January Event 2022

Posted on 06/01/2022 by committee

Since the trust took over our new site at Fitts Lane, our Friday volunteer work party has been working hard towards restoring the valuable grassland habitat.

Much of this work has been preparing boundaries; fencing and hedge planting. To provide a much-needed boost to this effort, and to introduce members to the new site, the work being done and what we hope to achieve; this month we are holding two family hedge planting days at the Fitts Lane site in East Keswick (the fields on the footpath to the river from the end of Cleavesty Lane) during January, Sunday 16th and Saturday 22nd.

The days will start at 10am and we will be there as long as we keep going! Any time that can be given is welcomed and contributes to the overall team effort, so please come along at, and for, a time that suits you.

The work itself is great for kids – with tasks suitable for all ages. We find they generally enjoy planting the whips and protecting them with canes and guards – leaving the older ones to dig the holes! And it’s great for them to see the growth of the hedges over the years to follow – something to be proud to have been part of.

We will also take the opportunity to explain the work we are doing there, plans for the site and how the trust use the Dexter cattle for conservation grazing, and (for the kids) the importance of worms! We will also have BBQs lit and available for use – an opportunity to learn about the charcoal making we undertake in Ox Close Woods, whilst you cook some sausages to keep energy levels up.

What you will need:

Gloves
Appropriate clothing and footwear
Your own food to cook on the BBQ (or a packed lunch) and a drink
If possible, a spade

If you need help finding us, you can contact Corinne on 07582 561749 or Thomasin on 07944 951605. It would be helpful if you let us know if you are planning to attend, but not essential.

We will cancel the events if the ground is frozen or there is heavy rain. We will notify people in advance via our Facebook page (search for East Keswick Wildlife Trust) if we do need to cancel.

We hope to see you there!

September – sharing seeds

Posted on 04/01/2022 by committee

Wildlife groups and individuals have recently been contacting the trust to learn from our several years of experience of wildflower seed collecting, germinating and plug-planting.

In September, members of the Menston Area Nature Trust were guided in the process of collecting and sowing seeds for the land that they hope to acquire shortly. They have been mentored by the EKWT on how to form a wildlife trust and become a charity.

Working in a joint venture, the Wood Meadows Trust at Escrick have asked for our help in germinating some uncommon species and to share seeds and plant plugs for their wetland and meadow areas.

Hearing of our expertise, York City Council Community Woodland have asked us to try to germinate Large Hemp Nettle, which is relatively uncommon in this area.

To top up our own supplies, this Autumn volunteers have collected seeds, nuts and berries from various habitats within the parish.

Askham Bryan College Visit – July 2021

Posted on 02/01/2022 by committee

Postponed from last year due to covid and organised by Judith and John Pentith, the Askham Bryan Gardening Club visited the trust on 3rd July 2021. A day which was very, very wet but turned out to be a very enjoyable full day.

In the morning the large group was shown around the inner village reserves. Lunch in the Duke, with time to dry out a little, was followed by a guided walk around Ox Close Wood.

Subsequent comments were enthusiastic:

‘Thank you for arranging the visit to East Keswick on Saturday, we found it fascinating and really enjoyed the morning despite the soaking!’

‘An absolute joy to see such beautiful places, particularly enjoyed the range of flowers in the meadows and the wide variety of grasses and sedges by the marsh. Loads of orchids and to be introduced to the Thistle-broomrape (also known as Yorkshire broomrape), which is only found in our county was special. But the star of the show for me, was to see at last Herb Paris, which was the absolute icing on the cake! Seen so often in guide books, but never found before.’

‘The whole soggy day was enlivened by our two very enthusiastic guides – thanks again!’

The Brownies – Summer 2021

Posted on 01/01/2022 by committee

The Brownies have been looking at local charities and one of the sixes, the Imps, made a poster about the EKWT and shared their thoughts with everyone.

Thank you to Brown Owl, Emma.

This photo shows the Brownies at this Summer’s den building challenge.

Scouts at the Fitts

Posted on 31/12/2021 by committee

During the summer months, Henry introduced the Scouts to the Fitts Lane Nature Reserve where Himalayan Balsam has been a problem for some time. The Scouts had their annual balsam-pulling competition to find the largest plant. This kept them busy for a couple of hours!

Thank you to the Scouts.

Lockdown Challenge

Posted on 17/02/2021 by committee

Where the wild things are:

Lockdown challenge!

We’ve created an educational challenge for you all to take part in.

We’ve hidden 30 images of a wide range of wildlife across our four reserves.

Your challenge is to find them. Once you do, you will find a folder close by which contains information sheets about the species you have found. Where to find the wild things:

Ox Close woods: 15 to find
Elliker’s field & wood: 6 to find
Frank Shire’squarry: 4 to find
East Keswick Marsh: 5 to find

On each sheet you will see a key word at the top. The first 10 people to message us all 30 of the key words will each win a tree to plant! This is a great excuse to get out walking enjoying nature, explore our reserves & learn. We ask that you take one sheet per group please, and zip up the folder,- returning it to where it was found. You are welcome to take the sheets home with you, or leave them for others to use if you wish. We would mention also, if you take your dogs along with you to please remember these are nature reserves so to keep them on leads please. If you need any further information, for example where to find some of the reserves please message us. We really hope you enjoy exploring the wild places where we live, remember to leave only footprints..good luck hunting!

Supporting wildlife conservation in your local area has never been more important so please do join the Trust & become a member! You can join at: https://www.ekwt.org.uk/get-involved/membership/

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Strange Fruit

Posted on 27/01/2019 by committee

Rose briars are bearing strange fruit this time of year. It would seem that the lazy owner of the dog that resulted it this ought to be on his, or her, lead. It’s a shame that all dog owners can’t be responsible people. As with football hooligans; it’s the actions of a minority that gives the rest a bad name.

Ox Close is a nature reserve. Our activities and aims are for the enhancement of nature and the enjoyment of the public. Please respect our wishes…. dogs must be ona lead and clean up any mess.

Seed sowing

Posted on 08/12/2018 by committee

December 2nd: Children from the local communities learned how to sow wild flower seeds, some for their own gardens and some for the Methodist church wild flower garden project . The children collected seed heads from a variety of wild flowers and examined the differences between the seeds. Using our tried and tested method, which has been acquired by previous experience using seeds from plants within our Nature Reserves in East Keswick, they carefully sowed seeds from a selection of plants.

New hotel opens in East Keswick!

Posted on 09/05/2018 by committee

Over 50 people spent a glorious sunny afternoon on Saturday constructing a bug hotel under the guidance of East Keswick Wildlife Trust.
The event was hosted by East Keswick Methodist Church on Main Street, East Keswick, with the luxury accommodation for insects being built in the garden behind the church. Melanie Smith from East Keswick Wildlife Trust explained the importance of creating suitable habitat so that the vast variety of insects we are lucky enough to have can thrive. The children then used various natural materials to make a five storey, five star hotel for insects.

Melanie said “It was wonderful to see how enthusiastic the children were and we hope they will go home and make similar habitats in their own gardens.”

After the hotel had been built, the families enjoyed refreshments before tackling a nature hunt. The bug hotel is the first event of many in a programme to create a wildlife haven at the rear of the church involving the local community. The next joint event is a wildflower identification walk on 10 June and then, in the Autumn, seeds will be gathered and sown in pots so that young plants are ready to plant out next Spring to create a wildflower garden. Members of the public are most welcome to visit the garden at any time.

Children creating the bug hotel

For future family events please check out the list of Upcoming Events (above), and to view the article in the village newsletter website visit http://www.eastkeswick.org.uk/latest-news/745-new-hotel-opens-for-bugs

The Yellow Fish Campaign Gathers Momentum

Posted on 15/07/2017 by committee

The Trust has continued its work with Bardsey Primary School to spread the word about the Environment Agency’s Yellow Fish Campaign. With the slogan “Only Rain Down the Drain” the campaign is designed to indicated to people that any substance that is put into a surface water drain goes straight into our local becks and then on into the River Wharfe.
The local becks are in poor condition mainly from agricultural run off. But we can do our bit: In order to raise awareness Bardsey School stencilled a yellow fish next to surface water drains, posted explanitory notes into surrounding homes and talked to residents; some of whom were relatives of the children!

“Only Rain Down the Drain!”

Hi Grandma. Did you know…..?

East Keswick Wildlife Trust

For Wildlife, For Our Community, For Our Future

Category Archives: Educational