Berks, Bucks And Oxon Wildlife Trust - Bbowt

Well done to all our photo competition winners ūüĎŹūüĎŹūüĎŹ
Take a look at their wonderful photos here: bbowt.org.uk/…/winning-entries-bbowts-p hotography-competiti…

Have you seen a rainbow of fungi this month?
bbowt.org.uk/blog/kate-titford/have-you-s een-rainbow-fungi

Making a log pile in your garden is a wonderful way to help wildlife. They are perfect hiding places for insects, and make a buffet for birds, frogs and hedgehogs too.
bbowt.org.uk/actions/how-make-log-shelter

Searching for harvest mice nests out in the rain at Duxford Old River.
An adult harvest mouse only weighs 7g, so these fragile looking nests can easily support them.

Lots of wonderful fungi this month ūüćĄ We'd love to see what mushrooms you've spotted recently.

October is a great time to spot the beautiful and vibrant canary-shouldered thorn moth.

There was a sense of hope for the future of wildlife at the BBOWT Conference, The Future for a Wilder Britain, today.
It was wonderful to hear Isabella Tree from Knepp Estate and Professor Alastair Driver, Specialist Advisor for Rewilding Britain, speak about their work letting nature take the lead on a grand scale.
Rewilding can work together with traditional nature conservation to provide space for nature to stretch out, and help the landscape and our wildlife to recover ūüĆ≥ūüćÉ

DYK...The hawfinch has such a powerful bill it can crush a cherry stone, earning its scientific name Coccothraustes (kernel-crusher)

Congratulations to Lithumi who completed her Wildlife Watch Nature Ranger Award and wrote this wonderful blog ūüĎŹ
You can read it here: bbowt.org.uk/…/lithumi-nimth…/complet ing-nature-ranger-award

The Latin name of the jay, Garrulus glandarius, roughly translates as 'chattering acorn gatherer'
Have you seen one collecting acorns this month?

Short-eared owls fly south this month, arriving from more northerly parts of the UK and Scandinavia. Amazing to think of this graceful bird crossing the churning waters of the North Sea.

Did you know, over 900 species of fungus have been recorded at Warburg Nature Reserve? Join fungi expert Peter Creed this Sunday to see some of the wonderful variety - Sun 7 Oct, 10.30 - 12.30

In the 1970s, otters were dangerously close to extinction in the UK. Thanks to hard work to clean up our rivers and restore their riverbank homes, otters can now be found in every single river in the UK, including the Thames.
Video by Henry Manisty

It's rare to get such a good long look at a kingfisher - usually you see them as a bright blue flash you hardly have time to notice before it's gone.
Video by Henry Manisty.

This very rare and pristine small copper butterfly with blue spots on its wings was found on our Seven Barrows nature reserve.
It is known as the caeruleopunctata form.
Photo by Liz Saunders, who spotted it in August.
... @ukbutterflies @UpperThamesBC @savebutterflies
See More

The number of dormice has declined by more than a third since 2000 across many places in Britain. Help them recover by donating today: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/dorm ice
The damage to or complete loss of woodland and hedgerows and the decline of coppicing are all responsible for the decreasing populations of dormice. We are fundraising to support our vital work restoring their precious woodland habitats so that they can thrive once more.
Video by Gerald Kingfishers.

Would you like to look after beautiful Warburg Nature Reserve?
We are recruiting for a full time warden. You would look after this wonderful 107 hectare mosaic of beech woodland and chalk grassland, along with nearby Hartslock and Warren Bank. Accommodation may be available to the successful candidate on a short or long term basis.
Details here: https://www.bbowt.org.uk/jobs/warburg-war den

This time last week, we went to London to walk for our missing wildlife. It was an overcast but uplifting day. @Gordon_McGlone wrote a lovely piece about the day: https://www.bbowt.org.uk/‚Ķ/gordon-mcg‚Ä ¶/peoples-walk-wildlife

BREAKING NEWS
Today we launched a legal challenge against the government for their failure to follow due process with the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway proposal.
We believe the lack of a Strategic Environmental Assessment goes against EU law and puts wildlife at risk.
... It is time to speak up for the environment.
https://www.bbowt.org.uk/…/bbowt-launch es-legal-challenge-a…
See More

recently joined. today has been great. went to hartslock this morning had a great tour of the site and the afternoon at snelsmore at a beginners event,

staff are knowledgeable enthusiastic and friendly. reserves are wonderful places to visit. looking forward to getting involved in some volunteering.

awesome

We just spent the most lovely day at wooley firs in maindenhead. We followed your eggsplorers trail and both children and adults had a great time. The kids also thoroughly enjoyed all the craft activities etc in the Center and all of the staff were fantastic with them. Thankyou for a great day out X

Thank you college lake, Erin really enjoyed yesterday's pond dipping and is full of Information that she's happily sharing with everyone.

Long standing member great organisation excellent work

Just spent a lovely afternoon at the Letcombe Valley nature reserve open day. The children enjoyed bughunting and seeing newts, moths, voles and a rescued grass snake. The activities on offer were excellent - including making a nest box and wild crafts, sweepnetting. We did not have time to do it all unfortunately. Lots of butterflies there too.

It is so important that we all do our bit to maintain the habitat to ensure future generations enjoy what we have taken as normal. Hedgehogs in Banbury garden on a nightly basis ,what a treasure.

I have recently been getting involved in the Volunteer Work Parties around the Newbury and Greenham areas, started last week infact. So far I've been involved in two differing sessions where of which I was introduced to the "regulars" of who have been doing various forms of conservation voluntary work for years on select dates weekly.



I just wanted to speak up and state just how communicative, professional and empathetic to the natural world the Trust is. A lot of environmental groups / communities do a lot of talking (I've had my ear nagged off repeatedly through various "seminars" and "meetings", a headache I do not miss) while doing little that actually makes a difference, hands on.



But with the BBOWT I have witnessed first hand that "hands on" can almost define the Trust. The people who act as staff for the trust are accommodating, professional and passionate about what they do. They will try their best to accommodate for you with the work parties, with your own physical needs and limitations. It of course does help to be fit and healthy with some of the more "hands on" work but they keep an eye out on you, safety is their number one concern with everyone involved and they are well prepared to cater for complications that may arise.



Similarly those who volunteer for the work parties for the BBOWT are genuine, like-minded, caring individuals who have a profound and sincere love for the environment and the wildlife around Berkshire and the surrounding area. I spent several hours clearing pathways through a part of Greenham Common with a group adding up to 15 differing individuals of various ages and physical ability armed with nothing more than shovels, garden brooms and love for the natural world. They made sure I felt welcome and was well equipped to cater for the work they were doing be it tools or tea and biscuits. I was well briefed with any safety precautions and was put through a risk assessment, to ensure that I was 100% on board with everything that was going on and what could potentially go wrong. I just want to comment here that a lot got done. We had several dog walking individuals come by and thank us face to face for the work we were doing, they commented just how effectively the job we were doing was shaping together.



For those looking to perhaps expand their horizons, be it learning new skills, perhaps just filling up some time or perhaps just branching outwards to meet new people of who have a clear interest in conservation; I couldn't recommend enough giving the BBOWT voluntary work parties a try. It's great exercise and is set in great locations, done alongside genuine people. Where you can literally see how your work can influence the environment around you for the better. You will feel satisfied knowing that you did your bit with the sweat of your brow and had a good time of it.

Found Dry Sandford pit nature reserve by accident, beautiful can't wait to return and explore more

Enjoyed our first visit to Chimney Meadows this afternoon. Even though it was very misty it is such a beautiful peaceful spot. We'll definitely be back!

Brilliant organisation! Worth every penny.

Why is it you sell the rights to a third party company that sell the spaces to shoot Deer on your reservses, basically "Trophy Hunters" as the Deer are been encouraged in with feed to be shot.

I understand the Deer numbers need to be managed but you allow the best Bucks and Dose' to be shot only leaving the lower quality Bucks and Dose's . By doing this you are only weakening the gene pool leaving the old and less attractive Deer and as you say your aim is about concervation I just can't understand your school of thought.

I wonder if BBOWT has really taken on board just how much damage can be done to a charity by inappropriate fund raising. I just had a chap at the door, after dark and uninvited, who got as far as "I'm not a salesman I'm from BBOWT ..." before realising just how unwelcome he was and going on his way. There are so many deserving causes after the 5% of my income I give to charity and I'm certainly not going to give to those using such intrusive methods!

I am very disappointed in BBOWT and its lack of involvement or action in protecting CS Lewis Nature Reserve. A planning application is in place please go to Oxford City Council planning page (Reference 16/02549/FUL) that is requesting housing to be built adjacent to the site with road access and parking lot. I contacted BBOWT and was told that they are still considering their response: Why? The OCC deadline is next week and discussions and campaigns have been on going for months. There has been absolutely no communication forth coming from BBOWT, nor is there any sign that they have they contributed to the preliminary ecological assessment which was poorly done. Mr Beecher (the applicant) wrote that the nature reserved is 'unloved' well BBOWT it certainly appears that way judging by your lack of input. K Welch

recently joined. today has been great. went to hartslock this morning had a great tour of the site and the afternoon at snelsmore at a beginners event,

staff are knowledgeable enthusiastic and friendly. reserves are wonderful places to visit. looking forward to getting involved in some volunteering.

awesome

We just spent the most lovely day at wooley firs in maindenhead. We followed your eggsplorers trail and both children and adults had a great time. The kids also thoroughly enjoyed all the craft activities etc in the Center and all of the staff were fantastic with them. Thankyou for a great day out X

Thank you college lake, Erin really enjoyed yesterday's pond dipping and is full of Information that she's happily sharing with everyone.

Long standing member great organisation excellent work

Just spent a lovely afternoon at the Letcombe Valley nature reserve open day. The children enjoyed bughunting and seeing newts, moths, voles and a rescued grass snake. The activities on offer were excellent - including making a nest box and wild crafts, sweepnetting. We did not have time to do it all unfortunately. Lots of butterflies there too.

It is so important that we all do our bit to maintain the habitat to ensure future generations enjoy what we have taken as normal. Hedgehogs in Banbury garden on a nightly basis ,what a treasure.

I have recently been getting involved in the Volunteer Work Parties around the Newbury and Greenham areas, started last week infact. So far I've been involved in two differing sessions where of which I was introduced to the "regulars" of who have been doing various forms of conservation voluntary work for years on select dates weekly.



I just wanted to speak up and state just how communicative, professional and empathetic to the natural world the Trust is. A lot of environmental groups / communities do a lot of talking (I've had my ear nagged off repeatedly through various "seminars" and "meetings", a headache I do not miss) while doing little that actually makes a difference, hands on.



But with the BBOWT I have witnessed first hand that "hands on" can almost define the Trust. The people who act as staff for the trust are accommodating, professional and passionate about what they do. They will try their best to accommodate for you with the work parties, with your own physical needs and limitations. It of course does help to be fit and healthy with some of the more "hands on" work but they keep an eye out on you, safety is their number one concern with everyone involved and they are well prepared to cater for complications that may arise.



Similarly those who volunteer for the work parties for the BBOWT are genuine, like-minded, caring individuals who have a profound and sincere love for the environment and the wildlife around Berkshire and the surrounding area. I spent several hours clearing pathways through a part of Greenham Common with a group adding up to 15 differing individuals of various ages and physical ability armed with nothing more than shovels, garden brooms and love for the natural world. They made sure I felt welcome and was well equipped to cater for the work they were doing be it tools or tea and biscuits. I was well briefed with any safety precautions and was put through a risk assessment, to ensure that I was 100% on board with everything that was going on and what could potentially go wrong. I just want to comment here that a lot got done. We had several dog walking individuals come by and thank us face to face for the work we were doing, they commented just how effectively the job we were doing was shaping together.



For those looking to perhaps expand their horizons, be it learning new skills, perhaps just filling up some time or perhaps just branching outwards to meet new people of who have a clear interest in conservation; I couldn't recommend enough giving the BBOWT voluntary work parties a try. It's great exercise and is set in great locations, done alongside genuine people. Where you can literally see how your work can influence the environment around you for the better. You will feel satisfied knowing that you did your bit with the sweat of your brow and had a good time of it.

Found Dry Sandford pit nature reserve by accident, beautiful can't wait to return and explore more

Enjoyed our first visit to Chimney Meadows this afternoon. Even though it was very misty it is such a beautiful peaceful spot. We'll definitely be back!

Brilliant organisation! Worth every penny.

Why is it you sell the rights to a third party company that sell the spaces to shoot Deer on your reservses, basically "Trophy Hunters" as the Deer are been encouraged in with feed to be shot.

I understand the Deer numbers need to be managed but you allow the best Bucks and Dose' to be shot only leaving the lower quality Bucks and Dose's . By doing this you are only weakening the gene pool leaving the old and less attractive Deer and as you say your aim is about concervation I just can't understand your school of thought.

I wonder if BBOWT has really taken on board just how much damage can be done to a charity by inappropriate fund raising. I just had a chap at the door, after dark and uninvited, who got as far as "I'm not a salesman I'm from BBOWT ..." before realising just how unwelcome he was and going on his way. There are so many deserving causes after the 5% of my income I give to charity and I'm certainly not going to give to those using such intrusive methods!

I am very disappointed in BBOWT and its lack of involvement or action in protecting CS Lewis Nature Reserve. A planning application is in place please go to Oxford City Council planning page (Reference 16/02549/FUL) that is requesting housing to be built adjacent to the site with road access and parking lot. I contacted BBOWT and was told that they are still considering their response: Why? The OCC deadline is next week and discussions and campaigns have been on going for months. There has been absolutely no communication forth coming from BBOWT, nor is there any sign that they have they contributed to the preliminary ecological assessment which was poorly done. Mr Beecher (the applicant) wrote that the nature reserved is 'unloved' well BBOWT it certainly appears that way judging by your lack of input. K Welch