Environment

Checking water quality

BriSTol Avon rivers Trust (BArT) will be running their annual WaterBlitz event this summer and are seeking river enthusiasts to take part. From July 9–12th, it aims to collect as many samples from the rivers, streams and lakes of the Bristol Avon catchment to help gain a snapshot of water quality. it’s looking for volunteers to take samples from the river Chew and other local streams and will supply free water testing kits.

George Clark, BArT project manager, said: “rivers and streams are the arteries of our planet but they face serious challenges. Within the Bristol Avon catchment we often see nutrient pollution entering watercourses and degrading these important ecosystems and impacting the species that inhabit them.

“Therefore it is increasingly important to carry out monitoring and work together for rivers.”

Details: https://bristolavonriverstrust.org/event/bristolavon-waterblitz-2021/

Learning outdoors

Childrenat Shoscombe Church School dedicated a whole week to looking at green energy, healthy eating, biodiversity and outdoor learning.

Some spent time on the school allotment and cleared weeds and planted up the raised beds.

Pollution threat to Levels

An algal bloom caused by phosphates

nATurAlengland says urgent action is needed to remedy pollution on the Somerset levels and Moors. it is downgrading the environmental condition of these Sites of Special Scientific interest to “unfavourable declining” due to water quality issues.

The decision follows monitoring that revealed that phosphate levels are three times higher than they should be, causing biological harm and producing algae and duckweed that is harmful to wildlife. it says the primary sources of phosphates are from agricultural activities and water industry discharges at locations like waste water treatment works. it says it will work with those who can reduce the level of phosphate, including Wessex Water, the environment Agency, landowners and farmers and wider stakeholders, to put solutions in place that will aid nature’s recovery and improve the natural environment for local people and visitors to enjoy.

The measures will include further investment by Wessex Water up to £57m to reduce discharge from water treatment works by 2024; regulatory enforcement and advisory visits; rewards to landowners who improve ecosystems. natural england’s area manager for Wessex, Matt heard, said: “The Somerset levels are much-loved and internationally important for wildlife, home to tens of thousands of birds, rare plants and insect life.

“There is widespread evidence that nutrient pollution is causing biological harm in the waterways of the levels. As a result of this, natural england must change the status of SSSis on the Somerset levels to 'unfavourable declining'.

“Water pollution needs to be addressed across the levels. natural england is working with partners to deliver action that will restore water quality, aid nature’s recovery and improve the natural environment for local people and visitors to enjoy.”

£400,000 in grants funds available

Mendip district Council has launched two new grant funds – one for communities and one for climate and ecological emergency projects.

Voluntary, community, not-for-profit organisations and city, town and parish councils are invited to apply for the funding. The closing date is August 31st.

The Communities Fund will support project ideas that improve community resilience, build capacity and promote wellbeing, as well as support communities recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. The amount of money available is £350,000 in total.

The council has also put aside a total of £50,000 for the Climate and ecological emergency Fund, where community organisations can apply for up to £2,000 to fund eco projects.

Applications for this fund must demonstrate how projects impact on net-carbon emissions and/or the ecological benefits to the community.

Protecting Mendip’s adders

TheMendip AonB service is putting the spotlight on adders as it develops its nature recovery plan for the area.

Whilst legally protected, numbers of adders –the uK’s only venomous snake –have declined dramatically across the country over the last few decades, with the Mendip hills one of the last remaining strongholds.

Their volunteer rangers have made a YouTube video with lots more information. The unit is working with the reptile and Amphibian Group for Somerset (rAGS), Somerset Wildlife Trust, volunteers and landowners to survey adders across the AonB.

This will provide a clearer picture of population numbers and their dispersal across the landscape. it says the public can help by sending any sightings to them or rAGS. it says the hills are very busy with visitors and one of the best ways we can all help protect adders, and wildlife in general, is to follow the Countryside Code.

This means keeping dogs on a lead or under close control, sticking to paths and taking litter and dog poo home.

New role for Sonia

SoMerSeT Climate Action network has appointed Sonia Kundu as its co-ordinator to help expand their network of those involved in climate action in Somerset. Sonia has historically been responsible for introducing organic agriculture as well as fair trade business practices to the northern state of himachal pradesh in india. She is also a director of the Somerset rail to Trail project, a community led initiative which aims to transform disused railways into inclusive active travel trailways to help Somerset reach its net-Zero Carbon targets.

She will also be helping communities to switch to renewable energy and energy saving practices.

Details: www.somersetcan.org.uk

Three young volunteers have been busy at work in St Andrew’s churchyard in Chew Stoke as part of their commitment to their bronze duke of edinburgh award.

Becky, Bethan and lowrie, aged 13, are spending six months working there. They spent all winter at various tasks, ensuring a fine display of spring bulbs.

They are now ready to hang nesting boxes they have made as their contribution to the Wilder Churches initiative.

This is a partnership between Somerset Wildlife Trust and the diocese of Bath and Wells to encourage wildlife around churches.

Village projects

BAThand north east Somerset council has agreed funding for green community projects in Clutton, Freshford, and Corston.

Chelwood has also won a grant for a replacement bench and repairs to the community noticeboard.

A community orchard will be established in Corston. Freshford will also benefit from a new orchard and copse, while in Clutton there will be two new wildflower meadows and tree planting.

The four projects are the first to successfully bid for a grant to enhance their local area from the council’s ward councillor empowerment fund.

Helping hedgehogs

CheddAr-based prickles hedgehog rescue is appealing to gardeners not to use slug pellets or pesticides. it also asks them to raise any netting six inches above the ground and to check borders before strimming in case a female is nesting. if possible, it suggests putting out fresh water and cat meat in jelly to support feeding. if a hedgehog is seen out in the day, call prickles for advice. it may be an animal needing attention –or it could just be a lactating female taking a break from the babies.

Details: 07806 744772

Encouraging wildlife

Leaving space to grow wild

A “no MoW” conservation trial is to begin in parts of Castle Cary and Ansford as part of a project by South Somerset district Council to create more biodiverse areas for wildlife.

The council will be changing its mowing routine on land it owns to allow wild plants to flower and set seed with the aim of creating enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators. it’s part of the council’s declaration of a climate and ecological emergency and follows plantife’s no Mow May. The council has worked with communities, parish and town councils and its grass cutting crews to develop the scheme, which will also cover specific areas in Milborne port, Cucklington and ilminster.

Councillor Sarah dyke, the council’s portfolio holder for environment, who represents Milborne port, said: “This past year has made us all realise the importance and benefits of nature more than ever. during lockdown we saw how the natural world thrived when not interfered with by humans.

“The SSdC no Mow trials are a way we can reassess how and where we mow SSdC land, it will inspire us to look at marginal spaces in a different way and break the habitual cycle of mowing for mowing’s sake, by allowing them to become biodiverse havens for wildlife.”

SSdC horticulture specialist, Stephen Fox, said: “our team is looking forward to altering the cutting regimes and monitoring how the verges and open spaces respond to this new approach. We do appreciate that this change might generate some interest as residents start to see our green areas looking different, we are always happy to answer questions on our approach and we will use all our learning from this year to inform even wider programmes for next year.

“Thanks to all the parishes and groups who have stepped forward to be part of the trials, by demonstrating how valuable this approach will be for wildlife, linking up spaces for nature, we hope many more areas will be on board for next year.”

Signage for verge conservation trials and no mow areas Councillor Sarah Dyke

Reserve under pressure

Male orange tip

TheFrome Area Wildlife Group is appealing to people to stay out of rodden nature reserve as the spring bird and mammal breeding season gets into full swing.

The group recognised the valuable role of the reserve as a precious outdoor space for Frome residents during the pandemic lockdowns and extended access to the site through February’s half-term holiday and into March.

But there has been a recent spate of littering and persistent trespassing at the much-valued wetland site, which is opposite ASdA.

Chair, Mick ridgard, said: “Since the reserve closed at the beginning of spring our volunteers, who carry out regular survey work, have had to deal with a lot of unpleasantness from a small minority of local people, which is so disheartening.

“We’re also having to clear significant amounts of litter on a weekly basis, from the grassland and wooded areas around the main lake, as well from the edges of the pools.”

Some of the litter bore all the hallmarks of a teenage gathering, with dozens of energy-drink cans among other waste left scattered around an area that’s important habitat for slow worms, toads and small mammals.

The reserve at Wallbridge is home to an ever-increasing array of flora and fauna including, to the surprise of many, beaver.

The spring flowers have been particularly impressive, with many being food-plants for a very wide range of insects. otters are now being seen regularly during surveys and an impressive 100-plus species of bird have been sighted at the reserve including cetti’s warbler, reed bunting and kingfisher.