lotteries promoted by different charities including Postcode Green Trust, a charity registered in Scotland (SC042544) and regulated by the Gambling Commission under licences 000-030268-R-311787-007 and 000-030268-N-311788-006 . For details on each week’s society lottery visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk/society. Ticket price £2, with 5 draws each month and minimum £10 payable in advance.

For a full list of prizes available visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk/prizes Maximum ticket prize is 10% of draw proceeds up to £400,000. Players must be 16 years or over. Only available to play with postcodes in England, Scotland and Wales. Not available in NI. Conditions apply. See www.postcodelottery.co.uk Postcode Lottery Ltd is regulated by the Gambling Commission under licences 000-000829-N-102511-010 and 000-000829-R-102513-009.

Registered office: Postcode Lottery Ltd, Titchfield House, 69/85 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4RR. Company reg. no. 04862732. VAT reg. no. 848 3165 07.