LOST & FOUND: a Tesco clubcard
Elderflower cordial
read on for a recipe for elderflower cordialSong thrush
A song thrush singing from its perch right at the top of one of the reserve’s oak trees, photographed by Ian Bushell.
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) recorded by David Bisset (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) xeno-canto.org
LOST
Somebody lost a pair of prescription sunglasses in the reserve today. If you found them, email me at friendsofscp@outlook.com and I will make sure they get back to their owner.
Blackcap
A Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) photographed in the reserve last week by Cheryl Cronnie.

Audio by David Bissett from xeno-canto.org

A games controller has been found in the park today. If it’s yours, email us (friendsofscp@outlook.com) with a description and we will put you in touch with the finder.
Work party report
A work party report from Ian Bushell
Continue reading “Work party report”Storm damage
Julie Newblé has sent us pictures of storm damage in the reserve.
Continue reading “Storm damage”There is a technical hitch which is making it unlikely that we will be able to post today. Sorry
Save the rabbit
In the UK, rabbit numbers fell by 43% between 2008 and 2018, with the latest surveys showing no sign that the decline is slowing. The cause is RHDV2, rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus type 2.
Continue reading “Save the rabbit”There is problem with our tech and there won’t be a post from the park today: we apologise.
There is a hardware problem which we hope is being fixed. In the meantime, while we are learning to operate a WordPress site from a smartphone, here is a gallery of pictures taken in the reserve by the late, great DKG.
Q&A
Email from Clive: This plant has been slowly developing, it’s about a metre high now. My app says Wild Carrot but we all know it’s is not reliable so over to you. If you need more pics let me know.
Read on for our answerRain!
The park is full of water; there are deep puddles everywhere. Everything is wet and muddy and the paths are flooded.
Continue reading “Rain!”We are having WiFi problems this morning and today’s post may be delayed. We apologise.
Solstice
Today is the day after the shortest day: the year has turned.
Continue reading “Solstice”Nature Prescriptions
By David Feather
What would you say if you went to see your GP because you were feeling a bit down and was told to get out into a green space like Southwick Country Park? I ask because a number of GP practices in Scotland are doing just that.
Continue reading “Nature Prescriptions”Oak gall ink
More about our oaks.
Continue reading “Oak gall ink”Stormwatch
That could have been the longest official heatwave, with temperatures over 35°C, that the UK has ever recorded. As it breaks and the thunder rolls around the hills, here, just for the fun of it, is a link to a website where you can watch the storms as they happen.
Lost!
Message from Becky Lou: Someone’s little Piglet found at the park today, he hung on but no one returned so he’s being looked after… Get in touch if he’s yours.
We apologise to the Village Green Vandals. After a closer examination, we are beginning to think that the goat willow trees in Sleepers Field were actually stripped of their bark by squirrels.
POLICE MESSAGE
The police have received reports of criminal behaviour in the park and PCSO Mat Till has asked us to post his contact details:
Matthew Till PCSO 6337
Community Policing Team 1 Trowbridge
T: 101 ext 36337 M: 07471029309
He also recommends that if you see criminal behaviour, you should call 101 in a non-emergency or 999 in an emergency.
Elderflower champagne
It’s elderflower time. Here is a tried and tested recipe for elderflower champagne, a bubbly, lightly alcoholic beverage with the delicate aroma and flavour of muscat grapes.
Continue reading “Elderflower champagne”