The weather was lovely and we had 25 people who came to see the spectacular spring flowers on the annual bluebell walk.
Bluebell Walk
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Category Archives: Flora and Fauna
Wetherby U3A visit to Ox Close Wood
Wetherby U3A wildlife group visited Ox Close at the end of April. They were treated to the spring flowers and learnt about the management work undertaken in the wood.
Bluebell Walk Wednesday 1st May
Come and enjoy the beautiful bluebells in Ox Close Wood.
Meet at Crabtree Lane car park at 7pm.
All welcome.
Winter Bird Survey
On Sunday March 24th, a good number of the Wildlife Trust members met to observe the different bird species in the Parish. We usually carry out the survey in January, but had to postpone it until March this year. After a chilly start the sun came out and it was a lovely day.
The total number of species recorded was 48 as opposed to 36 last year. Some of the additional species seen were lapwing, snipe and goosander.
Many thanks to everyone who took part.
Elliker Family Work Party Update
We had a great family work party last Sunday and even had some sunshine after a rainy start. We planted over 200 hazel saplings in the newly coppiced areas which will be a source of early pollen and provide cover.
It was lovely to see such a range of ages working together and we’d like to thank everyone who joined us.
Important Notice: Winter Bird Survey – Change of Date
The date of the Winter Bird survey has been changed from February 25th to Sunday March 24th.
Meet outside St Mary’s Church, Moor Lane East Keswick at 10.00am. Please bring binoculars with you if you have them.
Elves Workshop: Saturday 16th December, 9-11am, East Keswick Village Hall
Please come along and make a variety of Christmas decorations from natural materials. For ages 5 to 11, £5 per family.
To book a place please email MARIA.EKVH@GMAIL.COM
East Keswick Art Show
Thank you to everyone who made the art show weekend so successful. Here is the winning wildlife painting and the winning children’s wildlife drawings.
Bardsey Small Mammal Survey
This weekend we were joined by Ann and Robert from the Yorkshire Mammal Group to lay 50 humane mammal traps in Bardsey Field. We laid the traps on Saturday afternoon, making sure that any mammals caught had a cosy bed for the night and plenty of food. We then returned on Sunday morning to empty the traps, record and weigh the mammals and then release them safely. The weather was glorious and the event was very well attended. It was lovely to see the children lay the traps and then return the following day, remembering exactly where they were and so excited to see what was inside.
We recorded 1 common shrew, 1 field vole, 1 bank vole and 18 wood mice.
Creating links with the Village Hall
The Wildlife Trust is excited to hear that East Keswick Village Hall’s offer for the Illingworth Field, which lies directly behind the Village Hall’s garden, has been accepted.
The Village Hall has our full support in acquiring the Illingworth Field. We believe it will contribute to protecting, improving and extending existing local multifunctional green corridors. It will enable an increase in connectivity to the existing local habitat network, including the Ellikers nature reserve to the north of Illingworth Field, and offer the potential for wider links around the parish and beyond.
East Keswick Wildlife Trust is committed to working with the Village Hall to preserve this green space and create opportunities for the local community and visitors to learn and play a central role in working with nature to address the causes and consequences of climate change.
Peter Guildford and David Wort from the Village Hall committee meet David Smith, Chairman of East Keswick Wildlife Trust, to discuss plans to improve biodiversity on the land behind the Village Hall.