Kemerton Clippings

Kemerton Conservation Trust Kemerton Clippings

Issue 17 January 2016 Appeals for Help! A Fascinating Foray for Fungi The Trust is looking for volunteer help in Despite a chilly and misty start to the day, the the following: sun shone down on Sunday 11th October as we Maintaining Bird Boxes held our annual Open Day at Kemerton Lake in Aldwick Wood SSSI Nature Reserve. This beautiful wetland site is & The Bushes SSSI: open all year around to the public but the open Do you have a couple of hours to spare once a year day is an opportunity for visitors to learn more to check our bird boxes in about the reserve and the work of the Trust, with Aldwick Wood SSSI and guided walks through parts of the site not The Bushes SSSI? normally open to visitors. This year we had a

We have a number of bird general tour of the reserve led by Chairman Adrian Darby in the morning and a Fungus boxes on both sites which © Kate Aubury need an annual check, Foray led by Governor Peter Marren, a well- clean out and, where Peter Marren identifies a fungus for the group, KLNR, known naturalist and the author of many books required, basic repairs or October 2015 including ‘Mushrooms’ in the afternoon. replacement. Long-term volunteer Roy Cox has been carrying out these Turnout was excellent and the attendees of the bird box checks for 20+ morning tour enjoyed an informative ramble years but has had to step around the lake and adjoining woodland, learn- down this year. He has kindly offered to brief the ing about the history of the site from farmland new volunteer on what is to gravel pit and finally to nature reserve, hear- required. Both sites are on ing about how we manage it and spotting some challenging terrain so a of the wildfowl and waders currently to be found reasonable level of fitness on the water including the flock of wintering is required but all boxes are reachable from the Lapwing, with their distinctive ‘peewit’ call. In ground and are designed to the afternoon mushroom enthusiasts searched make cleaning easy. The the woodland floor for fungi and learnt more once a year visit must be about this fascinating kingdom from Peter, © Kate Aubury done in autumn or winter assisted by the Trust’s Support Coordinator Shaggy Parasol Chlorophyllum after breeding season has rhacodes, KLNR, October 2015 finished but can be done at Kate Aubury, who has been recording fungi on- your convenience. If you site for 5 years. Although the recent dry weather meant the numbers of are interested and would fungi were not great, eagle eyes spotted over 30 species in total. like more details, please contact John Clarke on 01386 725653 or email him The open day was a great success. Feedback [email protected]. from attendees was extremely positive and the event raised over £100 for the Trust’s The Trust is dependent conservation work as well as helping to raise upon the assistance it receives from its many our profile in the local area. A big thank you volunteers to continue must go to all the volunteers who assisted on its important work in the day without whom it would not be the local area, so please © Kate Aubury possible to hold the event. The date for our let us know if you can Adrian addressing the morning tour assist in any way. 2016 Open Day is on the back of the news- crowd at the Open Day, KLNR, letter and we hope to see you there! October 2015

PAGE 2 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 17

The walk took attendees past the spectacular hunting display settlement ponds, through wetland from a young Hobby who was vegetation including reeds and catching dragonflies on the Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta on along the north edge of the lake, wing over the lake. This small reed, KLNR, August 2015 covering various habitats that falcon needs all its speed and attract the different types of agility to match wits with its On Saturday 29th August, dragonflies and damselflies on the prey, and watching the bird under bright sunshine and blue reserve. Although the hot, sunny demonstrate this was a high- skies, the Trust’s Dragonfly day was ideal dragonfly-spotting light of the walk! Recorder Mike Averill led a weather, there was less to see than Member-only walk around usual, with only nine of the species Our thanks go to Mike for Kemerton Lake in search of spotted, including large numbers kindly leading the walk and these stunning, brightly of Common and Ruddy Darter, sharing his passion for these coloured aerial predators. several Hawker species and the beautiful and interesting impressive Emperor Dragonfly. insects. Kemerton Lake is one of the Most of these were to be found © Kate Aubury best sites in Worcestershire for patrolling the water’s edge or sun- Dragonflies and Damselflies, bathing amongst the reeds. The with a total of 23 species more delicate Damselflies could be recorded on site to date. Mike, spotted amongst the grasses and who is the County Recorder, other lower vegetation further has been recording for us on- from the water. site in a volunteer capacity for many years and is a fount of Although the focus of the walk was knowledge on this fascinating the Odonata group, we were Mike (centre) & attendees watch the group. delighted to be treated to a Hobby display, KLNR, August 2015

Funding Update

Our fundraising for the completed in the second half proposed new bird hide at of 2015. Kemerton Lake is going well. local people to enjoy. In Of the four applications sub- addition to the £2500 pledged Long-term local supporter mitted in July 2015, we were from the Trust’s own reserves, Bredon Forest School donated successful with three and we are still seeking another £1600 to the Trust in 2015, have secured the following £3000, and a further grant unrestricted funds which are conditional grants; £8000 application was completed in used to help with general from Severn Waste Environ- respect of this balance in late costs including volunteer tools mental Fund, £3000 from December. A decision is and materials for reserve Garfield Weston Foundation expected shortly and we hope management. We are very and £2000 from Edward to be able to confirm the grateful for their generous Cadbury Charitable Trust. hide’s construction in spring support. We have also recently secured … watch this space! £4500 from the New Homes We have also had a few new Bonus scheme administered As the proposed hide is our people join Friends of KCT. by Bredon Parish Council, fundraising focus at present, who were happy to show their no further grant applications Thank you to all who have support for a new amenity for for any other projects were supported us this year!

PAGE 3 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 17 KCT Governors’ Annual Board Meeting 2015

At least once a year KCT had been achieved, particularly in © Kate Aubury Governors meet for a Board light of John Clarke’s uncertain Meeting to review the past health and Kate Aubury’s year’s work and set goals for maternity leave starting in late the new year. In addition to the July. governors the meeting is also attended by John Clarke and After reviewing the past year, the Kate Aubury, who both report governors identified priorities for on their activities for the year. 2016, which included completing fundraising for the proposed new KCT Governors bird watching, The 2015 has seen significant pro- bird hide and, if successful, con- Bushes SSSI, October 2015 gress on the new EA & Buglife structing the hide in spring/ partnerships and associated summer 2016, approving the projects (see page 6 for more appointment of a facilitator for the work carried out by the details) and fundraising to- the ongoing Carrant Catchment Trust in recent years and wards the proposed new bird Restoration Project to help take it discuss possible upcoming hide at Kemerton Lake, which forward as it grows and recruits projects within both the sites, was agreed as a top priority at more partners locally (see page 6 particularly ideas for inverte- the 2014 meeting, is on target for more details) and for funds to brate projects in conjunction and hopefully should be be released for additional with Buglife. Our new governor completed in early 2016. KCT’s contractor works on the reserves Peter Marren enjoyed getting involvement in the ‘Saving our to cover a shortfall in current out to see the local landscape Magnificent Meadows’ national habitat management. and learn more about our work. project has seen the Trust working with the Cotswold Following the meeting and lunch, The 2014/15 Chairman’s Conservation Board (see page 4 the governors visited The Bushes Report, Annual Accounts, for more details), which is a SSSI and Aldwick Wood SSSI on Conservation Officer’s Report great link-up and hopefully will Bredon Hill, which are both part- and Support Coordinator’s lead to other partnership managed by the Trust under an Report are all available to read opportunities in the future. agreement with the landowner, on our website now in the Overall, the governors felt a lot for the governors to see some of ‘News & Events’ section.

© David Aubury Kate is currently on maternity News in Brief leave but still continuing with much of her normal volunteer On 25th August the Trust duties, although our warden welcomed a special new member; John Threadingham is kindly Charlotte Rose Aubury, our covering the work party super- Support Coordinator Kate vision in her absence. Aubury’s baby. Charlotte, or Lottie as she is better known, was A small project designed to a healthy 8lbs 8oz and Mother answer the question of what and Baby were both doing so well Support Coordinator Kate Aubury & predates our Swan Mussels at that they joined members for the baby Lottie on a visit to Beggar Boys Kemerton Lake is to start Dragonfly Walk just 4 days after Wetland, August 2015 shortly. Trust volunteer George the big day! Day will be using trail cameras spent much of the time with her and surveys to try and solve the Since her birth Lottie has already Dad in a nearby room so as not mystery of just which denizen attended the Trust’s Open Day, to disrupt the proceedings. She of the lake is responsible for where she slept snugly in a sling has also popped along to a eating large quantities of the on Kate all day, the Apple Day couple of work parties to meet mussels and leaving the shells (ditto) and even the Annual the volunteers and show them scattered far and wide. Will it Governors Meeting, where she how its done! prove to be gulls, otters or …?

PAGE 4 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 17 Bumper Crop Makes Apple Day a Juicing Success!

and the annual Apple Day is The sun shone throughout the their main fundraising event. afternoon and the queue for the apple press was long—2015 has As in previous years, KOW had been a bumper year for apples so © Kate Aubury arranged for apple pressing and there was no shortage of locals juicing and there were cakes wanting to get their crop Kate, David & Lottie Aubury manning the KCT stand at the Apple Day and hot drinks available in the pressed. hall, alongside stands selling On Saturday 17th October it jams, cards and calendars. KCT All in all, the day was a great was Kemerton Orchard brought along an information success and raised valuable Workers’ (KOW) Annual Apple stand packed with information funds for the ongoing support of Day at Victoria Hall and the about the nine orchards the Daffurn’s Orchard. KOW are Trust was there to support our Trust manages and their currently looking to recruit more sister organisation. KOW importance for a wide range of volunteers to assist with the manages Daffurn’s Orchard in wildlife. Baby Lottie was useful orchard’s management so check Kemerton for the community for drawing the punters in too! out the details on page 7.

Laboratory at Harpenden. This a camera and has built up a laboratory conducted research in large library of shots which he agricultural and horticultural shares with others through inter- pests and one of Roger’s first esting illustrated talks such as jobs was to forage in the the one he gave our members in grounds for slugs! 2014.

Roger’s main area of work until Although he does not have a fa- his retirement in 2002 was vourite ‘bug’ (there are too many researching and advising on bio- to choose from!), if he believed in logical control of pests, some- reincarnation Roger would like thing which is becoming more of to return as a dragonfly. He feels In this edition of Kemerton a focus in the field as we look at he could tolerate the up to 2 Clippings, we are focussing on reducing pesticide use. years in cold muddy water for another of our volunteer the reward of emerging as one of Recorders, who help the Trust Since retirement, Roger has the insect masters of the air. His by donating their time and used his spare time to spend a only doubt about this occurred expertise to help monitor our lot more time observing and re- when he was watching a dragon- reserves for wildlife. cording our local invertebrates. fly at Kemerton Lake and saw a His involvement with KCT it snatched by a hobby! Roger Umpelby, who is known started when in 2007 he saw an locally as the Ashton Bugman, article in the Worcestershire At KCT we are very grateful to has been submitting inverte- Record about the rare dotted bee Roger for submitting invertebrate records to the Trust for -fly bombylius discolour and brate records for our reserves some years. Roger credits his contacted John Clarke to find and for sharing his knowledge childhood in the countryside of out more about a record from through his wonderful talks. If Devon with stimulating his love Kemerton Lake. John intro- you want to hear from Roger, of wildlife, and after completing duced Roger to the work of the why not join us for his talk about a joint botany and zoology de- Trust and he has helped us by invertebrate predators and para- gree he joined the Entomology sending in records ever since. sites on March 4th (see ‘Dates for Department of the Ministry of Roger has developed a passion the Diary’ on the back page for Agriculture’s Plant Pathology for recording local wildlife with more details.

PAGE 5 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 17 Save Our Magnificent Meadows Project

© Kate Aubury sites on the estate were areas of calcareous grassland chosen as donor sites for seed covering 8ha. Round Hill harvesting, and two other West is part of the Bredon sites were identified for resto- Hill SSSI. It is an example of ration using the seed. KCT is CG4c tor-grass Brachypodium involved because the donor pinnatum grassland. It is sites are included in land we species rich, containing wild- help manage for local land- flowers such as salad burnet, Meadow Cranesbill, one of the many wildflowers that will benefit owners for their wildlife im- pyramidal orchid and lady’s from the SoMM project portance and the Trust will bedstraw, so it was considered also be involved in monitoring a suitable donor site. Round Over the summer, KCT has the success of the restoration Hill East has a more limited been involved in a national in future years—recording diversity so was chosen as a partnership project called plant species etc. donor site to enhance and Save our Magnificent restore the grassland. It is Meadows (SoMM). Locally, The project work on the also CG4c but lacks the this 3 year project, led by Estate involved the following; species richness of nearby Plantlife and primarily fund- seed collected from Long Round Hill West so in July ed by Heritage Lottery Fund, Meadow was sown in the New 2015 a 0.25ha section was aims to restore up to 1125ha Park and seed collected in scarified to create 50% open of wildflower-rich limestone Round Hill West was sown in ground and seed harvested grasslands in the Cotswolds Round Hill East. from Round Hill West was AONB. sown by the team of SoMM Kemerton Estate’s Long project volunteers from Wildlife-rich grasslands were Meadow is a good example of Cotswold Conservation Board. once widespread through the an MG5 crested dog’s tail UK but have seriously de- Cynosurus cristatus—common This important national clined, largely due to modern knapweed Centaurea nigra project is looking at the long- land management practices. grassland. Long Meadow has term enhancement of grass- The SoMM project is building all the wildflower species that lands throughout the UK and on Prince Charles’ 2013 are desirable for brush KCT is delighted to be in- Coronation Meadows project harvested seed such as red volved in a small way with which—to celebrate the 60th clover, oxeye daisy and yellow such a worthwhile endeavour. anniversary of the Queen’s rattle, so it was considered a It will be some time before it coronation—aimed to identify suitable donor site. New Park will be possible to measure a wildlife-rich meadow in is an example of an MG6 the success or failure of the every county in the UK. The perennial rye-grass Lolium restoration work but the hope project involves 11 lead perenne—crested dog’s-tail is that future wildflower organisations working in Cynosurus cristatus grass- recording by the Trust will partnership, including the land. However, it lacks the show that the donor sites’ Cotswold Conservation Board. species richness of nearby floral biodiversity has been Long Meadow so in July 2015 improved by this work. One of the focuses of the pro- a 1.29ha section was scarified ject in the AONB is targeting to create 50% open ground © Kate Aubury low-quality and former wild- and seed harvested from Long life-rich grasslands and Meadow that same day was restoring them using seed sown onto the prepared harvested locally from donor ground by Matthew Darby sites using a seed harvester. and a team of SoMM project volunteers from Cotswold As part of the local project, Conservation Board. The area our Governor Matthew Darby was rolled a few days later. Buttercups flowering in Long opted to become a Landowner Meadow, one of the donor sites on Champion of the project. Two Round Hill consists of three Kemerton Estate

PAGE 6 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 17 Update on Buglife & KCT Partnership Project & More - Much More! - by John Clarke, December 2015

© Kate Aubury Readers may recall from river meadow on the Carrant. previous articles that KCT has Since then staff have visited been forming a partnership Kemerton and Overbury estates with Buglife, the national to consider other ideas. The EA charity for invertebrates. In is also drawing up a wish list of 2010, we worked with them in projects. A PhD student from establishing an Ark Site for our Gloucester University will begin native Crayfish at Kemerton research into water and soil run Lake Nature Reserve. I am -off and water quality on delighted to say that we also Overbury land while another Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae on now have an informal arrange- student from Pershore College Cherry Blossom, March 2013 ment whereby Buglife will have will begin a study on veteran access to land on Kemerton trees. A charity has offered to businesses and food wherever Estate to carry out research supply free water testing kits possible. We would love to estab- and practical trials. Buglife is and we will be seeking lish a third community orchard drawing up a ‘wish list’ of work volunteers to help with a base- up the valley – in the Beckford/ and projects based on their own line survey of water quality on Ashton area. proposals and others which I Bredon Hill. Another charity have put forward. has asked us to help with field One of our first projects will trials of endangered species of develop my idea for ‘Pollinator Encouraged by this, a few years arable wildflowers. Habitat Mapping’. After initial ago Adrian and I resurrected a trials proved successful I sought long-held desire - to form a To date, I have obtained the scientific advice on how to pro- larger partnership in the area, support of five farmers and land ceed. Now we can take things called ‘The Carrant Catchment managers for the CCRP. All forward. The mapping identifies Restoration Project’, which has participation is voluntary. I and values the ‘patches’ of wild- been outlined in previous have realised that I cannot cope life habitat providing pollen and articles. The idea behind the with a project of this potential nectar to pollinators and at what CCRP is that potentially, by size and so sought advice from time of year they are available. working together, we can affect Natural England. As a result We need to have a lot of sites, all the environment over a large we now have the services of linked in some way, to ensure we area - from Tewkesbury almost Jenny Phelps, who works for provide pollen and nectar over as as far as Evesham and from the Farming and Wildlife Advi- wide an area and period as Bredon Hill to Stanway Hill. sory Group (FWAG). Jenny has possible. ‘Pollinators’ are not just 30 years of experience in her honeybees and bumblebees; there The Environment Agency has field (please excuse pun!) and is are masses of other species of already got involved. Last already acting as ‘Facilitator’ bees, wasps (and their parasites), autumn it completed the for a much larger scheme. I am beetles, butterflies and moths – restoration of three former delighted that we have found all of which need pollen. Another Oxbows (meanders) and started her and I hope we can raise project, funded by the County the restoration of an important funding to support her work as Council, will involve practical ‘Facilitator’ for the CCRP. trials into getting wildflowers © Kate Aubury back into some road verges. We have already been offered support from a number of I am hugely excited by this sources (see last newsletter, edi- project, by far the biggest that tion 16, page 6). We hope to KCT has ever got involved in. It encourage other partners, in- will take a great deal of work and cluding more farmers, local gar- we will need funding, sponsors deners, local beekeepers and and a lot of help. If I don’t the WI to get involved in the explode with excitement I will A source of pollen; Buttercups in CCRP. We will promote local flower, Long Meadow, May 2014 keep you informed of progress!

PAGE 7 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 17 What we need is … more KOWs! - by John Clarke

ising old trees and planting Daffodils. In May the apple new ones. KOW’s Apple Day trees are awash with pink and and their Calendar have now white blossom, the plum trees become part of village life. with sparkling, pure white KOW members became so flowers and the very old perry skilled at managing fruit trees pear tree (variety Barland) that several local people asked sometimes looks as though it them to restore their private is coated in snow! In Autumn orchards – raising more money in a year like 2015 and after to support their work. the sheep have grazed off the © Kate Aubury regrowth of grass, the trees Apple Blossom in Daffurn’s So why the silly question in are weighed down with fruit. Orchard the title to this piece? Some of the varieties in Daffurn’s Orchard form part I think it was back in 2001 Well, as I said earlier, all this of the Trust’s collection of that Kemerton Conservation began what, fifteen years ago? more than 200 traditional Trust launched an appeal in Back then the majority of British varieties which are the local community to raise p e o p l e i n v o l v e d w e r e spread across nine Kemerton money to buy Daffurn’s approaching or beyond retire- orchards. Orchard. If it didn’t become a ment age. Nowadays, like community orchard there was some of our veteran trees they What’s in it for you? a possibility that houses are, well, not so productive! In Materially, nothing what- might be built on it. Betty fact, some are unable to soever! If you are still study- Daffurn, who had owned the support Daffurn’s Orchard ing you might want to get orchard made provision for physically anymore. So we some experience of working in the Trust to buy her orchard need some new stock, some a team and gaining new skills. to save it from development. younger supporters, to step If you spend much of your Such was the enthusiasm forward and help KOW days away from Kemerton you back then that we raised manage this lovely orchard. may just need a way to enough money to buy the unwind on the occasional orchard, replace the old fence, What’s involved? Well, during weekend and connect with the buy some equipment – and the Winter they need three to local community. If you are still have a bit to spare! The four hours of your time to now approaching retirement support continued as prune the young trees, check or have retired you may be Kemerton Orchard Workers the old ones and manage the looking for a new interest and (KOW) was formed to man- Mistletoe so that it doesn’t ways of contributing to the age Daffurn’s as an orchard weaken the trees or cause the local community. You don’t nature reserve. Volunteers wind to blow some over. Then, have to do it for life - although offered to be trained in fruit in late July-ish they need that would be good! Other tree management, in Health another three or four hours to members of KOW will teach and Safety matters and even help rake up the cut grass and you the basic skills and about in fruit grafting – the skill of load it into a trailer. That’s it! Health and Safety matters. If grafting wood from a chosen Of course you could volunteer you can spare, what was it (?) variety on to rootstock to to help with Apple Day and about 8 hours PER YEAR (!) form a new tree. One fund raising but that’s up to to help maintain our lovely volunteer made traditional you. community orchard please wooden rakes to use when we contact KOW committee needed to rake off the cut Have you visited Daffurn’s members Olivia and Neil grass. During the first two or Orchard? In late Winter/early Chance (01386 725203) or three years a great deal of Spring there are areas of Blue- Anna and Steve Fletcher work was invested in revital- bells, Snowdrops, Violets and (01386 725271).

Kemerton Clippings Save the Date! January 2016

 Saturday 27th February - Working party (10am Edited by Kate Aubury start, location to be confirmed) Contact email: [email protected]  Friday 4th March - ‘Watch Your Back! - a talk Print services provided by Fleet about invertebrate predators and parasites’, Graphics (Tewkesbury) Ltd Victoria Hall, Kemerton (8pm start) - see ‘News & Events’ on website www.kemerton.org for full event details This newsletter is published bi-annually. The next edition will  Saturday 26th March - Working party (10am be issued in July 2016. start, location to be confirmed)

 Saturday 30th April - Working party (10am start, location to be confirmed) For more information on the

work of KCT please visit our  Sunday 15th May - Member Walk to Aldwick website: www.kemerton.org Wood (2.30pm start) - see ‘News & Events’ on website www.kemerton.org for full event details

 Sunday 12th June - Annual Open Day, KLNR (gates open at 11am) - see ‘News & Events’ on website www.kemerton.org for full event details

 Saturday 2nd July - Working party (10am start, location to be confirmed)

 Saturday 30th July - Working party (10am start, location to be confirmed)

For details on any of the above events, please contact KCT Support Coordinator Kate Aubury by email [email protected] or by phone on 07765 334 776. Frosted teasel, KLNR, January 2015

KEMERTON COURT GOVERNORS:

TEWKESBURY A. M. G. DARBY, O.B.E. (Chairman) GLOUCESTERSHIRE M. G. DARBY

GL20 7HY P. S. DOBLE

Tel: 01386 725 254 LORD HOWICK OF GLENDALE P. MARREN

DR. M. PALMER M.B.E Registered Charity No. 702488 B. WESTWOOD www.kemerton.org R. H. WORKMAN