We had hoped to have a couple more bat walks in October but the cold weather and chill winds have made bat activity unpredictable and limited to quick dashes out to feed up for winter at opportune moments when insects are available.
Hedgehogs will also be feeding up where they can and finding suitable spots to tuck away for the winter. Please leave a large pile of twigs and leaves for them in a quiet spot in your garden and avoid moving or burning any piles over the winter months.
Please see below for details of talks including one on The White-tailed Eagle Project today, Weds 4th November which you can watch from the comfort of your own home.
We have 4 more conservation working sessions this year needing volunteers. Please come and help us at any of these:-
Friday 13th November 9:30 am to 12 o’clock
Working Party at Blackmoor pond – we will be improving the path round the pond with material supplied by BFC. We also hope to remove more bamboo and check the kingfisher nesting site on the island. Please come along, with a drink & gardening gloves, to help maintain this space for local residents. Meeting at the pond at the end of Bowyer Walk and Sutherland Chase in North Ascot.
Saturday 14th November 9:30 am to 12:30
Conservation work at Allens Field – Dead hedge/fencing beside the pond to be restored and improved. We will also look for fungi as last month was too dry. Please bring a drink, gardening gloves and wear sturdy shoes/boots. Meeting in the car park – off Liddell Way, South Ascot SL5 9UZ
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
Saturday 12th December 9:30 am to 12:30
Conservation work at Allens Field – work to be decided. Please bring a drink, gardening gloves and wear sturdy shoes/boots. Meeting in the car park – off Liddell Way, South Ascot SL5 9UZ
There are also several interesting talks being held locally by groups that welcome visitors:
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/
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 2nd December starting at 7:30 pm
Berkshire Ornithological Society free talk on Bird Flight from Jeff Blincow. Birds have many different lifestyles and each requires specialist flight skills. This talk looks at the reasons for flying, the diverse modes of flight and the experts in each. 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/
Monday 14th December 7:30 pm
A BFNHS talk: Understanding the Climate Crisis and its Impact by Professor Ian Candy. 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/