Autumn is upon us and it’s time to start thinking about supporting our local wildlife over the winter months. Leaving dead stalks, piles of twigs and leaves and some longer grass are all good ways to ensure there will be plenty of invertebrates for the birds and bats next year.
Thank you to those of you who entered the Wildlife Garden Awards scheme. You should have been informed of your award level with a link to your certificate.
Now is also a good time to provide a hedgehog hibernation site if you have or may have hedgehogs – look at our local reporting map here: https://www.wildlifeinascot.org/wildlife-recording/hedgehog-map It’s a bit out of date and we would appreciate any updates (please email details with the postcode, thank you).
To share photos and news of your local wildlife please do join our Wildlife in Ascot Facebook Group.
If you are wondering about the best way to get your garden ready for the winter whilst supporting wildlife you might be interested to come along to the Carnation Hall pollinator patch in Winkfield Row on Friday 20th October between 9:30 am to 12 midday where we will be carrying out autumn tasks and making the area presentable for the winter months. Please come at a time to suit you and lend a hand for a while. Dress for gardening with gardening gloves and maybe bring a hand fork or secateurs. We’ll be on the right as you enter the site: Carnation Hall, Chavey Down Rd, Winkfield Row, Bracknell RG42 7PA
Other opportunities to get involved over the next couple of months
Saturday 14th October 9:30am – 12:30
Conservation work at Allens Field – we will be removing the plastic tree guards from the whips we planted round the field and creating some wood piles in the woodland. Meeting in the car park – off Liddell Way, South Ascot SL5 9UZ here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/seRhoQSrTEsyqWw2A
Monday 23rd October at 7:30 pm
BFNHS talk: ‘Beavers in Britain – restoring a native species’ by Rob Needham in the Recital Room at South Hill Park Arts Centre, Birch Hill, Bracknell, RG12 7PA. Meetings start at 7:30pm and end at about 9:30pm (Doors open from 7:15pm) Entrance fee for visitors £3; See: http://bfnathistsoc.org.uk/index.html
Thursday, 26th October – 7:30 pm
Binfield Badger Group talk. There is no admission charge for public meetings, which are open to non-members. Doors open at 7:00pm and the meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Meetings are held at the Farley Wood Centre, Turnpike Road, Binfield, RG42 1FW.
Saturday 11th November 9:30am – 12:30
Conservation work at Allens Field off Liddell Way, South Ascot SL5 9UZ here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/seRhoQSrTEsyqWw2A
Wednesday 22nd November 12:30pm-3:30pm
Working Party at Ascot Heath Primary School – Infant school wildlife garden. Meeting at the school reception. Rhododendron Walk, North Ascot SL5 8PN: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bhYjdUnG1pc5rigg8
There will be more bat surveys in November:- dates to be set.
The information from the webinar on 26th September: Introduction to Berkshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy is on this web page if you scroll down. The recording of this webinar should also be available here soon: https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/berkshire-local-nature-recovery-strategy
Visit our website for details of forthcoming events or to submit your sightings of wildlife in our area.
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