Upcoming Events

Coppicing in Ox Close Wood

Posted on 03/06/2026 by committee

Coppicing is one of the oldest forms of wood management in the UK. Trees are cut down to their stumps, which are known as stools, to encourage new shoots to grow. The stools are cut in rotation and so the different areas of regrowth provide a wide range of habitats. Coppicing provides a renewable source of wood and the cycle can carry on indefinitely.

In Ox Close Wood, the hazel has been coppiced by Leeds Coppice Workers and the stools now need to be protected to prevent deer from eating the new shoots. This project has been led by two of our volunteers Nick and Lin. Stakes have been placed around the stools and cages made from brash placed around them. They have been assisted by Open Country, Leeds Wealth Fund volunteers and our Friday volunteer team.

Martin, Open Country volunteer, making a cage

Melanie and Mina, two of our Friday volunteer team

Bluebell Walk – Wednesday 29th April

Posted on 23/04/2026 by committee

Come and enjoy the annual bluebell spectacular in Ox Close Wood. Meet at the Crabtree Lane car park at 7pm.

Sunday Work Party 25th April 10.30 – 12

Posted on 21/04/2026 by committee

All ages are welcome. Please meet at the Elliker nature reserve in East Keswick at 10.30am. The entrance is between numbers 21 and 23 The Paddock. Bring gloves, a drink and a snack.

Calling all nature detectives! For children there will be a scavenger hunt and owl workshop to participate in.

For older children and adults we will be be laying a floor in one of our storage containers and making guards to protect our trees.

March Weekend Work Party

Posted on 15/04/2026 by committee

Our first weekend work party got off to a great start with approximately 40 adults and children attending. The children initially learnt about the Yellow Fish campaign, that only water should go down the drain, as in our village the drains lead directly into the beck. They then made harvest mice homes out of used tennis balls and placed them on stakes around East Keswick Marsh. Other members of the work party tackled the snowberry which has become an invasive species in the marsh.

Learning about the ‘Yellow Fish’ campaign

Stuffing the tennis balls with straw to make cosy homes for the harvest mice

Calling all budding Lepidopterists.

Posted on 06/04/2026 by committee

The Trust has acquired a moth trap that can be used by Trust, and their family, members.
It comes complete with a 5volt power pack, electrical cables and a moth identification guide.
It uses a low wattage UV LED bulb which emits little visible light so is unobtrusive when used in one’s garden.
For further information, please call Paul 07999339147 or email paul@ekwt.org.uk.

Weekend Work Parties

Posted on 06/03/2026 by committee

Winter Bird Survey February 22nd 2026

Posted on 23/02/2026 by committee

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s bird survey around the East Keswick Parish. There were 25 people who came, including the children, who enjoyed using the Merlin app, taking photos and making lists of their observations.

Highlights were flocks of siskin and linnet, 3 little egret, 2 gadwall and a sparrowhawk. We also had a lovely view of a hare, which has not been recorded in the parish for many years.

Full list of sightings:

Black Headed Gull	Blue Tit
Blackbird	Bullfinch
Buzzard	Canada Goose
Carrion Crow	Chaffinch
Coal Tit	Cormorant
Dunnock	Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Goldcrest	Goosander (1 male, 2 female)
Greater Spotted Woodpecker	Great Tit
Greenfinch	Greylag Goose
House Sparrow	Jackdaw
Jay	Kestrel
Linnet (40)	Long Tailed Tit (20+)
Magpie	Mallard
Northern Lapwing	Pied Wagtail (6)
Red Kite	Robin
Rook	Siskin (40+)
Skylark	Song Thrush
Starling	Stock Dove
Treecreeper	Woodpigeon
Wren	Yellowhammer
Fieldfare	Redwing
Gadwall (1 male, 1 female)	Little Egret (3)
Goldfinch

EKWT Volunteers Meeting

Posted on 15/02/2026 by committee

The Village Hall’s energy and carbon reduction project being discussed with EKWT volunteers. Plans are in progress for a collaborative event for the village showcasing the work being done by EKWT and the Village Hall.

Trust Volunteers visit to the Lower Ure Conservation Trust

Posted on 11/02/2026 by committee

On a very cold and wet January day, a hardy group of EKWT volunteers visited the Lower Ure Conservation Trust (LUCT) at Nosterfield. LUCT aims to establish best practice in the provision and maintenance of wet grassland. EKWT are keen to share knowledge about the wetland plants in our fen area in Bardsey Fields and so were delighted to be invited to visit the nursery at Nosterfield. The day was very informative and we are pleased to have made links with another Trust. LUCT will be visiting Bardsey Fields reserve in the spring.

Birdbox Recording