A couple of weeks ago we spent a fascinating day here in Groombridge with James Duncan and Laurie Jackson of Sussex Wildlife Trust. We learned so much in a short time, and it was wonderful to learn from such knowledgeable, practical and inspiring people. I asked how we could carry out better surveys of theContinue reading “Wildlife surveying training opportunity!”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
2024 Butterfly Count
Butterfly Conservation’s citizen science project is on right now – It takes just 15 minutes to take part in the butterfly count. Choose a sunny spot up to the 4th August and simply count and record the number of each type of butterfly and moth you see. The featured image is the Brimstone. The IDContinue reading “2024 Butterfly Count”
American Skunk Cabbage
Wild Groombridge volunteers were busy recently removing an unusual plant from ponds in Groombridge Place – the American Skunk Cabbage. As its name implies it does smell awful and has been banned from sale in the UK for many years. Its classified as “invasive” because it overwhelms native species in ponds and marshy areas. ItsContinue reading “American Skunk Cabbage”
Broadwater Warren
May is one of the best months to enjoy Broadwater Warren, our local RSPB reserve – as well as many of the familiar garden birds it’s alive with blackcaps, willow warblers , garden warblers and whitethroats – the Merlin app will help you identify them. The iconic heathland birds, stonechats and dartford warblers are rarerContinue reading “Broadwater Warren”
Wild verge update
The Wild Verge outside the Parish Council offices in Groombridge looks a bit different this month: following a year of surveying the existing plants we’ve begun to look after it in a positive way to encourage a wide range of Wealden wildflowers. After lots of discussions with the parish council, residents and experts in High WealdContinue reading “Wild verge update”
Peregrine Falcon
Although Peregrine Falcon numbers have slowly increased in the last 50 years, these deadly apex predators are still rare in the UK with less than 2000 pairs – compare that to the red kite with nearly 5000 pairs. The slow improvement has been attributed to the reduction or banning of organochlorine pesticides which badly affectContinue reading “Peregrine Falcon”
Volunteers needed to test the River!
Sarah is part of the Ripple Effect team and will be out testing the Grom and upper Medway looking for pollutants, and for signs of wildlife. Will you join her and a band of citizen science volunteers? We’re offering full training in water sampling and invertebrate testing so you need no experience at all, justContinue reading “Volunteers needed to test the River!”
Spring flower spotter sheet
Spring is here – slowly and surely the first buds and shoots are appearing all around the village. We’ve seen celandines and primroses already, and the birds are getting ready to nest – just open your window at dawn and they’re singing out! We have so many beautiful wild flowers – here’s a simple spotterContinue reading “Spring flower spotter sheet”
Big Garden Birdwatch 2024
We’ve come to that time of of year for the world’s largest garden wildlife survey . Spend just one hour watching the birds in your patch, between 26 and 28 January, and record the birds that land. Its as easy as that. Go on line for full details and to record your findings https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch “AcrossContinue reading “Big Garden Birdwatch 2024”
Waxwings
Keep your eyes open for Waxwings this winter – they are migrants from Finland, Sweden, Norway or western Russia, mostly seen in Scotland or the north of England when its particularly cold back home or when berry crops have failed in Northern Europe. In an exceptional year they make it down to the south eastContinue reading “Waxwings”
