Woodlife Trails–As Seen on TV

After a bit of “Is it on or is it off” last week, JP and I eventually found ourselves travelling towards an unlikely location (for us) to meet up with a TV production company who had been commissioned by Channel Four to make a programme.

Perhaps Hampstead isn’t too unlikely considering the programme (or at least a third of it) is going to be about an urban fox “problem”. We were to survey the area, and then look at three gardens for signs of fox.

The crew followed us around all afternoon as we found and described fox hairs, scat, tracks and our suppositions as to why the foxes were entering into each garden.

As Hampstead Heath wasn’t too far away, it was natural to assume they were coming in from there, but there was certainly a resident community of a number of fox families who had made their home in the locality. Just how many was very difficult to speculate upon without doing a larger survey. Above shows signs of a fox climbing out of a garden.

At the request of the crew, we set hired camera traps in each garden for later retrieval, and hopefully capture some footage of fox activity.

As we surveyed one garden, we tracked the fox to the bottom of the garden and through a narrow gap. As JP peeked though the gap into next door’s garden, he spooked the fox laying up under a conifer, which ran off into what we had identified as a long, narrow transit corridor between two facing back gardens. Unfortunately the camera crew were a little slow to catch the live action.

We were very impressed that the producer had switched from an earlier stance of supporting the eradication of the fox through trapping and shooting, to our reasoning that this would only allow another fox to occupy the displaced fox’s vacant territory.

Later in the evening, we had to describe our findings to the occupiers of the property and suggest ways  to reduce their presence. After describing this to one couple, they changed their own quite hard-line opinion about foxes and will be willing to try out our suggestions. 

To another lady I described exactly how and why I thought a certain route was being used and the reasoning for the fox coming into her garden. She confirmed exactly what I had said, describing the fox routinely jumping onto a low wall surrounding a water feature for a drink. Her observations also confirmed what I thought was a mouse that appeared in one corner of the garden to nibble on some windfall fruit.

After a tiring but satisfying day, we made our way back to Essex. I’m not sure when the programme will be aired; but I’ll be sure to let everyone know. Err…I hope they caught our best side!

Woodlife Trails–As Seen on TV

After a bit of “Is it on or is it off” last week, JP and I eventually found ourselves travelling towards an unlikely location (for us) to meet up with a TV production company who had been commissioned by Channel Four to make a programme.

Perhaps Hampstead isn’t too unlikely considering the programme (or at least a third of it) is going to be about an urban fox “problem”. We were to survey the area, and then look at three gardens for signs of fox.

The crew followed us around all afternoon as we found and described fox hairs, scat, tracks and our suppositions as to why the foxes were entering into each garden.

As Hampstead Heath wasn’t too far away, it was natural to assume they were coming in from there, but there was certainly a resident community of a number of fox families who had made their home in the locality. Just how many was very difficult to speculate upon without doing a larger survey. Above shows signs of a fox climbing out of a garden.

At the request of the crew, we set hired camera traps in each garden for later retrieval, and hopefully capture some footage of fox activity.

As we surveyed one garden, we tracked the fox to the bottom of the garden and through a narrow gap. As JP peeked though the gap into next door’s garden, he spooked the fox laying up under a conifer, which ran off into what we had identified as a long, narrow transit corridor between two facing back gardens. Unfortunately the camera crew were a little slow to catch the live action.

We were very impressed that the producer had switched from an earlier stance of supporting the eradication of the fox through trapping and shooting, to our reasoning that this would only allow another fox to occupy the displaced fox’s vacant territory.

Later in the evening, we had to describe our findings to the occupiers of the property and suggest ways  to reduce their presence. After describing this to one couple, they changed their own quite hard-line opinion about foxes and will be willing to try out our suggestions. 

To another lady I described exactly how and why I thought a certain route was being used and the reasoning for the fox coming into her garden. She confirmed exactly what I had said, describing the fox routinely jumping onto a low wall surrounding a water feature for a drink. Her observations also confirmed what I thought was a mouse that appeared in one corner of the garden to nibble on some windfall fruit.

After a tiring but satisfying day, we made our way back to Essex. I’m not sure when the programme will be aired; but I’ll be sure to let everyone know. Err…I hope they caught our best side!

Looking for Mink

After our finds last week (a signal crayfish claw and what might possibly be a mink print) we were keen to make some follow up investigations; so JP and I may another trip to Hatfield on Friday to place a trail-cam on the stream on the south east side of Hatfield forest.

We checked along the stream to see if there was any more evidence or prints; but the recent rain had washed most of the tracks apart from the ever-present follow tracks leading out from the forest across the stream to the field.

We returned to the stream source coming out from the lakes  and pointed the cam along the shallow bank. We used some fish bait to hopefully attract something although we know that won’t last too long.

The rest of the day was spent tracking around the north west of the forest. We sporadically followed a badger track going along a tree line, across a path and over a ditch. The tracks disappeared into the woodland, heading towards a known badger sett.

Our journey brought us to the Portingbury Hills, an Iron-age settlement, (the small patch on the left of the map) and then south west back to the car-park.

On our way out we spotted someone looking intently though binos at some birds in the tree. We stopped and to our delight, saw about 30-40 waxwings in the tree.

I hurriedly snapped off some pics, which turned out to be rubbish, but at least shows what they are. A great end to a great day!

Looking for Mink

After our finds last week (a signal crayfish claw and what might possibly be a mink print) we were keen to make some follow up investigations; so JP and I may another trip to Hatfield on Friday to place a trail-cam on the stream on the south east side of Hatfield forest.

We checked along the stream to see if there was any more evidence or prints; but the recent rain had washed most of the tracks apart from the ever-present follow tracks leading out from the forest across the stream to the field.

We returned to the stream source coming out from the lakes  and pointed the cam along the shallow bank. We used some fish bait to hopefully attract something although we know that won’t last too long.

The rest of the day was spent tracking around the north west of the forest. We sporadically followed a badger track going along a tree line, across a path and over a ditch. The tracks disappeared into the woodland, heading towards a known badger sett.

Our journey brought us to the Portingbury Hills, an Iron-age settlement, (the small patch on the left of the map) and then south west back to the car-park.

On our way out we spotted someone looking intently though binos at some birds in the tree. We stopped and to our delight, saw about 30-40 waxwings in the tree.

I hurriedly snapped off some pics, which turned out to be rubbish, but at least shows what they are. A great end to a great day!

10,000 Trees and an LoWS

Look at this! My little local woodland has now become a LoWS (Local Wildlife Site). Not exactly SSSI and this doesn't give the wood any legal protection, but the status has to be taken into account for any future planning activities.

Not only that…

While everyone watches and hopefully contributes to the topical discussion about the Forestry sell-off in England, our little local conservation group has taken matters in our own hands. With a huge  amount of planning and support, we are going to plant 10,ooo trees.

A pipe-dream? Perhaps, but when you consider 3,300 were planted last week, the target is not so far fetched as it might seem.

If you are wondering how this has been achieved then I will give you a very brief history.

I live very close to an ex-USAF airfield, which is still MOD property. The MOD still use the facilities for a variety of purposes and the runway is still active for Air Cadet gliders. There are a number of civilian workers who work on the base. About 7 years ago I canvassed them to form a Wildlife Group. One very active member was later made the Sustainability Manager for the site and of course had access to MOD resources and a direct link to Defence Estates which we were able to tap into.

With her relentless work and a little assistance from the rest of us carrying out site surveys of birds, mammals and plant life, we put together a compelling business case to ask for assistance to conserve and develop the area. The surveys have turned up some interesting finds like the rare Oxlip. Essex Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust took an interest and have also been heavily involved resulting in the LoWS status for the wood. A certain amount of financial assistance from the MOD helped fund the planting of the 3,300 trees with (hopefully) more to come during this year.

The planting was completed by a local woodland company. The trees are typical British woodland trees (Hornbeam, Oak, Ash, Beech) with lower lying shrubs like hawthorn around the edge. I’m trying to get the actual planting plan, but apparently the company took away the only copy.

The ‘new’ wood is actually an extension of an existing wood called Ostend Wood which is outside of the base. I am canvassing to get a few trees diverted to extend “my” wood (Park Wood) which is inside the fence. You can understand now why everyone was so keen for me to remove the fallow deer from inside the base (which, by the way, seems to have worked.)

The nest step is to get the area LNR (Local Nature Reserve) status, which means that it will get a certain amount of legal protection. Let’s hope the cutbacks don’t scupper the project too much.

10,000 Trees and an LoWS

Look at this! My little local woodland has now become a LoWS (Local Wildlife Site). Not exactly SSSI and this doesn't give the wood any legal protection, but the status has to be taken into account for any future planning activities.

Not only that…

While everyone watches and hopefully contributes to the topical discussion about the Forestry sell-off in England, our little local conservation group has taken matters in our own hands. With a huge  amount of planning and support, we are going to plant 10,ooo trees.

A pipe-dream? Perhaps, but when you consider 3,300 were planted last week, the target is not so far fetched as it might seem.

If you are wondering how this has been achieved then I will give you a very brief history.

I live very close to an ex-USAF airfield, which is still MOD property. The MOD still use the facilities for a variety of purposes and the runway is still active for Air Cadet gliders. There are a number of civilian workers who work on the base. About 7 years ago I canvassed them to form a Wildlife Group. One very active member was later made the Sustainability Manager for the site and of course had access to MOD resources and a direct link to Defence Estates which we were able to tap into.

With her relentless work and a little assistance from the rest of us carrying out site surveys of birds, mammals and plant life, we put together a compelling business case to ask for assistance to conserve and develop the area. The surveys have turned up some interesting finds like the rare Oxlip. Essex Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust took an interest and have also been heavily involved resulting in the LoWS status for the wood. A certain amount of financial assistance from the MOD helped fund the planting of the 3,300 trees with (hopefully) more to come during this year.

The planting was completed by a local woodland company. The trees are typical British woodland trees (Hornbeam, Oak, Ash, Beech) with lower lying shrubs like hawthorn around the edge. I’m trying to get the actual planting plan, but apparently the company took away the only copy.

The ‘new’ wood is actually an extension of an existing wood called Ostend Wood which is outside of the base. I am canvassing to get a few trees diverted to extend “my” wood (Park Wood) which is inside the fence. You can understand now why everyone was so keen for me to remove the fallow deer from inside the base (which, by the way, seems to have worked.)

The nest step is to get the area LNR (Local Nature Reserve) status, which means that it will get a certain amount of legal protection. Let’s hope the cutbacks don’t scupper the project too much.

Another Good Day Hatfield

It was great to meet so more people at Hatfield Forest. We had a great deal of interest in our growing collections of feeding signs, droppings (always popular with the kids!) feathers, and a guest appearance of Henry, the fallow deer pricket skull.

We managed to entice a couple of people on a short walk around the small pond, where fallow and muntjac tracks were found. We also found a pair of claws from a signal crayfish. The gave rise to a suspicion that something must have dragged it out of the pond and eaten the rest of it, leaving the claws. Low and behold, a little  further away down-stream, JP found what is very possibly a single mink paw print.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to talk to us. As a reminder, the next course for families at Hatfield Forest is in one month’s time; Sunday 6th March. Please see the Countryside and Woodland Awareness Course page to book or contact us at info@woodlife.co.uk.

Another Good Day Hatfield

It was great to meet so more people at Hatfield Forest. We had a great deal of interest in our growing collections of feeding signs, droppings (always popular with the kids!) feathers, and a guest appearance of Henry, the fallow deer pricket skull.

We managed to entice a couple of people on a short walk around the small pond, where fallow and muntjac tracks were found. We also found a pair of claws from a signal crayfish. The gave rise to a suspicion that something must have dragged it out of the pond and eaten the rest of it, leaving the claws. Low and behold, a little  further away down-stream, JP found what is very possibly a single mink paw print.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to talk to us. As a reminder, the next course for families at Hatfield Forest is in one month’s time; Sunday 6th March. Please see the Countryside and Woodland Awareness Course page to book or contact us at info@woodlife.co.uk.

Gathering Our Thoughts

The countdown to the Wilderness Gathering has begun . Not only is this a great social event, but it’s also a great opportunity to show people what’s on offer from Woodlife Trails.

JP and I will be taking our usual nature-based exhibits down with us to show people what tracks and signs can be found on the woodland floor (now dubbed our Table of Death – on account of the skulls and skins) and our high-powered microscope which opens up a whole new world. This gives people a taster of what they can expect when they come on our Bushcraft and Tracking courses.

The owl pellet examination area will also be there for the youngsters (and adults) to extract the small mammal bones from the pellet. There will be a new competition called “Match The Track”. No prizes for guessing what that’s about!

We are delighted to have George Aitchison with us helping out on the stand. He will be displaying and demonstrating some primitive tech.

Our demonstrations will also include friction fire-lighting, spoon-carving, tracking and anything else we can fit in by popular demand.

My only ‘official’ duty this year is to give a talk on Saturday about “Bushcraft and the Law”.

As usual, we will be responsible for the Extreme Baking competition. All the proceeds of this goes to charity.

 

Of course, we will be promoting the Woodlife Network as well as Woodlife Trails, and, new for this year, we will have a limited number of Woodlife polo shirts for sale. The shirts are more of an olive green/brown than pictured with the Woodlife logo on the left breast.

For the first time, I can reveal the 2011 design of the Woodlife key-fob, which will also be on sale…

I didn’t realise that people were actually looking forward to seeing this year’s new design. Some people have collected all the previous year’s – so I hope you like this one. It was designed by Mrs P who slaved away helping me put them together. She was paid well though. She got a key fob!

Here are the previous designs in case you’ve missed out…

2009

2010

It’s a lot of organisation and still a bit to be done but we’ll get there. If you are going along – we hope to see you there. If you’re not, there’s still time to get your ticket.

Thanks for the visit.

Gathering Our Thoughts

The countdown to the Wilderness Gathering has begun . Not only is this a great social event, but it’s also a great opportunity to show people what’s on offer from Woodlife Trails.

JP and I will be taking our usual nature-based exhibits down with us to show people what tracks and signs can be found on the woodland floor (now dubbed our Table of Death – on account of the skulls and skins) and our high-powered microscope which opens up a whole new world. This gives people a taster of what they can expect when they come on our Bushcraft and Tracking courses.

The owl pellet examination area will also be there for the youngsters (and adults) to extract the small mammal bones from the pellet. There will be a new competition called “Match The Track”. No prizes for guessing what that’s about!

We are delighted to have George Aitchison with us helping out on the stand. He will be displaying and demonstrating some primitive tech.

Our demonstrations will also include friction fire-lighting, spoon-carving, tracking and anything else we can fit in by popular demand.

My only ‘official’ duty this year is to give a talk on Saturday about “Bushcraft and the Law”.

As usual, we will be responsible for the Extreme Baking competition. All the proceeds of this goes to charity.

 

Of course, we will be promoting the Woodlife Network as well as Woodlife Trails, and, new for this year, we will have a limited number of Woodlife polo shirts for sale. The shirts are more of an olive green/brown than pictured with the Woodlife logo on the left breast.

For the first time, I can reveal the 2011 design of the Woodlife key-fob, which will also be on sale…

I didn’t realise that people were actually looking forward to seeing this year’s new design. Some people have collected all the previous year’s – so I hope you like this one. It was designed by Mrs P who slaved away helping me put them together. She was paid well though. She got a key fob!

Here are the previous designs in case you’ve missed out…

2009

2010

It’s a lot of organisation and still a bit to be done but we’ll get there. If you are going along – we hope to see you there. If you’re not, there’s still time to get your ticket.

Thanks for the visit.