HOS Orchid Propagation Day

The Wildlife Group Update

HOS Orchid Propagation day In August I went on the Hardy Orchid Society propagation day. Fascinating, detailed and well worthwhile. My long term aim is to use these skills to propagate up a selection of our native Orchids in conjunction with Downside School and produce plants for introduction into wildflower meadows.

Churchyard work party By the time you have read this, the wildflower patch in Ditcheat Churchyard should be neat and tidy again, leaving the overwintering area to do its job.

August Bat Walk Contact information: We met at the bridge in Alhampton on a beautiful August evening. Bridget Wadey: Bat paraphernalia bristling (identification charts, bat detectors & torches) we email:[email protected] set off to see what bats were around. or phone: 01749 860240 In Alhampton we came across an amazing sight of a nursery of Pipistrelles  You can follow our activities coming out of a roof. There would have been 200 to 300 at least. It was by: joining our emailing definitely a nursery brood as the young were fairly inept at flying and list; contact Bridget see sometimes fell out of the roof before regaining their dignity! It was one of above, those inspiring wildlife sights that are very memorable.  through the FTN news Haddon Wood beckoned and we went in search of the pond. A Noctule with (www.fossetrinitynews.co.uk), its "chip chop" sound was heard near the Chapel. It was the first time many there is usually a monthly of us have been in Haddon Wood and we were very impressed with the update on the Wildlife group layout and good establishment of the trees.  or www.ditcheatchurch.co.uk, this site publishes our meetings We lingered at the Bridge on our return journey and were rewarded with a and activities as they happen. The Wildlife Group has its own tag view of a Daubenton's bat, flying swiftly to and fro under the bridge. Many thanks to Fiona for leading the walk; without her help to identify the bats we wouldn't stand a chance. Note no photos...... difficult in the dark!! Now there's a challenge.

Bird Surveys The House Martins and Swallows in my yard are getting fewer as I write, by the time you read this they will be well on their way to Africa and my surveyors will be sending in their results.

Meeting up: Note NEW date  15th October - Fungus Foray. 2.30pm led by Les Cloutman Details in October on notice boards or contact me, see below.