Essex Biodiversity Project

One of the biggest threats to biodiversity is climate change. We all contribute to this, but what can we do?

Take part in Earth Hour on March 27th by turning your lights off for an hour at 8.30 p.m.

See the WWF website for further information

http://www.panda.org/how_you_can_help/earth_hour/

Thorndon County Park (North)

Thursday 29th April 2010

Meet 7.30pm at The Countryside Centre

Thordon County  Park (South) 

Friday 30th April 2010

Meet 7.30pm at the South Pavillion Cafe

Come along to one or both ! 

FREE EVENTS

 

Directions:

http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/ECCWebsite/content/binaries/documents/Country_Parks/Thorndon_Map_.pdf?channelOid=null
 

Two bat surveys of Thorndon Country Park in Brentwood, Essex (in partnership with Essex County Council Ranger Service). This beautiful park is a mosaic of open grasslands, hedgerows, wood pasture,  ancient and secondary woodland with plenty of veteran trees, a lake and ponds with lots of potential for a variety of bat species. Previous surveys have been very successful with plenty of bat activity. You will be contributing to important annual survey work of the park. The evenings are suitable for all those with Frequency Division and /or Time Expansion detectors and recorders who wish to gain more experience in field survey techniques. Those with Heterodyne detectors or just a general interest in bats are also very welcome. Please bring a torch, waterproof clothing, wear stout waterproof footwear and bring your own refreshments if you wish.
 

Email  Graham Hart thehart@btinternet.com  or call on 07918 146 234 to register your interest


 

If you are interested in participating and learning more about surveying for amphibians the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS).has is a training event scheduled on Saturday 20th March at Writtle College in Chelmsford . The training is being delivered by The Essex Amphibian and Reptile Group, a very active voluntary group in the county.

All the details are set out below and there is a link to the website where you can find out more about NARRS. Registration details below.

http://www.narrs.org.uk/training_narrs.html

ESSEX AMPHIBIAN SURVEYS FOR NARRS

Run by Essex ARG

THE WRITTLE ROOM, WRITTLE COLLEGE, ESSEX, Saturday 20th March

Location/Direction: http://www.writtle.ac.uk/pdfs/5/Writtle_College_Map.pdf

http://www.writtle.ac.uk/pdfs/5/Writtle%20College%20Campus%20Maps.pdf

(The Writtle Room is in the Essex Conference Suite, which is located at point number 8 on the map. Delegates should follow signage to the Essex Conference Suite and to Student Parking).

Agenda

2.00 Meet / Informal introductions

2.15. Introduction to NARRS

2.30 Amphibian Surveys – Methodology

3.30 Break ( please bring own tea/coffees)

4.00 Amphibian Surveys – Methodology

5.00 Q and A

Break for food ( delegates will need to bring own food or arrange meal locally) . (Pub grub available in Writtle village).

7.00 pm Evening workshop surveying grounds of Writtle College for amphibians

To reserve a place please email essex_arg@hotmail.com (that is essex(underscore)arg@hotmail.com) or call Graham Hart 07918 146234 or Ray Cranfield on 01702 540600.

2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations – the year that celebrates the diversity of life on Earth, including every plant, animal and micro-organism.

The Essex Biodiversity Project is one of over 200 IYB2010 partners ranging from universities, media organisations and museums to theatre companies and artists. They have come together to promote the understanding of biodiversity during the International Year of Biodiversity.

This year is your chance to learn more about the rich tapestry of life around you, discover why it’s important for a healthy environment and get involved in monitoring and conserving your local wildlife.

We'd like everyone in Essex to do one simple thing to preserve biodiversity. There are suggested ideas on the International Year of Biodiversity website at,

http://www.biodiversityislife.net/?q=do-one-thing

Have a go!

For a wide ranging review of Biodiversity in Crisis 150 years on from Darwin's Origin of Species, see this special edition of 'Nature' magazine here

Each year, the Essex Biodiversity Project (EBP) presents its Quality of Life award and we are looking for this years winner.

This award is open to any individual, group or organisation active within Essex who in the opinion of the EBP steering group deserves to be recognised for their outstanding contribution to enhancing and promoting biodiversity.

In 2009 the Essex Biodiversity Project were delighted to present the award to the Friends of Tiptree Heath for their tireless work

Last year, what so impressed the EBP Steering Group is how the Friends harnessed the professional conservation community – Natural England, The Essex Biodiversity Project, Essex Wildlife Trust, Colchester Borough Council and others to help them deliver their vision for the heath as a thriving area for wildlife and the people of Tiptree. The Friends took on the very difficult project of introducing grazing to the heath (a SSSI and a registered common) and explained and educated users of the heath over several years. The Friends have a very long standing commitment to the site and have worked tirelessly on the heath for many years with weekly work parties – clearing paths and scrub, working with and connecting everyone to ‘their’ heath and celebrating the site with the annual heath fair.

With the Quality of Life Award trophy comes £500 as a contribution to support the recipients ongoing work.

The deadline for entries is Friday 16^th of July. The EBP steering group meets on 5^th of August to consider the nominations and the 2010 winner will be informed shortly afterwards.

The award will be presented at the Essex Biodiversity Celebration meeting held at the Wat Tyler Environment Centre, Basildon on Friday the 12^th of November 2010 with an invited audience from the Essex nature conservation community.

We will publicise the winners of the award widely and will get good promotion during this ~ 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.

If you wish to put forward a nomination simply contact Mark Iley – Coordinator Essex Biodiversity Project

01621 862975

marki@essexwt.org.uk

Sue More, Chair of the Friends of Tiptree Heath receives the 2009 Quality of Life Award and a cheque for £500 from Councillor Tracey Chapman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Waste, Essex County Council

The next scheduled meeting for Harlow Biodiversity Partnership is Tuesday 9th March at 7pm, at the Parndon Wood Nature Reserve. Future dates are 8th June and 9th November.

Greenteam Tasks

January-March 2010

For 2010 the Greenteam will be operating on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10am-3pm each session.

Jan 20th – Brenthall/Barnsley Wood: sycamore clearance/hazel coppicing

Feb 3rd – Netteswell Plantation: scrub clearance and glade creation

Feb 17th – Marshgate Springs: reed cutting

Mar 3rd – Public Footpath clearance

Mar 17th – Latton Woods: pollard creation and scrub clearance

Apr 7th – Parndon Moat Marsh: cut meadows and sedges

For more information contact: glenn.mulleady@harlow.gov.uk or 01279 430005

The Essex Biodiversity Project Annual Celebration event will be held on Friday 12th Novemberr at the Wat Tyler Centre, Basildon. The theme of this year's event is Valuing Ecosystem Services and will feature presentations and walks in the Country Park. Put the date in your diary.

Its true; Green exercise is good for you
  (www.greenexercise.org ) 
and it can also be good for Biodiversity too. 
So make a New Years Resolution  to get out there and 
enjoy your nature reserves by  working to improve them. 
Essex Wildlife Trust run a  wide range of events across the
 County; there is one  near you. 
Start the New Year with a new activity;  
get fit, feel better, make new friends and help Biodiversity


ADVANCED BOOKING ESSENTIAL FOR ALL EVENTS



Abberton Reservoir

Work Parties at Abberton Reservoir nature reserve run from

10.00-3.00pm, every Wednesday and once a month at weekends.

Bring a packed lunch and wear suitable clothing and footwear. Contact

the warden for weekend dates or more info 01206 738172.



Colchester local Group

All Sunday morning work parties meet at 9.30am at locations listed

below. For further information contact 01621 862960.

3 Jan                                    West House Wood

24 Jan and 28 Feb               Fingringhoe Wick

21 Feb and 7 Mar                Iron Latch

10 Jan, 14 Feb and 21 Mar  Lexden Gathering Grounds

31 Jan and 14 Mar               Roman River Valley



Chigborough Lakes

Work parties first Sunday in the month all year. Meet in car park at

9.00am, map ref TL877086. for further information contact the warden,

Phil Luke 016Z1 853969 Or phil@boxlodge.demon.co.uk



Cranham Marsh 

Thursday work parties are on the second Thursday of every month.

We will continue the coppicing cycle in the woods, look after the ditches

and dams and lay another length of the southern boundary hedge, plus

a few more little jobs. Phone Tony Gunton on 01708 220897 for more

information or if you have any questions.

14 and 31 Jan   Coppicing in Middle Wood

11 and 28 Feb  Hedgelaying / coppicing

11 and 28 Mar  Clearing paths and bagging compost



Sandylay and Moat Woods, Great Leighs

Working parties will be heId on the second Sunday of each month from

10.00 until 1.00pm (weather permitting). Meet at Great Leighs Village

Hall (parking available) at 9.30am or the main entrance of the reserve at

10.00am. Please let volunteer warden Terri Amory know that you are

coming in advance 01245 360258 email terriamory@hotmail.com



Shadell Wood, Ashdon

Work1ng parties at Shadwell Wood are the first and third Sundays of the

month, September to April inclusive between 10 00 and 2 00pm

for further details phone the warden Ray Tabor 01621 862960.



Tiptree Heath

Please bring suitable tough clothes and boots and a drink/snack for the

break. Gloves, tools and safety glasses will be provided Also every

Tuesday from 2 00-4 00pm throughout the year Any new volunteers

welcome for further details call Joan 07842 110051.

Sun 17 and Sat 23 Jan   Sundays 9.30-12.30pm

Sun 7 and Sat 13 Feb    Saturdays 1.00-4.00pm



Tile Wood

There will be work parties for Tile Wood nature reserve on the following

Saturdays. All start at 9 00am and we meet at the St Michael's Road

entrance to Pound Wood (at the green gate, which is opposite Tile

Wood) for more details 01621 862960.

9 and 16 Jan; 13 and 20 Feb; 13 and 20 Mar



Tollesbury Wick

Saturday work parties For more details contact Jonathan Smith

01621 868628

30 Jan; 27 Feb; 27 Mar; 24 Apr; 29 May



Two Tree Island

Work parties are held on the second Sunday of each month from

10 00- 1 00pm with a tea break at half time (bring refreshments), meet

at the warden's hut. For more details call Mark Bridges 01702 557971.



Uttlesford Local Group

Sunday morning work parties from 9 30 'til lunchtime. Further details

from Mike Rowley 01799 550378 or Paul Salvidge 01279 814153.

9 Jan    Aubrev Buxton   

24 Jan  West Wood     

7 Feb   Shadwell Wood

21 Feb West Wood

7 Mar   Shadwell Wood

Two Otters have been found drowned in an illegal trap set for Crayfish in the River Wid. The story can be seen on the BBC website at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/8414319.stm

Setting a trap in rivers requires a License from the Environment Agency, and the fear is that these illegal traps are now a bigger threat to Otters than road deaths.