Wildlife Group

January 2002

We are an informal, ad-hoc group of people with an interest in local wildlife. To join, all you need do is turn up for an event. Wellies are useful, as are binoculars and a field guide, but none of these is as important as a love of nature (though indifference to dirt, discomfort and insect bites is also useful!). Email me to receive details of upcoming events.

Nestbox-building workshop, 10.00 a.m. Saturday 23 February at Westridge Studio on the Andover Road. Build a nest box for your garden birds (parts supplied). Children are especially welcome. There will be information on building a variety of boxes, including birds of prey, owl and flycatcher, as well as the more usual garden favourites such as blue tit and robin.

Nightjar walk, Penwood, May. An evening walk to see nightjars in Penwood. We’re fortunate to have good numbers of this nationally scarce, beautiful and fascinating bird here in the parish. Date and time must be announced closer to the event, as this one is weather-dependent (nightjars fly on warm, dry evenings). Watch the web site for details, or send me your email address to be added to the mailing list.

Greenham Common Guided walk, April and/or September. Greenham Common is shaping up to be a truly superb piece of habitat, and we are very fortunate to have it on our doorstep. If we get enough people, a Ranger will take us on a guided walk. The Common has an impressive range of dragonflies, and some botanical rarities, including the Autumn Ladies’ Tresses orchid. There is also a good selection of birds, including hobby, wheatear, skylark, and (if we’re lucky), maybe even a Dartford warbler.

Last year’s pond survey got off to a slow start, partly due to Foot & Mouth. I surveyed several garden ponds and in some, especially in Penwood Heights, found a number of smooth newts. Most amazing, however, was a lady recently moved into the Parish, who found her disused swimming pool was home to well over a hundred newts, which she left undisturbed until the end of the breeding season. I plan to survey more ponds in the area, including a few that look promising on Highclere Estate. Smaller ponds are better for newts, because they don’t usually have fish in them. Fish are major predators of newts, especially their eggs. Fish-free ponds are what newts need, so save yourself the expense of those exotic koi you were hankering after, and support your local amphibians instead!

I’m keeping a species list for the parish (see below). If you see anything unusual, please let me know immediately. To be included in the list, your sighting has to be confirmed by me, so don’t delay! Contact me on 01635 254247, or email John_Hanratty@.bigfoot.com.