Event Name: CONSERVATION WORKING PARTY
Date: 18-09-2010
Notes from event:
Conservation working party with Paul Stephenson senior ecologist from The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and The Black Country.
We will meet at the dam at 10.00am and the event will finish at approx 4.00pm.
Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
Paul Stephenson senior ecologist from The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and The Black Country is undertaking key conservation work to to open up and establish the north to south ride between woodland below the Mill Pool Dam.
Volunteers will coppiced trees and cleared ivy which created a more open sunny, sheltered conditions along the 15 metre wide ride. The more open conditions will be valuable for improved ground flora and vegetation which will help the butterflies, other invertebrates and birds. Logs and branches will be laid along both sides of the ride to form 'dead hedges' with the path meandering through.
The event was sponsored by Four Oaks Ward and South Staffs Water.
Event Name: BAT & MOTH NIGHT
Date: 16-07-2010
Notes from event:
This event was kindly sponsored by "The Midcounties Co-operative"
Moth and Bat Recording at Hill Hook Local Nature Reserve.
Friday July 16 2010
The prospects for a reasonable mothing night did not look good as I peered out of the office window on a gloomy rainy and rather windy day. On my way home the sun made an appearance and by the time I had eaten my tea and packed the car the weather was much more favourable.
We made our way to the local nature reserve at around 21.00hrs and set up the moth traps, two along the pathway that runs along the crest of the dam and one in the woodland downstream.
It was great to be greated by a good number of enthusiastic people and children. I had taken along a case of preserved British butterflies and moths to give our visitors a flavour of what they might see. These were well received and inspired some very keen questions, especially from the ever inquisitive youngsters.
Once the equipment had been set up and most of the questions answered we shifted our attention to the bats. First on the seen was the large Noctule Bat. These are one of the first bats to emerge in the evening, with a wingspan of 35cm they are large and fly arond the top of the tree canopy feeding on moths, beetles and other large flying insects. Our bat detectors were soon clicking and slapping with the very charateristic sounds of these hunting mammals.
Before long the Noctules were joined by the Daubenton's Bats. These skillful aeronauts skim the surface of the mill pool catching small insects in their membranous tails and large feet.
Turning away from the water smaller bats, the Pipistrelles could be seen and heard flying through the tree tops, their preferred hunting territory.
Soon it was dark enough to light up the area with the bright moth traps and before long a number of species had arrived to delight the children and intrigue the adults. By carefully catching these delicate insects in clear plastic containers their beautiful colours and often cryptic camoflage patterns could be appreciated at close range. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed looking at them and listening to the commentary provided by the more knowledgeable people in the group.
At the height of the evening about 30 people were present, many of them enjoying the hot dogs with onions and sauce provided by Trudy, who cooked them and Martin who delivered them, our thanks go to them both.
The moths recorded, whilst not present in high numbers, were represented by a large number of species and included:
the rivulet moth, common wainscot
mother of pearl, light emerald
peppered moth, grass emerald
iron prominent
dark arches
double square spot
riband wave
poplar hawk moth 3
dot moth
snout 2
large yellow underwing 3
swallow-tailed moth 2
buff arches 2
small yellow wave
crambus pascuella
smoky wainscot
large emerald
All in all a very successful and enjoyable evening which was much appreciated by all those who had made the effort to attend.
Event Name: A BAT WALK WITH REA GRIFFITHS
Date: 18-06-2010
Notes from event:
Rea Griffiths from Brumbats is coming to Hill Hook Local Nature Reserve on Friday 18th June at 9.30pm.
She will take us on a walk around the site with her bat detectors.
Come down and see us but bring a torch.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
This event is kindly sponsored by "The Midcounties Co-operative"