Bardsey Small Mammal Survey Results

Many thanks to Ann, Robert and some of their colleagues from the Yorkshire Mammal Group who came to Bardsey Fields last weekend to carry out small mammal trapping. This work will give us a baseline for the species of small mammals living there. We laid 50 humane mammal traps on Saturday afternoon, ensuring that any mammals caught had a cosy bed and plenty of food. We then returned on Sunday morning to empty the traps, record and weigh the mammals and then release them safely.

44 people came to set the traps and 50 came to see what had been caught. This was phenomenal as the weather on Sunday morning was very cold and wet!

The children had a great time and were so excited to see whether the traps were closed and what would be inside.

The results of the survey were: 20 woodmice, 6 bank voles and 1 common shrew. This compares with 18 woodmice, 1 bank vole, 1 field vole and 1 common shrew in last years survey.

Family Event at Bardsey Fields – Small mammal trapping, October 19th & 20th

We will be joined by the Yorkshire Mammal Group to put out humane mammal traps on Saturday 19th October at 4.30pm. The following morning, Sunday 20th October we will meet at 9.30am to open the traps and record, weigh and release whatever we find. On both days we will be meeting outside Bardsey School on Woodacre Lane.

This event is suitable for all ages to attend one or both sessions – a great family event. Please bring stout footwear/wellies as the long grass will be wet. If you would like any more information, please email info@ekwt.org.uk.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Family Pizza Day Sunday 7th July – Postponed

We are very sorry to say that we have decided to postpone our Family Day planned for this coming Sunday.

It must be a busy weekend as we have had very few people booking places. As the event takes a lot of preparation and organisation it seems sensible to postpone it.

We are sorry to disappoint those that have booked and we hope to welcome you to another EKWT family event in the Autumn.

Everyone is of course most welcome to visit Ox Close Wood and our other nature reserves at any time.

Children’s Dragonfly, Moth and Pond Dipping Morning – Sunday 9th June

We will be meeting at the woodstore in Elliker Wood at 10.30am. The entrance to Elliker is next to 21, The Paddock, East Keswick.

Activities will include making a dragonfly, looking at the wonderful world of moths, pond dipping and butterfly and wild flower identification. We expect to finish by 1pm. Please bring a drink and a snack.

Booking is required – please send an email with details of your party to info@ekwt.org.uk

We hope to see you there!

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.

We also planted guelder rose, spindle and rowan along the path edges.
Some of the children took part in a treasure hunt
We finished with a barbecue ably supervised by Howard!

It was lovely to see such a range of ages working together and we’d like to thank everyone who joined us.