Wild Warwickshire Spring 2023

The member magazine for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust | Spring 2023 WaWrwildickshire #DEFENDNATURE What did we achieve in 2022 and what’s next? HS2 LTD Damning evidence and bad news for wildlife, but there’s still time to fight for a better outcome SPRING AND OUR RESERVES What you can see and where – the best places to savour the spring New Year New opportunities What did we learn from 2022 and what does 2023 have in store?

Welcome 10 To the spring edition of your member magazine Welcome to the spring issue of Wild Warwickshire. It’s the time of year for new growth, new hope and new plans! Let’s see if that includes a rethink on the environmental damage caused by HS2 Ltd. By the time this magazine lands, The Wildlife Trusts will have handed in our open letter to Downing Street, which 2,219 people in Warwickshire signed, thank you. As our report on page 4 discusses, by being allowed to operate outside the rules followed by everyone else, HS2 Ltd are massively undervaluing the construction’s effect on wildlife, whilst overvaluing their compensation measures. Recently announced delays to the project must now allow time to make sure the impacts on nature are accurately assessed. The Wildlife Trusts are calling for the Government to insist HS2 Ltd account for themselves in the same way as all other developments, and where damage cannot be avoided, restoration delivers a gain in biodiversity, not a loss! Only then can we be sure that spending £100 billion contributes to nature’s recovery, instead of making the current ecological crisis worse. Elsewhere in the magazine we give you an update on #TeamWilder and ways in which the Trust is helping others bring about nature’s recovery in their local area. This may be running an environmental grant scheme (page 6), or helping communities organise themselves to take action for nature (pages 8 & 9) or simply providing information to people fighting the dreadful Retained EU Law bill (page 17), which according to Client Earth ‘could maim efforts to address the climate and biodiversity crises, put the health of millions at risk and subvert the function of the UK’s political system’. It’s also a time to ask people if they would like to become new Trustees of this wonderful charity. By joining a committee called Council, you could have a role at the heart of the organisation, working with staff to solve the climate and ecological emergency in this part of the UK. If you feel you have something to offer, please see page 16 and the link to further details on our website. So, with the prospect of warmer sun on our backs and a gentler wind in our faces, I very much hope you enjoy getting out and about in nature now winter is finally fading. Ed Green, Chief Executive Common frog Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Get in touch Cover: Andrew Wild Warwickshire is the membership Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is the leading WildWarwickshire MagazineTeam Parkinson/ magazine for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust local charity dedicated to conserving, 2020Vision protecting and enhancing your local wildlife. Editor Jo Hudson & Lindsay Butler Email [email protected] We manage over 60 nature reserves in Wild Warwickshire magazine was printed by Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. We Design Sally Gregory, Seacourt Printers on 100% recycled materials at a Telephone 024 7630 2912 are supported by over 26,000 members and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Design Studio factory powered by 100% renewables, using zero over 600 volunteers. water and chemicals, and generating zero landfill. Address Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Seacourt is a Net Positive printer that makes a Brandon Lane, Coventry, CV3 3GW facebook.com/WarwickshireWT/ positive contribution to the environment and society. Website warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk twitter.com/wkwt Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is a company instagram.com/warwickshirewt/ limited by guarantee. Registered in England, number 00585247. Registered charity, number 209200. VAT Number 670318740. 2 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

INSIDE... 4 HS2 Double Jeopardy 6 # TeamWilder in action in Coventry 8 S mall actions are crucial for wildlife 9 N extdoor Nature update 10 Can you help wildlife this spring? 12 Taking out the concrete 15 What’s new on our reserves? 16 Would you like to become a trustee? 17 No nature. No future 18 Your wildlife images 20 The sights and sounds of spring 22 The climate and environment – are we making progress? 26 N ew project seeks to restore historic North Warwickshire river 28 Five years of achievements for wildlife 29 New trail brings Wolston quarry to life 30 6 places to see woodland flowers CHRIS LAWRENCE Save the date... Our AGM will take place on 20th June, between 7-8.30pm at Occulus at Warwick University and will feature engaging talks on the reintroduction of species into the UK. To book your place, visit: warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/AGM Warwickshire Wildlife Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 3 Trust thanks the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

#DEFENDNATURE HS2 Double Jeopardy New report reveals HS2 Ltd got its nature figures wrong, spelling bad news for Warwickshire’s wildlife, but there is still time to act A new evidence report, ‘HS2 to introduce a specific metric for nature of woodland structure, the quality of the double jeopardy: how the compensation. understorey and woodland floor plants. UK’s largest infrastructure project undervalued Taking a conservative approach to Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Phase 1 the data, the report highlights alarming calculations show that there will be nature and overvalued its compensation errors in HS2 Ltd’s calculations and at least 17% less nature present after mapping, indicative of a large-scale construction than there was before measures’ reveals fundamental flaws problem, which calls into question the building started. HS2 Ltd’s figures say adequacy of all HS2 Ltd’s nature restoration there will only be a 2.6% nature loss. in the way HS2 Ltd has assessed the and compensation plans. For Phase 2a, Cheshire found that there value of nature along the construction path of HS2. All three phases (1, 2a and 2b) directly impact our county, “This new evidence is damning and reveals cutting swathes of destruction through Warwickshire, threatening our wildlife and a host of inaccuracies that are built into HS2 their homes, and causing heartache for Ltd’s current approach.” local people. The new report, published by the Wildlife Trusts after a year-long audit of Compensating for nature losses relies will be at least 42% less nature present on accurate baseline assessments of after construction than there was before data by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, finds the value of wildlife habitats along the building started. HS2 Ltd’s figures say route – for example, by looking at the there will only be a 17.01% nature loss. that HS2 Ltd’s No Net Loss metric – its species-richness of grasslands or how diverse woodlands are in terms of the Essentially, HS2 Ltd has been allowed ‘accounting tool’ for assessing impacts mix of native tree species and complexity to decide how its own homework should be marked, has been allowed to mark on nature – is untested, out of date and fundamentally flawed, despite a 2016 recommendation from Natural England HS2 impact at Crackley Wood Read the report SIMON WATTS by scanning the QR code here 4 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

#DEFENDNATURE HS2 impact at South Cubbington Wood SIMON WATTS itself and still got it badly wrong. SIMON WATTS birds depend upon connected woodlands compensation than it’s currently offering As things stand, HS2 Ltd will not and hedgerows for food, shelter, and because it has seriously underestimated nesting sites. the impacts to biodiversity. We want to compensate sufficiently for the damage see a minimum of 10% biodiversity net likely to be caused by Phases 1 and 2a of HS2 Ltd has not fully assessed the gain along every phase of the route. This the scheme. Unless ‘net loss’ is calculated estimated impacts of the track on is surely the absolute bare minimum that accurately, HS2 will not come close to specific species, nor addressed these. HS2 Ltd should be offering after all the delivering on the promised ‘Biodiversity We are extremely concerned that losses destruction and heartbreak it has caused.’ Net Gain’ on Phase 2b. of important wildlife habitats, such as woodlands, grasslands and hedgerows, will The Wildlife Trusts are collecting Phase 1 work has already had go unchallenged due to the undervaluing of co-signatories to an open letter which devastating effects on wildlife in the south nature uncovered in the report. sets out the issues our report reveals of the county. The track and associated and urges a joint effort between the lineside fencing will severely damage Ed Green, Chief Executive of Department for Transport and Defra to find connectivity across the landscape, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust says: the truth. Meanwhile, official delays to meaning that wildlife including bats, parts of HS2 announced recently provide deer, and other mammals will have fewer ‘This new evidence is damning and a critical opportunity for the company natural corridors for movement and reveals a host of inaccuracies that are to properly remap and recalculate loss foraging. The lack of provision of green built into HS2 Ltd’s current approach. Our - otherwise any repair plans will be bridges for crossing points over the line report exposes the absurdity of allowing completely inadequate. will exacerbate the loss of connectivity, HS2 Ltd to self-regulate without proper and we have seen South Cubbington transparency and independent oversight. We’re calling on our members, Wood bisected lengthways by HS2’s The company needs to be held to account supporters, and the public to come path, leaving remaining areas fragmented, by the Government for its failings. together and fight for a better outcome smaller and more vulnerable. Bats and for our wildlife than HS2 Ltd are currently ‘HS2 Ltd must correct its mapping delivering. Please sign the open letter now HS2 impact and errors in its figures and make all its and give nature a voice. at Offchurch new data publicly available. This vast infrastructure project is taking a wrecking- Find out more at ball to wildlife and communities are in warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/HS2 despair at losing the wild places – the woods, meadows and wetlands that they Scan the code to sign love - they will never get these back. So HS2 Ltd must repair nature in a way that’s our open letter commensurate with the magnitude of the damage being caused. Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 5 ‘The scale of errors means HS2 Ltd needs to provide far more nature

#TEAMWILDER #TeamWilder in action in Coventry #TeamWilder grants launched nine projects throughout the city in 2022 90% of people JENNIE REDSHAW Friends of War who Memorial Park completed nature, or wanted to encourage more Natural people to be on nature’s side. This the booklet also encouraged the England’s ‘Monitor of Engagement became known as the #TeamWilder conservation and enhancement of with the Natural Environment’ survey Community Grants Scheme. In total, green spaces and the group provided said they are concerned about the nine projects were funded, working seeds harvested from their sensory environment, yet only 4% of people with a range of people and delivering garden to workshop participants, to actually volunteer to care for the inspirational outcomes for people and encourage them to plant at home. environment. We know many people wildlife. Below are details of three would like to do more for the climate such projects. We will keep our Wild Earth and the environment, but need more website updated with more information or support. This is where information throughout 2023 so you Wild Earth acquired, established and #TeamWilder and its community can learn more about the other now maintains a neighbouring grants scheme, supported by projects too. allotment to their existing site at Lake Coventry City of Culture Trust helped View Allotments. Individuals who use in Coventry in 2022. The legacy of the MTheemForrieianldPsaorfkWar the site have increased their grants will last much longer. enjoyment of nature and greatly Using their grant, The Friends of War improved their mental health. Regular In 2022, Coventry City of Culture Memorial Park produced a ‘100 things weekly workshops at the site included Trust awarded Warwickshire Wildlife to do in the park’ booklet. The booklet mindfulness activities, the creation of Trust £15,000 to distribute to groups contains exciting suggestions for pollinator friendly areas and the and organisations in the city who ways people can enjoy being in the building of bug hotels and bird wanted to help make more space for park. It also features workshops, feeders. All workshops had a creative encouraging people to interact with and enjoy the park in a different way and in doing so, reached a brand new audience. Many of the suggestions in 6 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

#TEAMWILDER Details of the nine #TeamWilder Grants Scheme projects can be found in the table below: Applicant Details Allesley and Coundon Wedge North Brook Pool Nature recovery project – planting and photography Conservation Society sessions Normandy Day UK Peace Orchard Creative Station – eco-therapy and artist workshops and native planting Team Springboard CIC Green Buzz workshops Coventry Cathedral Green Sanctuary – illustration, education and an eco-map of the green Friends of War Memorial Park spaces surrounding the cathedral Culture Coventry 100 things to do in the Park – 100 illustrated suggestions for different St Francis Employability CIO ways people can enjoy being in the park and accompanying workshops Urban Spaces – Nature Inspired – development of the urban outdoor space at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum Wildlife and Conservation Week – daily wildlife activities and trips Bishop Ullathorne Moat and Forest School renovation – renovation to benefit the wildlife Wild Earth Wild Earth Nature Zone – open to younger children, new parents, and the wider community to increase connection with nature. element including photography, visual They have brought colour into a inspire action. From ‘Friends of’ arts and crafts. previously dark and shaded space groups, schools and faith groups, from through the installation of street art families to councils to volunteers; the The project has increased access to murals, winter flowers and new Trust wants to work with others to green space to members of the local planting areas with raised boxes and help everyone understand the need for community – especially young people hanging pots that will be maintained change, why we need that change and their families. The site has been a through ongoing support from now and to recognise their own role in very important resource for volunteers. Further support was making that change happen. neurodivergent young people, as it provides a space where they can enjoy “I love being here, listening to the sounds of the the peace and quiet of nature. Young birds. I never thought about all the wildlife that people have learnt about nature and also live here. Now I feel like a part of it all.” wildlife, as the site is next to the river Sherbourne. “I love being here, gained from Coventry Men’s Shed We hope to be able to extend the listening to the sounds of the birds. mental health support group, who community grants scheme over the I never thought about all the wildlife volunteered time to maintain the coming years to inspire and support that also lives here. Now I feel like a outdoor garden area. Participants were more people to take action for nature, part of it all.” – said one participant. encouraged to continue at home if to help create a wilder future. possible, by creating planters for their Culture Coventry windowsills if outdoor garden spaces To keep updated were not available. with all things Culture Coventry delivered workshops #TeamWilder, visit: alongside Coventry Refugee and To achieve its ambitious target of warwickshire Migrant Centre, to support the 1 in 4 people acting for wildlife, wildlife trust.org. creation of a community garden space Warwickshire Wildlife Trust wants to uk/teamwilder at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. embrace everyone who is motivated The aim of was to allow newly settled to make a difference and to enable and citizens a place of sanctuary in nature they may not have access to at home. Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 7

#TEAMWILDER Small actions aren’t just beautiful, they’re crucial for nature to recover How making changes in your local area can help wildlife across the whole county W e’re fortunate to manage connect distant spaces for wildlife. Small KAT REAY over 60 varied and beautiful actions like these really do make a nature reserves in our big difference. home at warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/ patch, and residents of TeamWilder Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull are We’re working with communities, starting never far from one of them. But how in Nuneaton and now in the Brunswick area Or if you’ve already done something big often do people consider the small areas of South Leamington too, to help these or small to help your local nature thrive, add of ‘green’ on their doorsteps? Not just a smaller areas of nature thrive. People are your action to our interactive map! garden, but local allotments, the park around powerful and knowledgeable – hearing from the corner, or even that tiny piece of grass local people about the spaces which are If you’re local to Leamington and down the road? important to them is the best way to make would like to help out, please get in the most of these smaller gems. touch with Kat Reay, your Action for These spaces are the ones we pass Nature Officer, at [email protected] every day when we do the school run, walk Once we’ve met with communities and to work or get some exercise. It’s easy to we know which patches of green space overlook them in the rush of modern life but would most benefit from some help, we these tiny gems are such important pieces can provide the inspiration and support in the puzzle of our natural landscape. Think to help make it happen. Actions are of a bumblebee searching for nectar, and community-led, which ensures that groups finding it in the clover flowers on someone’s are empowered to improve their local areas front lawn which has been left to grow long. for people and wildlife long into the future. This resource is just as important as the That’s what #TeamWilder is all about. blossoming cherry tree in the nature reserve a few miles away, because it can help Could you get involved? Learn more about #TeamWilder and discover quick, easy actions for wildlife that you can do at Verge side flowers KAT REAY in Leamington Spa 8 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

NEXTDOOR NATURE Nextdoor Nature an update from Attleborough The residents of Attleborough are coming together to take action for nature. N extdoor Nature is a national Action for FAYE IRVINE project, funded by the Nature Officers, National Lottery Heritage Dan and Faye FAYE IRVINE Fund, which aims to help people take meaningful action for nature FAYE IRVINE the local community hubs – the Wembrook slow down and connect with nature – a in ways that matter to them. Here in Community Centre and the Hill Top & water vole was even spotted recently! Over Warwickshire, we are focussing on Caldwell Big Local, as well as the cafes in the course of the project we will support Nuneaton, specifically Attleborough. Since Attleborough Village. more communities across Nuneaton, but the project’s launch in June 2022, our until that time we have a range of ideas Action for Nature Officers Faye and Dan As a result of doorstep conversations, and resources you can start to use today. have been getting to know the people and some residents have expressed an interest wildlifetrusts.org/england-nextdoor-nature- communities that live and work there. in forming a local Friends of Group and resources others are keen to transform a local patch of They have formed strong relationships land into a community space, with benefits We will continue to with a number of community groups, local for both people and wildlife. We will be reach out and listen councillors and the Warwickshire County supporting them all to bring people together, to the community by Council Community Development Worker explore ideas and take action that suits hosting regular listening Maxine Tuffin. This localised approach them. It’s still very much early days in terms mornings, walks and allows us to really listen to people’s dreams, of action but already we are discussing events. For further information contact visions and ideas to help local wildlife. We some exciting ideas, including a local Action for Nature Office Dan Loveard on are keen to speak to as many people as community garden, re-wilding a churchyard, [email protected] or call possible, from all walks of life, so we can a wilder street and even a wilder estate! 024 7630 2912 or go to warwickshire ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. You We will share these successes and stories wildlifetrust.org.uk/nextdoornature. can find us speaking to local residents on as they develop, which in turn will inspire their doorsteps, at community events, at others. There are fantastic local green spots to explore in the area. From Marston Community working Lane Meadows, to the Wem Brook, which you can follow all the way into town, via Riverseley Park. There is a measured mile along the Brook and lots of opportunity to Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 9

ACTION FOR NATURE wiCldalnifeyotuhisheslppring? You don’t need a big space to make a big difference! S pring is well underway and Swifts make the long journey back to JON HAWKINS, SURREY HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY we’re starting to see more the UK from Africa at the end of April birds, bees and butterflies in and early in May. Swifts live almost Swift our green spaces. Although the their entire lives in the air, only landing cold winter months are behind us, wildlife to nest and raise their chicks. If you could still use a helping hand as many have a wall over five metres high species are preparing to breed and need (such as on the side of your house, all the energy they can get! under the eaves) consider adding a swift box or two to provide nesting Whether you have a garden, balcony, or space for these incredible birds. no outdoor space at all, there are many AMY LEWISways you can help nature this season. Moths are sometimes overlooked Here are some easy spring ideas to try: in our wildlife gardens. Create a window or balcony box with August thorn moth night-flowering plants such as evening primrose or night-scented jasmine to help them out. Find even more ideas at warwickshirewildlife trust.org.uk/actions Common frogCHRIS LAWRENCE Bats emerge from hibernation in TOM MARSHALL April, hungry from their extended Tadpoles laid in spring are now slowly sleep, and prepare to breed in May. morphing into frogs. Avoid disturbing your Consider planting some insect- pond if you have one, and consider making friendly plants such as foxgloves, a mini container pond if you don’t! Make forget-me-nots, or lavender to help sure it has shallow edges by placing rocks provide food. Want to help bats so that creatures can climb in and out, and without stepping outside? Turn off fill it with pond plants such as miniature unnecessary lights in the evening waterlily and flowering rushes. As it gets and give them some time to hunt in a little bit warmer, now is the ideal time the dark. to place a shallow water dish somewhere in your garden for wildlife to drink from. Noctule bat You could also leave some piles of wood or leaves in a shady spot to create a cool, damp refuge for frogs, toads and newts. Finally, perhaps the simplest thing you can do this spring – don’t mow the lawn! Take part in No Mow May and leave a patch growing wild for butterflies and bees. 10 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

Let’s go 30 Days Wild Sign up to take part in the UK’s biggest Scan with your month-long nature challenge phone camera to sign up! wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild

LANDSCAPE RECOVERY Taking out the concrete and softening the edges Encouraging wildlife back to a Solihull park I n 2022, the Trust’s River across the lake hangs in Tate Britain. the removal of natural water flows & Catchment Restoration Part of Brueton Park has Local the wildlife upstream relies on to Team began working on an Nature Reserve status and the survive. Although the lake provides ambitious project within entire river Blythe is designated a a popular destination for people, it Brueton Park, Solihull. Thanks Site of Special Scientific Interest was not built with wildlife in mind. to grants from the European (SSSI). Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s Hard engineered edges, low levels of Regional Development Fund and the Environment Agency’s ‘Water “Gentle slopes assist frogs, newts and toads Environment Grant’, restoration and and the banks encourage plants such as purple habitat creation on the river Blythe, loosestrife and water mint to grow.” the Alderbrook and the park lake was underway. The river Blythe Parkridge Visitor Centre and Café oxygen in the water from a build-up flows through Malvern & Brueton is located at the heart of Brueton of silt, thousands of loaves of soggy Park, once part of a wider estate. Park and has a tranquil Nature bread and leaf litter, meant wildlife The estate’s residence, Malvern Reserve to the rear. Over many was not thriving in the lake. Hall, built around 1690, still stands years the River Blythe was tamed, today adjacent to the park and is straightened, widened and dredged. Once proposals and consents were now home to Solihull Preparatory The river was dammed to form a in place, silt was dredged from the School. The painter John Constable lake, which unfortunately led to lake with an amphibious digger and visited Malvern Hall several times locally sourced birch bundles were and a painting of the Hall from You can keep up to date with the progress of the project on our website. 12 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

LANDSCAPE RECOVERY TIM PRECIOUS-LI Leaky barriers TIM PRECIOUS-LI along the river River Blythe in Brueton the number plate of a car was engineers’ at work bringing nature Park after work unreadable, coated with flies and back for free. used to mark out new bays within the moths. Now there’s barely a splattered lake. These bays soften the original midge in site. The knock-on effects of  New pools along the river were hard edges of the lake and create new this are seen not only in the decline of created to help young fish and habitats, allowing a variety of plants birds and bats that feed on them but hopefully water voles to seek refuge and wildlife to flourish. Gentle slopes also in our food production. Our tiny during storms.  The river edges have assist frogs, newts and toads and the flying friends are crucial for pollination, been sown with native wildflowers, banks encourage plants such as purple saving billions of pounds each year by providing vital pollen and nectar, and loosestrife and water mint to grow. doing the job for us. Just one example log piles were built to help amphibians These important sources of food and of the countless ecosystem services to overwinter. shelter for invertebrates have suffered nature provides for us, which we dramatic declines due to habitat loss perhaps take for granted. The Alderbrook had not fared much and intensive farming practices. Just better than the Blythe. Re-enforced thirty years ago after a lengthy drive, Re-naturalising rivers concrete replaced the natural riverbed and paving slabs had been placed Pond excavation Within the river Blythe, we have along the river banks, turning the re-naturalised the river channel by brook into a lifeless channel, devoid of creating new ledges made from even basic plant life. In mid-summer brushwood and securing tree trunks 2022, a 200m section of concrete onto the riverbed.  In the past, the was drilled out and the slabs taken river had been engineered to suit the off, to reveal natural clay and gravel needs of people and any natural wood beds, hidden for decades. This falling into the river was removed. section of the brook has already This destroyed the habitat and natural formed deeper pools for fish to hide processes needed by the river in and shallow gravel areas where wildlife. Fallen trees in rivers are trout may lay their eggs in the winter. essential cover for fish and invertebrates but also help the river Letting in light undergo dynamic processes such as erosion of banks and deposition of To enable this work to reach its full gravels. Beavers were naturally potential, light is required to reach the creating the wet habitat our wildlife ground, so it has been necessary to has evolved to live in, but were carefully select some trees for persecuted into extinction in England thinning and coppicing, particularly, 400 years ago. With beavers now alder and willow which are naturally returning to the UK’s rivers through regenerating. The trees selected were excellent Wildlife Trust and partner led of a similar age and provided little projects, we have ‘ecosystem wildlife habitat.  Coppicing creates a mix of structure to the wooded bankside and provides important dead wood.  This ultimately creates a healthier, more biodiverse habitat. You can keep up to date with the progress of the project on our website Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 13

VOLUNTEERING Can you help the river Sherbourne We need more volunteers – could that be you? W arwickshire Wildlife Volunteer Awards Group Shot BEN COOK Trust’s Sherbourne Valley Project in Coventry, is looking for local people to help bring the river Sherbourne back to the hearts and minds of people in the city and beyond. tChoiuslpdryoojeucht?elp us with The Trust has been working with regular volunteers, local organisations and corporate groups for over two years, raising awareness of the amazing wildlife and rich history Coventry’s river has to offer. We’ve also been working hard to improve local green spaces for nature, something we “Over the last 18 months I’ve learnt a lot about Volunteers at work CHARLOTTE RIDPATH the river, the parks and places it runs through... The bit I’ve loved most is getting stuck in with the other volunteers… If you like nature and don’t mind getting occasionally wet and muddy come along and join us.” Regular Volunteer – Ian would love for you to be involved in. haven for wildlife but have been a little paths and managed the space with A great example of the kind of work we neglected over the years and have lost nature in mind.  Their work has supported some of their variety of habitat for wildlife to woodpeckers, bullfinch, kingfishers, ravens, have been doing so far is the ‘Grayswood call its own. red fox and muntjac deer. There is still Project’ at Lake View Park, Coventry.  plenty of work to do in the woods to help Grayswood is a small chunk of woodland, Over the past two years, our volunteers Coventry’s nature and the team are looking sandwiched between an allotment site and have transformed the area into a place to for new volunteers to help, not only at Lake View Park. The woods are a secret escape the city noise. They have restored Grayswood, but further afield too. Would you like to help run crafts, activities, or games, be a marshal or volunteer on a Trust stall at our larger events? Maybe you have time to help deliver leaflets and posters? If you think you can help and want to find out more, contact [email protected] CHARLOTTE RIDPATH Volunteer group 14 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

RESERVES UPDATE What’s new on our reserves We’ve been working hard on our reserves – here’s what you might see... Oakley Wood been erecting bat boxes in the adjacent Brandon Marsh To improve access for visitors we have been woodland, providing roosting sites for the Over many months, the Brandon Marsh working with Warwick District Council to species that hunt invertebrates across the Volunteer Conservation Team have worked install over 3km of surfaced footpaths at reserve. hard to deconstruct and rebuild the Ted Jury Oakley Wood. The new stone tracks lead Hide. The hide foundations were giving way around this beautiful old woodland providing Whitacre Heath and risking collapse so the team replaced a year-round opportunity to enjoy the wildlife At Whitacre Heath, volunteers took the wooden legs with recycled plastic, there. Positive feedback has been heard, advantage of last year’s low water levels providing a more sound footing. They also showing the improved conditions have been to clear out the view in front of the newest used the opportunity to raise the hide warmly received. hide. The results were great and as the pool slightly providing even better views over refilled, water birds were feeding closer to the reedbeds. Bittern and otter have both Bishop’s Hill the windows providing great views. The shown well in recent months, so time spent Contractors and volunteers have been reserve also had a first year of bird ringing at Brandon is always rewarding. clearing the hawthorn scrub at Bishop’s surveys with 18 species being recorded Hill to create a mosaic of habitats for the including garden warbler, redwing, gold resident wildlife. Butterflies such as the crest and barn owl. Other birds noted at rare small blue need the mix of low scrub Whitacre Heath included snipe, great white and open sunny grassland to provide egret, yellow wagtail, ring necked parakeet shelter and feeding opportunities for them and stonechat. and their caterpillars. The team have also Clowes Wood Volunteers at Clowes Wood have started coppicing the old hazel stands within the wood. Cutting around an eighth each year will ensure a wide range of ages within the structure, maximising the benefit for wildlife. Over recent years they have also been opening up a remnant patch of heathland, allowing heather and gorse to recolonise former areas. Moth surveys have revealed the arrival of species that specialise in heathland, proving the success of the work. ANDY ROUSE/2020VISION CHRIS LAWRENCE Small Blue (Cupido minimus) Barn owl ANNA SQUIRES Clowes Wood - April 2020 15

VOLUNTEERING Would you like to become a trustee of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust? Thanks to trustees stepping down and a look to the future W arwickshire WildlifeTrust Michael Bunney Michael Bunney is looking to recruit two new trustees, as two long Michael Bunney has been a member of standing trustees stand Warwickshire Wildlife Trust since 1983 and down this year. became a trustee in the early 2000s, as his skills and knowledge in farming and Kay Reeve agriculture was much needed by the Trust. In the run up to Brexit, Michael chaired Kay Reeve became a trustee of a national group to look at the issue of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust in 2001. common agricultural policies for food A solicitor by profession, she had retired and farming. His links helped balance the from full time work and whilst looking conflicts of future farming interests and for other outlets for her professional the need to restore biodiversity in the knowledge, saw an advert in the Trust’s farmed environment. The group produced magazine for someone with a legal the first blueprint of what is now being background to be the Trust’s Honorary established as the Environmental Secretary. At that time, there was no Land Management scheme and is limitation on the amount of time served already stimulating what is being called by a trustee, so Kay has continued in her Regenerative Agriculture within many role until now. Kay says of her time at the farms and estates. Michael says, ‘I know Trust, ‘My feeling of greatest achievement the continuing enthusiasm of our current at the Trust is the experience of seeing it team of trustees will continue to build grow from what I might call its teenage the strength and achievements of the years into the mature, well-run, and organisation, which in my term of office effective organisation it is today.’ has been outstanding in so many ways.’ AMANDA EVANS Could you become a trustee? Board of Trustees If you’re a current member of the Trust and would like to become a trustee, then please get in touch. You don’t need any specific qualifications and can find out more about the positions available on our website. We are looking for a wide range of skills and experiences from our trustees and for people who are passionate and committed to helping us achieve our 2030 strategy; to make more space for nature with more people on nature’s side. To find out more and to find out how to register your interest, take a look at our website: warwickshire wildlifetrust.org.uk/trustees 16 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

#DEFENDNATURE No Nature. No Future. No more time to waste. MPs may have voted in support of the REUL Bill, but the game is not over yet. T he latter part of 2022 saw a and stand up for the wildlife we all fight so huge number of organisations hard to protect. come together and use their collective voice to You answered this call in your thousands. Across the Wildlife Trust movement 7,949 #DefendNature and to ask the government people sent postcards and 3,705 people to withdraw the Retained EU Law Bill (the tweeted their MP to ask them to bin the Bill. REUL Bill). Locally, 154 of you answered our call and Organisations such as the Wildlife Trust sent postcards to your MPs, whilst many movement, the RSPB, The National Trust, more of you clicked on our ‘Tweet your MP’ amongst others, called on the public to help button on our website. For these actions, stop thousands of crucial laws that help we thank you. This shows how incredible protect our wildlife from being wiped away. our members and wider communities are We asked you to tweet or write to and how much you care for the wildlife your MP, or to send them a pre-designed and the environment around you. Strength postcard, intended to land on their office in numbers will help us to protect and CEO of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Ed doormats, so they would hear our concerns enhance it. Green, was invited as key speaker at two “This shows how incredible our members and local climate change rallies in November. wider communities are and how much you care for He encouraged people to keep talking about these issues – to make it normal to care about wildlife and the environment. the wildlife and the environment around you.” He said we must no longer think about slowing the loss and protecting what remains. We need to bring wildlife back at scale and at pace, to help restore biodiversity, stabilise the climate, ensure food security, and protect our economy which depends on nature and not the other way around. Huge thanks go to all those who supported our campaign. It’s not too late to still do so. MPs voted in support of the REUL Bill in January, with 297 votes for and 238 against. But this is not the end. We will keep working with MPs and the government so they understand the implications of the Bill and can make the amendments we have all called for. #Defend Nature campaigner JO HUDSON You can still help - details on a recent march can be found on our website. Please don’t stop now, this is when it matters, and this is when we need you to make a difference. Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 17

IMAGE GALLERY YourWildlife ImagesEnjoy the latest photos sent in by our supporters! T here is beauty to be found Next time you’re visiting one of our Angel’s bonnet by Nick Wood in nature every day across nature reserves, take a moment to Warwickshire, Coventry pause and notice the wildlife around and Solihull, and many of you. If you’d like to share your photos our supporters are inspired by our please get in touch by emailing fantastic wild spaces. We’re thrilled [email protected] that so many talented photographers, Please always be respectful of our from with diverse backgrounds and precious wildlife and habitats when experiences, choose to share their taking photos. wildlife images with us. Brandon Marsh by Anne Patterson Male chaffinch by Mike Woods Blue tit by Mike Woods Murmuration by Anne Patterson Roe deer by Nick Wood Robin at Brandon Marsh by Luke Swinbourne 18 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

IMAGE GALLERY If you have wildlife photos or videos that you’d like to share you can email them to [email protected] or tag us on social media! Facebook.com/WarwickshireWT/ Twitter.com/wkwt Instagram.com/warwickshirewt Kingfisher by Dave Mount Egret by David Edwards Corvids at sunset by Andy Brough Butter cap by Nick Wood Badger on trailcam Jackdaw by Andy Brough by David Edwards Heron by Roger Saveker Fox and hedgehog by Neil Henson Field vole by Nick Wood Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 19

RESERVES The sights and sounds of spring Your guide on what to see and where, this spring B randon Marsh is a On the outskirts of Rugby, the The old spoil heap that forms part of fabulous wetland mile-long path at Ashlawn Cutting is our Bishop’s Hill nature reserve is reserve but also includes one of the best places to see the first home to a very special and rare meadows, scrub and flush of spring butterflies. The sunny butterfly – the small blue. Our smallest woodlands. It’s also one of very few banks and early flowers attract British butterfly, it is easily overlooked places in Warwickshire where you sulphur yellow brimstones, painted as it flies low over the vegetation, but could see all three UK woodpecker ladies and the unmistakable peacock a visit in mid-May should provide species. From late winter to early butterfly. In the spring, frogs, toads views, especially on a warm day. The spring listen out for the laughing call and smooth newts are also drawn to air will also be full of the buzzing of of green woodpeckers and the short the pools. Tadpoles and newt larvae crickets and grasshoppers. loud drumming of the great spotted may be seen hunting in the water woodpecker. If you are very lucky you before juveniles emerge later in the Many birds arrive back in the UK in may hear the longer quieter drum spring to disperse. the spring having wintered in warmer of the sparrow-sized lesser spotted climes. The warblers are one such woodpecker. In the spring, you may also hear the explosive call of the otherwise shy Cettis warbler and watch out for the tumbling display flight of lapwings over the islands. Wild garlic ROSS HODDINOTT/2020VISION 20 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

RESERVES Four-spotted MARK HAMBLIN/2020VISION chaser dragonfly ROSS HODDINOTT/2020VISION group and announce their arrival with other woodland species too such as Greater spotted woodpecker loud song. At Rough Hill Wood near nuthatch, tree creeper, great spotted summer shade. Clowes Wood, Redditch, blackcaps, chiff-chaff and woodpecker and sparrowhawk. Wappenbury Wood and Daffern’s willow warblers join the resident Wood host many species including thrushes, wrens and robins providing Spring is great for all of our wild garlic, stitchwort and anemones. the dawn chorus. Early May is when woodland reserves. Bluebells, These ancient woodland flowers are this reaches its peak and a very early primroses, celandines and many more an important nectar source for many morning visit will be duly rewarded. must flower early before the leafy species of insect and a stroll through the glades on a warm spring day will If you fancy a touch of the exotic, no doubt provide encounters with several species of bumblebee visiting “I love being here, listening to the sounds of the the blooms. birds. I never thought about all the wildlife that also live here. Now I feel like a part of it all.” Huge ravens breed at only a few locations in Warwickshire. On the how about a visit to Elmdon Manor in Ashlawn Cutting STEVE CHESHIRE outskirts of Stratford upon Avon they Solihull. Recent years have seen this nest in trees on the Welcombe Hills woodland and the adjacent parkland providing amazing views across the colonised by non-native ring-necked surrounding countryside. A visit in the parakeets. These dove-sized, vivid spring should result in views of noisy green birds nest early and will be family groups. Listen for the noisily squabbling over nest holes in distinctive cronking call and watch for late winter. By the spring they will aerobatic manoeuvres where they have young in the nest so take a look sometimes fly upside down. Little up into the trees before the leaves owls, kestrels and green woodpeckers obscure the view. It is a great site for also nest on the reserve. In the Leam Valley, our volunteers have been keeping invasive willow from the reedbeds near the river. This rare habitat is now supporting a range of dragonflies, amphibians, reed and sedge warblers as well as reed buntings. If you are lucky you may also hear the pig like squealing of a secretive water rail. Little egrets and kingfishers are also drawn to the stickleback and minnows that live amongst the reed stems. SUE STEWARD NEW LEAF IMAGES Bluebells Find out more about these nature reserves online: warwickshirewildlife trust.org.uk/nature- reserves Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 21

#DEFENDNATURE The climate and environment – are we making progress? An historic announcement, but there’s still a long way to go. 2 022 was declared the warmest only rise by 1.5 degrees to try and limit an historic global deal to protect nature year ever in the UK by the Met damage caused by climate change? There was agreed upon is a positive step in the Office. 2023 started with record were no big commitments or details right direction. The new Global Biodiversity breaking temperatures across announced by our government at COP27 to Framework, launched at COP15, means Europe. 2022 saw both COP27 (annual demonstrate our domestic commitments, that protecting 30% of land, sea and nature climate conference) and COP15 (biennial or indeed how nature-based solutions now becomes part of international law. biodiversity conference), both organised could help climate change. by the UN take place within weeks of The message is clear. We cannot each other, but are we making enough With COP15 following closely after, the start to protect our climate if we can’t progress at a fast enough pace? The UK is message that there is no climate stability, protect nature. currently one of the most nature-depleted resilience, or food security without nature nations in the world and COP27 bought the was widely recognised. Globally, we have However, on Thursday 5th January this focus back to climate adaptation. How are lost over 70% of our biodiversity since year the Government announced new we going to ensure global temperatures 1970 and in the UK almost one in 10 payments for farmers which have raised species are at risk of extinction. So to hear serious concerns as to the environmental outcomes. We need a stable climate Combine harvesting PAUL HARRIS2020VISION 22 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

#DEFENDNATURE to ensure our food security, but the JON HAWKINS/SURREY HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY ambitions of the Environmental Land Management schemes are low. As Craig Buff-tailed bumblebee As Ed Green, Bennett, Chief Executive of the Wildlife CEO of Warwickshire Trusts said: ‘Farmers need much more was not on track to meet any of its 23 Wildlife Trust says: support to adapt to climate change – they environmental targets set out in the Plan. need stronger incentives to do the right ‘We cannot hope to solve the climate thing – but today’s announcement will 30by30 crisis unless we put nature into mean less money for meaningful action.’ recovery, and we cannot hope to This 30% target is already firmly fix the ecological crisis unless we A long way to go embedded into Warwickshire Wildlife address the climate emergency. To be Trust’s 2030 strategy. We are committed better prepared, we need to do both.’ On 18th January, the Retained EU Law to leading the way in ensuring that 30% Bill had its third reading in the House of land in Warwickshire, Coventry and You can find out more of Commons. MPs voted in support of Solihull is in recovery, protected and about how The Wildlife the REUL Bill in January, with 297 votes connected for nature, by 2030. Trusts are working with for and 238 against. The Government’s climate change at the deregulation agenda has created an even Our #TeamWilder initiative will help front of the agenda, in greater sense of urgency, threatening us to reach 1 in 4 people, inspiring them our climate adaptation report existing protections which, if removed, to take action for nature. People in would see nature’s recovery fall even Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull can, Find out more about further behind. We will continue to put and are starting to make a difference Warwickshire Wildlife pressure on local MPs and therefore to their environments. People could Trust’s 2030 strategy here: the Government, by asking them to provide one-third of the cost-effective warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/ abandon the Retained EU Law Bill. If climate mitigation needed between Strategy we are to truly protect and enhance our now and 2030. You can find out more wildlife and the environment, then this about #TeamWilder and how to help Bill which threatens to erase thousands here: warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/ of current laws that protect nature needs teamwilder to be scrapped. You can read more about what we have been doing as part of the #DefendNature campaign and how you can still help to make a difference on page 17 of this magazine and online: warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/ defendnature Then came the announcement on 23rd January that the Government had announced, for the third year running, it will allow the use of the banned pesticide thiamethoxam – a type of neonicotinoid – on sugar beet in England in 2023. This is devastating news for our pollinators, especially bees. How does this equate to protecting nature? On 31st January, the Government published its Environmental Improvement Plan, setting out how they plan to achieve their manifesto commitment to ‘deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on Earth.’ There are now seven years left to achieve this by 2030 and there’s a long, long way to go. Due to the legally binding targets passed under the Environment act, this Environment Improvement Plan must make sure nature can recover. Recently however, the Office for Environmental Protection warned that the Government Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 23

MEMBERSHIP Everything we do is thanks to you! Your spring update from our Membership Team Thank you for your support! Your Membership cards may be enclosed Thank you so much for your continued support for Warwickshire’s To continue reducing the wildlife in such challenging times. We know everyone is feeling Trust’s carbon footprint and the pressure of rising bills and food prices, so making the reduce our postage costs, we decision to give to charity at this time may be a difficult one. have enclosed your monthly Wildlife has its challenges ahead too and your contributions direct debit membership are more valued now than ever. Your membership is vital to our renewal card(s). If you pay your ongoing work to put nature into recovery. Thank you. membership subscription by a monthly direct debit and your Can you recommend us? renewal is due in April, May, June, July, or August your card(s) will be enclosed. The date on your current card may overlap, so I have been working for Warwickshire Wildlife please start using the card enclosed and recycle your current Trust for almost 17 years and one of the best one. If you have not received your cards with your magazine, parts of my role as Membership Services please contact the membership team on 024 7630 8972 Manager is looking after our wonderful or email [email protected] to let us know. members. Your passion for nature and commitment to protecting our local wildlife inspires me. I also The Summer magazine will have monthly renewal cards love welcoming new members to the Trust, who become part of for the renewal months of September, October, November, our wildlife family. Over the years, I have noticed many of our new December, January and February. supporters come from recommendations from our loyal members like yourself. Thank you. March monthly subscription and all annual direct debit If you know of someone who loves wildlife and spending payers will receive their cards by post, within the month time in nature, why not introduce them to Warwickshire they are due for renewal. Wildlife Trust and encourage them to become members too? This will help us with our new strategy of getting more AGM Announcement people on natures side. Please direct them to our website warwickshirewildlifetrsut.org.uk/join Save the date for the 2023 AGM. Date: 20th June Donna Hook Time: 7 – 8.30pm Membership Services Manager Location: Occulus at Warwick University Peregrine Watch is back for 2023 This year our AGM will be spotlighting species reintroductions from across the UK, with talks from The peregrine team will be back on their Derbyshire WildlifeTrust about the return of beavers to telescopes at Regent Grove, Leamington Spa Willington Wetlands, Kent WildlifeTrust on their amazing between 10am & 3.30pm on the following dates: bison project and Warwickshire WildlifeTrust on the dormice now thriving in our woodlands. n April: 15th & 29th n May: 13th & 27th Find out more and book your place: n June 10th & 11th warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/AGM NICK UPTON Find out more BERTIE GREGORY2020VISION about the Leamington peregrine falcons here: warwickshire wildlifetrust.org. uk/peregrine Juvenile peregrine falcon 24 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

LEGACIES Celebrate the life of a loved one Make a lasting dedication whilst supporting Warwickshire’s Wildlife W e know that Brandon Centre, for which you can purchase a Marsh is held dear to so brass acorn plaque, engraved with the many of our supporters. wording of your choice, to be added to the We receive numerous tree or sent directly to you. requests each year for memorial benches and individual tree planting, in memory or Both are available for a minimum celebration of a loved one. Sadly, we are donation of £250. Your donation will help no longer able to accommodate further support the Trust to protect wildlife on benches or tree planting at Brandon Marsh. our nature reserves. In 2019 we introduced a beautiful If you would like more dedication tree at Brandon Marsh to information on our brass oak allow people to remember a loved one, leaf or acorn memory and celebration celebrate a birth, or mark a special plaques, or to find other ways to occasion. You can purchase a brass oak remember a loved one, please contact leaf plaque, engraved with the wording of me: Donna Hook, Membership Services your choice. This can be added to the tree, Manager 024 7630 8972 or sent directly to you to be displayed in [email protected] your own special place. warwickshirewildlifetrust.org. uk/legacy/dedictions Last year we commissioned a wall- sculpted dedication tree at the Parkridge ANDY ROUSE/2020VISION Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 25

LANDSCAPE RECOVERY New project seeks to restore historic North Warwickshire river ‘Blythe Alive Again’ will enhance 140 hectares for wildlife, from Solihull to Coleshill T he River Blythe was and large-scale sand and gravel funding from the Environment Agency regarded as ‘gentle and extraction in the early 1900s. The and Severn Trent Water, the Tame merry’ by the Anglo-Saxon river’s wildlife populations have Valley Wetlands team will work on settlers who named it suffered greatly as a result. What was ‘Blythe Alive Again’, a project to help more than 1000 years ago. A special once considered good water and the River Blythe return to its cheerful and rare habitat, the River Blythe Site industry management is now self, full of wildlife and one of the key of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) understood to have had negative corridors for nature in our region! The has been recognised for its diversity of landscape and for the variety of “Amphibians, mammals, fish, invertebrates species it supports. Despite this it remains, like many rivers in Britain, in and key pollinators will all benefit from an unfavourable condition. improvements to these watery environments.” Considerable changes have been made throughout the River Blythe’s impacts on our homes and wildlife River Blythe begins near Earlswood history including obstructions such as habitats in the form of flooding, loss Lakes in Solihull and travels generally weirs, straightening of the channel of soil, and barriers to fish migration, northwards, taking many meanders and the influx of invasive non-native to name just a few. This historic until it reaches the River Tame near species. The landscape has been natural landscape would be Coleshill. Being located on the urban scarred repeatedly over the years, unrecognisable now to those who fringe of Birmingham and Solihull, the from the pollution released by gave the Blythe its name. river is currently under a lot of Victorian industry, to power stations pressure from numerous transport But all is not lost. With generous ANDREW APANASIONOK Macroinvertabrate surveying 26 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

LANDSCAPE RECOVERY Beautiful damselfly JON HAWKINS/SURREY HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREW APANASIONOK LUKE MASSEY/2020VISIONroutes and developments in theseenhancing biodiversity, the project willWetland scrapes areas. However the river also flows help rehabilitate the landscape and through large rural areas, offering repair the ecosystem.Amphibians, achieve more for nature. great opportunities for improving the mammals, fish, invertebrates and key The River Blythe is located on the landscape via reconnection of the pollinators will all benefit from river to the floodplain and re- improvements to these watery urban fringe of Birmingham and naturalisation of critical areas. environments. Solihull. It is currently under a lot of Restoring the natural processes of the pressure from numerous transport landscape will result in better quality Achieving such an ambitious routes and developments in these greenspaces for wildlife and people. project across a large area areas. Our project forms part of the necessitates collaboration with many larger River Blythe Restoration Plan Over the next five years more than different people. A partnership of which ultimately aims to improve the 140 hectares will be restored for local landowners and stakeholders, ecology of the River Blythe SSSI, wildlife, contributing to the Trust’s the Environment Agency, Severn bringing it back to a favourable vision of 30% of land being in Trent Water, Natural England and local condition. It is vital we continue to recovery for nature by 2030. authorities, along with leadership work with partners on a robust river Woodlands, hedgerows, wildflower from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, will restoration plan that is sustainable meadows, river banks, ponds, entire make sure that the right actions are and functional in the long term. The habitats and wildlife corridors will all taken in the right places. Our first River Blythe has the potential to be a be restored at a landscape scale. By steps have been to visit key areas of refuge for a huge range of wildlife; the creating more varied wetland habitats, the river to identify potential activities planned during this project reducing pollution, reinstating the improvements. We have developed and beyond will help protect it against natural shape and flow of the river, plans alongside landowners, utilising climate change and biodiversity loss. If managing invasive species and specialist and local knowledge to you’d like to visit the River Blythe there ensure our work delivers are some beautiful walks from Brueton Otter improvements needed to support the Park in Solihull, or see where it joins whole river ecosystem while also the River Tame at Whitacre Heath recognising the important role nature reserve and the Tame Valley. agriculture plays in our economy and food security. Working with local Find out more about the project communities via citizen-science at tamevalleywetlands.co.uk/ surveying will help us monitor our blythe-alive-again-2022 progress over the course of the project, and understand how our work makes a lasting difference into the future. Collaboration is essential to Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 27

LANDSCAPE RECOVERY Five years of achievements for wildlife! Dunsmore Living Landscape - we’ve achieved so much with NLHF funding! L ast summer, after five years None of this would have been possible maintenance of the project over the next CREDIT PTES, CLARE PENGELLY and countless achievements for without generous support from the five years. We’re also thrilled to announce wildlife, part of our Dunsmore National Lottery Heritage Fund. With the scheme has secured new funding from Living Landscape project came their help we have worked to enhance National Highways’ Network for Nature to an end. We have achieved so much and improve the landscape between east fund to improve biodiversity at several sites since 2017; from restoring over 20km Coventry, north Leamington Spa and the across the project area - which has been of hedgerows, planting three hectares Fosse Way, whilst enthusing local people expanded to include Rugby too. We look of new woodland, improving over 23 about the natural and man-made heritage forward to working with new landowners hectares of grassland, reintroducing on their doorstep. Led by the Trust, the on this until March 2025! endangered hazel dormice in two Dunsmore partnership has grown to locations, running community, school include more organisations working to Our thanks also go to players of the and youth engagement sessions, to make space for nature and has forged new National Lottery, who have made the last enabling four trainees to undertake year- connections in the area. Thank you to all five fantastic years possible. long placements within the team. the partners who have worked with us over the last five years. Dormouse We’ve improved our information at several sites in the Dunsmore area and So much of what we have achieved was installed two fabulous straight-tusked helped by the hard work and dedication of elephant sculptures at Ryton Pools to help our Dunsmore volunteers, whether they people discover the history of the area. were planting thousands of hedge plants, surveying hedgerows and grasslands We’ve found rare moths for the first or monitoring the hazel dormice which time in years. We’ve explored new areas continue to breed and disperse across their and discovered wildlife wonders. We’ve new homes. Thank you! sat on newly-installed benches to soak up the nature that surrounds them. We’ve National Lottery Heritage Fund had a blast! will continue to support our ongoing Hedge laying OFFSHOOTS PHOTOGRAPHY 28 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

LANDSCAPE RECOVERY New trail brings Wolston Quarry to life Trust partnership wins UK Community Project Award for heritage communication work! W e’re used to seeing Shakespeare’s Avon Way and the which could feature on the boards. informative signs and circular Coventry Way trail. The finished boards were placed along posters at industrial the public footpath to create a ‘Living sites which have been Together with Wolston St Margaret’s Quarry Trail’. The project was entered into restored for wildlife, such as Brandon Headteacher, Julia McLeod, we believed Heidelberg Cement’s Quarry Life Award Marsh, but we rarely see anything at the site was the perfect place to inform and won in the UK Community Stream active sites. Recently, this changed when pupils and local people about the site category! the Trust collaborated with Wolston St and the quarry process. There are many Margaret school and Smiths Concrete benefits of smaller quarries supplying The award included a cash prize which to create an informative trail at Wolston local construction projects which could was split between the Trust and Wolston Quarry and Wolston Fields Nature be showcased, and it would be a chance St Margaret’s school. Seeing the value Reserve. to promote some of the interesting in creating and improving information at archaeological finds which link the site to sites like Wolston Quarry, making links Wolston Quarry is a diverse site the history of the local area. between the quarrying sector and the within the Dunsmore Living Landscape. local community, we are now looking Some areas are to be surveyed by Working closely with Stuart Parker, towards other locations which may archaeologists for historic finds, other Quarry Manager for Smiths Concrete, benefit from a similar project. parts are still being quarried. There are we produced three information boards areas which have been restored back to showcase the history of the site, For more to farmland and a new nature reserve the quarry process and the restoration managed by the Trust. All of this with of Wolston Fields Nature Reserve for information, visit a public footpath through the middle, wildlife. warwickshirewildlife part of the popular Centenary Way, trust.org.uk/dunsmore- Last year, Year 6 pupils visited the site living-landscape and were tasked with producing notes Quarry RACHAEL CREW award Wolston Fields Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023 29

WOOD ANEMONES © MARK HAMBLIN/2020VISION 6 places to see woodland wildflowers 30 Wild Warwickshire | Spring 2023

hen it comes to woodland wildflowers, See the spectacle there’s one plant that hogs the headlines – and it’s easy to see why! for yourself Bluebells are undeniably beautiful, carpeting the forest floor in a swaying sea of violet-blue 1 Straidkilly, Ulster Wildlife petals.They flower around April and can be an As well as the usual collection of beautiful spring indication that you’re standing in an ancient wildflowers, including bluebells, this secluded woodland woodland. But they aren’t the only wildflowers is home to some stranger plant life.You could spot three that grace our woodlands each spring.You could species of parasitic plant: toothwort, bird’s-nest orchid, find the ground coated with wild garlic, scenting and yellow bird’s-nest. the air with that unmistakable aroma, or wood Where: Carnlough, BT44 0LQ anemones with star-shaped flowers balanced atop long slender stalks. Combine these 2 Hetchell Wood, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust colourful carpets with the soundtrack of singing This tranquil retreat on the edge of Leeds comes alive with birds and you have an idyllic spring scene. wildflowers in spring.There are carpets of bluebells, wood anemones, and wild garlic. Look out for the pink towers of toothwort, a strange parasitic plant. Where: Near Wetherby, LS14 3AL 3 Roundton Hill, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust Many people visit for the invigorating hike to the hill’s summit and its breathtaking panoramic vistas, but each spring the woodland on Roundton’s lower slopes becomes swathed in glorious spring flowers, from pretty lesser celandine in March to luminous bluebells in May. Where: Near Churchstoke in Powys, SY15 6EL 4 Snitterfield Bushes, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Visit to enjoy the exquisite displays of bugle and primrose as well as the classic carpet of bluebells.You might also see herb-paris, fragrant agrimony, columbine, meadow saffron or bird’s-nest orchid. Where: Stratford-on-Avon CV37 0JH 5 Shadwell Wood, Essex Wildlife Trust The oxlip is a precious gem in a treasure trove of wildflowers gracing the floor of this ancient woodland in north-west Essex. Oxlips are only found in a few pockets of woodland in the UK, where their beautiful clusters of yellow flowers can be seen popping up in April. Where: Saffron Waldon, CB10 2NB 6 Lower Woods, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust One of the largest ancient woodlands in the south-west, rich in wildflowers like bluebells, wild garlic, and wood anemones. As well as early purple and greater butterfly orchids, keep an eye out for the understated flowers of herb-Paris. Where: Near Wickwar, GL9 1BX Did you spot any wildflowers? We’d love to know how your search went. Please tweet us your best photos! @WKWT

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