Wild Life - Spring 2021 by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Wild Life Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Spring 2021

Brilliant Blues The best nature reserves to look for blue butterflies this spring

PAMBER FOREST IN LEAF

Discover a glorious ancient woodland filled with wildlife

WILDER WIGHT

Why and how we want to achieve a wilder future for the Island

Hampshire & CHRIS BUTTON Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust 1 Cover.indd 3

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Welcome

towns and cities and our new Waste of Space campaign will encourage people to identify and highlight places that could be made wilder. We will be working with councils, businesses and communities to transform these spaces for the benefit of both local people and wildlife. You can find out about this project on page 15. As part of our strategy, we are developing exciting landscape-scale and rewilding plans for different geographical areas. One of the first to get the wilder treatment is the Isle of Wight. Our vision for a Wilder Wight is set out on page 26, and we hope it won’t be long before we see beavers bringing new life to our wetlands and lost farmland birds making a comeback. We are incredibly grateful to all our members who helped us acquire new nature reserves on the Island last year; these now form the bedrock of our Wilder Wight plans. There really is so much work to be done and so many exciting possibilities to protect wildlife and their habitats in our counties and we simply wouldn’t be able to do any of it without you. Thank you.

Debbie Tann, Chief Executive Follow me on twitter @Debbie_Tann

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Wild Life is the membership magazine for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Email feedback@hiwwt.org.uk Telephone 01489 774400 Address Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire SO32 2DP Registered charity number 201081. Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales No. 676313. Website www.hiwwt.org.uk

Wild Life | Spring 2021

JOSHUA COPPING

pring is my favourite time of year, and I am especially grateful to see nature bursting into life all around me this year after the difficult winter we have all had. 2021 will be a really important year as it marks the start of the UN decade on nature restoration – countries all over the world will be putting effort and resource into nature’s recovery, recognising its vital importance for human wellbeing. We are playing our part here too – with our Wilder2030 strategy and our vision to restore nature across 30% of land and sea, promote sustainable use of natural resources and work with communities to bring wildlife into every town and city. We continue to push for Nature Recovery Networks to become law and for the planning system to act as an enabler for nature’s recovery. And, while there are opportunities ahead to secure a better deal for nature in policy and legislation, there are still times when we must stand up and fight against damaging proposals. We are working closely with the RSPB to stop plans for a ‘super-peninsula’ in Portsmouth which would destroy 27 hectares of precious protected intertidal habitat and set a very dangerous precedent. We need more, not less nature in our

GRAHAM DENNIS

Planning for a Wilder 2021

Get in touch

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is the leading nature conservation charity in the two counties. With your support, we strive to create a wilder future for our local area and make nature part of life, for everyone. ● We manage over 50 nature reserves. ● We are supported by 25,000 members and 1,500 volunteers. We are part of a UK-wide network of 46 Wildlife Trusts; together we are the nation’s most active and influential nature conservation partnership protecting wildlife in every part of the UK.

Wild Life Magazine Editor Claire Thorpe, 07469 855839 Design Keely Docherty-Lee, 07393 365408, keelydl@icloud.com Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is registered with the UK Fundraising Regulator. We aim to meet the highest standards in the way we fundraise. You can change your contact preferences at any time by contacting Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust via email: membership@hiwwt.org.uk, telephone: 01489 774400, or write to us at: Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire SO32 2DP. For more information on our privacy policy visit www.hiwwt.org.uk/privacy-notice

PAUL HOBSON

Contents

4 Your wild spring

Seasonal wildlife and places to experience it.

Pamber Forest in leaf Discover the wonders of woodlands in spring, focusing on Pamber Forest, an ancient forest just outside Basingstoke.

Wild news All the latest news from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

Focus on: Waste of Space Our new campaign to transform disused places into wildlife havens. JANE P

16 Gardening

How you can plant for wildlife and grow fruit and veg at the same time.

Seabirds All about the fascinating world of seabirds, from life in a colony to where they go when they leave our shores.

Team wilder Inspiring stories from local people who are taking action for wildlife in their communities.

Best places to see blue butterflies Our two counties are home to some of the most spectacular displays of blue butterflies in the UK, find out where to look for them.

A Wilder Wight Plans are coming together to create a truly wilder Island. Read about species reintroductions, rewilding and new nature reserves in the county.

30 My wild life

MIKE READ

Graham and Marion, volunteers with Wilder Portsmouth, tell us about the work they have been involved with to make their city wilder.

6 ways to get involved with your local Wildlife Trust Volunteer

Could you donate your skills and time to look after wildlife? Visit our website to find opportunities near you (please check for restrictions due to Covid-19).

Donate to an appeal

From purchasing land to protecting species, exciting projects near you need your support.

Campaigning

You can play a vital role in raising awareness and lobbying on local and national issues.

Local groups

Join one of our network of local groups and help make a difference to nature where you live.

Events

Join us for an online event or activity near you. Our events are organised by knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff and local groups..

Leave a legacy

If you’ve had a lifetime’s pleasure from nature, help ensure its future by leaving us a gift in your Will.

For more information visit www.hiwwt.org.uk/get-involved Wild Life | Spring 2021

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T h a n k y ou

e , we hav suppor t r u o y d o t n Thanks nserve a le to co wn o r b been ab r ats fo it b a h d maintain reatene other th d n a s e fe. har d wildli farmlan .uk g r iwwt.o www.h

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Your wild spring T h a n k y ou

The best of the season’s wildlife and where to

Thanks to your su pport, we are able to create and maintain habitats for dorm ice and many her vulnerable sp enjoyotit. ecies. www.hiwwt.org.u k

SPRING SPECTACLE

In the ring Brown hares are particularly active in spring and more visible in the countryside. Unlike rabbits, hares do not dig burrows but make shallow hollows, known as a form, which they tuck themselves into when they are not feeding. They can be seen nibbling on shoots in grassland, farmland and woodland edges. If you get too close they might give you a bit of a shock by bursting from their forms and running away in zigzags at full tilt. In spring you might even be lucky enough to spot ‘mad March hares’ boxing, standing up on their hind legs to do so. It was once thought these boxing matches were between males, but now we know it is a fed-up female fighting off male advances. We work with farmers to help them ensure their land is wildlife friendly. For brown hares this means leaving long grass for cover and margins where they can feed.

JOSHUA COPPING

SEE THEM THIS SPRING  Barton Meadows Nature Reserve Our downland reserves around Winchester are creating a connected landscape for hares. Look out for them on the woody margins near arable land.

Brown hare sits alert in a field – often their long ears are the only clue they are present.

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YOUR WILD SPRING

CHRIS DAMANT

On the wing

Long-eared bat

URBAN FIELDCRAFT

Crabs

LOOKING FOR CRABS  Make sure to replace any rocks and animals just Shore crab them. Rock pools provide shelter and as you found habitat for hundreds of species.

Shore crab

PAUL NAYLOR

If you have ever gone down to the seashore and gently turned over rocks, you will almost certainly have come across at least one of the 62+ species of crab found around the British coast. Female crabs will be carrying eggs from January onwards; whilst they do they are known as ‘berried’ females. Depending on the species, the female might carry these eggs for many months, before she releases them into the water to hatch. The tiny crabs, miniatures of their parents, are very fragile, and tasty prey for many creatures. They tend to hide away until they are a bit larger, and some species take years before they will breed themselves.

All sorts of animals are starting to reappear as the weather warms, including those that have spent much of the winter asleep. Bats will be venturing out on warmer evenings, hoping to find plenty of insects to feed on. If temperatures drop again in early spring, don’t be surprised if bats in your area are suddenly absent again. They will have gone back into torpor, similar to hibernation, to wait out the cold. By mid-April most bats should be fully awake and looking to feed up to regain some of the weight they lost in winter. Bats might be seen away from their hibernation roosts as they start to venture further afield at night, with females gathering in maternity roosts later in the spring.

WHICH CRAB?  Three of the most common species of crab are edible (look for a

pie crust edge), velvet swimming (red eyes and a mean grip) and shore crabs (very variable but often green in colour with a broad shell). Try to learn these first, before you get to grips with less common species.

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SEE THIS

See if you can find a swathe of blue in a woodland near you as bluebells come into flower – a sign that the trees may be ancient ones.

DO THIS

Look for newts in your pond as they return to the water for the breeding season after a winter under rocks or in log piles.

NEIL ALDRIDGE

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

Spring nectar hunters Ashy mining bee (andrena cineraria)

3 species to spot Hairy-footed flower bee These solitary bees are some of the first to emerge in spring and their super long tongues mean they can feed on a variety of flowers. Try to spot them at Martins Wood, part of Newchurch Moors Nature Reserve.

CHRIS LAWRENCE

PENNY FRITH

When someone says ‘bees’, does your mind go automatically to the honey bee? There are hundreds of types of bee in Britain, in fact around 270 different species. These range from large furry bumblebees to tiny insects that might look more like flies to most of us.

Red mason bee These bees build nests from mud in any holes they find. They happily live in bee hotels, so keep an eye out for them if you install one in your garden. Early flowering plants will ensure they have something to feed on as they emerge from late March.

To find out how you can help bees, and other insects, please visit our website www.hiwwt.org.uk/action-for-insects

PENNY FRITH

Getting to know some of the bee species in your garden can be a delight, and you will see the different species as you go through spring and into summer.

One solitary bee species that is unmistakeable is the ashy mining bee. The females’ broad grey stripes are very distinctive and you can easily spot the results of their nesting habits in grassy areas, including lawns. As they burrow into the earth, they leave behind little mounds of soil. You can spot the entrance hole if the bees are out foraging, but as soon as they finish for the day, or if it rains, they will seal themselves in to their underground chamber. Look for these earth mounds and the bees feeding on flowers at Arreton Down Nature Reserve on the Island.

ANDY JONES

The majority of bees you see out in the countryside or your garden will be species of solitary bee, some much easier to identify than others. These bees do not always live up to their name as they do sometimes live in small colonies, often in the ground. They have developed some weird and wonderful ways to build their nests: combing wool from furry leaves, cutting exact shapes from leaves and refurbishing old snail shells are just a few. As solitary bees make up a high proportion of British pollinators they help ensure healthy populations of wildflowers and food crops in our countryside.

Depending on their tongue length, the bees may be able to take nectar from long tubular flowers, or only feed on flowers with easily accessible, open heads. Some spring bees are well-adapted to certain habitats while others are generalists and can be found almost anywhere there is food for them.

Early bumblebee These bumblebees have orange and yellow stripes and are on the wing from March to October. They favour woodland and gardens, see if you can find one amongst the floral displays at Ancells Farm Nature Reserve.

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Pamber Forest looking green in the springtime.

Pamber Forest in leaf Wildlife was declining in this ancient woodland until the 1980s, but new management for conservation has breathed life back into the forest.

Restoring traditional management The nature reserve was once an extensive royal forest, still sizeable now at almost 500 acres. Traditionally some of the trees, mainly hazel, were coppiced. This technique involves cutting trees down to the ground in different areas of the wood in rotation, with the timber used

for many products including building materials, tools and charcoal. The practice of coppicing declined as the need for its products waned, consequently changing the structure of the woodland. Regularly cutting sections of the wood allows trees to regrow with multiple trunks, forming dense cover with more space between trees. This allows more light into the forest. Increased light allows a beautiful array of wildflowers to grow in spring, many of them indicators of ancient woodland. Look out for wild daffodils, the white stars of greater stitchwort and

Daffodils

ALL PHOTOS: GRAHAM DENNIS

Coppicing

Pamber Forest Nature Reserve is a broadleaf woodland, not far from busy Basingstoke. Some of the oldest trees in the woodland are oaks of over 300 years old. You might spot these veteran trees from one of the many trails and footpaths that wind their way through the forest. The forest itself has stood for more than 800 years, meaning it is home to unique plants and trees that only grow in ancient forests. Spring is the perfect time to visit the woodland to see some of these species for yourself, although it is full of wildlife in any season. One person who knows this better than most is Graham Dennis, reserves officer for Pamber for the past 30 years.

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OUR BEST SPRING RESERVES Wood anemone after coppicing

Silver-washed fritillary Walking in the forest Last spring was the busiest ever for Pamber, with many people discovering the woodland for the first time. As the reserve is so large the increased footfall doesn’t seem to have had a negative effect on the rich wildlife of the forest. Coppiced areas are fenced, so the most fragile areas were already protected from potential disturbance. The Pamber Forest trail is a two-mile loop that takes you past many of the points of interest in the wood and is a great way to get to know the reserve. Make sure to pay it a visit this spring - witnessing the forest bursting with life in this season is not to be missed.

violets in the springtime. These flowers provide food for invertebrates and Pamber Forest is one of our most prolific sites for butterflies and moths. Over 800 species, including rarities such as the purple emperor, silver-washed fritillary and drab looper moth, have been recorded.

Blue underwing moth

Drab looper moth The reserve is owned by Englefield Estate, leased by Basingstoke and Deane Council and managed by the Trust on their behalf. When the Trust first took the site on in the 1980s, we had our work cut out! The first job was to reinstate coppicing and restore the rides (open grassy tracks through the woodland). Very quickly species, which had been lost in Pamber, began to reappear, having clung on in small fragments of habitat. A changing climate has also led to other new arrivals such as the eyecatching blue underwing and Jersey tiger moths. While for now the warmer climate is bringing new arrivals, widespread warming will mean many more are lost from the reserve despite our conservation efforts.

Keeping track of Pamber’s wildlife Spring is the start of survey season for the ecologists on the reserve. As the reserve is home to such a diversity of invertebrates, surveying these species is particularly important. The results and trends make sure the management we carry out is helping the wildlife as it should. Butterfly monitoring in the forest can record over 5,000 butterflies in a good year but it is quite variable, the weather having a large impact. Another species that will be monitored in Pamber is the hazel dormouse, starting to wake up for spring and return to the treetops after a winter asleep on the forest floor. Graham’s work in Pamber Forest since the 1990s gives him the benefit of seeing the results of his conservation efforts. In 1991, seeing a buzzard was a rarity, with sightings perhaps five times a year. Now, though, he will often see five a day! Other species doing well on the reserve are red kites, badgers, woodcock and the dark crimson underwing moth – recently recorded as breeding on the reserve.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have lots of fantastic woodland to visit. Here are two more to see this spring. FLEXFORD NATURE RESERVE A gem of ancient woodland and wet meadow in Chandlers Ford. A stream divides the reserve and in spring you get the best of both habitats. The meadows will be bright with colour from wildflowers including the marsh marigold and early butterflies like the orange tip will be appearing. The woodland floor will be a carpet of blue as the bluebells flower and ransoms (wild garlic) make it a spring treat for all the senses. ROYDON WOOD NATURE RESERVE A very special woodland, home to numerous species, particularly birds. Nightjar, tawny owl and skylark are just a few of the species that breed here in the mosaic of habitats. Spring is the time to see bluebells and the trees transition with the season, with leaves at their brightest green. Roydon Woods are grazed by cattle and ponies to help keep areas open for wildflowers and butterflies.

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WILD NEWS

All the latest news from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

13,000

signatures Thank you to everyone that signed our petition asking the council to reconsider this development, adding weight to our campaign.

Tipner West – threatening Portsmouth’s wildlife

t’s like a broken record. A special place for wildlife is under threat from a council-approved building project: locals protest the loss of green space, wildlife experts describe the impact on nature, the developers take concerns ‘very seriously’ and yet the layers of concrete still come. These developments show we are not yet in a society that grows within our environmental limits and gives the climate and ecological crises the priority they deserve. A 67-acre site at Tipner West in Portsmouth has been proposed as the site of over 4,000 houses and a massive land reclamation scheme. This would decimate the harbour’s last remaining

green oasis; an intertidal mudflat home to rare and important species like brent geese, black-tailed godwit and dunlin. This area is also a haven for juvenile bass and is a habitat that helps fight climate change by capturing and storing carbon dioxide. Tipner is a perfect example of nature’s value being given a lower priority than economic growth. This is a place with the highest level of protection for wildlife as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA), and a ‘Ramsar’ globally important protected wetland. It should be safe from harm. If the development goes ahead here, it will set a damaging precedent that any protected nature site in the country can fall

foul of inappropriate building projects. This time is different because we are ahead of the game. We are gathering public opposition before the 2021 consultation even starts! So far, over 13,000 people have signed our petition calling for Portsmouth City Council to scrap this damaging project and instead, preserve the site for nature’s recovery and local wellbeing. People everywhere are standing up for nature and a wilder future. Join us in telling the Council #dontgothere, so we can change the record not only in Portsmouth but throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and the country. Keep up to date with the campaign and sign our petition www.wtru.st/scrap-super-peninsula

Online AGM proves a great success With so many things a little different last year our AGM was no exception. The Trustees decided in the summer that the safest way to hold the meeting would be online, so on Tuesday 10 November the 2020 AGM was held via Zoom webinar. We were unsure how many members would register to attend, so we were delighted when over 300 joined us online;

a record number for an AGM. Everything ran smoothly; we used Zoom’s polling to conduct the voting on the formal business and the Q&A function enabled members to put questions to the panel. Our President, Chairman, Treasurer, CEO and Senior Management Team were of course disappointed not to be able to welcome members in person and chat

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NEWS

Together New video created we’re stronger showing the recent impact of gifts in Wills The Trust has been fortunate enough to receive gifts in Wills from a number of people over recent years. These kind individuals lived both locally and further afield, but all had a special connection to our wildlife and landscapes, and chose to make a gift to protect them into the future by supporting our work. The gifts have ranged in value from a few hundred pounds to over £300,000 but each will make its own impact and enable more work to be carried out, more land to be protected and managed

and more wildlife to thrive. We are truly grateful for every legacy gift. We recently made a short video highlighting the impact of two generous gifts which allowed us to purchase and create Newchurch Moors Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight and Deacon Hill Nature Reserve near Winchester, home to the Duke of Burgundy butterfly. You can take a look at the video, which gives more detail on these sites and our plans for the future at www.hiwwt.org.uk/ wilder-gifts

Here are some ways that our work has helped wildlife thrive and engaged people with nature across our two counties.

103,031 The number of views on our educational videos since the first lockdown last March.

110

Species of plant found on the latest botanical survey of Mapledurwell Fen, the Trust’s smallest reserve.

Thank

you !

GILLIAN PULLINGER

4,060

Hectares of wildlife-friendly farmland habitats managed across the UK by the Jordan’s Farm Partnership, which has three farms in our counties.

to them over a cup of tea as in previous years. Thankfully the record-breaking attendance and positive feedback received helped to make up for it, and we were delighted to be joined by so many new members who had never been to an AGM. If you were unable to attend the AGM you can view recorded highlights of the

meeting at www.hiwwt.org.uk/agm . Last year’s experience has shown it is possible to hold an AGM online and with so many members welcoming the change it is now an option for future meetings. The Trustees are considering plans for the 2021 AGM, and our aim is to make sure as many members as possible are able to be part of the meeting.

631

The record number of species of butterfly and moth recorded in Pamber Forest Nature Reserve in 2020, read more about how we manage the reserve for wildlife on page 8.

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WILD NEWS Natural History GCSE welcomed by the Trust

NATALIE LIGHT

CATHERINE CHATTERS

2023 could see the introduction of a new GCSE, the first since computer science was introduced in 2014. At Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust we welcome the idea of a GCSE in natural history. In fact, we think it’s fantastic that young people with an interest in the subject will be able to deepen their learning, and their connection to nature, through dedicated study. However, the GCSE is only a step in the right direction. We believe children should have the opportunity to have immersive learning experiences in nature throughout their whole school lives. This could be done in a combination of three ways: Learning in nature can be as straightforward as choosing to read a story outside or encouraging pupils to take their self-directed study to a quiet spot outside, instead of sitting in the library. Learning with nature, perhaps, using leaves to understand fractions or playing Pooh sticks in a river to understand velocity. Learning through nature is so much more than knowing the names of trees, plants and animals. This is about full immersive experiences, which offer children and young people the opportunity to build confidence, resilience and, crucially, offer much-needed benefits to mental and physical health.

Volunteer Brian Matthews pulling Himalayan balsam along the Avon Water during Summer 2016.

New Forest NonNative Plants Project The New Forest Non-Native Plants Project has continued to make excellent progress despite the challenges of Covid-19. This partnership project, hosted by the Trust, aims to stop the spread of invasive nonnative plants in the New Forest area. Since then, Project Officers Catherine Chatters and Jo Gore, with the help of volunteers and professional contractors, have tackled over 20 non-native species which spread rapidly and have a detrimental impact on our native vegetation. The control of Himalayan balsam has been particularly satisfying. This nonnative plant has invaded riverbanks in the New Forest but has short roots and is relatively easy to pull up, making it an ideal

activity for volunteers. The Project Officers continued to lead balsam pulls during 2020, in accordance with social-distancing requirements, and were delighted to find relatively few balsam plants at many sites where balsam pulling has been undertaken previously. Since the Project started in 2009, enthusiastic volunteers have given more than 20,600 hours on balsam pulls led by Jo and Catherine. The Project Officers are grateful to all those who have generously given so much time, often working in hot, wet or very muddy conditions. To find out more about The New Forest Non-Native Plants Project please contact Catherine.Chatters@hiwwt.org.uk

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NEWS

Watercress and Winterbournes off to a f lying start online training in water vole ecology and invertebrate identification. New research provided insight W AT ERCRESS & on natural W INT ERBO URNES solutions to flooding, and our photography competition is capturing the streams in all their vibrancy. Community members are also getting inspired to design and run their own projects through our new grant scheme.

Corporate members are welcomed by Trust We are delighted to welcome Isle of Wight based company, XV stripes as our newest Corporate Member. Inspired by a love of coastal living and the ocean, XV Stripes captures the essence of laid back luxe for your bedroom and home. Plus, all of their fabrics and fibres are sustainably sourced. The team have been busy working on a design, inspired by the Solent, which will support the work of the Trust. We look forward to sharing it with you soon. xvstripes.com

XV STRIPES

Also joining our wonderful family of corporate supporters is Wightlink – see page 29 for more information. ANDREW GOLDSWORTHY

Since getting fully underway in autumn 2020, the Watercress and Winterbournes Landscape Partnership Scheme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has gone from strength to strength. Despite the Covid-19 restrictions, the 16 scheme partners have made fantastic progress in enhancing and celebrating seven local chalk streams. We restored the Pillhill Brook at Little Ann, adding natural bank defences, planting trees, and creating valuable fish-spawning habitat. At Hurstbourne Priors we repaired sluices, notched a weir and built a rock ramp, opening a large stretch of the Bourne Rivulet to species like brown trout and grayling. The historic Eel House in Alresford was fortified by crucial repairs, thanks in part to a donation from the scheme. Our support also helped primary school children in Cheriton to improve their stream - they planted wildflowers along the banks, boosting wildlife habitat and tackling erosion. We continued upskilling our brilliant volunteers, giving them

INVESTING IN WILDLIFE

If your company shares our vision for a wilder future and would like to get involved and invest in wildlife please contact Michelle at corporates@ hiwwt.org.uk or visit www.hiwwt.org. uk/corporate-support

The results are in! said they read the Enews. You told us that Facebook is your most popular social media platform, and over lockdown you followed us on social media for wildlife information and tips to help wildlife from home. Many of you advised that you would like to swap to a digital copy of the magazine, which is something we are looking into now (watch this space!). Finally, the picture you considered the

most effective way of promoting the work of the Trust to new audiences was beautiful St Catherine’s Hill!

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ED MERRITT

Thanks to everyone who returned our Members Survey that came with the winter magazine; we’ve had a great response and wanted to give you a few highlights. Over 90% of responses advised that the reason they became a member was to support local wildlife, and over 50% feel a sense of loyalty to the Trust. Over lockdown we saw an increase in the number of subscribers to the Enews, and over 70% of responses

15/02/2021 10:17

WILD NEWS

EMILY STROUD

More marine secrets to discover in 2021 2021 will see Secrets of the Solent returning for a busy and exciting year filled with lots of opportunities for people to learn about and help to protect our amazing local marine habitats and wildlife. You could visit our marine litter sculpture and exhibition at Portsmouth Museum, where you can also see other exhibits about the fascinating history of the Solent. Keep an eye out for our Solent film this spring, starring some wonderful Solent wildlife and our inspiring

Marine Champions. If you would like to get hands-on, then why not join us for an Intertidal survey to record valuable data about the species living in our area, or go a step further and talk to us about becoming a Marine Champion volunteer to help engage and inspire others. Visit our project webpage to sign up to our newsletter for information on taking part and our project activities. www.hiwwt.org.uk/secrets-of-the-solent

News in brief New president for the movement Liz Bonnin, broadcaster and biologist, was elected in November as the president of the Wildlife Trusts. Liz will be championing The Wildlife Trusts’ new 30 by 30 vision to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 with projects ranging from land acquisition to peatland restoration and species reintroduction. Liz is known for her powerful and ground-breaking documentaries including, Drowning in Plastic, Galapagos, Wild Alaska and Blue Planet Live. Liz’s career has taken her around the world, studying animal behaviours and shining a spotlight on important environmental issues.

ANDREW CROWLEY

30 Days Wild Above: Intertidal surveys record valuable data about the species living in our area.

People’s Postcode Lottery funding for the Wildlife Trusts Trusts across England, Scotland and Wales have received £2 million in funding from People’s Postcode Lottery. For the first time, all 44 Wildlife Trusts in Britain will benefit from player support. We would like to thank all players for helping raise these vital funds which will help Trusts harness the power of nature to fight climate change! The money will be used to fund nature restoration projects which will help lock 14

up carbon in our peatlands, meadows, wetlands and at sea. Wild habitats have a huge role to play in addressing climate change when healthy. They can reduce the risk of flooding, help prevent coastal erosion, improve people’s health and wellbeing, as well as maintain healthy soils, clean water and the pollinators needed by farmers for their crops.

Our popular summer campaign 30 Days Wild will be back again in 2021! Thousands of you took part in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in 2020 and we want to make sure 2021 is even bigger. If you took part last year, we hope you are still feeling the benefits and it has inspired you to get outside throughout the rest of the year– a little bit of nature makes us all happier and healthier. The millions of acts of wildness you completed in June help protect our wildlife and make our green spaces better. Join us for more this year – you can register your interest now at www.wildlifetrusts. org/30DaysWild

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WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

FOCUS ON... Waste of Space

ANDY AMES

he lockdowns of the past year have undoubtedly made more people appreciate nature and recognise its role in supporting mental and physical wellbeing. Our own survey last spring showed that 97% felt that nature had helped relieve stress during this time. However, while some of us are fortunate to have gardens and wild, green spaces on our doorsteps, this is not the case for everyone. Access to nature should be equal, but currently many people - particularly those living in towns and cities - are excluded from the many benefits that nature offers. As well as helping to create healthy, connected communities, urban green spaces have a vital role to play in supporting nature’s recovery. In order to survive and thrive, insects, birds, mammals and amphibians need safe, welcoming and connected habitats and food sources. Every small wild space - from a window box to a road verge can act as an important sanctuary or stepping-stone for wildlife. Beyond this,

Turning grey to green – our new ‘Waste of Space’ campaign aims to create great places to live for both people and wildlife.

nature can help clean up and cool down our urban environments, mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis. Both the public and policy makers are starting to recognise the value of green space and, through Team Wilder, we have seen what can be achieved when people take action - transforming wasted spaces into colourful oases. With the right policy framework and practical support,

To find out more about Waste of Space and to add any places you think could do more for people and wildlife to our Waste of Space map, visit our webpage. Put your photos on social media with #WasteOfSpace, tag us @HantsIWWildlife and tag your local councils, MPs, friends, and neighbours to get them involved! www.hiwwt.org.uk/map-waste-space

we could see wilder communities flourishing across our towns and cities. Through the Waste of Space campaign, we want councils and businesses to prioritise nature and work with local people to improve their area. We are calling on councils to take a lead and set out ambitious green space action plans. We’re asking local businesses to make the most of their own spaces and support their local communities in getting wilder. We are also asking local people to get involved by finding and mapping the spaces in their neighbourhoods that they’d like to see transformed. We will then help them to work with their councils and communities to make the change happen. Ultimately, we want to see these rewilded spaces playing their role in the nature recovery network, helping to move us towards our goal of 30% of space for nature. As part of this, the Wildlife Trusts want to secure a ‘wildbelt’ designation in law to protect these valuable pockets - so they cannot easily be lost or forgotten. Wild Life | Spring 2021

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Companion

planting Feed yourself and your local wildlife with these tips from Kate Bradbury. Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

Nasturtiums can lure aphids from beans and egg-laying butterflies from brassicas. You can also transfer white butterfly caterpillars on to nasturtiums from your cabbages and kales. Their flowers attract bumblebees, the main pollinator of tomatoes.

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

This low-growing herb can deter blackfly from broad beans and roses. You can also make a tea from its leaves and spray it on brassicas to prevent whitefly.

Beans

Fabaceae

Brassicas and salad crops need nitrogen-rich soil to grow well. Plant them alongside beans, whose roots fix nitrogen into the soil.

Mint

Mentha spicata Its strongly scented leaves deter insects with a taste for carrots, onions and brassicas, including flea beetle. Best grown in a pot as it can grow out of control in open ground.

Marigold

Calendula officinalis

Its leaves repel whitefly from tomatoes and can lure aphids from beans. Its flowers attract pollinators as well as aphid predators like ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies. Its roots work with soil fungi to deliver more nutrients to other plants.

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ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH BAILEY, PHOTO © SARAH CUTTLE

Companion planting is an age-old tradition of organic gardening, designed to help plants grow better, aid pollination, deter insects from munching your crops and encourage the predators that eat them. It basically involves the planting of wildflowers or other crops alongside your main crop — think of them as little friends or guardians, there to keep your plants happy and safe. Most companion plants are strongly scented and therefore can deter insects in search of their host plant. Others attract more beneficial insects, such as ladybirds and lacewings, which then prey on aphids and other crop eaters. Some companion plants are ‘sacrificial’, meaning you grow them so that insects lay eggs on them instead of your prized crop. Others can benefit the soil, such as nitrogen-fixing legumes, which help leafy plants grow better, or calendula, whose roots work particularly well with soil fungi, which aid the uptake of soil nutrients. All of this helps you work in harmony with nature, protect your crops and help them grow better. What’s not to like? On my allotment I grow calendula with tomatoes, onions and garlic with carrots and parsnips, and nasturtiums with beans and brassica crops. I also grow nettles, fennel, teasels and other wildflowers

along my allotment boundaries. These are fantastic wildlife plants, and so bring in a range of insects and birds. Nettles give me a head start on other allotmenteers: coming into leaf early in the year, nettles attract the nettle aphid, Microlophium carnosum. This feeds only on nettles and emerges from hibernation sooner than other species, so attracts aphid predators – such as ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings – early in the year. This means the predators are already on hand when the blackbean aphid starts breeding on my broad beans. Then in summer, fennel flowers attract hoverflies, which then lay eggs on aphid clusters – I rarely have a problem with aphids. Other wildflowers attract pollinating bees, which stay to fertilise my bean and tomato flowers. I also like to grow caterpillar foodplants for moths and butterflies because they’re nice to have around. I like to think of them as my companions, so companion planting can benefit the gardener, too!

Kate Bradbury is passionate about wildlifefriendly gardening and the author of Wildlife Gardening for Everyone and Everything in association with The Wildlife Trusts.

Gardens and allotments are a vital habitat for many of our struggling insects. Get tips for helping them at: www.wildlifetrusts.org/take-action-insects

Borage

Borago officinalis

Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies and hoverflies, which pollinate crops. It is also reported to improve the flavour of strawberries.

Garlic chive

Allium tuberosum

The garlicky scent from its chive-like leaves deters the carrot root fly, which can usually smell carrots from up to a mile away.

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia Its strong-scented foliage can deter aphids and its flowers attract a range of pollinators, including bees. Plant with carrots and leeks to protect them.

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BARRY BLAND, NATURE PL

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SEABIRD CITIES

Tom Hibbert is content officer for The Wildlife Trusts and studies seabirds across the UK.

Guillemots nest on cliffs and rocky islands, crowding together on suitable ledges.

he air is heavy with the scent of seaweed and the unmistakable musk of guano. Perched on the dry, cliff-top grass, I lean forward and cautiously peer over the edge. A heart-stopping distance below me, the North Sea washes against the algae-covered rocks. Dark shapes dot the water, with more on the white chalk cliffs. I raise my binoculars and see crowds of guillemots crammed onto the narrow ledges, their neat, almost-black-and-white plumage giving them the air of guests at an overcrowded dinner party. One shuffles and stretches, revealing a glorious turquoise egg tucked between its flipper-like feet. It leans down, studying its precious parcel, before hiding it once again in the soft embrace of its feathers. The guillemots aren’t alone on their rocky home. Razorbills recline on their own little ledges, shunning the crowds for a more private perch. Kittiwakes screech from mounds of

moulded mud and seaweed, and the bright orange bill of a puffin peeks out from the shadows of a narrow crevice. Hundreds of birds cover the cliffs before me, with many thousands more along this single stretch of coast. The colony is in constant motion; it’s noisy, smelly, busy and without a doubt one of the most spectacular things I’ve ever seen. In a time of terrifying species declines, abundance is an increasingly difficult thing to experience. Rare are the butterfly blizzards and moth snowstorms described from just a few decades ago, but a seabird colony still offers the chance to enjoy an overwhelming abundance of wildlife, and the UK is one of the best places in the world to discover these beguiling birds. A quarter of Europe’s breeding seabirds are found in the UK, with over eight million birds of 25 species nesting around Britain and Ireland.

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SEABIRD CITIES

The UK is home to 55% of the world’s population of northern gannets.

TOM HIBBERT

A home for the summer Seabirds are a varied group, from the flightless penguins that chase fish through the frigid waters of Antarctica, to the globe-spanning shearwaters that cross entire oceans on their long, slender wings. They’re adventurers and explorers, taming the untameable, from wind-scoured cliffs to the endless expanse of the open ocean, thriving in the places that for so long were too hostile for us to follow. What unites these amazing animals is their unrivalled ability to be at home on land, at sea, and in most cases, in the air. It’s on land that we know them best. No bird has truly escaped the pull of dry ground, as even the most oceangoing seabirds are tethered to land by the need to lay eggs. Every spring, our seabird cities burst into life as the summer residents return, hurriedly pair up with a new mate or reaffirm bonds with an old flame, and get on with the important business of nesting. For land loving birds, this is usually a solitary affair, but for seabirds the opposite is true. The majority nest in colonies, sometimes hundreds of thousands strong. There are a few reasons for this, but what it really comes down to is that seabirds are at their most vulnerable when they visit land to nest. Many lay eggs on the ground, where they would be an easy snack for a hungry fox, stoat or rat. As a result, they tend to favour inaccessibly sheer cliffs or small islands off our coasts, free from the threat of mammalian predators. Prime seabird real estate like this is in short supply, so birds end up clustered together. But even when there is room for them to spread their wings, most species cluster by choice. There’s safety in numbers. Even without the dangers of roaming mammals, there are still predators to worry about; birds of prey, crows and even other seabirds like gulls and skuas are a threat to eggs, chicks and adults. Nesting in numbers is the best defence. For some it’s about protection. Arctic terns are ferociously dedicated parents and will defend their nest from any potential predator that gets too close, plunging and pecking at people, gulls and even polar bears. One angry bird is a nuisance, dozens or even hundreds together make a very effective deterrent. For other species it’s all about the odds — the more nests there are around you, the less likely yours is to be targeted.

Some of our smaller seabirds keep their eggs and young safe by nesting underground. Puffins, arguably the UK’s most popular seabird, deposit their single egg deep within a rocky crevice, or at the end of a burrow dug into a grassy slope. Pairs can dig their own burrows, but they’ll also steal them from rabbits and Manx shearwaters, secretive seabirds that return to their nests under cover of darkness.

Manx shearwaters complete a 7,000mile journey in less than a fortnight. Land-locked seabirds You’d be forgiven for thinking that to see a seabird, you have to travel to the coast. After all, sea is in their name. But some seabirds have taken to inland waterways, nesting on lakes, reservoirs and even the roofs and ledges of buildings. Kittiwakes, dainty gulls with black legs and a bright yellow beak, can be heard giving their evocative cry of ‘kitt-eeee-waark’ above the Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside each summer. At around 13 kilometres from the sea, this is the most inland kittiwake colony in the world, but some seabirds have put even more distance between themselves and the coast.

Arctic terns have the longest known migration of any animal, with some travelling over 59,000 miles a year.

Gannets plunge into the water from heights of 30m, reaching speeds of up to 60mph.

Guillemots have been recorded diving to depths of 180m in pursuit of fish.

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SEABIRD CITIES

Puffins nest in burrows or rocky crevices.

ALEXANDER MUSTARD/2020VISION

protecting them. Seabirds across the world are threatened by the introduction of predators to their breeding sites, by being caught up in fishing gear, and from the effects of the climate crisis. Warming seas around the UK are already thought to be responsible for declines in many of our more northerly seabird colonies, as the sand eels that so many species rely on move northwards to cooler waters. Our seabird cities are amongst our greatest natural treasures, we must look after them by protecting their nest sites from development and their food sources from overfishing, and by doing all we can to combat the climate crisis.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Visit a seabird city

1⁄4 of Europe’s breeding seabirds are found in the UK, with over 8 million birds and 25 species nesting around Britain and Ireland.

Ocean wanderers Though some seabirds don’t stray far from their summer breeding grounds, others make incredible journeys. The Arctic tern, who we

already know as an impressive parent, makes the longest recorded migration of any animal on the planet. A recent study, using tiny devices that record daylight and allow the bird’s location to be calculated, mapped one intrepid tern’s 59,650-mile return journey from the Farne Islands in Northumberland to the seas around Antarctica. The bird’s meandering route took it around Africa and into the Indian Ocean, then down to Antarctica and across to the Weddell Sea, before returning to the exact same nesting site the following spring. With the potential to live for 30 years, this bird could travel over 1.8 million miles in its lifetime. Manx shearwaters make their own mammoth migrations each year, crossing both the Atlantic and the equator as they head for wintering grounds off the coast of Argentina and Brazil. Studies on birds from the Welsh islands of Skokholm and Skomer have revealed that they can complete this 6,000-7,000-mile journey in less than a fortnight. Understanding the complex migrations of these globe-spanning seabirds is essential for

Flamborough Cliffs, East Yorkshire Flamborough Head has one of the most important seabird colonies in Europe. In summer, the cliffs are packed with tens of thousands of breeding birds, including guillemots, gannets, gulls and puffins. Portsmouth, Hampshire Not far from busy Portsmouth you can find Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve, home to breeding common terns and black-headed gulls. Alderney, Channel Islands Thousands of gannets breed on a series of rocky outcrops called Les Etacs and Ortac, just off the coast of the mainland. Discover more at www.wildlifetrusts.org/seabird-cities

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Common terns, elegant white birds with long tail streamers, a black cap and a bright red, black-tipped bill, are summer visitors to the UK. They nest along the coast and on offshore islands but can also be found on reservoirs and gravel pits across the country, especially where artificial rafts have been created for them. It’s a joy to watch them hovering above the water, diving and dipping their beak below the surface to snare a fish, before carrying it back to their small, sand-coloured chicks. The same lakes often host cacophonous colonies of black-headed gulls, with their pale grey and white plumage and dark brown hood. They can gather in their thousands, creating a spectacle every bit as raucous, restless and impressive as the more celebrated coastal colonies of seabirds. Many of these birds have forsaken the sea entirely, remaining near their inland colonies year-round.

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TEAM WILDER

TEAM In the first year of Team Wilder we have seen over 600 people taking action and making space for nature in their patch. We have a team of Wilder Champions and Leaders who work closely with us and their communities to inspire more people to join Team Wilder. Find out more about them below and, if you’d like to become a champion or leader, please go to www.hiwwt.org.uk/become-wilder-champion or get in touch with us at wilder@hiwwt.org.uk

Kate – Inspiring People Champion

Creating a better environment for everyone

KATE STRUTHERS

Kate lives with her family in Northern Hampshire and is helping Team Wilder share Wilder stories. “I joined Team Wilder as I really wanted to do something positive to help my local wildlife and promote biodiversity. I work in PR and Communications and hopefully I can use my skills to raise awareness of all the wilding activities that are happening in our region and inspire others to take part. It’s only by more people taking an active interest in the natural world around them that we can create a better environment for everyone to live in - both humans and wildlife!”

Jane – Wilder Gardens Champion

Enjoying nature right on your doorstep!

JANE P

“Gardening for nature makes sense to me. It’s easier on the planet, and on the gardener! Plus, you can discover how and where native plants grow and what habitats different creatures need as you tackle the challenge of combining them so they work together as a mini ecosystem and as garden for people. Then there’s the opportunity to enjoy nature right on our own doorstep, spotting what turns up, watching changes through the seasons and being inspired to develop our nature photography skills. I’ve joined Team Wilder to link up with like-minded people nearby and am excited to have the opportunity to encourage and help others who’d like to do more for nature in their patch.”

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TEAM WILDER

Steve – Wilder Gardens Champion

Wildlife gardening lets nature in

JANE P

“One day I realised I didn’t have to go to a nature reserve to see lots of wildlife! By changing our garden, I thought that I could create the right conditions to enable more native species to thrive outside our back door. Ten years on and the results are fantastic! Wildlife gardening is definitely a way to become more immediately intimate with the natural world. Plants, birds, bees, dragonflies, bats, fungi, frogs and newts all now live with us in greater numbers than before and it’s marvellous to watch. All you need to have is a basic design and nature fills in the gaps. By being a Wilder Gardens Champion, I hope to share the magic with others.”

Sarah – Wilder Community Leader

Mathilde – Wilder Community Leader

We held competitions & nature swap events

‘Weeds’ are important for pollinators

MATHILDE CHANVIN

“Wilder Hyde was formed in February 2020, when I approached some local friends and neighbours who are interested in nature conservation. What a year it’s been! We had our first meeting in a local pub and decided on various projects we would like to tackle, plans that were soon put on hold or changed as the pandemic took over the world. During lockdown, we held wildlife competitions and nature swap events which were a great success! We also used the time at home to talk to our Councillors about planting trees and wildflowers in the area, so when restrictions were eased we could get together and put the plans into action. Our group has evolved a lot over the last year, fluctuating between bouts of activity and quieter times for planning. I can’t wait to see what 2021 has in store.”

“I love to engage with my Wilder Community by placing signs and other wilder signals on my doorstep. Inspired by whoever pulled out all our ‘weeds’ that were growing between the street and my front garden wall, I have replaced the emptiness with some soil and planted the seeds that were supposed to be bird food but germinated inside the bird feeder! I wrote a message on the wall for people to acknowledge that those ‘weeds’ are so important for pollinators. After a month, the plants have grown, and nobody has pulled them out yet!”

Georgina – Inspiring People Champion

Georgina is a recent Zoology with Conservation graduate and wildlife enthusiast and is supporting our Wilder Schools. “I joined the Team Wilder initiative with the hope to create and be a part of a wildlife friendly community. My vision particularly focuses on helping local children feel connected to wildlife by providing them with information, skills and tasks they can do at home with their parents.”

GEORGINA JONES

SARAH PERRIN

Helping children connect with nature

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GUY EDWARDES/2020VISION

6 places to see blue butterf lies

Common blue butterflies are found in grassy places across the UK. 24

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See the spectacle

for yourself

5 2

14 6 3

1 St Catherine’s Hill Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust This stunning chalk downland is a haven for 25 species of butterfly, including chalkhill blues and the brown argus. Despite its name, this small brown butterfly is one of the blues, a beautiful blue sheen on the males in sunlight. Where: Winchester, SO23 9PA 2 Arreton Down Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust The wide variety of wildflowers on Arreton Down have helped make it a hotspot for butterflies, particularly blues. Tens of thousands of chalkhill blues can be seen here, in addition to Adonis blues and the increasingly scarce dingy skipper (which isn’t in the blue family). Where: Newport, PO33 3AA 3 Knighton Down Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Panoramic views across the Island and a rugged chalk downland unchanged for centuries make this site spectacular. Look for the electric blue of male Adonis blues or spring caterpillars feeding on horseshoe vetch. Where: Knighton, PO36 0NT

he blue butterflies are some of our most dazzling and endearing insects; winged gems that come alive in the spring or summer sunlight and dance from flower to flower. They shimmer in shades of blue and silver, though a few of the UK’s nine resident species are misleadingly brown. Some of these butterflies are now only found in the few places their favoured habitat remains. Many of these areas are now nature reserves, protected by The Wildlife Trusts. Some, however, can be seen more widely: common blues emerge around May and fly over many grasslands, including road verges, and holly blues appear around April to flutter through parks and gardens. Your best chance of spotting butterflies is on a calm, sunny day.

4 Noar Hill Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust This swathe of beautiful chalk grassland is a brilliant spot for blues. You can find chalkhill, small and common blues, splashes of colour within the landscape. Where: Alton, GU34 3LW 5 Daneway Banks, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust This wonderful wildflower meadow is regarded as one of the best places in the world to see the rare large blue, which was once extinct in the UK. Where: Near Sapperton, GL7 6LN 6 Malling Down, Sussex Wildlife Trust Adonis blue and chalkhill blue butterflies dance over the sun-kissed slopes of this flower-rich chalk grassland, where small blues can also be discovered. Where: Near Lewes, BN7 2RJ

Did you discover any butterflies ? When spotting butterflies, please be sure to follow Government guidance on social distancing and stay local. And remember to tweet us your best photos! @hantsiwwildlife

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Wilder Wight We are working to make the Island a wilder place; here are some of the key ways we will do this including species reintroductions, rewilding the land and continuing to engage residents with nature.

he Trust has a vision for a Wilder Island: wetlands that help prevent flooding, filter pollution and are home to a huge variety of wildlife. Woodlands that regenerate naturally, helping store carbon and alleviate the effects of climate change. Grasslands and farmlands which are productive but can also support nature without routine use of harmful chemicals. A community that cares for wildlife and enjoys the benefits brought about by a healthy environment. An economy that is boosted by the natural assets of the Island and green tourism. The Island becoming part of a wider Nature Recovery Network in Britain, proving the benefits wilding the land can have for people and for wildlife. Here, we explore some of the ways we hope to make this vision a reality.

Creating a Wilder Wight

The Isle of Wight is an incredible place for wildlife – a microcosm of south-east England with all the habitats characteristic of the region. The chalk grasslands, estuaries, maritime cliffs and slopes are important on a national and international level. The Island’s relative isolation means that there are fewer introduced species, such as grey squirrels. The Island is rich in wildlife with stable populations of rare native animals, such as red squirrels, dormice and water voles. But, despite our best efforts, nature is still declining here. Space where wildlife thrives is too small and fragmented to be resilient in the face of climate change and a growing human population. The Island is central to our plans for rewilding, restoring missing species and demonstrating how nature-based solutions can help address the ecological and climate emergencies. The Island is one of the first areas to get the

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MIKE READ

WILDER WIGHT

Bringing beavers back to the Island is important for creating healthy wetlands, including wet woodland and meadow habitats. Wilder treatment and will lead the way towards a wilder future, offering amazing opportunities to realise our aim of seeing one third of land and sea where wildlife is recovering across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Our ambitious plans include buying more land, reintroducing missing species, and connecting local people with nature.

Rewilding landscapes

DAVID PARKYN

The Trust already has a network of important nature reserves, from Sandown Meadows to Newchurch Moors, Arreton Down and Knighton Down. As part of our rewilding journey we have acquired significant new areas of land and, with your help, we will continue to fundraise to allow us to seize opportunities to acquire more. We will work with farmers, landowners and public bodies to transform the Island and create a Nature Recovery Network - a rich, connected landscape that wildlife needs to survive and thrive.

Newchurch Moors nature reserve was created in 2020 after the Trust purchased two very special areas of land on the southern slopes of the Eastern Yar. The land purchase was made possible thanks to a generous gift in the Will of Gwendolen Bunce, a local Island resident, and donations from our members and supporters who raised an incredible £245,000. The complex of nature reserves in the Eastern Yar Valley form a rich tapestry of habitats, from ancient woodland and river to grazed pasture and marshland. These habitats form part of a wider network of sites which are managed by the Trust and other conservation organisations. Newchurch Moors is ideally placed to create a flourishing landscape for wildlife and people and provides the perfect habitat for the reintroduction of beavers. Little Duxmore Farm, a 100 acre arable farm in East Wight, is another recent purchase. The rewilded farmland will be transformed into a wildlife haven, providing vital habitat for struggling farmland birds. Little Duxmore Farm is also the first example of the new type of ‘nature based solution’ that the Trust is offering, our Nitrate Reduction Scheme, which will help combat pollution in the Solent and allow marine wildlife to flourish.

Bringing back the beaver

Bringing beavers back to the Island is important for creating healthy wetlands. Beavers will reduce the need for human intervention in habitats, as they do

Beavers use woody material, rocks and mud to build dams which help reduce flood risk and create habitats where wildlife flourishes.

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Arreton Down in flower - this nature reserve supports a wide range of invertebrates.

STEVE WATERHOUSE

the hard work! They build dams in the floodplain, making the ecosystem more complex, leading to a fantastic range of benefits including decreased flood risk, increased diversity (particularly of invertebrates) and the filtering of pollutants. The completion of an Isle of Wight Feasibility Report, by the University of Exeter, Derek Gow Consultancy and beaver expert Dr Rosin CampbellPalmer, has brought us one step closer to introducing beavers to the Island. Lessons learnt from successful enclosed beaver releases across the UK, particularly Devon Wildlife Trust’s beaver trial on the River Otter, have been invaluable in helping us develop our plans. We were thrilled to discover that Newchurch Moors has been identified as one of the best sites in southern England for bringing back the beaver. In fact, the abundance of suitable habitat and catchment suitability in the Lower Eastern Yar means that an open release is likely to be more appropriate than fenced enclosures. During 2021, conversations with key stakeholders, partners, local landowners and communities will help determine the best way forward as we work together to bring beavers back to the Island. Local engagement will be a critical part of the project, giving people the opportunity to share their views and get involved as we progress towards a licence application in the latter part of 2021. A new Wetland Officer will be recruited to oversee the beaver project. They will be supported by a volunteer monitoring team who will walk the catchments looking for signs of beavers - playing an important role in monitoring the success of the project and in addressing potential issues at an early stage.

CHRIS ARCHBOLD

Cirl buntings; farmland birds currently missing from the landscape.

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MARGARET HOLLAND

Working with you

We can’t achieve the ambitious plans for a Wilder Wight without your help. We need 1 in 4 people to connect with wildlife and take action for nature’s recovery by 2030. Alongside our conservation work, Wilder Wight will inspire communities to get involved, adopting spaces in their towns to create space for wildlife and community areas everyone can enjoy. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the Trust’s ambitious plans. We will need to continue to raise significant funds through membership, donations and legacies to support future land purchases, rewild Island landscapes, reintroduce species and inspire new generations of wildlife enthusiasts. We will be launching a major appeal later this year to help us bring back the beaver and create a Wilder Wight. Together we can transform the Island for wildlife and communities, making Hampshire and the Isle of Wight even better and even wilder!

Red-billed chough nest on cliffs. Ultimately, this project is much more than a species reintroduction. Beavers are some of nature’s great eco-engineers and a once-prominent part of our cultural heritage, and we look forward to reuniting them with the Island’s waterways.

Return of the village bunting

Two more key species which have been lost in our counties are also part of the wildlife jigsaw we aim to repair. The red-billed chough and cirl bunting have the potential to inspire changes to the management of the Island’s farmland and coast. While the chough has long been absent from much of southern England, the cirl bunting clung on in the Isle of Wight, its last stronghold in the two counties, until 1993. Eagles have been a very successful part of the Island’s Wilder journey and we believe chough and cirl bunting will only enhance this. Cirl buntings, once known as the ‘village bunting’, were found in small pockets of farmed land close to villages. They need wide hedgerows for nesting and cover, close to tall grassland full of crickets and grasshoppers to feed on; habitats readily available on the Island. Sadly, changes to farming practices meant the birds lost most of their winter habitat weedy stubble left after the harvest of spring-sown crops. Increasing suitable winter stubble will give cirl buntings and other farmland birds food over the harsher winter months. Little Duxmore Farm, will do just that by rewilding former arable land, replicating conditions in Europe where farmland birds thrive. Working with other landowners will ensure this mosaic extends across the Island. Planned feeding stations for farmland birds and chough in school grounds and public locations will mean the community can help monitor the birds and become part of a Wilder Wight. The results of the feasibility study of our plans for the birds will be published this spring. Already, robust evidence suggests that reintroductions are achievable and could allow these species to spread across southern England. We will establish a diverse partnership to help us achieve this vision, learning from others and pioneering new approaches. We want to help people see the value in these once-common species and reverse the declines in wildlife seen over recent decades.

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Partnering for wildlife We have teamed up with Wightlink to help showcase the Isle of Wight and its incredible natural environment. The new partnership will encourage people to visit the island and connect with nature as well as supporting the Trust’s reserves team. Wightlink takes their responsibility for the environment seriously and their Green Agenda outlines the wide-ranging initiatives they are taking to protect the sea, land and air in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The company’s decision to invest £30 million on Victoria of Wight reflects their commitment to the environment. Their flagship is the first hybrid energy ferry in England,

setting new standards for crossSolent travel. She combines battery power with conventional engines to sail between Portsmouth and Fishbourne. Wightlink is creating habitats for coastal wildlife at their ports and educating their customers about life in and around the Solent by welcoming the HIWWT’s Secrets of The Solent team on board.

Wild Life | Spring 2021

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MY WILD LIFE

Marion & Graham Claxton Marion and Graham have always loved wildlife, but as they learnt more about what was on their doorstep they wanted to do more to protect it. After sowing wildflower seeds and seeing a visible increase in pollinators, they got involved with Wilder Portsmouth, a partnership project between the Trust and the Southern Co-op, to help connect people with the city’s green spaces. 30

Wild Life | Spring 2021

OUR WILDLIFE CHAMPIONS

My wife and I have lived in Tamworth Road for many years and we particularly love watching the birds in our garden. We see wrens, blackbirds and sparrows in the hedgerow and goldfinches, great spotted woodpeckers, starlings and blue, great, and long-tailed tits on the bird feeders. We have also seen jays, sparrowhawks, peregrines, green woodpeckers, grey herons, collared doves, wood pigeons, crows and magpies in the garden! Occasionally we even get visits from goldcrests, fieldfares, white throats and song thrushes. Tamworth Park is a taste of the countryside in the middle of busy Portsmouth that in recent years has brought the community together, as local residents become stewards of this wildlife haven. Many people come to Tamworth Park to photograph and generally enjoy the wildlife spectacles that unfold during the spring and summer. The park is used by youngsters to spot the wildlife and wildflowers as they walk to and from school. Foxes, woodpeckers, and squirrels have all been known to breed in the park and perhaps there are many that the locals are not aware of. This year we installed two nest boxes with the help of the Trust’s Wilder Communities Officer, Andy Ames. They have already attracted a lot of attention from the birds, so we added two more this winter. I’m sure these will attract a lot of interest, not only from the birds, but also from the locals. We have seen new species of birds, and people are becoming far more interested in what’s in the park. In 2018 we contacted Grow Wild for packets of wildflower seeds and worked with Portsmouth City Council to create two wildflower beds which we planted with the help of our neighbours and their children. The following spring and summer, bees, butterflies and all sorts of insects buzzed and fluttered around the wildflowers. We have continued this every year, and will do so for as long as we can. It gives us great pleasure to see the children discovering the beauty of the flowers and insects they would never have seen otherwise.

Left and above: Tamworth Park is used by youngsters to spot wildlife and wildflowers as they walk to and from school.

In 2019, we planted fruit trees – supplied by the local council along with Portsmouth Tree Wardens and Andy Ames. This started our group’s involvement with the Trust’s outreach programme, Wilder Portsmouth. With our neighbours we have created a Wild Street, connecting with other wild spaces across Portsmouth. We will install information boards around to create more interest in wildlife amongst residents and the wider community. Hopefully we will be planting fruiting hedges to attract even more wildlife to the park. We’re very fortunate to have one of the few green spaces in Portsmouth right on our doorstep! We look forward to continuing our work with Wilder Portsmouth. We’d love to continue to nurture the wildlife that is already here and engage even more of our neighbours, as many people use Tamworth Park to reconnect with nature.

“It gives us great pleasure to see the children discovering the beauty of the flowers and insects they would never have seen otherwise.” ● Find out more about the work being done by the Wilder Portsmouth team at www.hiwwt.org.uk/ wilder-portsmouth ● Get involved with Team Wilder in your area or connect with others to for your own local group by emailing wilder@hiwwt.org.uk

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Love wildlife?

Give the gift of membership this spring Treat the nature lover in your life to a year of discovery with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Whether they love gardening for wildlife or searching for nature on their walks in the countryside there is something for everyone to enjoy. Their membership gift will include: ● A welcome pack to open ● A guide to our nature reserves ● Our regular magazine ● Family members receive junior membership with a Wildlife Watch magazine

Your gift will bring your loved ones closer to nature and helps us create a better future for wildlife and wild places in our two counties.

Call our membership team today on 01489 774400 or visit www.hiwwt.org.uk/shop Membership starts from just £3.50 a month

GREAT TIT ON THORNY TWIG - DAVID FOKER

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Wild Life - Spring 2021

Articles inside

Team wilder

A Wilder Wight

Your wild spring

Gardening

My wild life

Seabirds