A grass sake swimming in the Dog Pond.
Grass snake
Snake in the grass.
The slow worm survey produced a young grass snake, probably one of last year’s hatchlings. It was tucked under a survey mat in Brunts Field, in the warm and dry. It vanished fairly fast after we lifted the mat, but not before DKG took its picture. . Photograph: DKG More reptiles:
A grass snake photographed by DKG in the set-aside at the top of Kestrel Field.
Ecosystem restoration
While international organisations write legislation for the planet, we can make a difference here in our park.
Mink
The Lambrok otters are protecting the stream from the invasive American mink.
Protecting the park
The park is home to species protected by the UK BAP, which will end this year.
More about toads
Common toads are a priority species in the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Let’s take a closer look,
White letter hairstreak
Trawling through our species lists, we found a rare butterfly.
SOUTHWICK COUNTRY PARK
An essay on the park, its background and history, from long-time park user Barbara Johnson.
Our annual report from Ian Bushell
National Reptile Awareness Day
Yesterday was National Reptile awareness day and we missed it.
Conservation status
AA review of our prioritised species and their position in the legislative framework.
SCP – PROJECTS PROGRAMME
A review of the work carried out by FoSCP and Wiltshire County during 2018 and proposals for 2019’s programme of work.
Slow worm
The first slow worm of the year – by DKG
Ecological Appraisal of the Church Lane site.
We are posting the first part of our comment on RPS’s Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) of the Church Lane Site for two reasons: firstly the PEA seems particularly ill-informed about the park, the Lambrok and dismissive of their ecological importance; secondly, so that anybody who might like to comment before the public consultation ends on… Continue Reading →
What IS the difference between grasshoppers and crickets?
FoSCP have planted 100 snake’s head fritillary bulbs.
Adder factoid
An adder used to be called a nadder!
Stinking Willie and Marefart
Ragwort has many common names; in fact some, like stinking willie and marefart, are downright vulgar. Both refer to the plant’s unpleasant smell. Another set of names, staggerwort, stammerwort and sleepy-dose, are about to its toxicity. Then there is felon weed, swine grass and our personal favourites: scrog and weeby.
Slow Worms
In the spring of 2013, some 500 slow worms were translocated from a development site in Holbrook Lane, Trowbridge, to three sites in Southwick Country Park. Leo Wirtz, the then-leader of the Countryside Team, and his deputy Ali Rasey, set up the move with Windrush Ecology, who were the environmental consultants at the Holbrook Lane site.
Wildflowers (2017)
Avens, Wood Geum urbanum Bedstraw, Hedge Galium mollugo Bedstraw, Marsh Galium palustre Bindweed, Hedge Calystegia sepium Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Common Lotus corniculatus Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Greater Lotus pedunculatus Black-bindweed, Fallopia convolvulus Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bramble Rubus fruticosus Bristly Ox Tongue Picris echiodes Buttercup, Celery-leaved Ranunculus scleratus Buttercup, Golden Ranunculus auricomus Buttercup, meadow Ranunculus acris Campion, Red Silene doica… Continue Reading →
