Just a reminder that quad bikes are not allowed in the park. They are a danger to walkers, particularly children, and to dogs and the park’s wildlife; if you see people driving quad bikes, please report them to the police.
AND if you can get a picture, without in any way endangering yourself, that would really help
Social distancing
We are not out of the woods yet. The latest coronavirus figures for Wiltshire are not encouraging and scientists now believe that airborne transmission is playing a big part in the disease’s spread.
Continue reading “Social distancing”
Somewhere between fifty and sixty teenagers gathered in the park, under the Lone Oak, yesterday evening, to celebrate somebody’s fifteenth birthday. It’s hard to imagine how such an event could not have ended badly.
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A marbled white (Melanargia galathea) on creeping thistle flowers, photographed in the park yesterday by Julie Newblé. If you look carefully, there are at least three common red soldier beetles hidden in the picture.
Thanks Julie.
Who is doing this?
We have been sent pictures this afternoon of newly damaged goat willow trees in Sleepers Field. Who is doing this?
Who is it spending their lockdown time climbing into our trees with a sharp blade? If you know anything about this, please report it.
UPDATE: On closer inspection this looks as if it may be squirrel damage. We apologise to the Village Green Vandals for jumping to conclusions. We have sent the photographs to our Tree Officer.
Our email address is friedsofscp@outlook.com
PCSO Mat Till’s email address is Matthew.Till@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk.
Mat is a member of Community Policing Team 1, which can be contacted on 101 ext 36337 or on 07471029309.
Anti social behaviour
There has been a lot of petty vandalism and antisocial behaviour in the park recently and we need your help to make it stop.
Continue reading “Anti social behaviour”Roesel’s bush cricket
Simon Knight has sent us video taken in the park, of a Roesel’s bush cricket.
Continue reading “Roesel’s bush cricket”
National Insect Week – Day 2
HOW TO RESCUE A BUMBLEBEE
by Jonah Powers (aged 9½)
When you come across a discouraged exhausted Bombus terrestris (buff tailed bumblebee) here is what you should do.
(1 Mix water and sugar together.
(2 Place some on a flat surface with the bee.
(3 You will notice your bee unfurling her proboscis to consume the liquid
(4 After some time you will discover your bee is becoming more energetic
(5 Now your bee is ready to say “toodle -oo!”
Thank you for contributing to National Insect Week, Jonah.
Q&A
A question from a reader:
If I want large white butterfly caterpillars in my garden AND I want my kale, is that like trying to have my cake and eat it? I suppose they don’t eat anything else, do they? I have sent you a photograph.
Liz
Vandalism in Village Green
The teenagers who burned the ash poles in the western corner of Village Green have taken to snapping off trees.
Continue reading “Vandalism in Village Green”
A nest of peacock butterfly caterpillars found in the park by Isabelle Newblé, aged 9, and photographed by her mother, Julie. Well done both of you!
This year, the annual competition to send in the first picture of our common spotted orchids has been won by Sarah Gould.
Continue readingWho lives here?
A message and pictures from Julie, regular park-user:
Saw these little mini molehill type structures on the path next to the pond. Under the ones already disturbed there is a little hole. It’s possibly ants or something but thought I’d send them in anyway. Do you know what made them?
Read on to solve the mysteryWho burned the ash poles?
Who burned all the ash poles in the wood at the top of Village Green?
Continue reading “Who burned the ash poles?”
Just for luck.
A picture from seven year old Amelia Newblé of the four-leafed clover she found in the park. Thank you Amelia.
Woodland fire
Please don’t light fires in the park; our woodland is tinder dry.
Continue reading “Woodland fire”Weekend littering
By Sunday morning, after people had anticipated the easing of lockdown and celebrated it with picnics and Saturday night parties in the copses, the park was strewn with rubbish. Ian and Pat, on their regular Sunday morning stroll, picked up dozens of empty drinks cans and enough general trash to fill a big black bin bag.
Continue reading “Weekend littering”Messages about moths
Please do send us pictures of the flora and fauna you come across in the park, particularly if you don’t know what it is. We are happy to help with identification. To encourage you, here is our Messenger conversation with Julie about the caterpillars she found and photographed.
Continue reading “Messages about moths”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”World record of the week
Most Bottles Recycled by a Dog
Continue reading “World record of the week”
Three peaceful woodland paths for the park-deprived.
Go safely.
Walk in the park
By Ian Bushell
Up to the park early this morning with Pat. Glorious blue skies, dew on the cobwebs and birds singing.
Continue reading “Walk in the park”
Please don’t park across the entrance road.
The car park is closed but the emergency services and the people who feed the animals at Hope Nature Centre will still need access.
Lockdown
Behind the public face of our website, are pages of data and analysis that include information about how many people access the site, where they access it from, and what they look at.
Continue reading “Lockdown”Walking the dog
by Suzanne Humphries
Under the present lockdown rules, walking the dog is a permitted activity so Dog and I, armed with a camera, set off to check on the park.
Continue reading “Walking the dog”
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 