Kemerton Clippings

Issue 24 Kemerton Conservation Trust Newsletter July 2019 Dazzling Orchids Delight at Open Day In recent years our many Southern Marsh and © Kate Aubury Common Spotted Orchids have hybridised to produce large numbers of the tall Dactylorhiza x grandis and the magnificent mix of pink and purple spikes is a stunning sight in the meadow above the lake (see photo on left).

As well as the orchids, attendees were treated to the spectacle of hundreds of toadlets making their way into the woodland from the lake, Common Blue butterflies on the Bird’s Foot Trefoil, noisy juvenile Oystercatchers practicing their flying and newly emerged Southern Marsh Orchids, Common Spotted Orchids and Black Tailed Skimmers patrolling the water’s their hybrids in flower, KLNR, June 2019 edge.

On Saturday 15th the Trust held it’s annual We made a small profit from entrance fees, Open Day at Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve. refreshments sales and member donations on The focus this year was again on the stunning the day. The money raised all goes towards native orchids found in the limestone grass- the work of the Trust, helping us safeguard land around the lake, many of which flower in the site for the future. We also introduced June, including Bee, Common Spotted, Tway- more members of the public to the wonderful blade, Southern Marsh and Pyramidal Orchid. wildlife right on their doorstep, which is one of our key aims. After a wet week, the weather was unsettled - with several heavy showers during the day - Thanks goes to all our fantastic, hard-working and turnout was unfortunately lower than volunteers who assisted both in the run-up to usual as a result. However, a few hardy souls the event and on the day itself, we couldn’t donned their waterproofs and risked a soaking have done it without you all! to join us for two guided tours of the reserve, taking in hundreds of orchids as well as plenty of other flora and fauna, followed by some refreshments in our woodland glade.

Are you looking for a new hobby? Do you have a few hours spare a month? Do you have a passion for spotting snakes or counting crickets? If yes, why not volunteer with the Trust? We are always looking for enthusiastic people to assist us to protect local landscapes and the flora and fauna that rely on them. If you would like more details, please contact Support Coordinator Kate Aubury by email [email protected]. Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera (left) & Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis (right), KLNR, June 2019

PAGE 2 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 24 A Wander through Aldwick Wood SSSI

© Jamie Smith © David Aubury Spring is an excellent time to will tell, but the Trust is visit these two sites as in The currently in the process of Bushes the Hawthorn is flower- applying for a grant to carry ing and lots of birds are nesting, out a major invertebrate whilst in Aldwick Wood the trees survey in both Aldwick Wood are in leaf and flowers such as and The Bushes in order to Wild Garlic and Bluebell are better understand the micro- flowering. Sadly there are only a habitats within these sites to few patches of these in the help us protect them into the A bank of Wild Garlic flowering in woodland due to past over- Aldwick Wood SSSI, April 2019 future. More on that soon. management and grazing by deer In late April our Governor at present but they still make a On this particular day in Matt Darby led a guided walk lovely display in places. April though the woods were through The Bushes and full of birdsong and everyone Aldwick Wood SSSIs, two Aldwick Wood SSSI is an ancient had a wonderful time walking sites on Hill which woodland which is part of the through the greenery. are owned by Kemerton larger Special Area Estate but jointly managed by of Conservation, designated to the farm and KCT for the protect the unique and rare benefit of the important flora deadwood invertebrates found on and fauna they support. the hill, some of which are found nowhere else in Britain. One The day was overcast and a major concern for the Trust is little chilly but turnout was that Aldwick Wood is primarily © Kate Aubury high and everyone was in Ash woodland and therefore the good spirits ready for an in- impact of Chalara (Ash Dieback) Governor Matt Darby with attendees formative ramble on the hill. could be catastrophic. Only time in The Bushes SSSI, April 2019

Long-term local supporter Funding Update Bredon Forest School donated another £500 to the Trust in the first half of 2019. These In February, the Trust are unrestricted funds which successfully applied for a are used to help with general £500 grant to purchase costs including volunteer replacement bird boxes for heard about the project and tools, materials for repairs several of our sites. We opted thought it was a great idea so etc. We are very grateful for for woodcrete boxes this time stepped in to fund the project their generous support. as they last longer and are themselves. A project report harder for woodpeckers to will be in the next newsletter. We also received a donation of drill into. Our generous £132.75 in the name of Friend funder wishes to remain Sadly our grant for core costs of KCT Terry Mann who sadly anonymous, but we are very was turned down, which was passed away in May this year. grateful for their support. a blow as we really need more Terry, a keen birder, and his staff resource to manage our family loved visiting the lake We also applied for a small existing commitments, fund- and we plan to put the money grant to plant more bluebells raise more and carry out new towards a project at the lake. and daffodils in Kemerton projects. We are considering Wood from a local funder, other options but there are Thank you to all who have which was unsuccessful but to very few funders who give supported us so far this our delight one of our Friends grants for core costs. year!

PAGE 3 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 24 Vandals Cause Trouble at Kemerton Lake

Since the beginning of the year police to identify them and follow Kemerton Lake Nature up, although no charges were Reserve has had multiple petty possible as the criminal damage vandalism incidents. These could not be proven. The young have ranged from the more men involved were not locals and serious – our boats damaged, we hope will not return given the used on the water and theft of police visit. Their thoughtless one attempted, to the merely actions over the bank holiday irritating – hides left full of weekend resulted in hours of litter and signs of drugs and clean up, repair and liaising with © Kate Aubury alcohol. the police for our volunteer Vandals with one of our ‘liberated’ have been assisting us in trying Warden, our Support Coordinator, boats, KLNR, April 2019 to deal with it but the open and some of our Governors. nature of the site, the reality The Trust is saddened that a that we have only limited In the recent hotter weather, the handful of thoughtless visitors resources and are only on site a lake has become a target for local are creating issues for our few times a week and the fact teenagers who use the hides for volunteers and other visitors. that the identity of some of the drinking and taking drugs, often The vandalism wastes our young people involved is causing damage and leaving them limited money and time, as we unknown has made it difficult in a state. They have also been are forced to repair or replace to tackle. seen trespassing around the lake damaged items or clean up and swimming in the water on hot litter thrown into the lake, and One of the boat incidents, days, which is very dangerous as it is demoralising to see our which occurred during the it is full of water weed and thick wonderful wildlife site trashed Easter Holidays, was witnessed mud. Small groups of boys have again and again. by a Trust member, who been witnessed on many occasions photographed the three male by visitors, although sadly so far We would ask our members to teenagers responsible. In no photographs have been report any issues in the hides addition, as they arrived by car obtained so identification has not via email [email protected] and parked in a farm gateway, yet been possible. We would be or by phone on 07765 334 776. a vehicle registration was also grateful for any photographs that You can also call West Mercia recorded, which allowed the may help us to identify the them. Police if you witness a crime.

colourful bugs, beetles, bees News in Brief © Kate Aubury and butterflies, getting to grips with binoculars in the Water’s In March Kate Aubury gave a Edge Hide and learning a little talk for the Trust to Beckford bit about why the environment Gardening Club about ‘Wildlife in is so important, how it helps us, a Special Corner of Bredon Hill’. how we can all help protect it The talk highlighted the plethora and what the Trust does locally. of fantastic flora and fauna found on our reserves throughout the In the Hide we spotted four Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, seasons and was very well KLNR, July 2019 Common Sandpiper resting on received. Part of the Trust’s remit a logs in the water, on passage is to spread the conservation from their breeding grounds in message to the general public so Kemerton Lake on 1st July for the North. The birds were it was great to be invited to a Bredon Brownies to show them unperturbed by the higher than neighbouring village to tell them conservation in action on their usual noise levels in the hide, about what we do and encourage local patch. affording us some lovely views. them to visit our lovely reserves. A group of 15 very excited ten It was a pleasure meeting such In the same spirit of education year olds and their supervisors enthusiastic young girls and Kate also led a walk around spent a happy hour looking at showing them around the site.

PAGE 4 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 24 A Keen Eye: news from the hides - by David Keen, Friend of KCT

not seem right and on July 7th a only seen once before at visitor to the hide was showing Kemerton; the Barn Owl. Then me some film he had taken that on June 3rd I saw one sitting on morning of an Otter at the lake. a fence post. I took a long shot of Could this be part of the puzzle? it to make sure it was one. On We do tend to think of them as June 4th and 5th I made two fish eaters but Otters have been early starts and took over 300 known to take birds. I have not shots. Some of them extremely seen Otter or Mink on the site close as he flew over me, at times © David Keen but they are the most elusive less than 3m above me. There creatures. It would not surprise must be a good supply of mice Barn Owl, KLNR, July 2019 me if they were involved. and voles around the lake as the Kestrel can be seen hunting in The first Oystercatcher of the A bird we do not see very often the same area. new season arrived on January at KLNR is the bird that the 29th. After a very sharp frost trust has adopted as their logo; It looks as though the swans are that night, the following morn- the Curlew. So it was a pleasant going to make a late start this ing two thirds of the lake was surprise to see five of them on year and have nested to the side frozen over. Despite this, there one of the islands in March, of the boardwalk. As I write this was plenty of activity with a although they did not stay long. she is still sitting. The Oyster- large number of Teal, Tufted catcher seem to have an endless Duck, Pochard, Gadwall and Over the next few visits to the supply of Mussel to feed their some Widgeon. All were trying hide I saw Red Kite. All seemed two chicks. They can be seen to claim the last bit of open to be coming from Beckford trying to prize them open. The water. direction so one day I made my chicks are spending a lot of time way home that way and spotted on the hide roof at the moment. My next visits to the lake were three kites on road kill. I February 12th and 13th; three stopped to photograph them and This year has been disappointing more Oystercatcher had saw eight to ten kites circling for some of the birds. The Little arrived and over the next few above the trees. Kemerton is not Grebe, Moorhen and various days four Great Crested Grebe that far. They seem to be duckling chicks have only turned up. Two of them did not congregating on Bredon Hill and survived a few days but there is stay very long. The two that with the breeding season upon still time for a second brood did stay had a very frustrating us we could be seeing more of fingers crossed. July 7th I took time. They started to build a these wonderful birds. some shots of a Tufted Duck nest close to Water’s Edge with nine ducklings but when I hide. After a day or two they I did not see the Cuckoo at the made a brief visit to the lake on lost interest and moved to the lake until May 21st. Then I saw July 10th sadly she had lost 6 of other side of the lake. After two in the trees behind Water’s them. The Mallard seem to be about ten days they returned Edge hide. I'm sure some of you the only ones having any to the original nest and laid will have seen them before then. success so far this year. two eggs. Unfortunately the next time I looked the eggs had The next eagerly awaited visitor gone. I thought they maybe is one of my favourites, the © David Keen dropped through the nest as it Hobby. They arrived on May did not look the strongest of 18th last year, but did not arrive structures or had something until June 6th this year when take them? Then they moved one was spotted but then not to the top end of the lake and seen again until July 4th. It is built a nest. This lasted for great to see them back, and as about two weeks and on July the dragonflies emerge I am 4th that nest had gone and the hoping to see more of them. birds were back on the water which was very puzzling. For Another favourite bird which is Red Kite, KLNR, November 2018 them to lose three nests did fascinating to watch is one I had

PAGE 5 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 24 Dingy Skipper Spotted at Settlement Ponds

© Kate Aubury to its rarity and decreasing Our Support Coordinator numbers across the UK (it Kate Aubury coincidentally has declined almost 50% since happened to be on site the 1970). KCT has two previous same day and was lucky records for the species, but enough to see the iridescent these are 17 and 19 years ago Green Hairstreak and the respectively, so we are very more camouflaged but equally pleased to have this new exciting Dingy Skipper Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages, KLNR, record. Even better; George (thanks to George for pointing May 2019 saw more than one specimen it out to her!). on the day so hopefully there On May 14th our butterfly is a thriving colony. George carries out butterfly surveyor George Day was transects for the Trust every searching for Green Hair- Dingy Skipper caterpillars year and has added hugely to streak around the Settlement require Bird’s Foot Trefoil our butterfly data in that time Ponds at Kemerton Lake plants to feed on, and this - and he’s recorded several when he spotted and photo- lovely little yellow member of new species for our reserves graphed a small, dull brown the pea family flowers in along the way. butterfly - or was it a moth? profusion on the limestone © Kate Aubury Uncertain of the ID, he head- grassland around Kemerton ed home to consult his books Lake. The same plant is also a and to his delight confirmed it key caterpillar food for the as a Dingy Skipper. gorgeous Green Hairstreak - and George also spotted Dingy Skipper is a Section 41 several of those on that same species of principal day in May, as well as importance under the Natural Common Blue butterflies Environment and Rural which are found in quite high Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi, Communities (NERC) Act due numbers in the same area. KLNR, May 2019 We Say our Goodbyes to a Wonderful Naturalist

The Trust was saddened to © Kate Aubury Estate, offering his expertise hear recently of the death of on many occasions. He con- naturalist John Meiklejohn, a tinued to help the Trust wonderful wildlife expert who when it was set up in 1989 spent many years surveying and was a stalwart recorder and recording for the Trust. for many years until ill health forced him to give up A Science Teacher who his beloved hobby. It was a moved to to source of frustration to him teach at Bredon Secondary John Meiklejohn leading a walk at that his incredible memory KLNR Open Day, 2011 School in 1963, John honed began to fail him towards the his knowledge of plants end of his life his knowledge end, although he still had roaming Bredon Hill and was of our area’s biodiversity was most of the rest of us beat! a key contributor to the encyclopaedic. This made him Worcestershire Flora Project an invaluable contributor to John was very popular both which started in 1987. the Worcestershire Biological in where he lived for Records Centre. five decades and with all However his enthusiasm was Worcestershire naturalists, not limited to botany. He was It was in the early 80s that many of whom, including said to have spent a year John began assisting John Adrian Darby, gathered for familiarising himself with and Pamela Clarke in their his memorial service in each animal group and by the wildlife work on Kemerton Defford Church last week.

PAGE 6 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 24 News from the Carrant Catchment Area Restoration Project - by Joanne Leigh, FWAGSW

Over the last year the group good attendance and covered a © FWAGSW has increased to 29 members range of activities including made up of 8500 Hectares of visiting a successful natural farming land. Most of our flood management scheme to members are already in a learn more about the land- Countryside Stewardship scape features that can miti- Scheme, including some in gate flooding such as leaky Higher Level Stewardship, barriers or the reintroduction which covers extensive of river meanders, help with restoration of habitat across regenerative pastures, veteran DHL Volunteer Event, the Carrant and Isborne. All tree management and Estate, January 2019 of our farmers are aware of preservation and habitat con- the need to address, and are nectivity through hedgerow The CCARP group is under- contributing to; water quality management. We also held a pinned by innovation and improvement, soil health, farmland ID session ahead of research and linked to other carbon capture, riparian man- the national Big Farmland initiatives in the catchment agement, woodland manage- Bird Count, which several of that increase biodiversity ment and habitat restoration. our members took part in. through strategic management and collaborative partnership Farmers and landowners are External funding from working. We welcome interest all very keen to welcome a Cotswold Conservation Board from corporate groups that new Environmental Land has secured the planting of a would like to volunteer for Management Scheme that further 107 trees as well as conservation. We can arrange will come out in the next year; collaboration with external days where groups can support they look forward to a less partners from the DHL group, conservation management on a prescriptive scheme that looks who planted over 1200 hedge large scale to deliver landscape at long term restoration with plants. Our project partners scale recovery of habitats. Last payments to deliver public continue to support us and in year we had the Gloucester- good. In addition, farmers are doing so open us up to further shire Vale Conservation Group also in a good position to do so funding and support, such as help with hedge laying and much more towards climate linking into their initiatives orchard tree planting, there is change mitigation by con- for carbon mitigation. The plenty more to do this winter tributing to carbon capture support from partners also that can help restore habitat so and a reduction in methane provides the opportunity to please get in touch if interested. gas nationally. We all await monitor species and habitat the new scheme with interest. and share this information to For further information of how benefit future Environmental to get involved please contact Our recent events have had Land Management Schemes. [email protected]. KCT’s Bird Farmland Bird Count 2019 Results

The Big Farmland Bird Count farmland birds on their land, where supplemental feeding is a standardised bird survey such as scatter feeding birds was taking place. The results carried out by farmers once a through winter or growing are available in a short report year. Run by the Game & crops specifically to provide on our website (under ‘News Wildlife Conservation Trust, seed for birds. and Events’). the count offers a simple means of recording the effect of any This year KCT partnered with Thank you to all the volunteers specific conservation work be- Kemerton Estate to count the who carried out the surveys for ing instigated by farmers for birds at five different locations us.

PAGE 7 KEMERTON CLIPPINGS ISSUE 24

Work Party Update by Mike Seber © Kate Aubury

I’ve lived locally for 6 years trees, cleared non native and occasionally taken a walk daffodils, painted a bird hide round Kemerton Lake, stood with wood preservative, put in in the hide and watched birds natural protections against and insects live their brief vandals (the devil makes work and not so brief lives. for idle hands etc.) and helped at the annual open day. But only when I saw how Mike (second from right) & KCT friends and family reacted to I’ve learnt about and seen volunteers treating the East Hide the environment, especially more wildlife in the last 9 with wood preservative, May 2019 when they are city dwellers, months than the previous 6 did I think, "This place is years. Deer and Hare, Great helpful bee habitat. I’ll report important". So I wanted to Crested Grebe and Smew (the back once that’s up and help the Trust. One way is by last is quite rare I’m told) running. joining in one or more of the being a few highlights. I’ve monthly work parties. It’s a also become aware that bees If you are interested in great way to make a have been having a hard time volunteering with the Trust difference for only a few recently and KCT are doing please contact Kate Aubury, hours on a Saturday. Since things to encourage them. I’ve Support Coordinator by email last October we've protected been inspired to turn part of [email protected] or by trees from bark damage by my garden into a wildflower phone on 07765 334 776. deer, planted and pruned meadow, which should provide Focus on a Friend: Geoff Trevis (paper at that time) records for Geoff happily accepted. He the county he spotted that recalls early visits to the bee hymenoptera records were bank, when it was estimated virtually non-existent and took there were 40,000 Yellow- up the baton. After attending legged Mining Bee Andrena identification workshops run flavipes nests, as a highlight. by the national charity © Kate Aubury BWARS Geoff was ready to A dedicated naturalist, who’s start surveying and recording. love of insects began as a child raising caterpillars into Geoff has been involved with butterflies and hunting for In this addition of Kemerton WWT since moving to the beetles , he feels it a privilege Clippings we are focussing on county after university, hold- to be able to visit wonderful our bee expert Geoff Trevis. ing various roles including sites such as Kemerton Lake Honorary Secretary for many to survey for bees and enjoy Geoff is the county recorder years. His involvement with all the other wildlife found and local expert for aculeate KCT began in the early 2000s there too. hymenoptera (bees, wasps after our Conservation Advisor and ants), a role he took on John Clarke found a large The Trust is very grateful for many years ago when colony of mining bees at the all Geoff’s expert help over Worcestershire Biological newly formed Kemerton Lake the years monitoring our bee Records Centre was taken Nature Reserve. National banks. Sadly, as a result of under the wing of Worcester- experts had visited and con- natural succession, numbers shire Wildlife Trust (WWT), firmed the bee bank to be of have fallen sharply but there and Geoff was asked to regional importance so John are plans for restoration afoot become Chairman, a role he asked Geoff if he would help and Geoff has been assisting still holds. On inspecting the survey it in detail, an offer us with this of course.

Kemerton Clippings Save the Date! January 2019  Sunday 18th August - Beggar Boys Wetland Edited by Kate Aubury Walk (2.30pm start) - see ‘News & Events’ on web- Contact email: [email protected] site www.kemerton.org for full event details

 Saturday 31st August - Working party (10am Print services provided by Fleet start, location to be confirmed) Graphics (Tewkesbury) Ltd  Tuesday 24th September - ’Orchids of South This newsletter is published Midlands’ Slideshow & Talk, Victoria Hall bi-annually. The next edition will (8pm start) - see ‘News & Events’ on website be issued in January 2020. www.kemerton.org for full event details

 Saturday 28th September - Working party (10am start, location to be confirmed) For more information on the work of KCT please visit our  Saturday 26th October - Working party (10am website: www.kemerton.org start, location to be confirmed)

 Saturday 12th October - KOW Apple Day, Victoria Hall (1-5pm - see ‘News & Events’ on © Kate Aubury website www.kemerton.org for full event details

 Saturday 30th November - 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.

Male Thick Legged Flower Beetle Oedemera nobilis , KLNR, May 2019

Kemerton Conservation Trust GOVERNORS

Kemerton Court ADRIAN DARBY, OBE (Chairman)

Kemerton MATTHEW DARBY

Tewkesbury PETER DOBLE

LORD HOWICK, VMH

PETER MARREN GL20 7HY BRETT WESTWOOD

Tel: 01386 725 254 ROGER WORKMAN

www.kemerton.org

Registered Charity No. 702488