Hedgehog Talk

Posted on 25/05/2014 by committee

On Wednesday 21st May Teresa Marshall and her husband Robert gave an interesting and enlightening talk on Hedgehogs. They brought along a live animal for us to look at and there were photographic displays of their Hedgehog “Hogspital” and of the development of hedgehogs from hedgehoglet to adult.

Hedgehogs numbers are in serious decline; down 35% in the last ten years. Although we see many hedgehogs squashed on the road, one of their biggest dangers is man with his strimmers, sprays and slug pellets. But the main reason for their decline is habitat loss and one of the best ways we can help hedgehogs is to leave wild areas in our gardens.

Robert and Teresa will be back in East Keswick on the 13th July when they will lead a Minibeast Event in the Elliker field where we hope to identify as many creepy crawlies as possible and to which everyone is invited.

Recent Activities

Posted on 11/03/2014 by committee

A lot has been happening over the last two weeks;

More work has been done to Ellikers; including boundary fencing and inserting entrance gateposts.

Work begins improving the entrance to The Ellikers

Ben as part of Leeds Grammar School's curriculum, volunteering to help installing entrance gateposts in the Ellikers.

Ben, from Leeds Grammar School volunteering as part of the school’s curriculum, helping to install entrance gateposts in the Ellikers.

7th March. Members of the Friday work group attended a First Aid Course given by the St. John’s Ambulance.

Andy practising ressuscitation on his dummy.

Andy practicing resuscitation on his dummy.

The Friday work group enjoying lunch during the First Aid Course.

2nd March. Winter Work Party and Children’s Event. All the children helped to make a “Bug Hotel” for insects to find shelter, especially for hibernation. Constructed around a frame of old pallets, it used recycled materials, such as old bricks and tiles, and vegetable matter such as rotting wood and hollow plant stems. Everyone can help by setting aside a corner of the garden so that a small pile of such materials can be left for wildlife. About 50 people attended the event organised for the Pre School Toddler Group and families.

Starting the construction of the Bug Hotel.

The Bug Hotel completed.

Winter Bird Survey 23rd February 2014

Posted on 26/02/2014 by committee

Last Sunday we held this year’s winter bird survey. The weather was a mild 10°C but very blustery which kept the birds sheltered out of the way. The total on the day was 40 species; far short of one year’s impressive 55 species.

Nothing of special note was seen. Tree Creepers and Bullfinches can be relied upon in the Marsh, in the old cricket field we had good views of a lovely group of colourful Yellow Hammers and it was unusual to hear a Tawny Owl calling in the middle of the day!

The poor state of hedgerows for wildlife was noticeable, as was the lack of farmland birds; perhaps because of the windy conditions.

Birdsong was heard again as we re-entered village showing that it is still necessary to continue to feed our garden birds at this time of year as there is little food for them in the countryside.

Watching three Buzzards over East Keswick

Elliker Fields Open Day

Posted on 05/02/2013 by admin

Villagers old and young of East Keswick and the nearby areas turned out in force to view the Wildlife Trust’s newest project: “The Elliker Fields”.

Plans and information where on display and some great feedback was given by the community for future plans. The comment below sums it up:

“The plans look great, it will be a fantastic asset to the village. Would love to see some point of interest for children along the path. Hidden sculptures to clamber on, perhaps from local materials. A picnic area. Hidden tunnels or den making area. Mown paths in the grass. Love the pond dipping plan. All sounds great.”

The Trust has broad plans for both the Elliker Field and the neighbouring wood but are always looking for more ideas so leave your thoughts and feelings below!

Stop Press – Elliker Fields Project Expanded

Posted on 14/11/2012 by admin

After hearing the Trust had signed a legal option to purchase the Elliker Fields, an adjacent landholder who has in the past applied for planning permission for his land has offered us his adjoining woodland and wetland pasture.

With an individual private donation we have been able put down a 10% deposit to sign an option for the purchase of this land, which if we are successful in raising the purchase price will extend the Elliker Fields Nature reserve by a further 2.5 acres. This will add greatly to the diversity of the present area under our management and ownership.

We now have 12 months to raise another £25,000 to make up the shortfall of funds available for this land purchase.

Can we do it again? We hope the community will again support us with our new fund raising project.

We will keep all informed of progress through the Trust website and village publications.

Elliker Field is on the left. The woodland and fen extension to the project are to the right of center.

Elliker Fields Fundrasing Success

Posted on 14/11/2012 by admin

We have been successful in purchasing this area of land

A big thank you to all the individuals, groups and associations that have supported East Keswick Wildlife Trust in their appeal to raise £25,000 to purchase the Elliker Fields.

We have been overwhelmed by your generosity and support, and you will be pleased to know that the Trust was able to raise the required funds and has completed the purchase of the freehold of Elliker Fields.

The Trust can now ensure that this important field will be safe for future generations to enjoy and will be managed for wildlife and the local community. We will continue to work with the village in developing a management plan for this site and we wish to hear your views. There will be a site meeting on Saturday 2nd of February so please join us. We will meet at 2pm at the entrance to the reserve between 21 and 23 The Paddock. We intend to walk the field, look at the Trust’s proposals and invite comments and ideas from the community. All welcome.

Follow our progress by joining the Trust and getting our biannual newsletter.

Fundraising Begins

Posted on 10/09/2012 by admin

East Keswick Wildlife Trust has signed an option to purchase some strategically important land in the heart of our village for our community and future generations to enjoy.

Sadly, even Greenbelt land isn’t completely safe from the threat of development so we want to safeguard this land forever, particularly as it is rich in flora and fauna of a type that is rapidly disappearing from our countryside.

We want everyone to be involved so please come to a public meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 10 September in the Verity Room at the Village Hall and have your say. For further information, please call 01937 574140.

East Keswick Wildlife Trust

For Wildlife, For Our Community, For Our Future

Category Archives: Activities