Surrey Wildlife Trust News

Love for wildlife catapults student to success

2012-02-21

Student Layla Guildford from the Warwick School in Redhill, has been judged a finalist of the Allianz Insurance plc ‘Educational Achiever of the Year’ award by The Prince’s Trust, after inspiration from Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) sparked an interest in nature that helped her overcome her fears of interacting intellectually with other students and even public speaking.

Layla was born premature and subsequently developed physical and mental disabilities that had her in and out of hospital throughout her childhood and she struggled academically and socially at school. Since taking part in Warwick School’s XL programme, part of which involved working with Susan Edwards, SWT Outreach Education Co-ordinator and one of Layla’s ‘champions’, she was able to discover a love of wildlife so strong that it made her forget her inhibitions. Layla worked well with the other XL members during their community project at Nutfield Marsh nature reserve and even lead the group in a session about wildlife; her new-found confidence has prompted her to go to college in the future.

Susan Edwards, SWT Outreach Education Co-ordinator, comments: “Surrey Wildlife Trust is working with the Warwick School as part of the HLF funded Surrey Greenspace Project, which has enabled us to regularly involve students with their local greenspaces. Working with others while learning outside the classroom has benefits for students of all abilities, as well as for wildlife through projects such as building invertebrate hotels, bird boxes and creating log piles.”

Christine Rickard of Warwick School, says: “Layla was nominated for the award and was in the top 3 young people selected from the South East; there was stiff competition to reach this stage.”

Otters on the Wey in Guildford

2012-02-17

An exciting recent discovery of otter droppings (or ‘spraint’), made at two sites along the River Wey in Guildford, is proof that the rare and endangered mammal is at last returning to the area after 16 years. The discovery was made by SWT Wetland Landscapes Officer, Jim Jones, who went to investigate the area following a lead from the National Trust about a member of the public who claimed to have seen an otter there.

In the 1970s otters were on the brink of extinction, but they are slowly recovering in Britain thanks to the ban on pesticides, legal protection and the significant improvement of water quality and related fish stocks. However, otters are still very rare in the South-East and particularly in Surrey; at present we only have a few of the animals exploring our rivers and it’s thought there are not enough to meet and breed to form a stable population. Recent evidence of otters on the upper reaches of the Wey near Farnham and Godalming was recorded in the Fifth Otter Survey of England in 2009-10, but the last time otters were detected as far up as Guildford was as long ago as 1996.

SWT has been working with the Environment Agency (EA) on the Otters and Rivers Project since 1997, to improve conditions for otters in Surrey by providing visiting animals with places to rest-up and build their homes (or ‘holts’) in and to encourage them to breed. Both organisations have been working together with landowners, water companies, businesses and volunteers to facilitate habitat improvements, fisheries protection, the creation of ‘otter shelves’ under bridges and construction of artificial holts.

Jim says: “This is a very exciting discovery, but volunteer otter surveyors have been an essential part of tracking the animals’ return to Surrey. It’s very easy to confuse otters with the invasive non-native American mink - which is widespread throughout the county - but following SWT training, volunteers are able to determine visual sightings and distinguish the difference between otter spraint (which some say smells of jasmine tea) and mink scat (which smells awful!).”

More help is on the way for otters, and other water-loving animals. SWT is also working with the EA in the Surrey Waterbodies Project to further improve wetland habitat and water quality as part of SWT’s Living Landscape vision and to meet targets under the EU Water Framework Directive. In 2011 the Wey Valley Partnership (composed of stakeholders including SWT, EA, water companies, local businesses and conservation groups) was awarded Pilot Host Catchment Status by DEFRA with the aim of trialing improved ways of engaging with local organisations in fifteen catchments in England to improve water quality and habitat including along the Wey and, in doing so, provide a forum for diverse objectives of the stakeholders.

You can help! If you think you have seen an otter or American mink or have found signs of them (footprints, droppings etc) please send details (including location, date, description of your find or sighting, any photos and your contact details) to Jim Jones, SWT Wetland Landscapes Officer via jim.jones@surreywt.org.uk

Why not adopt an otter with SWT? Every adoption will provide funds to help improve river banks, build artificial otter homes and involve landowners in habitat improvement, so that otters can move around the county, to find food, mates and territory, more easily. For just £20.00 you will receive a personalised adoption certificate, otter fact sheet, FSC Guide to British Land Mammals, an otter soft toy, photograph, sticker and badge, plus two newsletters a year to let you know how your support is helping.

If you think you've spotted an otter or spraint, please use this guide to help verify your sighting before reporting it to us.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic at The Semaphore Tower

2012-02-20

Teddy Bears’ Picnic at The Semaphore Tower

Saturday 30th June 12noon – 4pm

It’s time to dress up those teddies again and join us at our annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic at Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower.

There’s lots to see and do including a fantastic theatre production of Four Fairy Tales (The Elves & the Shoemaker, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Snow White & Rose Red and Rapunzel) by the Cat’s Grin Theatre Company, bouncy castle, nature trail quiz, face painting, best dressed teddy competition with prizes (fancy dress theme this year is Fairy Tales), wildlife activities, badge making, games, ice creams and tours of the tower. This event is suitable for 4 – 9 year olds.

All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Advanced booking is essential! to book, please call Katy Gower on 01483 795471

Meet at:

Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower, Ockham Common, just o the A3, south of junction 10 of M25. Park at Boldermere car park and follow teddy signs to tower, approx 15-20 min walk. Off-road buggies or baby carriers are recommended for younger children due to the sandy/rooty terrain. Admission: Children £10, adults go free. Price includes all activities except facepainting (£2.50) & ice creams (£1)

Organised by: Surrey Wildlife Trust EventsManager Katy Gower 01483 795471.

Spring Clean At Newlands Corner: Saturday 3rd March 10am – 2pm

2012-02-17

Saturday 3rd March 10am – 2pm

Come and join the SWT Events Team and SWT Ranger Leo Jennings for a much needed litter pick at Newlands Corner.

Litter pickers, gloves and refreshments will be provided on the day. Come for the full four hours or just drop in when you can.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Meet at: Newlands Corner Visitor Centre, Shere Road, Guildford, GU4 8SE. On the brow of the hill on the A25 between Shere and West Clandon. Grid Ref: TQ 043 493. Nearest train station: Chilworth 1 mile. Nearest bus route: Arriva no.’s 21, 22, 25 and 32, 1 mile.

Organised by:

SWT Events Manager Katy Gower

01483 795471

Take Part In Nightingale Surveys

2012-02-20

Nightingale Surveys

There are areas to be surveyed for nightingales throughout Surrey in late April and May 2012. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Penny Williams, BTO Regional Representative for Surrey, on 01276 857736.

More details about the survey, including a list of the survey sites, it available on her website, which also details other bird surveys with which you can get involved.