Page background images and galleries: Scenes from the Woodland Ways circular walk by a WW volunteer

Voulunteer Tree image on front page by Sarah White: Creative Commons image

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Woodland Ways mission:

Education for sustainable development through local action and global awareness.

Discover our educational policy and vision here

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help change the landscape too!

July 2017

Newsletter

View, print or download

a  copy here

(.pdf file)

Natterer’s Wood
Our bee orchid survey in the bat meadow in June counted 574 flowering plants.

The survey methodology ensured a high level of search effort in all parts of the meadow and reduced the likelihood of any plants being not found or double-counted.

We used a long rope to mark out a section of the meadow (about 10% of total area) starting from the entrance. Each person hunted for bee orchids and put a coloured flag by each one.

After all plants were found, we then picked up and counted coloured flags. We marked out the next section and repeated until the whole meadow was counted. Bee orchids were found in all sections of the meadow, in contrast to a survey we did several years ago where they were mostly in the half nearest the entrance.

Ros heard what she thought was a nightingale singing in Natterer's Wood in May. One was heard several years ago singing in woodland Ways Pond by Russell and Jane, and it is probable that these birds were passing through on migration and stopping off in our 'islands' of habitat to seek company. They probably moved on after a few days, as we have not been
able to confirm any nesting. Maybe next year....
 

Other wildlife news

Buzzards have been regularly seen flying over Moreton Hall this spring and summer. There is at least one nest in the Thurston area and it may
be these birds that we see.

Groups of swifts were seen in June flying and 'screaming' at height above Moreton Hall. The nearest nests known to us are in St John's Church in Bury St Edmunds, but you might know of a closer nest..? Swifts nest only in buildings and are visitors from Africa, just coming here for nesting.

If you attach a swift nest box to your building, you'll need to play a CD of tape calls for several hours a day, so that swifts come and investigate, and find the box.

One of our members contacted us recently regarding some small holes found in a dead tree trunk left standing in his garden. From the photo, it looked like beetle larvae had crawled round eating tunnels in the dead wood, and then emerged as adult beetles, leaving the tunnel entrances visible. Fascinating!

Have you visited

Natterer's Wood

lately?

Update July 2017

We are now on Twitter, follow us...

@NatterersWood

News from our woods

Notice of Annual General Meeting 2017

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting will be held in the Conference Room at the Moreton Hall Community Centre,
Symonds Road, Bury St Edmunds.

10am – 10.30pm on Sunday 9th July 2017 to transact the following business...

Agenda
1. Minutes of the previous meeting
To be agreed and matters arising
2. Reports and accounts
To receive and consider the accounts for the year ended 31 March
2017 and the reports of the charity trustees
3. Appointment of charity trustees
To elect the trustees as listed below
Nick Sibbett, Jenny Green, Shirley Foreman, Janet Scorer, Tony Potter,
Katie Noble, Mike Hollins, Alison Roome
4. Any other business.

Everyone Welcome.

The birds and the bee orchids

As we move deep into summer there have been some exciting wildlife sightings on Moreton Hall. Let us know what you have seen too!

Don't forget to come to the AGM and let us have your views about Woodland Ways.

If you would like to stand for election as a Trustee, let us know beforehand!

You would be warmly welcomed to
this role.

News from our woods

Pond Covert

A female pheasant was seen with her chick towards the end of May, in the wood close to our tools store. It is unlikely that she could have brought the chick in from elsewhere, so this is probably a first breeding record for us.

Home Covert

Trees we planted several years ago, close to the rear of the Surgery, are thriving. Dog rose and hazel are doing well.

Tree planting in woodland normally has a low survival rate due to shade and root competition, and we are pleased that some of our trees and shrubs have survived and are now well established.

Page background images and galleries: Scenes from the Woodland Ways circular walk by a WW volunteer

Voulunteer Tree image on front page by Sarah White: Creative Commons image

Web site design, hosting and content by Thirdsectorweb | Part of SmithMartin LLP Graphic Design by Radha Clelland | Code development by Natasha Smith

This newsletter was generously sponsored by Whiting and Partners Chartered Accountants