wildlife Autumn 2017 No.24 News from your local Wildlifema Trust and fromtt arounder thes UK Badgers galore Our Tewin Orchard Warden talks badgers 10

y r avo Russell S >> Barbastelle >> Fabulous Turn to the Bats Fungi back page Read how we are Take a look into to meet your

helping to protect the fascinating Reser ves these rare bats 6 world of fungi 18 Team

Give the gif t of wildlife this Christmas Bug Explorer Kits Perfect for little wildlife explorers! Includes a Garden Bugs and Beasties FSC Guide, magnifying glass, bug pots and more £10

Gift membership Feed someone’s passion for wildlife with a gift membership! From £42

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Hertfordshire and Middlesex is home to some incredible wildlife – why not treat the nature lover in your life and sponsor an animal? For just £20 you FSC guides will receive a gift pack that includes A great accompaniment a sponsorship certificate, beautiful to exploring and colour photograph, fact cards learning more about and more! Order yours today at local wildlife species hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/wildgifts and wild places – the perfect gift for fellow nature lovers. From £3 contentsAutumn 2017 News from your local Wildlife Trust and from around the UK

local news conservation 4 ’s dragonfly species at an all time high See how our local dragonfly species have increased over the years 6 barbastelle bats Read about the work going into protecting this species

uk news

8 The Wildlife Trusts launches its vision for Living Seas A radical approach to marine planning could bring our seas back to their former Top 5 places abundance to spot fungi my wild life Weird and wonderful

My Wild Life fungi in Hertfordshire

12 stock Andrew Harris tells us what and Middlesex 18 it takes to become a volunteer Local Wildlife Site surveyor r S hutte Micro reserve focus days out habitats

22 24 Nature’s Calendar 26 The Nature of a Hornbeam Read about this historic Tim Hill shares his winter Find out what makes this woodland reserve wildlife highlights with us native tree so special

herts & middlesex wildlife trust

Grebe House, St Michael’s Street, Spring 2018 issue Registered Charity No: 239863 , Herts AL3 4SN copy deadline: Registered in : 816710 01727 858 901 [email protected] 26 January 2018 www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk Cover photo: All rights reserved. No part may be Russell Savory Editorial Team Josh Kubale reproduced without written permission and Charlotte Hussey from the editor. The publishers do not 01727 858901 x 240 necessarily identify with or hold [email protected] themselves responsible for the views [email protected] expressed by contributors, correspondents or advertisers. Membership Alan Cotterell 01727 858901 x 234 [email protected] Design TU ink www.tuink.co.uk Printed on FSC © Certified Stock

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From the Hertfordshire’s Chief Executive dragonfly species Welcome to the autumn edition of at an all-time high Wildlife Matters. The last few We are thrilled to announce that the number months have been of dragonfly species in Hertfordshire has a whirlwind of grown from 19 to 26 in just a few years. fantastic events, new records for Scarce emerald damselfly, willow the county, surveys emerald, scarce chaser, red-veined and continued darter, lesser emperor, downy hard work by our Reserves Team. emerald and norfolk hawker Our Festival of Wildlife is growing have all colonised Hertfordshire bigger and better each year, (or recolonised in the case of the with this year’s visitor numbers scarce emerald) in the last five doubling to 3000. It’s a joy to see so years or so, with the small red-eyed many passionate people enjoying damselfly and hairy dragonfly the nature on their doorstep, new since the 1980s. This is quite particularly young children who a turnaround for the county and made natural creations, hunted can be attributed to a combination for and had a brilliant wild of maturing artificial wetlands, day out. We are thrilled that our creation of new wetlands, improved and enjoy these stunning partnership with Puddingstone water quality and climate change. insects, there are now y Reed Distillery has been a roaring success The Trust, alongside dedicated dedicated dragonfly trails with each bottle of special edition volunteers, has been working hard at Amwell Nature Reserve rrBa Himalayan balsam gin raising funds to ensure that the varied habitat and Panshanger Park. for the Trust. This summer has needs of dragonflies are met, The best time to see dragonflies seen our local dragonfly numbers maintaining and creating suitable is during the summer months. grow to an all-time high and habitats at our nature reserves. Look out for events in next year’s the plume has once again To enable people to experience Go Wild and on our website. been recorded in Hertfordshire – the first record since 1930! This autumn we were delighted that the restoration of Panshanger Park, a partnership between the Trust, Tarmac and Herts County New orchard project launched Council, was recognised with the key national award – the Cooper Orchards East, a three year Heritage in the region. The project will Heyman Cup – at the Mineral Lottery Fund project working across involve both the restoration of Products Association’s 46th Quarry the eastern region, was launched in important historic orchards and and Nature Awards. With winter Hertfordshire at the Trust’s Tewin the creation of new examples. well and truly on its way, now is Orchard Nature Reserve. Herts Environmental Records a great time to visit our wetland Centre, which is hosted by the and woodland reserves to spot the Led by the University of East Anglia, Trust, is assisting the project by influx of winter visitors making a the Orchards East project team will digitising historic maps to enable new home for the next few months. survey and record traditional orchards historic orchard sites to be better With nesting season over our across the and identified and surveyed. Reserves Team are busier than ever research the history of fruit growing Orchards East would welcome protecting our local wild spaces any information readers may – say hello if you spot them have about historic orchards. They hard at work while you’re out are also looking for volunteers who and about. Thank you for your can help to track down and survey continued support of the Trust. orchard sites and undertake research in local archives. Volunteers don’t need any specialist knowledge, just an interest in and enthusiasm for orchards. For further information, please contact [email protected]

4 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 ale

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Josh K Stocker’s eaves g r

Lake H a r aniel D

Chalk Stream Discovery Trail opens Local bat A nature trail at Nature Reserve has been expert, Patty Briggs, has led a opened in partnership with Tewin Bury Farm Hotel team of surveyors to carry out ‘harp trapping’ at Stocker’s The Chalk Stream Discovery Trail the stretch of the Mimram running Lake Nature Reserve as part runs alongside the beautiful River through their land is the best habitat of the Bat Conservation Mimram – known as ‘the jewel in it can be. The Chalk Stream Discovery Trust’s ‘National Nathusius Hertfordshire’s countryside’. The Trail allows visitors to learn more Monitoring Programme’. The Mimram is one of only 210 chalk about the habitat and the nature team identified one bat as streams in the world – 16 of which it supports. flying all the way from Latvia are in Hertfordshire. The Trail is open every day for guests – a total distance of more We manage the nature reserve, of Tewin Bury Farm Hotel and Herts than 1494km. The National which sits alongside Tewin Bury Farm and Middlesex Wildlife Trust members. Project has only recorded four Hotel, the owners of which have It can be accessed by collecting a key other long distant migratory worked with the Trust to ensure that from the hotel reception. records so this is a very exciting development. Festival of Wildlife and Apple Day

Trust receives donation from Mayor ale b u ussey Josh K lotte H lotte

The Trust’s 2017 Festival of Wildlife was a adding a fantastic new element ha r C roaring success. The Festival, which was for visitors to explore. held in partnership with Hertfordshire On Sunday 8 October, the Trust ’s 2016 Mayor, Cllr Natural History Society and kindly enjoyed the fruits of Tewin Orchard Dr Linda Radford, presented hosted by Tarmac, took place at the end at our annual Apple Day. A record the Trust with a donation of of July in Panshanger Park near Hertford. 1200 people enjoyed the event in £3,705.86, raised from her This year saw visitor numbers double Tewin Village and were treated to nomination of the Trust as one to 3000. Children and adults were able home-made cakes, a wide range of of her two charity beneficiaries to learn about their local wildlife from orchard apples, juice and preserves, of the year. The Trust is hugely a rich programme of walks, talks and along with guided tours of the orchard grateful for this support which activities led by experts from the Trust and children’s wildlife activities. will help us look after Waterford and the Herts Natural History Society. Our thanks go to Councillor Ken Heath Nature Reserve. This year, other local conservation Crofton for once again supporting groups and wildlife artists joined us, this popular annual event.

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 5 conservation Barbastelle bats In 2015 a planning application for the A120 bypass at became the catalyst for a major new project to find out more about our elusive, local barbastelle bat population

evelopment is one of the most significant pressures facing wildlife in Hertfordshire and DMiddlesex. The Trust regularly reviews and submits comments to local authorities when planning applications come forward which may have in barbastelle detection and carried significant impacts on wildlife. out a series of surveys at Tarmac’s In December 2015 Matt Dodds, Panshanger Park which recorded some the Trust’s Planning and Biodiversity barbastelle activity, although not a Manager, reviewed a planning maternity colony. application for the A120 bypass at Little During spring 2017 eight static Hadham in . Matt’s detectors were deployed in nearby review of the application showed that it woodlands in an attempt to pick up did not take proper consideration of the barbastelle activity and build a robust impact on barbastelle bats. Barbastelles database of records. The surveys are one of the Trust’s priority species However, the Trust and the Bat Group started positively with 60 new records and an important population had been realised that there was a wider lack generated before the middle of May. identified by the Herts and Middlesex of records for barbastelles across One exciting new find was at our Balls Bat Group in a nearby woodland, close much of the rest of the county. Wood Nature Reserve where three to the application site. Without evidence, barbastelle barbastelle contacts were made – Following objections from the populations could be threatened by a new record for the area. Trust and the Bat Group, planning future proposed developments. With Over the summer the project was delayed by Hertfordshire County barbastelle bats classified as a European continued, with more concentrated Council to allow recommended Protected Species (Annex II) under the efforts being guided by the earlier surveys to be carried out by ecological Conservation of Habitats and Species surveys. To date the project has consultants. During these surveys, Regulations 2010, Near Threatened on generated 228 records and by several barbastelles were radio the IUCN Red List, protected in the UK concentrating on sites of high potential tagged and the data used to observe under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is hoped that maternity colonies how they interacted with the existing 1981, and classified as a Priority Species will be identified. If maternity colonies road. This helped analyse potential in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the are found, the project aims to catch impacts of the proposed scheme and Trust is committed to their conservation and radio tag individuals in order to resulted in the inclusion of additional and has identified barbastelles as find their maternity trees, foraging mitigation measures such as habitat one of seven priority species in the areas and commuting routes. Once the creation, light impact reduction, 2016-2021 Strategic Plan. maternity trees have been located we the creation of an underpass can count how many bats are in the and ongoing monitoring of the Mapping barbastelles colony, mark the individuals with rings barbastelle bat population. The Barbastelle Bat Project has been to facilitate population monitoring, and set up in partnership with the Herts protect the trees themselves. All records

Barbastelle bats – a priority for the Trust and Middlesex Bat Group and aims to gained will give a better insight into d The existing evidence of barbastelle increase our knowledge of the bats’ local barbastelle distribution, helping to bats close to the proposed bypass distribution in the county. In summer conserve this rare species and mitigate r ic Meda

meant this scheme would be changed. 2016, the Trust trained bat surveyors against future risks. Er

6 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 Barbastelle facts • The barbastelle is one of the UK’s rarest mammals. m e sti

• The barbastelle is a medium-sized bat that is easily identified because it is m

a very distinctive species, unlike any other in Europe. ea • Barbastelles live in a colony but have individual flightpaths in many directions d r from the woodland roost. This ensures equal hunting chances. • Barbastelles change roosts around once every three days, switching between the other roosts in the area that form the local colony. • They have a fission-fusion society; a group in which the size and composition is constantly changing. The bats sleep together, physically touching for warmth, and then split to hunt alone. • Barbastelles roost in very specific habitat, favouring peeling bark on dead trees, meaning that older woodland is required. Females and young bats secure the best habitat as the most vital and vulnerable members of society. • All bats use echolocation to detect their food sources and many can hear this high-pitched sound, out-manoeuvring their would-be predators. When researchers from the University of Bristol analysed the barbastelles’ echolocation calls in 2010, they found that barbastelles’ are up to 100 times quieter than those of other bats, making them highly adaptable and successful in avoiding competition from other bats who have to feed on non-hearing moths.

Thank you The Trust would like to thank the John Spedan Lewis Foundation, Spear Charitable Trust and Christopher Laing Foundation for their generous donations towards the cost of purchasing bat detectors and other equipment for the Barbastelle exus Bat Project, along with all the volunteers who are supporting the project. N

Thermal imaging bat image In September, the BBC Inside Out New volunteers are welcome and anyone team visited the site together who would like to find out more about the with all the contributors to the Barbastelle Bat Project. Nexus Barbastelle Bat Project should contact Imaging Ltd and Russell Savory Matt Dodds, [email protected] filmed the bats using a thermal imaging camera to detect Barbastelle roosts and capture Check your latest Go Wild events leaflets emergence of the bats. for bat events happening across Hertfordshire and Middlesex

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 7 UK news

Trusts launch vision for Living Seas Report says the Government has a unique chance to lead the world in marine conservation

A new report by The Wildlife Trusts managing everything that happens in its own right and fundamentally outlines how a radical approach to in them – from recreation to fisheries important for human health, wellbeing marine planning could bring our seas to aggregate extraction – in a way and prosperity,” she said afterwards. back to their former abundance. that balances the needs of wildlife “If the Government takes the lead The Way Back to Living Seas and people. This does not happen at on this, within the next 25 years our demonstrates that a joined-up network the moment. seas will be more sustainable and of Marine Protected Areas will safeguard Joan Edwards, Director of Living Seas well on their way to recovering their marine wildlife and help the livelihoods at The Wildlife Trusts, gave a copy of the historic levels. This will benefit the of the many people who depend on report to Environment Secretary Michael wildlife that inhabits our seas and the sea. Gove when she met him in October. the prosperity and well-being of local It suggests dividing coastal waters “We believe that a healthy, wildlife- communities and the UK that depends into five regional seas and then rich marine environment is valuable on them.” An act for nature The Wildlife Trusts are calling for an Environment Act: an ambitious piece of framework legislation that would give our wildlife a unique opportunity to recover Stephanie Hilborne OBE is Chief Executive of RSWT magine taking a train journey through they’re a regular occurrence now. the countryside in 25 years’ time. From When you arrive in the bustling city, the the window, you see red kites gliding air you breathe is just as clean as it is in Iacross beautiful farmland and woods. the countryside. Above the urban hubbub, Bees are buzzing in the vibrant field blackbirds, robins and dunnocks are margins and thriving hedgerows. singing loudly. You stroll over a river: earlier You whizz past a vast wetland this morning, an otter swam beneath this teeming with egrets, herons and, bridge, a fat brown trout in its mouth. In a although you don’t see them, water park across the street, schoolchildren are be the first generation to leave the voles. There are no stories about having a lesson in the shade of the trees. environment in a better state than we flooding in the news – the recent They look happy and focused. inherited it. heavy rainfall has been locked into This doesn’t have to be a dream. We A wildlife-rich world is important for the landscape, caught upstream. have a chance to act now, together, and its own sake, but we also know it is the Last week, when you went to the give wildlife a real chance to recover. If foundation of our society and economy. seaside on holiday, the beach was we’re ambitious enough, we really could Ultimately everything we eat and drink; pristine: no plastic bottles, rockpools the air we breathe; our fuel, clothes and full of life. Seabirds were fishing just shelter derives from the natural world. offshore. The fish’n’chip shop was doing So does everything we value: our health, a roaring trade selling local catch – since Everything we wellbeing and possessions. the seas have been recovering, both value derives Yet, we have taken it for granted; people and wildlife have benefited. mined the natural world mercilessly. Whales, dolphins, vast shoals of tuna – from nature Isn’t it time for us to enter a new era

8 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 d r Musta A lex sall/2020vision m e r is go r ch Abberton’s black honey bee HQ. The Trust hopes they will colonise the area

Rare black bees back in Essex Essex Wildlife Trust is working to bring Common back the black honey bee. Once a native seal, Isle species, the bee was almost completely of Coll wiped out 100 years ago. Now a colony is back and buzzing at the Trust’s Abberton Reservoir reserve. Apis mellifera mellifera is one of around 28 sub-species of the western honey bee. The species flies in cooler A healthy sea is vital weather than the non-native bees often for future generations imported to help pollination, so can be better at finding food.

Spirited support Could there be a lot more nature in for Wildlife Trusts our lives by 2040? Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s annual beer festival in September premiered Malthouse Dormouse, a light, fruity ale from Leamington Spa brewery. It was inspired by the re-introduction of dormice this year in a Trust woodland.

ts Money raised will support the Wha e r Trust’s work.

t you o b can do Not to be outdone, Herts and If you think there should Middlesex Trust receive £2 for

atthew r atthew every bottle sold of Puddingstone be more nature in all our lives, m

ve/ Distillery’s special edition write to your MP and let them Campfire Gin. The gin uses flowers ese r know: all the details are from the invasive Himalayan

on wildlifetrusts.org/ well r balsam, removed from the Am environmentact neighbouring reserve. in our relationship with nature? Acts of Parliament are an expression of what a nation values. Acts have

ev lewis ushered in healthcare and education for land and at sea. Only Governments can b all, and made us safer in the workplace. ensure there is a long-term framework The 1949 National Parks and Access to that puts nature back into our the Countryside Act and its successors landscapes, townscapes and society. have protected some vital rich wildlife We all deserve a world-class sites. But we know this is not enough, environment: clean air, clear water, and soon we won’t have the safety net a stable climate, healthy seas and

of the EU courts either. thriving wildlife in the places we love. << The UK and each country within So do future generations. If we all make The inspiration for the new beer it needs visionary legislation that enough noise, and explain this is what was unavailable for comment explicitly aims for nature’s recovery on we want, it can happen.

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 9 daysconse outrvation The Tewin Sett Tewin Orchard and Hopkyns’ Wood Nature Reserve provides a great natural habitat for wildlife. Alongside the wildflowers, butterflies and birds, the site is home to a much shyer creature – the badger. Michael Clark, Volunteer Warden at the reserve, has been surveying badgers since the 1960s and gives us an insight into these fascinating .

adgers are one of the larger large eyes to help them see in the dark, A tidy home members of the mustelid family badgers’ eyes are fairly small which Badgers use their long, powerful which includes ferrets, martens, indicates that vision isn’t as important claws to dig underground burrows Botters and polecats. They can grow up as their other senses. Badgers’ ears called setts where they live in large to one metre in size and have hefty are also small in comparison to their family groups or ‘clans’. The boundaries reserves of fat that they increase during bodies but they communicate using to these setts are marked by latrines, the autumn ahead of going into torpor around 16 distinctive calls including this helps to avoid conflict with other – a state of decreased physiological growls, clucks, purrs and hisses. Badgers badger clans. Setts can be hundreds activity in an animal, usually by startle easily, suggesting that their of years old and are passed down a reduced body temperature and hearing is relatively keen. through the generations, developing metabolic rate – over the winter. Badgers are omnivores but their food and growing depending on the needs of Badgers have a great sense of of choice is earthworms – they can eat the clan at the time. Typically, clans smell and, as with many mammals, up to 200 a night. If worms are not so will number around six adults, but they use scent to mark territory and readily available badgers are extremely can increase to over 10 depending communicate, having several scent adaptable and opportunistic, feeding on local resources. Badgers have glands which they use for identification. on berries, fruit, nuts, insects, small Whilst most nocturnal animals have mammals, fish and more.

Badger watching at Tewin Whilst living in a monitored nature reserve can reduce some threats for the resident badgers, they still retain their shy and cautious nature which needs to be respected by visitors to badger watch evenings at the Mammal Hide. In a world where we are so used to just ‘switching on’ what we want to see, the wait for the wildlife to come into view is quite a different experience, especially for impatient youngsters. Yet they come away with comments left in the diary such as ‘the best thing my brother and I have ever seen’ and many return time and time again. The Mammal Hide at Tewin Orchard can be booked between March and mid- October. Visit the Trust’s Tewin Orchard Nature Reserve page on our website for more information. Keep an eye on our summer Go Wild for special badger watching events too.

10 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 Michael’s Book Michael’s acclaimed study of the biology and natural history of the badger has been recently updated for the popular British Natural History Collection. It now includes The Tewin Sett a description of the controversy surrounding the culling of badgers in response to the prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle. The new edition features a gallery of Michael’s colour photographs and a foreword by Dominic Dyer, Director of the Badger Trust. Badgers is now available at amazon.co.uk for only £15.99.

also been known to share their setts nearby latrine pits where they leave spring. This means that badgers are able with foxes or rabbits. their droppings. Most badger setts in to give birth at the most suitable time Much like we tidy our bedrooms and woodland will show exposed tree roots of year to ensure the best chance of change our bedsheets, badgers will drag at the entrances and some holes will survival for their offspring.

out their old bedding – hay, grass and take on the near perfect symmetry of a p hy leaves – to prevent disease and lice. This the badger’s curved back. Hibernation means that they spend a lot of time Badgers don’t hibernate in the technical collecting new bedding to replace the Mating sense, however do put on a lot of weight r ills Photog old, dragging material they find into Badgers have an amazing reproductive in the autumn to keep them with good ey H ey

their setts for warmth. technique called delayed implantation reserves of fat when food is scarcer in the rr An occupied sett can be recognised whereby the female badger (sow) can winter months. They also sleep deeper S u by the tidy burrow entrances, marked mate at any time after her cubs are and longer and in very cold weather can with piles of used bedding and born but still keep her birth time to the stay underground for days at a time. Jon H awkins-

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 11

my wildwildli liffee

My Wild Life Local Wildlife Sites are special places for wildlife and vital to the future survival of our native species. There are almost 2000 Local Wildlife Sites in Hertfordshire. The Trust provides advice to local landowners on their management, helps to ensure sites are recognised in the planning process and organises monitoring and surveying by our team of skilled volunteers.

Charlotte Hussey, the Trust’s Communications Officer, went to meet Andrew Harris to find out about his role as a Local Wildlife Sites surveyor and how others can get involved... ussey lotte H lotte ha r C

12 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 Variety, or should I say biodiversity, is the spice of life

How did you become a volunteer? knowledge of plant identification is Surveying highlight? I became a Local Wildlife Site surveyor in very useful – being an expert is As far as plants are concerned, one the summer of 2009 after Brenda Harold, optional! It is just as important to moment which comes into mind another Trust volunteer and eminent have an appreciation of the wonderful was finding purple milk vetch, when local botanist, encouraged me to join the habitats in our area and a desire to we visited a beautiful piece of chalk team. It was something I was interested protect them. Even if you consider grassland near Royston. Purple milk in so I did not need a lot of pushing. I yourself a novice, so long as you have vetch is classified as ‘Endangered’ have never looked back since! an appetite for knowledge there will and included as a species “of principal be opportunities to learn about plant importance for the purpose of What does your surveying role involve? identification and ancient trees. As conserving biodiversity” under Section The object of the surveying is to assess a small group of volunteers we work 41 (England) of the Natural Environment the ecological value of the sites according together and support each other. and Rural Communities Act 2006; so it to their plants and other features such as was a real find! veteran trees. It involves being part of a What advice would you give to people Something which really makes a survey small group of enthusiastic people who who would like to get involved? worthwhile is when the landowner is go out, usually once a week, investigating Being a surveyor is a commitment enthusiastic about their site and really different habitats. In winter this might be but it is all the more important appreciates us being there to survey it. For old green lanes with their ancient hedge for that. Also, never be afraid to ask instance, we once went to a fascinating banks and twisted hornbeams. Early questions. I have always found alder woodland in the north of the county spring is the time for woodland surveys everyone with experience in this and were treated to tea in the owner’s followed by grasslands in late spring subject to be very pleased to share garden and given a pot of homemade jam and summer. We walk over the site their knowledge. And, as one who has to take away in gratitude. And of course identifying plant species – trees, grasses just had to travel halfway across the one of the best things is to be out with and wild flowers. Someone will record county to retrieve his rather soggy a great group of like-minded people – it the main habitats and features of the possessions, don’t get so engrossed makes everything worthwhile. I would site on a map and take photographs of in a fascinating survey that you forget encourage anyone with an interest to them. Other members of the group help to take all your things home! contact the Trust and find out more. to write up a report.

What are your favourite types of surveys? Gosh, that is a difficult one to answer! I really like studying veteran trees with their various amazing shapes, all the nooks and crannies and the texture of their bark. It is great fun surveying them too, crawling through thickets and taking up all kinds of comical poses in an attempt to measure them. However, all types of surveys have their rewards and when so many of our species-rich habitats have been lost over recent decades I really enjoy finding something good that still survives in our area whether it is an ancient woodland, old meadow, or the wetlands which border our chalk streams. Variety, or should I say biodiversity, is the spice of life.

Do you need to be an expert to be a surveyor? Certainly not, while we very much If you are interested in joining the survey team, welcome the participation of those with experience of surveying – some contact Carol Lodge at [email protected]

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 13

Conservationmy wildlife Our meadows will be rvellous next year blooming thanksma to you!

The support you give to our fundraising appeals is always overwhelming. Our last

campaign captured the hearts of so many HILLTIM of you. Thank you for all of your kind gifts. At the time of print you have helped us to raise over £12,000 with Gift Aid. While we might not reach our original appeal target, it will still make an enormous contribution to our annual costs and, as ever, the H A continued generosity of our supporters N N A is hugely appreciated. H C O As a result, our amazing Reserves U Z E Team has already been working hard N S to keep your local meadows and grasslands blooming at their best. See what the team has already Grassland cutting achieved for wildlife so far this year, We have completed cutting, raking and all thanks to your continued support. haymaking at seven nature reserves, including and Blagrove Common. Conservation grazing The cutting and removal of grass is vital and fencing repairs to keep the nutrient levels low so that wildflowers can flourish on your local Our ‘living lawnmowers’ include sheep, Scrub cattle and ponies. They have been busy meadows. grazing several of our reserves, including clearance Thorley Wash, Blagrove Common, Patmore I was able to buy Thistle pulling has been completed at in preparation for the grassland cut, Heath and , to name a three pitch forks, at a few. They help keep on top of vegetation four work parties have cleared scrub from growth and prevent scrub encroachment. cost of £15 each, essential the meadow at Fir and Pond Woods, and two work parties have been cutting back Look out for our ‘flying flock’ of Shetland for our annual grassland sheep at Hexton this November. scrub at . We also completed cut and collection work further grassland restoration work at and to Our flying flock of this autumn improve these habitats for wildlife. Shetland sheep have Luke Shenton Grassland surveys been paramount to our Further cutting and raking has been Surveys have been completed on 11 of conservation grazing at underway across Tewin Orchard, with our grassland sites – excitingly southern more planned at Rye Meads, Purwell marsh orchids were recorded at Thorley Gobions Wood Ninesprings and . Our Wash for the first time this year. Rob Hopkins volunteers have completed various tasks Although they’re not categorised as rare at Nowers and Alpine Meadow, in Hertfordshire, they are still relatively The Reserves Team and their volunteers and our weekend volunteer group has also uncommon and so it’s great that our have been improving fencing and other cut the meadow at . management work has allowed the important site infrastructure on a number A combined total of over 11 hectares orchid to appear. of reserves. They have repaired and installed of meadow and grassland have been cut more fencing at , Alpine as part of our annual haycut, ensuring Thank you to everyone who has kindly Meadow and Long Deans, and improvements that your local flora and the fauna they donated to our meadows appeal. have been carried out on the cattle pen at support can flourish. Visit our website at You have helped us improve your local Thorley Wash. All of which means that our hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/meadowsupdate meadows and grassland habitats so essential conservation grazing can take place to see the reserves team in action at that wildflowers and other wildlife on your local grasslands. Frogmore Meadow! can flourish.

14 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 Social media Tweets from the field... Social media highlights from the past few months

Thorley Wash Volunteer Warden @merlinsleeps shared this photo of our grazing Red Poll cattle Tewinbury visitor @lynher captured playing peek-a-boo in the long grass! this young kingfisher on camera

@ProfJGrey has been enjoying @PuddingstoneGin, created using invasive Himalayan balsam in partnership with the Trust

@harrisdigital snapped this green shieldbug in between rain showers

@MsQuizzical caught this juvenile green woodpecker in the Thanks to @RonBaber for sharing this photo grass in August of a common blue butterfly at

We love seeing your pictures from our reserves and hearing about your wildlife experiences in Hertfordshire and Middlesex. Get involved with the conversation on Twitter@H MWTBadger or Facebook facebook.com/hertswildlifetrust.

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 15 Your wildlife trust

Direction The Trust pays tribute to the Correction late Mr Michael Harverson Please note there is an error in the recently printed Reserves Guide. Michael lived in Hertfordshire for 50 years, having The postcode and OS map reference moved from Kent where he was born and spent his for Tewin Orchard is incorrect. childhood and teenage years. From a young age The correct information is: he was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable bird- Postcode: AL6 0LZ watcher, later sharing this hobby with students at OS Map Reference: TL268 155 the school where he taught for almost 30 years. Many still remember the birdwatching trips he organised to Norfolk, Hampshire and Wales, a tribute to the wonderful legacy he has left. He enjoyed holidays abroad, particularly France but also further afield to Australia, adding a keen interest in wildflowers and butterflies to his love Where the Wild of birdwatching. At home in Hertfordshire, one of his favourite places to watch wildlife was the Things Are Book Trust’s Park Nature Reserve and on walks by the River Gade your talk How is your local wildlife and the where, much to his delight, he would occasionally faring? What is so special now! see a kingfisher or, more frequently, a little egret. In retirement he became about chalk streams? Why do an enthusiastic member of the Trust’s Green Team, where he relished being species and habitats need protecting? involved in a variety of practical tasks, helping to protect local wildlife. Michael What conservation projects are always enjoyed working at Aldbury Nowers where there are a great variety of happening near you? How can you help flowers and butterflies to delight in. It became frustrating for him when his protect your natural heritage? mobility lessened in later years, but he continued to enjoy his local wildlife, Our special community talk, Where venturing out on his mobility scooter or simply watching the different birds the Wild Things Are, helps to answer on his garden feeders. these questions and discusses how the After many happy years living in Hertfordshire, Michael was convinced work of the Trust is making a difference. it was one of the loveliest counties for observing and enjoying a wonderful If you are part of a local community variety of scenery and wildlife – something we would agree with! group that would like to hear this special Because of his love of local wildlife, Michael chose to kindly support the wildlife talk by our excellent team of Trust with a gift in his will. volunteer speakers then get in touch. He and his wife, Susan, have been members of the Trust for over 30 years and For more information on how to make a so it was very thoughtful and generous of him to have remembered our work in this special way, for which we are very grateful. When Michael sadly passed booking please visit: hertswildlifetrust. away, his wife Susan and the rest of his family and friends generously also org.uk/talks or contact our volunteer Talks Administrator, Wendy Hartnell, made donations to the Trust in his memory. It is through our local conservation work that we can help to ensure that the wildlife and wild places Michael cared on [email protected] or call so much for throughout his life are protected for the future. 01727 858901.

Community Support Beekeeping courses Albury Parish Council Bees are so important to our environment; these pollinating Our thanks to everyone at Albury Parish Council for their insects are essential for seed production – both for wild generous donation of £759 to the Trust following a fundraising plants as well as flowers, vegetables and fruit. event at the village hall. The parish council raised the funds at Our friends at the Hertfordshire Beekeeper’s Association a special talk by expert wildlife photographer Russell are running beginners’ beekeeping courses in the spring. Savory. Money raised will go towards our work at Aimed at those looking to start beekeeping, the course Patmore Heath Nature Reserve in Albury. covers important theory and practical training over six sessions. They start in March so that those looking to start Edge Grove School beekeeping right away can introduce a colony of bees in We were delighted to receive the support April to June. To book please contact Mike Goodhew at of students and teachers from Edge Grove [email protected]. School who were able to raise a whopping Interested in beekeeping but want to find out more before £1,237 for the Trust at their sponsored ‘Walk committing to a course? Try our one day Introduction to the Walk’ event. Their dedication and hard Beekeeping Workshop next spring. More information will work is inspiring, well done! be available in 2018.

16 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 working for wildlife

In remembrance Raffle draws great support We’d like to thank all the companies who donated to our Summer Raffle Draw, The Trust has received which was held at our annual Festival of Wildlife event in July and raised over kind donations in memory £400 for local wildlife. Special thanks goes to expert wildlife photographer Russell of Graham Gower, Tony Savory, who donated our very special first prize – the chance to join him on one of Havercroft, Alan Johnson and his wildlife photography and filming days, witnessing first hand all that goes into Doreen Jones. capturing the amazing wildlife footage and images AND a limited edition signed In the last year legacies print – what a prize! Congratulations to all this years’ winners! have been used to care for our If you or your business can support our next raffle draw by donating a prize nature reserves, helping us to please get in touch on 01727 858901 or email us at [email protected]. continue protecting our rich natural heritage. Legacies have y also helped us produce your brand new Reserves Guide, usse bringing even more people Britvic’s help at Hertford close to the wildlife on their H lotte ha r doorstep. Heath was thirsty work! C Our thanks and condolences go to all their family and friends. Staff from Britvic joined us at Hertford Heath to help remove brambles and clear scrub that were shading out the smaller wildflowers, such as heather. This reserve is home to both a wide range of wildlife and a high level of visitors. It is essential that habitat work like this is completed – not only to keep optimum conditions for the wildlife, but also to Celebration giving accommodate access for people to come and enjoy the reserve. Working for Wildlife Days like these are great for staff teams from The Trust would like to congratulate local businesses to help with. You can see the positive impact of your efforts Dave and Jen of Todd’s Green on immediately, with it improving over time as our native plants, in this case their Golden Wedding Anniversary heather, are given the room they need to flourish. in August, and wish Brian Stone a very Happy 70th Birthday. Our Thanks so much for arranging such a fab day – everyone thanks go to them and their friends and family for donating to the Trust on the team really enjoyed it and felt connected to the in lieu of presents. value of giving back. Much appreciated! If you have a special celebration Rachel Dies, Senior Employee Communications & Engagement Manager coming up and would like to ask your friends and family to support a cause close to your heart, then please get in touch with us – we’d love to hear from you! Please call Utilities company brings us on 0727 858901 or email [email protected]. the power to Tewin Orchard

UK Power Networks have supported our annual harvest at Tewin Orchard for the past four years, and this year was one of our biggest harvests yet. As with any wildlife habitat, the success of our orchard reserve is largely down to dedicated management and habitat restoration work. One key result of this activity is our autumn harvest when our fruit crops are ready to be picked and processed. UK Power Network staff, as well as a number of local community groups, helped collect an impressive amount of apples which were then carted off to be processed and pressed into fresh apple juice – this year we managed to produce 850 bottles – and a range of preserves, all sold to raise money for the Trust’s habitat management work. Juice and preserves can be bought directly from our offices at Grebe House in St Albans.

s Visit hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/ workparty to organise your Working r attha for Wildlife Day or contact the fundraising team on 01727 858901

M E mma or email [email protected] to discuss your requirements.

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 17 days out Fabulous fungi

Fungi are natural ‘recyclers’, feeding on dead organic matter to release nutrients back into the environment and supporting plant life on poor soils by aiding nutrient absorption through plant roots. This role is vital in the never-ending food chain of many different habitats – without fungi, the natural world would not function and any deterioration in fungi can have a real impact on ecosystem health.

Hertfordshire and Middlesex is full of fungi, if you know where to look. Now is the best time to get out and investigate, particularly when the weather is damp and warm. Charlotte Hussey tells us the erstock utt Sh best reserves for spotting some fungi for ourselves!

<< Jelly ear fungus

Old Park Wood Look to deciduous trees, particularly 1 elder, for the jelly ear fungus. This ear-shaped fungi is mainly seen in winter and spring, and has a jelly-like texture ranging from very soft when young to tough and torey

finally hard when dry. S If you come across fungi that looks black and burnt on an ash tree, you may have found King Alfred’s cake, also alcolm

known as coal fungus. Legend tells how King Alfred left M Oyster mushroom his cakes in the oven for too long when hiding from the Danes, burning them to a crisp and earning this fungus’ Gobions Wood namesake. The mushrooms either grow dark brown or This ancient woodland is one of the best black with the black variety sometimes used for lighting 2 places in Hertfordshire to see fungi, with fires as, once the inner flesh is dry, it can be easily lit and over 558 species recorded here. burns slowly. Look out for – or sniff out – the stinkhorn mushroom. The stinkhorn is fascinating, emerging from Where is it? an underground ‘egg’ which often disappears as the Harefield, Middlesex mushroom matures. The mushroom is initially covered with Postcode: UB9 6UX a green slime which, as you might predict, is foul smelling. Map reference: TQ 049 913 This stinky slime attracts insects such as flies who feed on the mushroom and then spread the spores via their feet. King Alfred’s The oyster mushroom grows on trees in shelf like cake clusters and is so called as it has an oyster shaped cap. It grows on hardwood trees, particularly beech. This mushroom is now widely available to buy and eat but was first cultivated during World War I in Germany for sustenance.

L e Where is it? s B

awrence i , Hertfordshire n

n

Postcode: AL9 7AF s hris L

C Map reference: TL 249 040 << Stinkhorn 18 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 Chicken of the woods <<

Danemead As you bound 4 through the woods this winter, keep an eye on fallen branches for the hairy curtain crust. This tough fungus grows in Le wavy, individual brackets. The upper s Bin surface of the brackets is distinctly hairy, ns Blackening waxcap S hutterstock particularly when young. The colour of the fungi varies with age and location, as well Frogmore Meadow as on individual brackets, with it often appearing Many people associate fungi with dark and banded due to dark green algae. 3 damp woodland but our bright and open Perhaps one of our best known fungi, chicken of the meadows can also host a good variety. woods, is a bright yellow orange bracket fungi which Keep your eyes peeled for waxcap fungi can grow to 30 to 40cm in width. Known by many as while walking through Frogmore Meadow in the Chess an edible mushroom, it is actually a parasite found Valley. Waxcaps are great indicators of unimproved on a variety of tree types including oak and willow. grassland as they are intolerant of modern agricultural When found on yew trees it absorbs toxicity practices such as ploughing and fertilising. making it very dangerous to ingest.

<< Hairy Where is it? Where is it? curtain crust Chenies, Hertfordshire Danemead, , Hertfordshire tock Postcode: WD3 6ER Postcode: EN11 8GG ters ut Map reference: TQ 022 988 Map reference: TL 346 077 Sh

Hertford Heath Wood woollyfoot is often found under Wood 5 bracken on heathland making Hertford woollyfoot Heath the perfect place to spot this woodland mushroom. It has small white hairs covering the bottom half of its stem, earning its woollyfoot nickname. Once you get your eye in, you’ll start to see fungi in places you might usually overlook. No more than one cm across, the twig parachute is a tiny mushroom that is so small, it often grows on dead twigs. It frequently grows above head height on conifers S hutterstock and broadleaf trees and even on dead bramble. Please Where is it? do not Hertford, Hertfordshire pick fun Postcode: SG13 7PW on our nature reserves; it Map reference: TL 351 108 gi

is valuable to the wildlife << on our sites and can Twig parachute also be deadly when

k misidentified c o st er and eaten tt Fungi facts Shu Mushrooms can release up Estimates of the world’s number Orchids cannot germinate to 2.7 billion spores a day. of fungal species run into without the help of fungi. the millions, outnumbering A fungus known as all other known living It is possible for some the honey fungus is organisms put together mushroom spores to be the largest living organism on L e s – in the UK, there dormant for a hundred years the planet. It is believed to be B i n are over 4000 larger and then grow successfully about 2400 years old and covers n s fungi species. into mushrooms. over 2000 acres.

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 19 Helping wildlife

Keep birds well fed this winter As the days grow darker and colder you may be considering feeding the birds in your garden or, if you already do, increasing the amount of food that you put out. p a u l t h

r u

s atural foods such as hawthorn and year-round and h berries, that were so plentiful over have a great autumn, are quickly depleting, and fat content. In Nour native birds are in hot competition the winter they for what’s left with the influx of winter are particularly migrants such a fieldfare and redwing. beneficial as birds Many people put out an increased can get straight to amount of food, resulting in more birds the fat and not use being able to feed and a reduction in precious strength energy spent fighting to get to a single taking the black husk feeder. Another great way to help birds off. Suet is also very Redwing through harder months is to increase the high in fat and can give fat content in the food you put out. your local birds the energy Sunflower hearts are a favourite boost they need at this time.

Every time you buy bird seed direct from Vine House Farm you are supporting Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Vine House Farm also supply bird feeders, nest boxes, wildlife camera kits and children’s gifts – take a look at the full range online...

To order, visit www.vinehousefarm.co.uk A my Lewis

20 wildlifematters Autumn 2017

education

in the Fun woods! The Panshanger Park Forest School opened in February 2015 and has already seen over 1000 children pass through its doors.

Forest School is designed to build up children’s skills and confidence of working and playing in the natural environment and is offered to schools and home educated children, as well as three Becky always has lots to five year olds in Nature Tots sessions. of fun games and activities. We love Forest School with her so much

I love running outside and climbing trees

I had so much fun and learnt new things, I can’t wait to come back! We looked under rocks and in trees to find loads of bugs

Find out more by visiting our website hertswildlifetrust.org.uk The Panshanger Park Forest School is a Tarmac initiative delivered in partnership with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust y I was amazed usse at how we could H lotte bend wood to ha r C make a bow!

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 21 reserve focus Fir and Pond Woods Fir and Pond Woods is a diverse reserve, steeped Great e ll spotted ne in the history of old Enfield Chase, and comprises e S woodpecker Mik of a mosaic of important habitats for local wildlife.

ir and Pond Woods is widely and treecreeper. Now is the perfect thought to be the best remaining time to spot visiting fieldfares and part of the ancient Enfield Chase redwings, searching for berry-laden

– an area once covered by woodland bushes over the winter. Look out for T F i m

and used as a royal deer park. It was fungi throughout the autumn and H

i first recorded as Enefeld Chacee in 1325, winter including the wide-brimmed l from the Middle English ‘chace’ – a parasol and the brightly coloured, shiny tract of ground used for breeding and waxcap. In late summer you might hunting wild animals. Queen Elizabeth I catch a glimpse of the purple emperor is believed to have hunted on the chace butterfly high in the tree canopy as a Princess. In the reign of Henry II the where it feeds on aphid honeydew, chace spanned an area of about 12 miles very occasionally flying to seek food from the City of and in 1777 the sources lower down. During the spring area – by then 8,349 acres – was divided woodland plants carpet the floor. A Nuthatch up and ceased to exist. particular highlight is the tiny purple- veined white flowers of wood sorrel, At the southern end of Pond Wood Woods, ponds and meadows with its three heart shaped leaves lies an acidic meadow with woodland Fir and Pond Woods contains a mosaic and five petals folding in at night and on three sides and Turkey Brook on the of habitats supporting a wide variety reopening in the morning. fourth. Acidic grassland is scarce in this of wildlife. The reserve has some fine Medieval ponds are dotted around area and one of the Trust’s priorities for examples of oak hornbeam pollard and the woodland, historically used for action. Large numbers of ancient ant coppice, which would have marked easy access to fresh fish. Nowadays hills here indicate that the meadow has ancient parish boundaries from the they attract an impressive number never been ‘improved’ with machinery, original dividing of Enfield Chase. The of dragonflies and damselflies, with creating invaluable habitat for a older trees of the woodland provide sixteen of Hertfordshire’s species number of species. The meadow is rich great habitat for birds like great having been recorded here. The in invertebrates, including butterflies spotted woodpecker, which excavates ponds are also valuable habitats for and grasshoppers. On a warm summer’s standing deadwood to create nesting frogs and other amphibians, and for day, butterflies including gatekeepers, holes. Keep your eyes peeled for other waterbirds including coot, moorhen small coppers and marbled whites can woodland birds such as nuthatch and little grebe. be seen in abundance.

Reserves Round up volunteers’ hard work wild thyme broods of chicks that fledged in August. is thriving on the reserve and has saved the plume moth from going Hilfield Reservoir, Springwell A moth that has not been recorded locally extinct. Reedbed and Stocker’s Lake in Hertfordshire since 1930 has once All three habitat management plans again been spotted – the plume moth, Amwell have been submitted to project Merrifieldia leucodactyla, also known We have cut rides in front of the partner Affinity Water so that work as the thyme plume due to its diet viewpoints to improve views for can commence to improve these of wild thyme. Our management keeps birdwatching and a pair of swallows sites for both wildlife and people. the calcareous grassland open which nesting in the Gladwin Hide earlier Additionally a programme of events encourages thyme; thanks to our this year successfully raised two has been agreed for the autumn and

22 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 e ll ne e S Mik

Marbled We would like to y White extend a special thank you to David who this

Gompertz husse lotte year stepped down as the reserve’s cha r Volunteer Warden. His dedication Managing Fir and Pond Woods over the years has The Trust’s dedicated team of helped the site volunteers work hard to care for Fir continue to flourish and Pond Woods. Throughout the for wildlife. winter volunteers undertake the labour-intensive task of clearing areas of holly from the wood. Though a native plant, holly grows quickly and can overcrowd many other plant species. Clearance is managed carefully to ensure that some holly patches remain to retain its benefit to wildlife without dominating. Our HANNAH COUZENS Reserves Team and volunteers also work hard to keep paths open and scrub under control, as well as carrying out daily checks on the sheep when the herd is on-site from late summer to early autumn. The grazing of the ancient meadow allows specialist meadow plant species to continue to thrive such as tormentil, sheep’s Holly sorrel, heath bedstraw and mouse ear clearance hawkweed.

Future conservation winter including a wildfowl workshop – the first orchids found on The Trust hopes to secure funding at Stocker’s Lake and a gull roost the reserve since the 2012/13 to restore a wet fen meadow at the watch at . restoration project. They had southern end of the reserve. Ten years been listed on the original SSSI ago the fen area was used as a willow Thorley Wash citation, notified in 1986. plantation to provide material for Conservation grazing has continued cricket bats. When the Trust took over on the site, with cattle fencing Lemsford Springs the reserve’s management in 1974 this repaired thanks to funding from We have been cutting watercress use ceased and a project is now being Tesco Bags of Help. Our Volunteer and begun willow spiling works considered to restore the habitat to Warden, Robert, found southern along the banks between the river its former use. Grazing would be an marsh orchids over the summer and lagoon to prevent erosion. important part of such a project and would require fencing, a bridge and kissing gates. Watch this space…

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 23 s k er k P ac J days out

Tim Hill, the Trust’s Conservation Manager, highlights some of his favourite seasonal wildlife and makes suggestions for things to look out for and do through the months ahead... calendar

november

Redd Alert starts in November. By this time of year the female, In life, it’s impossible to be aware of those formative or hen, is gravid (being full of eggs). When she feels moments as they happen and how sometimes the time is right, she will seek out gravels in the they influence the future. One of these moments river bed and create a nest for her eggs, known as for me was as a boy when I joined my Grandpa on a redd. Convulsing her body back and forth, she a trip to the River Edw, a tributary of the Wye in pushes the gravel out of the way to dig a shallow pit mid-Wales. His quarry was, as always, brown trout. varying from the size of a beer mat to a tea plate. Having fished for them for years, he was something When she’s happy with the redd she will release of an expert in their ecology and was keen to some of her eggs. The male fish, or cock, will then pass that on. I’m sure it’s that early experience of release sperm over the eggs to fertilise them. After rivers and fish that shaped what I was to do in my this the hen will push gravels over the eggs, conservation career. What fascinates me most about covering them loosely. Depending on trout is their spawning behaviour, which usually the temperature of the water, the

december nature’s

Merry Christmas! change to longer days, the joy The holly and the ivy of deer careering through the When they are both full grown countryside and that lovely memory Of all the trees that are in the wood of voices heard from afar. Not bad for The holly bears the crown eight lines! Holly is a component of most woods O the rising of the sun in our counties, occupying the shrub layer below And the running of the deer the canopy, providing cover for mammals such as The playing of the merry organ those deer mentioned above. In mid-winter the Sweet singing of the choir glossy green leaves and post box red berries make it a favourite, albeit prickly, base for many a door Of all the Christmas carols, this is one of my wreath. The berries are an important resource Tim is Conservation favourites, summing up the festive season for blackbirds and thrushes, providing nuggets Manager for Herts and both culturally and ecologically. This first verse of nutrition during short, dark days. Holly is a Middlesex Wildlife Trust includes two important food plants for birds, the favoured habitat for one of our rarest and smallest

24 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 Black headed gull

T

i

m

H i january l

Gull o’clock and Hilfield Park Reservoir near . If you normally leave home as it’s getting light in This is where most of the gulls we see flying January, take a look skyward. I guarantee there will southwards in the afternoon are heading. In the be a scattering of gulls overhead, making their way depth of winter they spend up to 14 hours bobbing purposefully to somewhere unknown to us. If you look up about on the water roosting until, as the initial glow again anytime from 2pm onwards there will be gulls again, heading of dawn appears, they will take flight leaving the reservoir to the other way. This is the ebb and flow of the gull tide – these times head off to their favoured feeding areas – rubbish tips, fields I like to think of as ‘gull o’clock’ and you really can set your watch by and playing fields which may be over 30 miles from their their movements. So what are they doing and where are they going? roost. It’s this morning flight which we see as we’re leaving There are five species of gulls which are regular in our counties; home. We know it’s time to get a move on, it’s gull o’clock! the great black-backed, lesser black-backed, herring, common and black-headed. Up until about 10 years ago, gulls were only a wintering bird here but, more recently, lesser black-backed and black- headed have become established as breeding species. It’s during february the winter that all our species are at their most numerous, moving inland from coastal breeding colonies. During this time their basic Common toad needs are food and somewhere safe to spend the night. They find night-time refuge on our reservoirs and large gravel pits, spending the hours of darkness floating around on the water where predators are unable to get to them. There are a number of key roosting places for gulls in our area – the Chingford reservoirs in the Lea Valley ins surrey hills photography k on haw J eggs will hatch in 60-100 days. After this the fish are known as alevins and they live amongst fine A Long Walk Home gravels, initially getting nourishment from the As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, showering our loved ones with remains of their yolk sac. When this is gone, the cards and gifts, deep in the wild parts of our counties, toads fish are known as fry. will be thinking about love too. Triggered by hormonal changes, In the last few years I have had the pleasure of toads will be coming out of hibernation and some will begin working with Bob Dear and Feargal Sharkey at the their journeys from wintering places back to their breeding Amwell Magna fishery, a stretch of the River Lea grounds. Come February, the toads’ journeys begin – walking adjacent to the Trust’s Amwell Nature Reserve. back to their natal wetlands. This journey may be anything They have been restoring the river and as a result up to three miles! Unfortunately in our modern world some of increased flows and habitat enhancements, 58 traditional toad migration routes have been severed by roads, redds were counted in 2016, a record for the river. meaning their journeys are fraught with danger and many I look forward to the count this year. never make it home, squashed under the wheels of cars. If you are keen to spot a toad on Firecrest migration, have a look from the middle of the month on drizzly

hrush nights, when temperatures rise aul T

P above 8°C. In Hertfordshire, we are currently in the midst wintering birds, the firecrest. It’s always worth of a county-wide survey to looking carefully as these diminutive birds are easily find out how toads and all our overlooked as they dart amongst branches and amphibians are faring. You can leaves searching out spiders and other invertebrate find out more or contribute to prey. Ivy is not quite as showy a plant but it too the survey by reporting your provides a vital habitat for wildlife. In September sightings by visiting www. the flowers are abuzz with insects feasting on the hnhs.org/article/mammals- wealth of nectar and by mid-winter the berries are reptiles-and-amphibians- ripe providing more food for wintering thrushes new-countywide-survey. If such as redwings and fieldfares. Woodpigeons are you really want to help toads, rather fond of them too! The loose wrap of ivy on the best thing you can do is to our trees and buildings gives many creatures a safe dig a pond in your garden – it place to spend the night – safe from disturbance will also provide habitat for a and the biting cold of open spaces. wealth of other animals too!

Autumn 2017 wildlifematters 25 Micro habitats

The Nature Of... a hornbeam Hornbeam trees are native to the south and east of England, confined to ancient woodland. In Hertfordshire and Middlesex we have an abundance of this tree as hornbeam can tolerate the heavy clay soils of our area; London clay covers a large amount of south-east Hertfordshire.

Hornbeam is sometimes known as different aged trees offers habitat from the tree and also feast on fallen ‘hardbeam’; horn means hard and requirements for a variety of species. seeds on the woodland floor. beam was the name for a tree in old Hornbeam responds well to coppicing English. In the past, its strength and and, while untouched Hornbeam A strong heart hardness lead it to be used for butchers’ can live to be around 300 years old, As hornbeam grows in diameter the chopping blocks and cogs for windmill estimates put some of our ancient cells closest to the centre of the tree and water mills. Historically the timber Hornbeam coppice stools (the original die, becoming hard wood that is still of hornbeam was known as ‘rangewood’ tree stump) at 700 years old. These structurally sound – this is known as due to its hard, highly calorific, slow older stools grow to be gnarly and ‘heartwood’ due to its location in the burning nature – the wood fuelled the rotten, offering a great place for centre of the tree. cooking ranges of old. invertebrates to live and fungi to thrive. Life from death Coppicing A year-round haven As hornbeams grow older, deadwood Traditionally used as a method of gaining Small mammals and birds can benefit poles form and birds such as straight, fast growing timber, coppicing from the tree year-round, due to the woodpeckers and blue tits nest in their – cutting trees close to ground level – deciduous broadleaf retaining some hollows, while saprophytic fungi live on encourages new stems to grow from of its leaves throughout the winter dead or decaying matter. Various beetles the base. Coppicing provides fantastic offering opportunities for shelter, feed on the different stages of rotting benefits for woodland ecology by nesting and foraging. heartwood, right through from the greatly increasing light levels following Hornbeam seeds are a favourite of start of decay to the more developed cutting, while encouraging regrowth hawfinches. The birds use their large, pockets of rot – or rot holes – later on. on previously shaded woodland floors. powerful beaks to break open the small, This decaying heartwood also benefits Varying light levels and a range of hard seed. Hawfinches will take them many invertebrates such as ants and flies.

26 wildlifematters Autumn 2017 We work hard to expertly manage your local nature reserves – but we need your help to carry on...

Our nature reserves may appear to You can help our Reserves be self-managing however, like the Team to continue to protect majority of ‘wild’ places in Britain, they and improve your local nature are semi-natural habitats, requiring a reserves for wildlife. great deal of time, investment, expertise and good old fashioned hard graft to A donation from you today could keep them in good condition; and a help fund the equipment, vehicles great deal of help from our supporters. and machinery they need this year. ens ou z annah C

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If you do not need a receipt and would like to help us save costs, please tick this box Keeping in touch Thank you We hope you enjoy hearing from us. If you wish to change your communication preferences at any time please let us know by contacting [email protected] or 01727 858901 for your support! Please help us raise £24,000 to fund the essential equipment our Reserves Team needs to manage your local nature reserves

Hand tools Surveying kits As part of our traditional woodland management, we must cut back Our Reserves Officers and vegetation in order to encourage dedicated volunteers use regeneration for your local specialist survey equipment wildlife to thrive. to monitor species on our sites, and feed their vital £3 pair of rigger gloves records to the Hertfordshire £15 long-armed lopper Environmental Records Centre. £50 handsaw £7.50 survey marker £10 quadrat £36 weatherproof clipboard

Heavy machinery and equipment Volunteer training

Using heavy-duty mowers It is vital that our Reserves allows us to cut large, flat areas Team and volunteers get of grassland across our sites, the training, equipment creating more good quality and support they need to habitat for your local wildlife. keep your nature reserves at their best. £35 brushcutter blade £1500 reciprocating £35 FSC training course mower attachment £40 first aid training

Power tools PPE

Our Reserves Team and Our Reserves Team and volunteers carefully volunteers need personal manage the vegetation protective equipment growth on your local (PPE) to be safe at work nature reserve to prevent and put all our informed scrub or bramble spreading habitat management too quickly and engulfing techniques into practice. ENS other vulnerable habitats. £25 visor and ear defenders £15 new chainsaw chain £100 steel-toe waders £50 25l chainsaw oil £500 dry suit

£550 new chainsaw IMAGES BY HANNAH COU Z

You can Vehicles & equipment donate online at hertswildlifetrust. maintenance org.uk/appeal

Our hardy vehicles and trailers are vital or call us on to get our team, livestock and tools exactly where they need to be. 01727 858901 to donate over £100 livestock trailer service £700 service and repair two mowers the phone

protecting wildlife for the future