Wild Life - News in Brief

Wild Life Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

NEWS IN BRIEF

Exciting land purchases Look after your wellbeing What happens next? We want your views

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

hiwwt.org.uk

Welcome At the end of 2019, the Trust published a new ten year plan, Wilder 2030 and we received an incredible response. The plan sets out the overall aim to secure a third of land and sea for wildlife and to double the Trust’s own estate across the two counties in the coming decade.

We also want to see many more people joining forces to back nature’s recovery and become part of ‘Team Wilder’.

Despite the unexpected impact of Covid-19, the Trust’s strategy is being implemented and we already have some important successes to share. In this ‘news in brief’ edition you can read about some recent exciting land acquisitions and also how our missing species programme is progressing. We will also share some tips on how to look after your own health and wellbeing in this time.

Finally, we wanted to use this opportunity to ask you some questions about what a ‘new normal’ might look like. The Trust has an unprecedented chance to work with local authorities, partners and government to ensure that our society and economy recovers in a much greener, more sustainable way.

We have enclosed a short questionnaire so that you can tell us what you think.

Staying in touch We’d love to keep in touch with you and are sending out a weekly Trust email newsletter – sign up here hiwwt.org.uk/sign-our-newsletter You can also see what the Trust is up to via our social media channels as follows: Facebook: facebook.com HampshireandIsleofWightWildlifeTrust

Twitter: @HantsIWWildlife twitter.com/HantsIWWildlife

Instagram: @hantsiwwildlife instagram.com/hantsiwwildlife

YouTube: youtube.com/user/HIOWWT

We plan to write again in the summer with more updates but if you have any questions in the meantime please do contact us on membership@hiwwt.org.uk Cover image: Marsh fritillary © Lianne de Mello

Wild Life | NEWS IN BRIEF

A wilder

Isle of Wight Hot on the heels of the purchase of Parsonage Farm and Hill Heath (now combined to become Newchurch Moors) there was more good news for the Island in mid-April as the Trust secured 100 acres of farmland in East Wight.

Until now, Little Duxmore has been principally an arable farm, producing crops like maize. The Trust now plans to transform the area, with the natural restoration of vital habitat for struggling farmland birds such as yellowhammer, skylark and even nightingale and cirl bunting. The farm could also become home to a huge variety of other wildlife.

The new site at Little Duxmore is also the first example of the new type of ‘nature based solutions’ that the Trust is offering, which will include opportunities for private and public organisations, as well as individuals, to invest in nature as a way of tackling issues such as reducing nitrate pollution, absorbing carbon or reversing the biodiversity crisis.

This new wildlife site marks the start of the Trust’s rewilding journey and is a significant step towards our vision for a wilder Wight.

The farmland sits close to several other Wildlife Trust nature reserves and will form part of an expanding nature recovery network on the Island – creating the rich, connected landscape that wildlife needs to survive and thrive.

For more information please visit hiwwt.org.uk/news/island-set-get-wilder

Yellowhammer © Amy Lewis

NEWS IN BRIEF | Wild Life

Great news for local butterflies at Deacon Hill At the start of May we were delighted to finally announce the purchase of Deacon Hill. The site is a 10 hectare patchwork of scrub and chalk grassland overlooking the Chilcomb valley, at the gateway to the South Downs National Park. The land has been purchased by the Trust following a successful fundraising appeal, a gift in the Will of two local residents and generous grants from Hampshire County Council, the South Downs National Park and strong support from Officers and members of the Butterfly Conservation Hampshire Branch.

This fabulous site creates a vital link in the nature-network, contributing to our Wilder vision for the area. It is Winchester’s only remaining stronghold for the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, as well as supporting a range of breeding farmland birds including whitethroat, yellowhammer, linnet and blackcap, and many other wildlife species such as the harvest mouse and glow-worm. The Trust will now start the task of restoring the site with support and advice from our partners.

Duke of Burgundy © G Hoggarth

Wild Life | NEWS IN BRIEF

Beaver © Darin Smith

Missing Species By 2030 we must see nature recovering and wildlife returning - if we delay, the damage could be irreversible.

We have a strong track record of working to bring back missing species, and have seen otter, water vole and marsh fritillary return to their former haunts. We have also seen other species, such as the white-clawed crayfish and sword-leave helleborine, bounce back from the brink of local extinction. But what’s next?

Beavers are often referred to as ‘ecosystem engineers’.

The loss of this charismatic species has led to loss of the mosaic of lakes, meres, mires, tarns and boggy places that they built so brilliantly.

They make changes to their habitats, such as digging canal systems, damming water courses, and coppicing tree and shrub species, which create diverse wetlands. We have commissioned a feasibility study to assess how we might introduce them to the Isle of Wight as part of our wilder Wight vision. Also on the Island, we are looking to reintroduce the cirl bunting. The cirl bunting is a small finchlike bird which is a close relative of the yellowhammer.

Cirl buntings were once widespread and common across much of southern England but, in recent years, they have become rare and only found in south Devon, mostly confined to coastal farmland between Plymouth and Exeter.

The Island has been identified as one of the best places in England to build back their population, and a research project is underway.

NEWS IN BRIEF | Wild Life

5 Ways to Wellbeing We are facing difficult times and a period of uncertainty so it is more important than ever that our staff, volunteers, members and supporters stay as well as possible.

Here are our top 5 ways to wellbeing.

1 2 3 4 5

Be Active

Make use of daily exercise, or a loosening of restrictions to get outside for a walk to your nearest green space but keep safe.

Connect

With the people around you, share your wildlife experiences online or over the phone.

Tell us what you have been up to!

Give

Donate or do something to help your local community and the people that live there.

Remember to feel good about the difference you make as a member of the Trust.

Take Notice

Of the everyday wildness on your doorstep or in your garden, sit for a moment, take a breath and enjoy the birdsong.

Learn

Try something new. This could be growing pollinators in the garden, building a pond or even doing an online course.

Wild Life | NEWS IN BRIEF

BE PART OF A WILDER FUTURE! We need many more people on nature’s side.

The science shows that if just one person in every four takes action, this can be enough to change the minds and behaviour of the majority.

Could you do things differently at home or in your day-to-day life to help bring wildlife back? Would you like to come together with your neighbours and create greener, healthier and wilder streets and communities? Can you help us reach more people or push for positive changes locally?

Join a brilliant group of people leading the way towards nature’s recovery.

We will support you with tools, training and advice and we’ll share what you are doing and learning, so we can inspire others to get involved.

Join Team Wilder today. hiwwt.org.uk/team-wilder

Milton Locks © Paul Gonella

NEWS IN BRIEF | Wild Life

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Wildlife Trust

Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane Curdridge, Hampshire SO32 2DP

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01489 774400 feedback@hiwwt.org.uk

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