Issue 2: January 2017 Dates for your diary January 2017 Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays in April & May 2017 Volunteers needed to coppice the Hazel in Little Meadow. Date to be confirmed. Withymead Open Days and Cream teas at the Withymead Study Centre. The Loddon Lilies should be in full bloom. Happy New Year! Welcome to our first newsletter for 2017. We d like to keep you informed of all the news and activities planned for Withymead and Little Meadow, and we ll keep you posted through our newsletter and on the website. Please forward our newsletter to anyone you feel would be interested, but also, just email Unsubscribe in the header if you don t want to hear from us. Welcome to the new wardens We welcomed Sue and Roger to Withymead in mid- September. They are now settled into Withymead House and their new roles managing the Reserve. They have both had careers in Environmental fields and are enthusiastic about all aspects of wildlife. They are also both very keen wildlife photographers. Between them, they have a wealth of skills and experience that will benefit the Reserve and its visitors. Find out more on page 5. Green Gyms The Green Gyms have also been working hard this Autumn. A joint effort by Sonning Common and Wallingford Green Gyms moved the main entrance to the Reserve. Access is now opposite the Study Centre where a new (wheelchair accessible) path has been constructed. Behind the Study Centre, Wallingford Green Gym, constructed a reptile hibernacula - a habitat for over wintering grass snakes. And finally, under freezing conditions Sonning Common Green Gym helped fill a skip from waste collected from around the reserve. All backbreaking tasks undertaken with much merriment and cake! Thank you for all your hard work in 2016 and we look forward to seeing you again in 2017. The Anne Carpmael Charitable Trust Charity No. 1102152 Withymead Nature Reserve, Bridle Way, Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG8 0HS Page 1 of 5
Recent Events July - September The Withymead Open Days & Cream Teas were well attended and gave visitors a chance to see the reserve as the summer drew to a close. A very dedicated group of local botanists from the former Goring and Streatley Environmental Group carried out their 7th survey of the plants of Little Meadow in September adding to a very valuable database, monitoring habitat health and change over the years. October In June we hosted a Walk and Shoot morning as part of the Gap Festival programme. It was very well supported and as a result we held our own Photography Day in October run by Bernard Novell. Bernard (Landscapes), Roger (Wildlife) and Sue (Insects) shared their considerable skills and knowledge with those who attended. The day started in the Study Centre where there were presentations on camera techniques and photo composition, followed by opportunities to practice newly acquired skills in the Reserve. We hope to run this course again in the spring - watch the website for the next session. November Environment Agency Work Party The Trustees and Wardens hosted an Environment Agency Work Party - A group of twenty very hard working volunteers from the Environment Agency spent the day reed cutting and leaf sweeping. It was not only a very sociable and fun day but they completed tasks that really needed doing and that will make a real difference. December Davis Tate kindly hosted our stall at the Goring Christmas Evening where we sold Withymead honey, beeswax candles, beeswax polish and Withymead Festive Firelighters. As we were in the Estate Agents, we also advertised and sold our Riverside Apartments (for Sand Martins). Environment Agency Working Party Hard at work, making a difference! Page 2 of 5
Sand Martins Apartments The artificial Sand Martin nesting site was finished in March 2016 just in time for the arrival of Sand Martins on their return from Africa. Sand Martins are summer visitors to the UK and are usually one of the first summer migrants to return to our shores. They spend the winter in the Sahel region to the south of the Sahara where they feed in damp places that offer plentiful supplies of flying insects. They usually fly north across the desert to arrive in the UK by early March. This year, far fewer sand martins have returned to the UK because of drought in their wintering grounds in Africa. The European population of Sand Martins has crashed twice in the last 50 years because of drought in Africa. The birds stay here over the summer months and leave the British Isles to return to Africa from late July to September. This year, our nesting site was not used by Sand Martins. It was newly finished and an unexpected addition to their normal habitat. However, we are hopeful that they spotted the opportunity on their way along the river this year and will remember us when they return from Africa next March. The nest boxes are ready for the coming breeding season. We will keep an eye out for any Sand Martins investigating the accommodation and let you know which is the first apartment to be occupied. We ll keep you posted! We are offering sponsorship for each nesting box for just 10 a year. Each sponsorship comes with a certificate and makes a great present. If you would like to become a sponsor contact us at info@withymead org Page 3 of 5
Spotted at Withymead recently Grass snake Cetti s Warbler Kingfisher Male Kingfisher Female Hornet G Grey Wagtail And finally, an ID Challenge. Do you know what this little caterpillar is going to grow into? Email your answer to Info@withymead.org. We ll let you know in the next issue. Page 4 of 5
Wardens Notes We have enjoyed getting to know the Reserve and its wildlife just as the summer was coming to a close. The Cetti s Warblers are a treat, as are the number of Water Rail. We are regularly seeing Kingfishers, both male and female, along the River Thames and inlet. We have been surprised to see bats circling around the house as late as mid- November but it has been warm for the time of year and there were still insects to snack on. The Red Admiral looking for a hibernation site on the 11th November was also a surprise. We have seen a big increase in the number of birds visiting - drawn in by the bird feeders now spread throughout the reserve. The Redwing and Fieldfare have arrived for the winter and we have Redpols visiting the Reserve. It is fascinating watching new vistas reveal as the leaves have fallen and to see the reed beds wetting up as the river rises. What an amazing place Find out more about the Green Gyms http://sonningcommon.tcv.org.uk www.wallingfordgreengym.org.uk And Finally: Help raise funds for Withymead and give a great gift at the same time. Why not try our Withymead Honey made by bees pollinating the flowers on the Reserve just 4 a jar. Both runny and set available from the wardens. Or how about a sand martin apartment or a beeswax candle? We d love to show you the reserve - just get in touch - 01491 872265 or email www.withymead.org. Page 5 of 5