We hope this finds you and your garden wildlife well after our very hot and dry summer. Even now we are not getting much rain. When testing the water for the UK WalerBlitz last weekend we noticed how Englemere pond still has very little water. This did concentrate the wildlife with 8 little egrets, a heron, a swimming snake, mallards, coots and a water rail in the short time we were there. The waterblitz results for the UK can be found here : https://www.freshwaterwatch.org/pages/great-uk-waterblitz-results
The survey season is nearly over and it’s now the conservation work season although the ground is still a bit hard and dry for some tasks. We have one more bat survey walk arranged for Wednesday this week (see below). Bat surveys will be arranged in October depending on the weather forecast. These are likely to be on Wednesday or Tuesday evenings. Please email us to be notified of when and where these are happening and updates if the forecast changes!
Upcoming Events – all free unless stated otherwise, children and vulnerable people to be accompanied.
Wednesday 23rd September 18:45 pm
Bat walk survey at Englemere Pond. Meeting in the car park on Swinley Road. Finished by 8:30 pm. Cancelled if it’s raining. We recommend bringing comfy walking shoes, warm clothes, a torch (preferably with red light) and insect repellant.
Saturday 26th September at 10:30 am
Local Community walk down Coombe Lane to show support for keeping the woodland intact, supporting wildlife and access for local people. More information here: https://www.facebook.com/coombelanecommunity Extracts: ” inviting the wider community, people who care about this remarkable place, to come together to celebrate what Coombe Lane Woods means to them.” “Please come along and share your stories, memories and even photos and help us in safeguarding this irreplaceable woodland for future generations.”
Wednesday 30th September 9.30 am to 12 o’clock
Working Party at Blackmoor pond – we will be clearing some of the fallen trees blocking the view from the platform; tackling bamboo with mattocks and hopefully improving the path with material supplied by BFC. We also plan to check the kingfisher nesting site. Please come along, with gardening gloves, to help maintain this space for all local residents. Meeting at the pond – https://maps.app.goo.gl/24tVqySMiRbB9xtr8
Sunday 4th October from 10:30 am to 3 pm
All Saints Church Climate & Harvest Festival. 10:30am – All Saints Together service (our family/all-age service); 12:30 – “Harvest picnic” and Stalls are set up; 1:30pm – Music, stalls and speaker(s). As the 4th of October is the Feast of St Francis, the day will conclude at 3 pm with a blessing of animals/pets. All Saints Church, London Rd, Ascot SL5 8DQ
Saturday 10th October 9:30 am to 12:30
Conservation work at Allens Field – we will take a fungi walk and hope to deepen part of the pond. Other work to be decided. Please bring gardening gloves and wear sturdy shoes/boots. Meeting in the car park – off Liddell Way, South Ascot SL5 9UZ here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/seRhoQSrTEsyqWw2A
Wednesday 14th October 9:30 am to 12 o’clock
End of the year work on the Carnation Hall pollinator patch to make it presentable and still support wildlife over the winter months. Please come along, with gardening gloves and any favourite tools. Parking on site, patch near the entrance at Chavey Down Rd, Winkfield Row, RG42 7PA Google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NG3WjpxfDZKc6eCg9
Saturday 17th October 10 am to 12:30
People’s Emergency Briefing film and discussion led by Prof. Chris Merchant, Professor of Ocean and Earth Observation at Reading University. Bracknell Deanery is sponsoring a free screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing at Ascot Priory. This is one of thousands of local screenings taking place all around the UK aiming to convince our political leaders that there is widespread support for emergency action on the climate and nature crisis. Sign up via Eventbrite (here or google: “Eventbrite Ascot Priory Screening” ).
Monday 19th October 7:30 pm
A BFNHS talk: Birds and Habitat Management: Lavell’s and Lea Farm Lakes by Fraser Cottington. In the Recital Room at South Hill Park Arts Centre, RG12 7PA. Doors open at 7 pm. Visitors are welcome and there is no need to book. Visitors £4, Members free. Cash at the door. More information here: http://www.bfnathistsoc.org.uk/ Please note – the car park at SHP is no longer free.
Thursday 29th October 7:30 pm
Binfield Badger Group Free Public Meeting – subject of talk and venue to be confirmed. (doors open at 7.00pm).
More information here: https://www.binfieldbadgers.org.uk/group-meetings
Wednesday 4th November starting at 7:30 pm
Berkshire Ornithological Society free talk on The White-tailed Eagle Project from Imogen Lloyd from Forestry England. This will be about the fascinating White-tailed Eagle reintroduction, which started in 2019, with the project centred on the Isle of Wight. Held at University of Reading, either in Room 109 in the Palmer Building, or Room G44 in the Edith Morley Building. Pepper Lane, Reading RG6 6EW and Livestreamed on Zoom. Non-members welcome.
For more information and to register please visit https://berksoc.org.uk/club-news/programme/
Saturday 14th November 9:30 am to 12:30
Conservation work at Allens Field – work to be decided. Please bring gardening gloves and wear sturdy shoes/boots. Meeting in the car park – off Liddell Way, South Ascot SL5 9UZ here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/seRhoQSrTEsyqWw2A
Monday 16th November 7:30 pm
A BFNHS talk: Hidden Kingdoms: The secret World of our Local Fungi by Stefanie Smith. In the Recital Room at South Hill Park Arts Centre, RG12 7PA. Doors open at 7 pm. Visitors are welcome and there is no need to book. Visitors £4, Members free. Cash at the door. More information here: http://www.bfnathistsoc.org.uk/
Wednesday 18th November 12.30-15.30
Working Party at Ascot Heath Primary School – Infant school wildlife garden. Please come along, with gardening gloves, to help maintain this space for the children’s nature education. Meeting at the school reception. Rhododendron Walk, North Ascot SL5 8PN, Google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bhYjdUnG1pc5rigg8