North West District Group
**STOP PRESS** Work party at Old Burghclere Lime Quarry on 15th February 2012.
The North-west group invites you to join them for guided walks, talks, surveys and action to promote wildlife on our chalk downs, clear streams, river valleys and woodlands.
Area
Our extensive area is centered on Andover with its two wetland Local Nature Reserves and covers:
- from Stockbridge in the Test valley to Kingsclere beyond the high northern chalk ridge;
- a large part in the North-Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty;
- the edge of Salisbury Plain SSSI in the west;
- Trust Reserves – Old Burclere Lime Quarry and Headly Gravel Pit;
- HCC local Countryside sites for wildlife, especially Danebury.
Walks
These enjoyable, guided walks take place most months and are listed in the Trust’s Events Diary.
They usually include:
- a New Year’s day walk;
- a bird spotting team challenge;
- walks to look at local flora;
- butterfly and other insect surveys;
- walks in local wetland habitats;
- an autumn fungi walk;
Talks
We have two varied talks each year which are listed in the Trust’s Events Diary.
Past talks have been on native flora and fauna. Our last talk was on Fungi and was held in conjunction with the John Spedan Lewis Trust. Of particular interest was a talk on aquatic life cycles of creatures that had previously been caught in a local river. These were displayed via a tank and a camcorder onto a screen. They were then returned to the river.
Conservation
We support the Northern Area Trust team at local events. Two work parties are organised each year at Old Burghclere Lime Quarry, to encourage the flora and fauna of the area. We carry out surveys, for example of butterflies and orchids, for various authorities and land owners. Hedge surveys have been carried out by members in Kingsclere.
Old Burghclere Lime Quarry Management Plan Actions and Outcomes
The Old Burghclere Lime Quarry Nature Reserve Report No 1 - 2011 (2 MB)
Do come along and join us; families and accompanied children welcome. We look forward to meeting you at one of our events.
For further information, please call Mervyn Grist on 01264 358737
Or email Margaret Cooper at m.cooper@care4free.net
