Water vole protection
Water voles are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Are we doing enough to ensure the protection of the reserve’s water voles?
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It’s hot!
Here are some ways in which you can help your garden’s wildlife through the heatwave.
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Bimbling
By Ian Bushell
As it was a lovely afternoon and I wanted pictures of the bags of ragwort we had pulled in Lambrok Meadow, I thought I would have a bimble round the reserve.
Continue readingBIG BUTTERFLY COUNT
Have you joined the BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT yet?
Marbled white, peacock and common blue, all photographed in the reserve
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Rambling in the reserve
by Ian Bushell
A funny start to the day with weather totally uncertain if it wanted to rain or be bright. While it had been raining in town, in the reserve the paths and grass were quite dry.
Continue readingHay making
Every year, at hay-making time, people ask why we cut the grass. They worry about the creatures that live in and on our grassland fields, and mourn the loss of the summer’s beautiful buttercups.
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Meet the Robin Family
by Cheryl Cronnie
There’s a little story behind the robin in this picture, whom I’ve called Rocky Robin. I’ve been feeding him since the end of August 2021.
Continue readingDog poop in the park
Here’s a post from Sarah to add to the dog discussion.
Continue reading “Dog poop in the park”Summary
Last weekend, we stirred up a hornets’ nest with two posts (here and here) about out-of-control dogs in the reserve. There have been so many comments, messages and mails from park-goers and dog owners, all of them pertinent, that we feel we should summarise the situation.
Continue reading “Summary”Thanks to all who took part in the weekend’s very informative and civilised discussion about dogs and their owners in the reserve. In this age of ill-mannered and often anonymous online rage and blame, we appreciated everybody’s restraint as they made their points. We will make sure that all your comments reach Wiltshire County’s Countryside Team and we will return to the subject during the week. Thank you again.
More about dogs
In response to Simon Knight’s account, yesterday, of being attacked by an out-of-control dog, Sarah Gould left this long and heartfelt comment on our Facebook page. It reflected so many of our readers’ concerns that we have decided to publish it in full.
Read on for Sarah’s commentWas this your dog?
We have received from Simon Knight, our wildlife photographer, a very disturbing report of what we can only describe as an attack by an out of control dog.
Read on for Simon’s report
Organised events in the reserve
On Saturday, we heard from several sources that there was a tent pitched in Kestrel Field. As camping is not allowed on Council land, Clive went to take a look and reported:
It looks like there is an organised marked course around the reserve; orienteering? I’ve seen lots of people running round, many said hello as they ran past. All finished now, tent gone. I think it was a recording point.
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Buzz
by David Feather
Donations power The Friends
On Wednesday mornings in the Nature Reserve you might be hearing some new sounds. The Friends of Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve have moved fully into the 21st century by purchasing battery powered hedge cutters and a brush cutter. We have managed to do this with financial help from Wiltshire Council Central Area Board and some thoughtful and generous donations. On Wednesday of last week, we had the opportunity to meet and thank the local couple who have paid for the training of five volunteers in the use of our new power tools.
Continue reading “Buzz”Vandalism!
The fine weather has brought out this year’s vandals.
Continue reading “Vandalism!”Your own sensory garden
by David Feather
A few days ago, the postman delivered a brochure from the Whitehall Garden Centre. I was pleased to read an article about making a garden a place of well-being. Very few have a garden as big as the Country Park, but we can try to have some elements of it.
Continue reading “Your own sensory garden”Right to Nature
by David Feather
On Wednesday, we were reminded about the importance of private gardens for the well-being of our wildlife. However, there is an aspect of private gardens which needs and deserves a lot more public discussion.
Continue reading “Right to Nature”Walking with Nature
by David Feather
I monitor a Scottish website called Paths for All, as it provides valuable advice to making and maintaining country paths. This site reports that researchers have found that there are 5 pathways to connect to nature: contact, beauty, meaning, emotion and compassion.
Continue reading “Walking with Nature”Three storms
There have been three named storms in a week, Dudley, Eunice and Franklin, and the reserve has taken a battering. Here are some of the pictures we have been sent.
Storm damage cleared
Mail from friendsofscp@outlook.com to Ian Bushell 19.02.2022:
Good morning,
Julie Newblé has sent me pictures of a conifer blown down near the main entrance on the Lambrok Meadow side. She says that’s the only damage on the main path. Over to you!
Please: no motorbikes
There have been reports of motorbikes being ridden in the reserve’s fields. The tyre tracks are mostly in Corn Field and Village Green and seem to show that the bikes enter and leave by the bridge into Lambrok Close. The only motorised vehicles allowed in the park are those maintenance vehicles authorised by Wiltshire Council, and mobility vehicles.
Continue reading “Please: no motorbikes”Nature Prescriptions
by David Feather
In a recent piece, I suggested that a walk in the park might be better than pills for dealing with depression.
Continue reading “Nature Prescriptions”Throw the pills away
by David Feather
Those of us who use the Park appreciate the benefits it has for our mental health. More and more evidence is coming to light to emphasise how important these places are for the health of the community. They are miles better than dispensing pills.
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Now that the festivities are well and truly over, here are a few indigestion remedies you might find in the park.
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Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 