Wildlife and Conservation News for March

Kempshott Conservation Group

On Down Grange Meadow we have been at work along the Insect Walk, the path that runs close to the A30 Winchester Road from the Down Grange Park entrance to Homesteads Road, adjacent to St Mark’s Church.  During warm, sunny days in the spring and summer months many butterflies, other insects and birds, oblivious to the roar of the nearby traffic, can be seen, attracted to the shelter and food that can be found in the vicinity of the path.

Over the years, the beech trees that line the path have grown many low branches.  These have prevented the trees from growing upwards and the shade they give when in leaf has stopped the undergrowth from fully developing.  To try and deal with these two problems, we have removed the low branches to about head height.  The increased light at ground level should allow the undergrowth to spread and, in turn, encourage an even greater variety of wildlife.  The branches removed now form a habitat pile not far from the Down Grange Park entrance.

At the Old Hedgerow you may be wondering why we have dug a shallow channel along the hedge on the Coniston Road footpath side.  This is to mark the boundary for grass cutting and to prevent the Council’s mowers from accidentally damaging the wild flowers and young hedgerow shrubs that we are trying to establish.

It is disappointing to report that there have been further instances of garden rubbish, including old flower pots, etc. being dumped in the hedgerow, which we have had to remove.  We urge residents to ensure that they dispose of their rubbish responsibly and not leave it for us to deal with.

Our Work Party programme for March and April is:-.

Group contact

Marion Wolstencroft: (01256) 470171

Email: kempshott-conserve@tiscali.co.uk

Old Down & Beggarwood Wildlife Group

Hedgerow Management & Birds

Since the wildlife group was formed we have been trying to persuade the Borough to manage our hedge along the A30 in a wildlife friendly way, so far without success. This can be achieved for example, by letting a hedge grow higher and by cutting some parts of a hedge in alternate years or in Spring rather than Autumn so that there are always some berries for birds. This Autumn one of our bird recorders checked the Old Down hedge that runs parallel with the A30 for nests. Some 200 metres had no nests. In just 4 metres of hedge left uncut due to a road sign being in the way of the tractor driver there were 3 nests. We need to manage our urban areas differently if we want to hear birds, see butterflies and experience more colour.

First Flower

It is always a joy to see the first flower on Old Down and I noticed our single Gorse shrub flowering on January 27^th. We would like to see just a little more gorse in the same vicinity. If you see a young plant, please let us know.

Farm Animals

This year with help from Cllr Rita Burgess and Hampshire County Council we will be holding a Farm Animal Day with a selection of different animals on Sunday September 4^th. We also want people to think about how farming has changed, eliminating the wildflower meadows and the pastures that sustained our domestic animals and our wildlife all year. Today, specially bred high production herds feed on heavily fertilised monoculture grass, with little wildlife, and intensively produced foodstuffs. What affect is this having on our food as well as our wildlife?

Bumble Bees

Bumble Bees and Honey Bees have experienced significant losses in recent years and if we don’t want to end up pollinating our own fruit trees and soft fruit we need to reverse the losses. Two Kempshott people have recently joined us to record and study Bumble Bee behaviour. This will enable us to understand which species we have and how we might improve habitat conditions for them.  We also plan to start recording bats this year. If you are interested in bats why not contact us? If you know of someone interested, ask them to contact us.

Receive the Old Down Newsletter?

We produce an e- newsletter several times a year.  If you are interested to learn more about what we do then just ask to be added to our circulation list. It’s free and there are no obligations, we just want people to take an interest in our wildlife. Email: paul_beevers@tiscali.co.uk