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Issue 107 Winter 2008
Investigating
the ancient
Cornish seals
Finding Sanctuary
Wildlife
Contacts
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CORNWALL WILDLIFE TRUST
Five Acres, Allet, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9DJ
Tel: (01872) 273939 or (01872) 240777;
Fax: (01872) 225476;
E-mail: info@cornwt.demon.co.uk
Website: www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
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Issue 107 Winter 2008
Page 4
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Editorial
This issue of the magazine looks at some of the
many ways in which people are getting involved
with ‘wild Cornwall’, from investigating Cornwall’s
fascinating archaeology to monitoring and
protecting the grey seal population.
People are ‘doing their bit’ to help the environment
and counter society’s ills through community
projects (see article on the Transition Movement)
and local wildlife recording (see article on the Parish Wildlife
Project started by Brian Stringer in the Launceston area). The
Finding Sanctuary initiative, too, is adopting a collaborative and
consultative approach in its aim to develop a regional network of
Marine Protected Areas around our coasts and seas.
So let’s all prove that there is truth in the well used phrase: ‘by
working together we can make a difference’.
Rowena Millar
Editor
Page 6
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Contents
On the cover
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Cornwall
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Page 3
The Crift Longhouse
by Sarah McCartney
Interpreting the past
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The above examples are just the tip of the archaeological
iceberg when one considers how much of our history is
buried under the ground. At Caer Brân nature reserve in
West Penwith there is a huge pile of stones in the corner
of a field. Tragically, these are the bulldozed remains of
the stony banks of prehistoric and medieval field systems,
together with a number of hut circles (the remains of
prehistoric roundhouses). Where these hut circles once
stood, there is certain to be a vast amount of historical
information buried in the soil and our management is
designed to cause minimal disturbance so that excavation
in the future may tell us more about our past.
Opportunities to excavate are rare, so we were thrilled
to have Channel 4’s Time Team on St George’s Island
earlier this year. They uncovered new evidence of
activity as far back as the Roman period and possibly
even earlier. Excavations at the chapel gave us a plan
of the building, and below the floors they uncovered
the burial of an adult male, along with a piece of
pottery dating to the thirteenth century. The Time Team
landscape archaeologist was certain he’d found evidence
of much earlier activity on the island in the form of
Page 4
a ditch running around the chapel, and in one of the
final trenches to explore, stumbled across a hoard of
Roman coins.
Agricultural improvements, unfortunately, destroyed the
hut circles at Caer Brân but at another nature reserve,
Crift, the farmer’s plough was key to a significant find.
In the 1970s the then owner, Mr Eric Higgs, uncovered
items whilst working one of the fields, which eventually
led to the discovery of a medieval longhouse. The
longhouse was excavated over a number of years by a
team of archaeologists from Bradford University who, in
addition to exposing the footprint, also discovered a very
significant early tin smelting site. Many dig sites are filled
in after the archaeologists’ work has finished in order to
preserve the features and protect future finds. At Crift,
we were able to cap the low walls with turfs so that the
visitor can now imagine how the longhouse would have
looked, greatly aided by on-site interpretation and the
imagination of an artist.
The use of graphic illustration to interpret the past
has been taken one step further at Kennall Vale with
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Illustration from the Kennall Vale
leaflet by Eric Leyland
the production of a new leaflet that demonstrates the
workings of a nineteenth century gunpowder works.
Kennall Vale is a fantastically atmospheric place where
the Trust has endeavoured to maintain a series of granite
buildings and cascading leats, all set in a damp, verdant
woodland. The naturalness of this reserve and secretive
nature of the buildings would be spoiled by too many
information boards, so this new leaflet, so professionally
produced by a Falmouth student, is a welcome guide.
The new Kennall Vale leaflet is available from the Trust
offices and look out in early 2009 for the TV show, Time
Team, on St George’s Island.
Callum Deveney
Reserves Manager
*Quite literally a hole for geese to go through.
Time Team on St George’s Island. Photos: Claire Lewis
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Page 5
Seal hauls out onto rocks. Photo: Sue Sayer
Cornish seals
Fun, fascinating and in need of your help
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First hints of the presence of seals may be a shiny, black
head bobbing like a bottle in the sea, or trails in the sand
and shingle as seals move around our beaches, in an
activity called ‘hauling’.
The UK’s biggest land mammal, the adult male grey seal
grows to an average length of just over two metres and
weighs around 230kg. Seals need incredibly powerful
shoulders and flippers to haul their bodies out of the sea,
yet they do this with surprising regularity. Gatherings of
seals can be found dotted all around the Cornish coast
at haul out sites, in numbers ranging from just a few
to a couple of hundred. Seals haul out to breed in late
autumn, to moult in late winter and to rest and digest
their food throughout the year.
Haul out sites give us the opportunity to sit down
with our binoculars and watch seal antics with ease.
The dynamics amongst a group of apparently sleeping
seals are surprising lively. As a seal hauls out, it slowly
emerges from the sea, checking for danger, before
shaking its head, spraying water everywhere, to clear
its ears. It cautiously approaches the group and sniffs
the nearest seal, which invariably jumps a mile, turns
and growls its disapproval. Should the newly hauled
seal settle too close, it will be repeatedly swatted! Even
a sleeping seal must make an effort and use its muscles
to open its nostrils to breathe, which it does erratically,
interspersed with explosive sneezes and occasional
hiccups. Snoozes are interrupted with gaping yawns
Page 6
and acrobatic stretches, webbed rear flippers fanned
wide and entire bodies arched until the nose almost
touches the tail.
Young seals are the most skittish, chasing each other and
playing, rolling over and over each other in the surf. 0
to 60, from a beach start, is achieved with frightening
ease, and pairs perform complex routines of synchronised
swimming worth a 9.5 on anyone’s scoring system!
Photo identification of individual seals, from unique fur
patterns, provides detailed and surprising insights into
the private lives of Cornish grey seals. This is a passion
for Cornish Seal Group volunteers, who donate hundreds
of hours of their time and energy towards pup watches,
rescues, releases and routine observations in all weathers
throughout the year.
We believe that the more people know about our
genetically distinct population of Cornish seals, the more
they want to help protect them. We produce information
leaflets and act as advocates on behalf of seals during
major political consultations, such as the Marine Bill.
Grey seals are far too busy having fun around our coasts
to worry about what us humans are up to. Little do they
realise that their future is in our hands!
Sue Sayer
Cornwall Seal Group
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Threats to wild Cornish seals: how we
can help:
Disturbance. Seals have been disturbed up to seven times
in one hour. If they lift their heads to look at you, you
are close enough! Follow the Marine Mammals Code
of Conduct and please watch from a location where the
seals can’t see, hear or smell you.
Net entanglement. Curious seals explore netting, and
over 50 live seals have been photographed with netting
injuries in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Please report
entangled seals to the National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek
on (01326) 221361 or the British Divers Marine Life
Rescue 24-hour hotline on (01825) 765546.
Feeding. Feeding seals in and around harbours has
undesirable effects for both seals and fishing boat
owners. Please, never feed wild seals!
Marine litter. Seals have been seen swimming into
transparent plastic bags head first and eating carrier
bags. Ten day old pups are bashed by bottles, oil
containers and bits of wood on a high spring tide.
Their lives are tough enough. Please take litter home
and dispose of it responsibly.
Baby seal amongst plastic bottles. Photo: Sue Sayer
Adopt a wild Cornish seal
To adopt a seal costs just £15 and you will receive:
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To become a friend of your seal costs just £30 and
you will receive all the above plus:
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Adopt your seal or become a friend, in the
knowledge that you are helping to protect these
magnificent marine mammals. For more information
see www.cornwallsealgroup.co.uk or ring Sue Sayer on
(01736) 754562.
Pretty female seal. Photo: Sue Sayer
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Page 7
Finding Sanctuary
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It’s easy to be oblivious to the amazing underwater
environment – out of sight often means out of mind.
Beneath the waves, however, the effects of human
exploitation are apparent. We hear that parts of the
seabed have been damaged, catches of formerly abundant
species have dwindled, and diverse marine communities
have fallen victim to the effects of human activity.
Finding Sanctuary has led the way in developing
a systematic means of selecting Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs), adopted by Defra (Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and included
in the Government’s Marine Bill. Finding Sanctuary
recommends the location of MPAs and also the level
and type of protection needed. This could range from
excluding one damaging human activity to a complete
ban on any extraction, also known as a ‘no-take zone’,
depending upon local need.
MPAs have been in place in other parts of the world for
over 30 years, and have seen substantial local rises in
species numbers. In New Zealand, for example, 5km2
of coastal waters off Leigh Island, fully protected since
1977, have seen a five-fold increase in various exploited
fish species, not to mention a massive surge in wildlife
tourism that has boosted the local economy.
Lundy Island off the North Devon coast gives us a
more local example of how a no-take zone can restore
Diver with torch seen through wreck. Photo: David Peake
the wildlife potential of our seas. A 4km2 area to the
east of the island has been out of bounds to all fishing
activities for the last five years. In this short space of
time, Lundy’s rich marine wildlife has flourished. From
surveys of species including lobsters and scallops, it
appears that if marine life is given the space and time it
needs to regenerate, our once-bountiful fishing grounds
and unique underwater habitats have a strong chance of
returning to their former glory.
Who is involved?
Unlike most planning processes, the Finding Sanctuary
project aims to consult as many people as possible right
from the start. This means everyone who is involved with
the coastal and marine environment, from fishermen,
anglers and divers to tourism and leisure operators. A
team of liaison officers bring together local knowledge
by holding informal gatherings, mapping exercises and
formal group meetings throughout the region. In this
way, the project hopes to explore possibilities, share
scientific findings, and work around potential conflicts of
interest. This inclusive approach has been tried and tested
with great success in California.
Detail of kelp and brown algae community. Photo: David Peake
Page 8
At the heart of Finding Sanctuary is a small team of GIS
(Geographic Information System) specialists, who gather
and process all the data. GIS is a powerful tool in what
is known as spatial planning: it enables the physical and
ecological features of the undersea world to be visualised
and analysed. It then compares and sorts these findings,
along with the information gathered about human use
of the marine environment, in order to come up with the
best solutions.
Issue 107 Winter 2008
The sea crashes onto a rugged
coastline, Lundy Island.
Photo: Roger Covey, Natural England
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Page 9
What is happening in Cornwall?
The Identifying Significant Areas Project, led by
Cornwall County Council, has begun the important
process of gathering local knowledge about which
sea areas people believe are most significant and
important. Cornwall Wildlife Trust marine officers
have delivered elements of this work, gathering data
from divers and recorders around the county. The data
is currently being analysed and will be an important
step in identifying potential MPAs around Cornwall
under the Finding Sanctuary umbrella. Cornwall has
also recently established an MPA working group, with
representatives from several interest groups including
fishermen, conservationists, anglers and divers. In 2011
Finding Sanctuary will present its recommendations to
Defra, providing details of sites in the South West which
they have identified as potential MPAs.
Rowena Millar, Editor of Wild Cornwall
and Joana Doyle, Marine Conservation Officer
Further information
Finding Sanctuary was set up in 2004 as a natural step
onwards from the designation of England’s first no-take
zone around Lundy Island.
Seabed in the shallows. Photo: Steve Trewhella
Project Manager Tom Hooper said: ‘Finding Sanctuary is
a pioneering “stakeholder-led” project that will be used
as an example for other regions of Britain to follow.’
Behind Finding Sanctuary is a strong consortium of
organisations that have committed to supporting and
guiding the project: the County Councils of Dorset,
Devon and Cornwall, Natural England, JNCC, The
National Trust, RSPB, The South West Wildlife Trusts
and South West Food and Drink.
For more details visit www.findingsanctuary.org.
Mussel bed. Photo: Paul Naylor
Page 10
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Nature reserves news
Reserves staff changes
Nick Marriott is the Trust’s new West
Cornwall Reserves Officer. Nick joined us
in the spring, having previously worked
for Natural England and as a Reserves
Officer for the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire
and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, known as
BBOWT. Nick’s predecessor, Dave Salmon,
has rejoined the team to manage the East
Cornwall nature reserves whilst Pete Kent
provides maternity cover for the Trust’s
Assistant Conservation Manager. Pete will
continue to work one day a week as East
Cornwall Reserves Officer.
Nick Mariott, West Cornwall Reserves Officer.
Photo: Cheryl Marriott
Marsh fritillary on Red Moor
In what has been a fairly
dreadful summer for butterflies
it is great to report some good
news. The marsh fritillary
population at Red Moor appears
to be expanding, with 40 adults
recorded during a June survey.
Only a few years ago this
butterfly was absent from Red
Moor but now numbers seem to
be increasing year on year.
Marsh fritillary. Photo: David Chapman
Highland cattle at Cabilla and Redrice Woods
In the past the Trust has used sheep and ponies
for grazing at Cabilla and Redrice Woods, but
always with a belief that cattle were the best
animals for the job. We were therefore very
pleased to be approached locally by someone
willing to graze the site with cattle. Four
highland cows were introduced to the woods in
mid-summer and these have now been joined by
calves born on the nature reserve.
Highland cow. Photo: Terry Dunstan
Warden Andy Pay reveals a
Windmill Farm monster….
Steve Jones took these photos
from the dragonfly ponds at
Windmill Farm nature reserve.
There are some little burrows in
the clay on the banks, in which
live little monsters, which are the
larvae of green tiger beetles. They
lie in wait at the edge of their
burrow and if some unfortunate
victim passes over the lip, they are
dragged in and consumed. This
particular larva must have thought
he had died and gone to heaven!
Green tiger beetle larvae (close up).
Photos: Steve Jones
Compiled by Callum Deveney, Reserves Manager
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Page 11
Chris and Janet Jones show Trust President Jan Pentreath the reedbeds at Woodland Valley Farm and Study Centre. Photo:
Toby Weller
Cornish businesses
support the Trust
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Drive Time, Redruth, is a local driving school who are
doing their bit for Cornish wildlife. As well as signing up
as corporate members, they are donating 20p to the Trust
from every driving lesson taken with them. They have
also kindly offered Trust staff eco-driving sessions so we
can cut down on our fuel consumption, thereby saving
the Trust money and reducing our carbon emissions.
Martin Scane said, ‘Eco-driving is so worthwhile. By
making small changes to your driving style, you can
make significant savings on your fuel and maintenance
bills and reduce your carbon emissions’. Please see the
advert on page 31 for reader offers on lessons.
www.drivetimecornwall.co.uk.
Higher Menadew Farm Cottages, St Austell, is a working
farm that has diversified into holiday accommodation
offering seven beautiful barn conversion four and five
star cottages. Ancient hedgerows, rich in biodiversity,
enclose their fields and they have several acres
forming part of a County Wildlife Site. As farmers, the
countryside is important to owners Andrew and Anita
Higman who said, ‘As more of us choose to live and
holiday in Cornwall we place increasing pressure on
the things that attracted us in the first place, especially
the natural environment. We are proud to support
the important environmental work done by Cornwall
Wildlife Trust.’ Andrew and Anita also have a visitor
gifting scheme where guests are encouraged to donate
money to the Trust on booking a cottage.
www.stayingincornwall.com.
Andrew and Anita Higman from Higher Menadew Farm
Cottages receive their corporate member’s certificate from
Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Jasmin Brown.
Photo: Samantha Higman
Page 12
Mother Ivey’s Bay Caravan Park, Padstow, is a top
quality holiday park proud of its David Bellamy
Conservation Gold Award. They do all they can to
enhance the 35 acre park’s wildlife habitats, which
Issue 107 Winter 2008
include a wildflower meadow,
Cornish hedges and cliffs. Wendy
Redford-James, Head Gardener
said, ‘Our customers love Mother
Ivey’s for its beautiful location.
We encourage all our customers
to tell us of any wildlife they may
have seen during their stay with
us by putting their comments on
the Bellamy Conservation cards.
It will be good for us to gain more
knowledge from working with
Cornwall Wildlife Trust to pass on
to our customers.’
www.motheriveysbay.com.
Ocean Blue Holidays, Treyarnon
Bay, offer exclusive self-catering
holiday apartments and cottages
only 50 metres from the sea and
are committed to providing luxury
holidays in a sustainable way. As well
as being corporate members, Ocean
Blue run a visitor gifting scheme
for the Trust. Bespoke jute bags
displaying the Trust’s and Ocean
Blue’s logo are available for guests to
take away in return for a donation to
the Trust. Suzanne Skerry, Manager,
said, ‘The demands of tourism can
contribute to the destruction of
the environment. Our sustainable
ethos is about encouraging quiet
enjoyment, re-investing in the local
economy and supporting the local
landscape and wildlife.’
www.oceanbluecornwall.co.uk.
Woodland Valley Farm and Study
Centre, near Truro, is an organic
farm and centre for education
founded on the themes of
conservation and sustainability. It is
available for teaching mainstream
subjects as well as traditional farming
and countryside management skills.
The farm has abundant wildlife
including red-listed bird species as
well as otters, bats and roe deer.
Chris Jones, Owner, said, ‘We need
to forget we are separate from nature
and renew the knowledge that we are
as much a part of nature as an ant
or yeast. If we forget about nature,
then as night follows day, nature will
forget about us. Membership of the
Trust is just a part of our emphasis
on the importance of the natural
world’. www.woodlandvalley.co.uk.
For more information on our
corporate membership scheme
please contact Jasmin Brown,
Marketing and Fundraising
Coordinator, on
(01872) 273939 ext 251,
jasmin@cornwt.demon.co.uk.
For website addresses of our
corporate members please go to
www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/
business_support.
Jean Smith, Trustee, presents Suzanne Skerry with Ocean Blue Holidays’ certificate.
Photo: Ocean Blue Holidays
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Corporate members
Porth
Helston
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Ltd, Truro
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St. Austell
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>/$?$/ Padstow
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Corporate supporters
Cornwall College, DairyLand Farm
World, Doble Quality Foods, Duchy
College, Environment Agency, Hawkins
Motors, North Cornwall District
Council, Primrose Valley Hotel, Quay
Sailing Club, Richard Lander School.
Page 13
New website
We are delighted to announce that our new website
is now live. There are many features to this website
including a brand new Fox Club section with lots of
activities for children and a section dedicated to all our
conservation projects on land and at sea. The ‘Support
us’ section gives an insight into all the ways you can
help the Trust raise funds and our ‘What’s on’ calendar
will allow you to see which events are either local to
you or around Cornwall at any given time.
We also have a new online shop, which is easy to
use, and makes the ideal one-stop-shop for all your
Christmas shopping.
Visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk and let us
know what you think.
Marie Preece, Marketing and Fundraising Manager
marie@cornwt.demon.co.uk or you can download it
from www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/supportus.
Leaving a legacy
Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when you
want to leave a legacy. It can seem a bit of a minefield,
with lots of information and jargon (codicils, pecuniary
legacies, probate, executors...) coming from all directions.
This is why we have produced a new legacy leaflet, giving
you all the information you need when deciding to leave
a legacy to your favourite wildlife charity.
Marie Preece
Marketing and Fundraising Manager
This leaflet is straightforward and easy to understand. It
explains the different types of legacies and how to include
these in your Will. It also gives examples of people who
have already very kindly left a legacy to the Trust.
If you would like a copy of this leaflet or would like
to inform us that you have remembered the Trust in
your Will, please contact Marie Preece, Marketing and
Fundraising Manager, on (01872) 273939 ext 205 or
Cornwall Wildlife Trust membership
The more members we have, the more we can do for
wildlife. Please help us by recruiting a friend or relative to
our cause.
I/we would like to support conservation work in Cornwall by
joining Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
Membership rates:
Ordinary
Senior citizen / student / unemployed
Family - parents + Fox Club
£22
£13
£27
These are the minimum membership rates, but remember the more
you give the more work we can do to protect the wildlife of our
county.
Membership subscription
Donation
Total
£
£
£
I enclose a CHEQUE/PO made payable to CORNWALL
WILDLIFE TRUST or Please debit my VISA/ACCESS/
MASTERCARD account.
Card no.
Page 14
Expiry date
Signature
Name(s): Mr/Mrs/Miss
Address
Postcode
DOB
Telephone
email
Direct Debit forms are available on request from Andrea Toy,
Membership Manager, on (01872) 273939 ext 206.
Registered Charity No. 214929. Registered Charity Name Cornwall Trust for
Nature Conservation Ltd
I wish all donations I’ve made to Cornwall Wildlife Trust since 6th April
2000 and future donations to be Gift Aided until I notify you otherwise.
(To qualify for Gift Aid, what you pay in income tax or capital gains tax
must at least equal the amount that we will claim in the tax year.)
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Calendar 2009
Following the huge success of the 2008 calendar we now have great pleasure in offering the 2009 calendar!
It comes with its own envelope and makes an ideal present to post to friends and family. Once again all the
photographs have been donated by members of Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Photographic Group.
Christmas cards for sale
‘Stag’ and ‘Robin’ cards measure 120mm x
120mm. ‘Gardener’s Gift’ measure 98mm x
130mm. All cards come in packs of ten. The
greeting inside the card is Happy Christmas.
You can also find the cards and calendar in our
webshop www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk and
you are welcome to collect cards or calendars
from our offices at Five Acres.
ORDER FORM
Please send me:
copies of the calendar at £4.99 + 75p post and packing
=£
packs of ‘Stag’ cards at £2.99 + 60p post and packing
=£
packs of ‘Robin’ cards at £2.99 + 60p post and packing
=£
packs of ‘Gardener’s Gift’ at £2.00 + 60p post and packing
=£
Total = £
Name
Address
Postcode
Daytime phone number
Please make your cheque payable to Cornwall Wildlife Trust and send with order form to:
Caroline Viner, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9DJ
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Page 15
Page 16
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Diary of Events
Cornwall
August to November 2008
Five Acres, Allet, Truro, TR4 9DJ
Tel: (01872) 273939
Details of events and other Trust
activities are also available on our
website:
www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
EVERYONE is welcome to attend
ALL events. Donations from nonmembers would be appreciated.
Please bring waterproof clothing and
footwear to all outdoor events.
CHILDREN MUST BE
ACCOMPANIED BY ADULTS
Birds
Evening get together
Family event
Fox Club (children’s/family
events: all ages welcome)
Full or partial disabled access
DECEMBER
Tuesday 2
BATS
Stoke Climsland
7.30pm
Meet at the Old School,
Stoke Climsland village centre
(SX36017445)
An illustrated talk and
demonstration by Tony Atkinson,
bat recorder for East Cornwall. If
you’re any age, and would like to
train to work with bats, start here!
Contact: Caroline Vulliamy (01579)
370411. Organised by Mid-Tamar
Valley Group.
Saturday 6
SEAHORSES: THE ENIGMATIC
FISH
Gweek
7.30pm
Meet at village hall beside Seal
Sanctuary, Gweek (SW709266)
Fascinating inhabitants of tropical
seas and our own coast. Entry £2.
HMCG members and children free.
Leader: Neil Garrick-Maidment.
Contact: Pamela (01209) 842316 or
Jenna (01326) 572995. Organised by
Helford MC Group.
General event
Illustrated talk
Mammals
Out & About Club (11–14 yrs)
Photography
Walk
Work party
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Saturday 6
BIRDS ON THE TAMAR ESTUARY
Booking essential (numbers limited
to eight)
Kingsmill Lake nr Saltash
12.30pm start
11–14yrs ONLY – no adults. Look
for ducks and waders from a bird
hide, with the possibility of hundreds
of avocets. Wear warm, waterproof
clothing and bring binoculars if you
have them, although some available
to borrow. Leader: Peter Kent.
Contact: Kirstie Francis (01872)
273939 ext 203. Organised by Out
& About Club.
Sunday 7
TREE DRESSING DAY
Booking essential to reserve
your time slot
Five Acres, Allet
11.00am to 1.00pm & 1.30 to
3.30pm
Make your own Christmas
decorations from natural and
recycled materials and help us dress
the Trust office tree. £1 donation
requested. Leaders: Sarah McCartney
& Kirstie Francis. Suitable for all
ages with adult help; paths are
wheelchair-friendly. Phone Kirstie
(01872) 273939 ext 203 to book.
Organised by Fox Club to celebrate
Tree Dressing Day.
Monday 8
PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP
MEMBERS’ EVENING
Trust HQ, Allet
7.30pm
Please contact David Chapman
(01736) 850287 or Adrian Langdon
(01208) 813440. Organised by
Photographic Group.
Saturday 13
GUIDED WALK ON THE
RESERVE
Booking essential, meal cost applies
Churchtown Farm Community
Nature Reserve, Saltash
11.00am. (approx 2 hrs)
Meet at Wearde Road entrance to
Nature Reserve (SX421582)
Discovering winter waders and
finches, followed by Christmas lunch
at the Cecil Arms. Bring suitable
footwear, wet weather clothing.
Suggest binoculars. Leader: Mike
Northey. Contact: Hazel Rawlings
(01752) 846407. Organised by
Friends of Churchtown Farm
Community Nature Reserve.
Page 17
Sunday 14
JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE
OF THE EARTH
Booking essential (numbers limited
to 20)
Coverack Beach, Lizard
10.30am to 1.00pm
Search for rocks that come from the
junction of the earth’s core and its
crust (Moho). Suitable for children
aged 7 and above. Book early! Wear
wellies and warm clothes, including
gloves. Leader: Peter Ealey (RIGS).
Contact: Kirstie Francis (01872)
273939 ext 203. Organised by
Fox Club.
JANUARY
Saturday 3
NEW YEAR WALK ON
SENNEN BEACH
2.00pm
Meet at Sennen Beach car park
(SW355264)
Meet friends and get some welcome
exercise after the holiday season.
Contacts: Jane and Nigel Haward
(01736) 740991. Organised by
Penwith Group.
Saturday 10
CORNWALL’S WHITE GOLD
Booking essential to get group
entry rate
Wheal Martyn Country Park, St
Austell
10.30am to 12.30pm
Guided tour of this Cornish Mining
World Heritage Site. Learn how
China clay was mined, what it was
used for and what it meant for the
families who lived in the area.
Cost: £5 for adults and £2.50 for
children (pay on the day). Wear
suitable outdoor clothing and phone
Steve Gilbert at the centre (01726)
850362 if raining heavily, as the tour
is weather dependent. Leader: Wheal
Martyn Tour Guide. Contact: Kirstie
Francis (01872) 273939 ext 203.
Organised by Fox Club.
Sunday 11
ROSENANNON RESERVE
WORK PARTY
10.00am
Meet at Rosenannon Village next
to the Sunday school (SX956661)
A joint meeting with the Camel
group to carry out scrub clearance
in the bog and pathway areas.
We need your help to keep back
the overgrowth of vegetation
so please come along and bring
friends plus cutting tools, bow saw,
shears, secateurs, gardening gloves,
Wellingtons and packed lunch
Page 18
and drink. Contact: Dave Thomas
(01726) 861093. Organised by
Restormel Group.
All welcome. Contact: Dave Thomas
(01726) 861093. Organised by
Restormel Group.
Monday 12
RPS NATURE GROUP
EXHIBITION IMAGES
Trust HQ, Allet
7.30pm
A viewing and discussion of the RPS
Nature group exhibition selected
images. Please contact David
Chapman (01736) 850287 or Adrian
Langdon (01208) 813440. Organised
by Photographic Group.
Sunday 25
PHOTOGRAPHY
Helston and Loe Pool
10.00am
Meet at free car park opp. boating
lake in Helston (SW654271)
We will photograph ducks and
gulls on the boating lake before
wandering through the woods to Loe
Pool. Bring camera, tripod, packed
lunch, boots and sensible clothing,
bread for the ducks. Leader: David
Chapman (01736) 850287. Please
phone the day before to check the
event will go ahead. Organised by
Photographic Group.
Saturday 17
SEACORE LTD – FROM
GWEEK QUAY TO FAR-OFF SEAS
Gweek Village Hall
7.30pm
Meet at Hall beside Seal Sanctuary,
Gweek (SW709266)
The story of a local off-shore drilling
company. Cost £2. HMCG members
free. Leader: John Gleadowe.
Contacts: David (01326) 341181
Paul (01326) 341030. Organised by
Helford MC Group.
Sunday 18
NATIVE MAMMALS
Broadwoodwidger, Devon
9.30am (or 10.00am there) to
12.30pm
Meet at the Old School,
Stoke Climsland village centre
(SX36017445), or at Upcott Grange
Fm, Broadwoodwidger, Lifton,
Devon PL16 OJS
Mammals, large and small – a visit
to Derek Gow’s animals. £ 2.50 per
head, children £1.50. Hot drinks
and refreshments to purchase there.
Contact: Caroline Vulliamy (01579)
370411. Organised by Mid-Tamar
Valley Group.
Monday 19
GROWING
ORGANICALLY
Parkhouse Centre, Bude
7.30pm
Talk by Karen Harrison.
Contact: Tim Dingle (01288)
361356. Organised by
Tamar Group.
Tuesday 20
MEMBERS’ EVENING
Griffin Hotel, Cliff Rd, Newquay
7.30pm
An informal evening for all our
members and friends to come along
and show your photographs and
slides of the wildlife you have seen at
home and abroad. Meet downstairs.
Full bar and parking facilities
available.
Sunday 25
WILDLIFE OF MUDFLATS
AND SALTMARSH
Booking essential
Kingsmill Lake near Saltash
12.30pm start
Explore Kingsmill Lake looking for
animals that live in and around the
mudflats and saltmarsh. Suitable for
any age with adult help. We will be
walking around the shoreline which
will be wet, slippery and uneven
in places. Wear Wellington boots,
warm, waterproof clothing and bring
binoculars if you have them. Leader:
Peter Kent. Contact: Kirstie Francis
(01872) 273939 ext 203. Organised
by Fox Club.
Monday 26
HABITAT RECORDING
Stoke Climsland
10.00am
Meet at The Old School for a
walk, practising habitat recording
at an interesting local site, as part
of the Wildlife Awareness project.
Indoor social if wet. Contact:
Caroline Vulliamy (01579) 370411.
Organised by Mid-Tamar Valley
Group.
FEBRUARY
Friday 6
THE MARINE WORK OF
CORNWALL WILDLIFE TRUST
The Goods Shed, Southern Way,
Wadebridge
7.30 to 9.30pm
Talk preceded by a short AGM.
Leader: Tom Hardy, Marine
Conservation Officer with Cornwall
Wildlife Trust. Contact: Brian Wright
(01208) 814138. Organised by
Camel Group.
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Saturday 7
ANNUAL BRANCH PARTY
Penzance
7.30pm
Meet at Rosemorran, Clements
Road, Penzance
Friendly get together for all Penwith
members, families and friends.
Delicious food, mulled wine and
light-hearted quizzes. Please bring
a plate of food for the buffet. A
contribution of £2.50 towards costs
and funds would be appreciated.
Check to confirm before the date
with Liz Tregenza (01736) 351793.
Organised by Penwith Group.
Sunday 8
SIGNS OF SPRING
Stoke Climsland
10.30am
Meet at the Old School,
Stoke Climsland village centre
(SX36017445)
The first of a series of visits to
practise hedge and habitat mapping,
as part of the Wildlife Awareness
project. Bring stout shoes. Contact:
Caroline Vulliamy (01579) 370411.
Organised by Mid-Tamar Valley
Group.
Monday 9
UNDERWATER
PHOTOGRAPHY
Venue to be announced
7.30pm
Illustrated talk on underwater
photography by Dr Tom Bligh.
Please contact David Chapman on
(01736) 850287 or Adrian Langdon
on (01208) 813440 for details of
venue. Organised by Photographic
Group.
Saturday 14
BIRDBOX MAKING
Booking essential by Friday 6
February (places limited)
Five Acres Nature Reserve, Allet, nr
Truro
11.00am start
Make a nest box for your garden
birds: either open-fronted for robins
or small-holed for blue tits. Suitable
for children aged 6 and above.
Cost: £3.50 per nest box (price to
buy is £8) – payable on booking.
Wear waterproof shoes and warm
clothing as the event will be held
outdoors under a marquee, come
rain or shine, and bring an adult to
help with the sawing & hammering!
Leaders: Kat & Ozzy (Reserves
Section). Contact: Kirstie Francis
(01872) 273939 ext 212.
Organised by Fox Club to celebrate
Nest Box Weekend.
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Monday 16
EXPLOITS WITH
SHARKS
Parkhouse Centre, Bude
7.30pm
Talk by Richard Pierce. Contact: Tim
Dingle (01288) 361356. Organised
by Tamar Group.
Saturday 21
RESERVE WORK PARTY
Breney Common Reserve nr Helman
Tor (SX053613)
10.00am
Meet at Gunwen Chapel car park
Please come along and bring your
friends to help cut back bushes and
clear pathways. Bring protective
gloves, boots and cutting tools.
Leader: Warden Dell Netherton.
Organised by Restormel Group.
Sunday 22
PHOTOGRAPHY
Swanpool, Falmouth
10.00am
Meet at Swanpool car park
(SW803313)
We will be photographing ducks,
coots and gulls on the lake as well as
trying to track down the infamous
water rails. Then a wander on the
beach and coast path. Bring camera,
tripod, packed lunch, boots, sensible
clothing, bread for the ducks.
Leader: David Chapman (01736)
850287. Please phone the day
before to check event will go ahead.
Organised by Photographic Group.
Monday 23
HABITAT RECORDING
10.00am
Meet at the Old School,
Stoke Climsland village centre
(SX36017445)
Walk, practising habitat recording
at an interesting local site, as part
of the Wildlife Awareness project.
Indoor social if wet. Contact:
Caroline Vulliamy (01579) 370411.
Organised by Mid-Tamar Valley
Group.
MARCH
Sunday 1
BIRD WATCHING ON THE
CAMEL ESTUARY, WADEBRIDGE
9.30am
Meet at the pay and display car
park behind Lidl, in the centre of
Wadebridge, near the bike hire
places (SW987726)
Join local bird expert, Sid Cole,
to discover the birdlife along this
beautiful stretch of water. Bring
binoculars if you have them.
Suitable for experienced birders
and beginners alike! Booking not
required. For more details, contact
Matt Ward on (01726) 815313.
Organised by Restormel Group.
Sunday 8
NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS
Stoke Climsland
10.30am
Meet at the Old School,
Stoke Climsland village centre
(SX36017445)
The second of a series of visits to
practise hedge and habitat mapping,
as part of the Wildlife Awareness
project. Bring stout shoes. Contact:
Caroline Vulliamy (01579) 370411.
Organised by Mid-Tamar Valley
Group.
Monday 9
PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP
MEMBERS’ EVENING
Trust HQ, Allet
7.30pm
Please contact David Chapman
(01736) 850287 or Adrian Langdon
(01208) 813440. Organised by
Photographic Group.
Saturday 14
ROCKS ROCK
Booking essential
Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro
Times tbc on booking
Find out about the fascinating
rocks that make up this geologically
special part of the country. Suitable
for ages 7 and above. Phone museum
on (01872) 272205 for further
details. Leader: Paul Wheeler (RIGS).
Contact: Kirstie Francis on (01872)
273939 ext 203. Organised by Fox
Club as part of Science Week.
Sunday 15
MARAZION TO
PERRANUTHNOE AND RETURN
2.00pm
Meet at end of causeway to St
Michael’s Mount (SW517305)
Walk along coast path with some
road walking at start. Contacts: Jane
and Nigel Haward (01736) 740991.
Organised by Penwith Group.
Monday 16
WILDLIFE OF EXMOOR
NATIONAL PARK
Parkhouse Centre, Bude
7.30pm
Talk by Alison Hawkin. Contact:
Tim Dingle (01288) 361356.
Organised by Tamar Group.
Page 19
Sunday 29
BIRD WATCHING AT PAR
BEACH
10.00am
Meet at car park opposite Par Beach
pool (SX085532)
Enjoy a morning by the beach,
discovering the birdlife in the diverse
habitats (beach, pool, woodland,
coast path). Suitable for experienced
birders and beginners alike! Bring
binoculars if you have them. For
more details, contact Matt Ward
(01726) 815313. Organised by
Restormel Group.
Sunday 29
PHOTOGRAPHY
Trelissick
1.00am
Meet at Trelissick car park
(SW837397)
Walk around gardens and estate
looking for flowers and landscapes
to photograph. Admission charge for
non-members of the National Trust.
Bring camera, tripod, packed lunch,
boots, sensible clothing, National
Trust membership card. Leader:
David Chapman (01736) 850287.
Please phone the day before to check
event will go ahead. Organised by
Photographic Group.
Monday 23
HABITAT RECORDING
10.00am
Meet at the Old School,
Stoke Climsland village centre
(SX36017445)
Walk, practising habitat recording
at an interesting local site, as part
of the Wildlife Awareness project.
Indoor social if wet. Contact:
Caroline Vulliamy (01579) 370411.
Organised by Mid-Tamar Valley
Group.
APRIL
Saturday 4
WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
Portreath, near Redruth
10.30am to 12.30pm
Guided walk through woods, learn
the ancient art of falconry, meet
foxes, owls, a mink, a grass snake
and lots, lots more! Wear suitable
clothing and footwear. Cost £4.50 per
child. Leader: Gary Zammit. Contact:
Kirstie Francis on (01872) 273939
ext 203. Organised by Fox Club.
Sunday 5
SPRING FLOWERING AND
BIRD NESTING
Stoke Climsland
10.30am
Meet at the Old School, Stoke
Climsland village centre
(SX36017445)
The third of a series of visits to
practise hedge and habitat mapping,
as part of the Wildlife Awareness
project. Bring stout shoes. Contact:
Caroline Vulliamy (01579) 370411.
Organised by Mid-Tamar Valley
Group.
Monday 13
PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP
MEMBERS’ EVENING
Trust HQ, Allet
7.30pm
Please contact David Chapman on
(01736) 850287 or Adrian Langdon
on (01208) 813440 for details.
Organised by Photographic Group.
Tuesday 14
BEACH CLEAN AND
SCAVENGER HUNT
Tolcarne Beach, Newquay
11.00am to 12.30pm
Help clear the rubbish that has been
washed up and then go on a fun
scavenger hunt. Suitable for all ages
with adult help. Wear beach shoes
and bring sun screen. Leader: Alison
Forward. Contact: Kirstie Francis
(01872) 273939 ext 203. Organised
by Fox Club as part of Clean
Cornwall Week.
Sunday 26
ZENNOR TO TREVEAL BY
COAST PATH AND BACK BY
INLAND ROUTE
2.00pm
Meet at Zennor outside the Tinners
Arms (SW455385)
About 6km with some strenuous
walking. Refreshments may be
possible at Treveal. Contacts: Jane
and Nigel Haward (01736) 740991.
Organised by Penwith Group.
Monday 27
HABITAT RECORDING
10.00am
Meet at the Old School,
Stoke Climsland village centre
(SX36017445)
Walk, practising habitat recording at
an interesting local site, as part of the
Wildlife Awareness project. Indoor
social if wet. Contact: Caroline
Vulliamy (01579) 370411. Organised
by Mid-Tamar Valley Group.
MAY
Saturday 2
WALK IN BLUEBELL WOODS
Pendarves Woods near Camborne
12.00 noon to 2.00pm
Walk through the bluebells, looking
for the signs of spring. Bring a picnic
and we will stop by the pond to see
if the swans have nested yet. Suitable
for age 6 and above as the tracks are
uneven and may be muddy. Wear
warm clothing and footwear and
bring something to sit on. Leader:
Anne-Marie Ellis. Contact: Kirstie
Francis (01872) 273939 ext 203.
Organised by Fox Club.
Monday 11
PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP
MEMBERS’ EVENING
Trust HQ, Allet
7.30pm
Please contact David Chapman on
(01736) 850287 or Adrian Langdon
on (01208) 813440 for details.
Organised by Photographic Group.
Saturday 16
WILDFLOWER WALK:
PORTH JOKE, CRANTOCK
10.00am
Head towards West Pentire,
Crantock, meet at turning for
Treago Farm (SW784604)
A walk around the coast and
through the sheltered Polly Joke
valley to look for spring wild
flowers, insects and birds with local
botanist Hazel Meredith. All welcome
and ideal for beginners. Contact
Dave Thomas (01726) 861093.
Organised by Restormel Group.
COPY DATE for the next diary is 15 January 2009
The next diary covers the period from April to August 2009.
Advance notices of later events can be included to increase the chances of publicising them, but if the
diary is a large one these may not be published.
Wild Cornwall no. 108 will be published on 1 April 2009, but bear in mind when planning dates of
events that hand-delivery in your area may take several days.
Please send details of events (these MUST be submitted on forms available from Trust HQ to:
Diary Editor, Mark Dungey, 10 Rame Croft, Rame Cross, Penryn, TR10 9NB; Tel. (01209) 860970
Email diaryeditor.cwt@rame.eclipse.co.uk
Page 20
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Ian Nash, Irene Nash (Lezant Parish Coordinator), Chris Robbins (photography tutor) and Win Gilson (Altarnun Parish
Coordinator) on a birds of prey photography course. Photo: Brian Stringer.
Recording in our parishes
An optional project for Wildlife Trust local groups
2
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Brian retired early from the Atomic Energy Research
Establishment, seeking a new lifestyle with 19 years to
go before getting his pension. Spending all that time
in Launceston, he took the opportunity to develop his
interest in wildlife, joined Cornwall Wildlife Trust and
soon set up a new local group serving 125 members.
Concerned that very little monitoring was being done in
his area, Brian explored the possibilities of encouraging
members to record what they saw in their own ‘back
yard’. This developed with a Millennium award and
by 2006, five local parishes (Altarnun, Lezant, North
Hill, North Petherwin and St Clether) were involved,
providing records of fairly common species on a fixed
species list four times a year, and developing their
knowledge through events led by local wildlife experts.
A more extensive Heritage Lottery Award allowed
professionals to be brought in, especially to produce
a community based website. This enables individual
parishes within a Wildlife Trust local group to present
information collected from events and members’ regular
records. These can be added online, along with images
and nature notes. A useful ‘wildlife forum’ allows
members to ask questions or to document special
sightings. All records added are available online, together
with simple analysis of long term trends, under-recorded
species, etc. The Environmental Records Centre for
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS) has full access
too, for further analysis.
With the availability of quite sophisticated yet relatively
cheap digital cameras, members can capture images of
anything they need identifying and seek advice via the
website, and at the same time build up a useful image
library of local species. Over 20 courses have been
run under the Heritage Lottery programme, teaching
members about wildlife photography.
Issue 107 Winter 2008
The scheme is ideally suited for Wildlife Trust local
groups already running a range of activities. It extends
this to recording, primarily of common species, though
many LAPWG members are extending their knowledge
and working in study groups covering birds, bats,
moths, ponds, etc., which form a natural link through
to the county study groups. A Wildlife Trust local group
would manage its own website, cloned from the existing
LAPWG website. Parishes taking part within the group
are mostly self managing, with someone looking after
the interests of their members and someone advising on
the use of their section of the website. Cornwall Wildlife
Trust and ERCCIS have been overseeing the project
to ensure that the benefits of improved participation
and recording are not outweighed by an increased
management burden.
We welcome interest from groups wanting to learn more
about the scheme and from parishes in the Launceston
area that would like to join us. Contact Brian Stringer of
LAPWG or Gary Lewis of ERCCIS for more information
or see the website: http://launcestonparishwildlife.org.uk.
Dave Groves and Brian Stringer
Launceston Area Parish Wildlife Group
Brian Stringer (left) with Chris Robbins leading a
photography course. Photo: Rowena Millar
Page 21
Nature news
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Marine Strandings Network
A tragic year for marine strandings
Many significant strandings were recorded between
January and August by Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine
Strandings Network (MSN) volunteers. Seventy-eight
cetaceans, including four live stranded animals, were
recorded together with British Divers Marine Life Rescue
(BDMLR): a common dolphin which was successfully
refloated; a striped dolphin, euthanased due to injury;
an emaciated Atlantic white-sided dolphin and a
second striped dolphin from Polzeath, which were also
euthanased.
At Porthallow, a 6.2 metre neonate (newborn) fin whale
was examined. Samples were taken for analysis. Only
nine such strandings have been recorded since 1781.
A pilot whale stranded at Marazion followed by two
neonate harbour porpoises in May and June.
A rare Sowerby’s beaked whale – only the sixth since
records began – was recorded on the Isles of Scilly
and samples were taken. A day later, a juvenile Risso’s
dolphin was found nearby. With assistance from the
Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and the coastguard, she was
transported by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company to
Penzance. Our own examination revealed evidence of
bottlenose dolphin attack, although she was also very
emaciated. Post-mortem results are pending.
Results of post-mortems on three harbour porpoises also
suggested attack by bottlenose dolphins as the probable
cause of death.
Female loggerhead turtle missing one front flipper.
Photo: Caroline Curtis
Mass stranding
The most significant event was the tragic stranding
of common dolphins in the Percuil River. Twentyfour died and two were euthanased. However, over
40 were successfully guided out to sea, thanks to the
Page 22
Volunteers examine a newborn fin whale.
Photo: Jan Loveridge
prompt action and teamwork of BDMLR medics, MSN
volunteers, other agencies and members of the public.
We are expecting the results of the autopsies conducted
by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency and the Institute
of Zoology any day. The animals were apparently healthy
and there was no obvious reason for them stranding.
The MSN and BDMLR are undertaking an investigation
into possible causes. Extensive naval exercises were
conducted prior to the event and we have asked the
Royal Navy to identify any activities that may have
impacted on the dolphins’ behaviour. Together with the
Institute of Zoology, findings will be published later in
the year.
Twenty-seven grey seals were examined. One appeared
to be the victim of bycatch, with rope marks around
its body and netting around its neck. An unsuccessful
attempt had been made to sink the seal; its abdomen was
cleanly sliced open.
Four loggerhead turtles were recorded, including a live
animal that was taken to the Blue Reef Aquarium by
BDMLR and later released in the Canary Islands. A
second, live turtle sadly did not survive; autopsy showed
it had not fed. The same was true for the third turtle,
although a neck injury may have contributed to its death.
The fourth had a healed, amputated front flipper but
managed to survive until she accidentally strayed into our
cold waters.
A common octopus was found in Hayle harbour and
eight Portuguese man-o-war were recorded in August.
The first record of a pearlside (a fish found down to
1,500 metres) in Cornish waters was made on St Mary’s.
Two basking sharks were also recorded.
Thanks are due to all MSN volunteers for attending
strandings and to fellow Hotline coordinators Caroline
Curtis, Maddie Precious and Jo Osborne.
Jan Loveridge
CWT Marine Strandings Network Team
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Seaquest Southwest
Basking Shark project
This summer saw the start of Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s
exciting new Basking Shark project. With funding
from the BBC Wildlife Fund, the Trust joined forces
with Seawatch Southwest to collect vital data on
basking shark distribution and behaviour, to inform
conservation action. Eighty-six volunteers were
recruited and helped to gather data on basking sharks.
At the same time the volunteers collected data on all the
other marine megafauna, including dolphins, sunfish
and turtles.
Our dedicated team of volunteers conducted clifftop surveys in west Cornwall, from Gwennap Head
on the south coast and Carngloose on the north
coast. The surveys ran from 15th June to 24th August.
Unfortunately, the poor summer weather meant that
volunteers had to put up with low visibility a lot of the
time, but thanks to their dedication and hard work,
we only missed five days during the survey period.
The weather also seems to have affected basking shark
sightings, which were quite low compared to results
of surveys conducted by Seawatch Southwest from
Gwennap Head last year. Twenty-four basking shark
sightings were recorded during the survey period.
Volunteers also recorded bottlenose dolphins, common
dolphins, many seals and even a minke whale. The data is
now being analysed and we hope to report on the results
in the next magazine. If you would like to get involved
Cornwall Mammal Group and
Cornwall Otter Group
Changes are a-foot, or should I say a-paw? Cornwall
Mammal Group (CMG) fondly said goodbye this
summer to our chairman of six years, Peter King. Peter
has done a great job and has seen CMG grow from
strength to strength. We are proud to hold a wide range
of events all over Cornwall every month. From July 2007
to June 2008 we had 222 participants; good attendance
bearing in mind that some of the events are limited to
small numbers, like ten for the special dormouse days.
Peter wasn’t quite sure how he became chairman and
nor is our new chairman Dr Dave Groves. However,
we are delighted to welcome Dave to the position and
look forward to developing a County mammal atlas
with him. CMG will also be taking on Cornwall Otter
Group (COG). I’ve been managing COG as part of
my job with the Trust, but I’m leaving (after nearly ten
years!). I will forever promote otters, not least through
CMG, supported by a number of otter enthusiasts on
the committee. I do hope to see some of my old favourite
Otter Spotters at CMG events.
Many thanks to everyone who supported Adam Grogan
(from The Mammal Society) on his Mammal March.
Issue 107 Winter 2008
next year look out for information on our brand new
website www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk.
A special thank you to Rachel and Lauren for all their
hard work in getting this project off the ground, and to the
volunteers for the many hours they offered to this project.
Joana Doyle
Marine Conservation Officer
Volunteers surveying from Carngloose. Photo: Lauren Davis
He walked around the South West coast path this
autumn, raising awareness about our furry fauna. In fact
he walked all the national paths and trails in Wales and
England over six months (some 2,300 miles), finishing in
the South West – obviously saving the best until last!
Our winter programme of events includes our annual
Christmas quiz, harvest mice and by popular demand,
more dormice. If you’d like details about events please
contact our secretary Kim Jelbert on kim@cec.gb.com.
We look forward to seeing you there or receiving records
as we work toward the atlas.
Kate Stokes
Water for Wildlife Manager
Thirty-one attended Cornwall Mammal Group’s ninth AGM,
tracking deer over Bodmin Moor. Photo: Peter King
Page 23
Living Churchyards
Nature is always full of surprises and how wonderful
it is to come across something unusual or new in an
area that one knows well. Although it has been such a
damp summer, I have been surprised to find that several
treasured species have spread reasonably well in our
churchyard. Not that we don’t have some problem plants
though – the battle to reduce hogweed is succeeding
by cutting tops, but in areas where yellow rattle has
certainly reduced the grass growth and strength, a new
adversary in ribwort plantain continues the crusade.
Hand weeding is hard and boring work!
Is it not true that visitors to churchyards need
information? It is always astounding to me that very
few churches bother to have easily accessible material
describing or identifying where heritage treasures and
that famous memorial hide, let alone the local flora
and fauna of interest. I am sure that the problem is
seen as just another task for the management, therefore
pushed lower on the list of priorities. Perhaps we should
volunteer ourselves to help tackle such tasks or at least
leave helpful information in the visitor’s book?
Interpretation can be simple, a few homemade signs, or
a laminated poster on the notice board can help guide
visitors around the churchyard. In this way you can
encourage them towards any interesting parts of the
churchyard or areas you are most proud of. Information
Seasearch
This year Seasearch has been hampered by inclement
weather, but despite this our hardy volunteers have
managed to survey 19 sites and we have received 65
completed survey forms so far, and forms are still
flowing in.
about churchyard wildlife or Cornwall’s Living
Churchyards Scheme can also awaken people’s interest
and encourage them to find out more and get involved.
Contact me on (01872) 272929 for more information.
Robert Moor, Living Churchyards Volunteer Coordinator
Germander speedwell and gravestone. Photo: Robert Moor
Our thanks go out to all our Seasearch volunteers and
we encourage them to keep sending in their data. If you
are interested in getting involved in Seasearch dives in
Cornwall please contact me: tom@cornwt.demon.co.uk.
Tom Hardy
Marine Conservation Officer
Cornwall Wildlife Trust have organised 11 dives this
season including boat dives, shore dives and an extensive
seagrass mapping project (coordinated by Natural
England) in the Falmouth and Helford SAC (Special Area
of Conservation).
At the start of the season, when the weather conditions
were looking so encouraging, we completed seven dives
from Newquay. Two were on previously un-surveyed
sites, which had very large and healthy populations
of pink seafans. These sites confirmed the need for a
concentrated effort to survey new sites extending the
known ranges of important (in this case BAP) species.
This season has also seen the completion of our three
year Pink Seafan project (supported by the SITA Trust
and HRH The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall). To
date we have recorded 870 individual pink seafans at
25 sites around Cornwall and this year alone identified
three new sites. The data is all in and the final analysis
and report will be available soon on our website www.
cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk.
Page 24
Reef with pink seafan and fish. Photo: Sally Sharrock
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Friends of Kilminorth Woods
The ancient valley oakwoods of the West Looe River
comprise one of the Trust’s largest County Wildlife Sites.
On the eastern bank lie Trenant Woods, owned by the
Woodland Trust, but the larger section lies on the west
bank in Kilminorth Woods, a Local Nature Reserve
owned and managed by Caradon District Council. In
2006 the Friends of Kilminorth Woods was formed to
increase community involvement in the Reserve. The
group already has over 70 members.
Tree measuring for the Ancient Tree Hunt.
Photo: Christine Spooner
Badgers in Kilminorth Woods. Photo: Peter McMurdie
The remarkable ‘semi-natural’ sessile oakwoods are at
least 400 years old, and contain a well-preserved section of
the Giant’s Hedge, believed to date from the sixth century.
They support a wide range of wildlife and are particularly
noted for their rare ferns and moths and a luxuriant
growth of mosses. The tidal West Looe River is a great
place to see herons, little egrets and kingfishers, and is part
of the Looe Voluntary Marine Conservation Area.
A mud event at Kilminorth.
Photo: Christine Spooner
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Friends’ activities focus around the conservation of
the woodlands and promoting understanding of their
biodiversity and wildlife. Monthly ‘woods watch walks’
monitor the state of the woods, and provide advice on
maintenance problems. Other activities have included
dawn-chorus walks, badger watches, bat evenings, mud
exploration, nest-box provision, and tree, bird and small
mammal surveys. Education is a vital function and the
group organises visits by local children. The Friends
already work closely with Cornwall Wildlife Trust and
both sides are keen to strengthen this relationship.
For further details contact Christine Spooner on (01503)
265590 or kilminorth@btinternet.com.
Derek Spooner
Friends of Kilminorth Woods
Using bat detectors in Kilminorth Woods.
Photo: Christine Spooner
Page 25
The Wind in the Willows 100th
birthday
The Wind in the Willows was written 100 years ago this
year in 1908. Celebrations were sponsored by South
West Water. All 250 children from St Hilary School at
Relubbus were able to meet live water voles. Through
eight workshops they learnt about the characters from
this lovely book written by Kenneth Grahame including
Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter and of course Toad. The
importance of water and wetlands and wise water use for
these animals and humans was promoted. It was a fun
and informative day!
Kate Stokes
Water for Wildlife Manager
Face to snout with a live water vole for the first time.
Two badgers meet. Photos: David Chapman
Fox Club Corner
What a busy time the Fox Clubbers have had
this year!
They have rescued dolphins, searched for
starfish, listened to bats and made sure their
garden birds will be fed this winter. The
Out & About Club have been even busier;
learning to snorkel, perfecting their fly
fishing, searching for reptiles and learning to
tell a tasty fungus from a deadly one! The
next season of events is just as busy with a
distinct bias towards birds and geology. If
you have an interest in either of these, or
just fancy having fun learning about them,
have a look at the Fox Club and Out &
About Club events diaries and join in!
If you don’t want to miss out on all this
excitement, just fill in the form below and
send it off to Kirstie at Cornwall Wildlife
Trust, Allet, today.
This group of Out & About youngsters were searching for reptiles with
Mark Nicholson, the Trust’s snake expert.
Wildlife needs friends
If you are already a member,
please pass this form to a friend
or relative. You might like to
know that Cornwall Wildlife Trust
now has a family
membership
category
which includes
Fox Club.
See you soon!
Alison Forward, Education Officer
MEMBERSHIP FORM
Name .......................................................................................................................
Date of birth ..........................................................................................................
Address ....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
School .....................................................................................................................
Please enrol me as a member of Fox Club (I enclose a cheque for £8 made out
to Cornwall Wildlife Trust)
Please send me a Cornwall Wildlife Trust leaflet
Tick as appropriate
Registered Charity Name - Cornwall Trust for Nature Conservation Ltd Registered Charity Number - 214929
Page 26
Issue 107 Winter 2008
The Transition Movement
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What a year: banks collapsing, energy prices through
the roof, food price inflation, house prices in free fall,
unemployment rising fast, ice sheets melting and a
predicted growth in human population to nine billion
people by 2050. This latter implies business as usual,
which is belied by all the others.
If we accept that we are in trouble, (and I know many
don’t, yet) then that poses the question: is there anything
we can do, and if there is, what should we be doing?
Many would like the government to sort things out. We
have become dependent on others to run our lives. My
contention is, if we wait for governments to mend things
for us we will have a very long wait.
What can we do?
Well, I suppose we could hit the bottle. More positive,
perhaps, would be to start reading some books (such as
Feeling for Stones by Barbara Heinzen, The Upside of
Down by Thomas Homer-Dixon and then The Transition
Handbook by Rob Hopkins). If your local town/village
has a Transition group, then join it if you have not done
so already. In a nutshell, the idea is to re-kindle notions
such as neighbourliness, and to re-localise food, building
materials, transport, energy supplies and so on, leading to
more resilient communities better able to withstand the
shock of peak oil or economic failure.
Fully signed up Transition initiatives now number 100,
with nearly 1,000 more actively considering Transition,
both figures having doubled in five months! The whole
thing only kicked off in the UK in 2005, so this is
extraordinary growth.
Positive action in Ladock parish
In Ladock we have a Transition Group which has
engaged with both village schools – initially carrying
out an energy audit of Ladock, and working towards
setting up an orchard with Grampound Road School.
We have supported the country market in Ladock and
we are setting one up in Grampound Road. We have
helped two further groups to start up, in the Roseland
and Grampound. We have an opportunity to convert
woodland on Woodland Valley to community use – any
suggestions on how to set it up for the best effect, please
contact enquiries@woodlandvalley.co.uk.
Humanity and wildlife
Well, what has all the above got to do with wildlife? To
separate humanity from the rest of the biota is, I believe,
a very serious mistake. We are governed by the same laws
of nature and we will go the same way as the dinosaurs
sooner than we might wish if we don’t wake up now.
And sadly, we will take most, if not all, of the natural
world with us.
The critical thing to grasp is that this concerns
everybody’s and everything’s future. We have a great
deal to do and not much time to do it, or there will be
no future.
Chris Jones, Woodland Valley Farm and Study Centre
Ladock schoolchildren get involved with vegetable gardening at
Woodland Valley Farm on the occasion of a visit by the Duke
of Kent. Photo courtesy of Woodland Valley Farm
Issue 107 Winter 2008
For more information on the Transition Movement visit
www.transitiontowns.org.
Page 27
Your local group
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Penwith
What a summer! It wasn’t just the weather that conspired
against our programme this year. Personal circumstances
meant that we could not attend the May outing to St Loy,
but no one else came either! Where were all you bluebell
lovers? Thanks to Liz Tregenza for covering for us. The
walk in June was well attended – we looked for choughs
on the cliffs, enjoyed a relatively dry walk and ended in
Pendeen pottery for refreshments. Thanks to John and
Gemma for the use of gallery space. The weather was
so appalling the weekend of 5th and 6th July, that we
were forced to cancel the walk to see arable weeds. I can
report, though, that our reccy the week before showed
them in stunning profusion. We will try again in 2009 as
the sight is breathtaking!
Tamar
Our Dawn Chorus meeting in May was not well
attended; neither was the Bude Floral Walk in June
where, sad to say, I was one of the absentees. Biddy
Carrick sent this report:
‘We started by walking through a meadow on Bude
Marshes Reserve where bee orchids flourish, along with
the more everyday hawkweeds and fleabane. After that,
we walked through the snickets behind the town centre
and were amazed to see the variety of plants that manage
to exist in alleyways undisturbed by sheet cleaning. Plants
such as pellitory-on-the-wall and wall spleenwort cling
to life on old walls and garden escapees also do well.
Sadly, there were some unusual plants in poor condition
and others had vanished since last year. This was an
enlightening and well worthwhile walk.’
Carrick
The Carrick group was relaunched at Cornwall Wildlife
Trust’s summer Fête in Chacewater on 14th June. Since
then we have run two successful events. July took us to
the Bissoe Valley reserve where Duncan Viner, Reserve
Warden and dragonfly expert, led us on a dragonfly
walk. Although only a handful of dragonflies were
spotted (due to the poor weather!), we saw plenty of
damselflies, frogs and other flora and fauna, which
appears to thrive in an area of old mineworkings, which
you expect to be quite barren.
August saw the return of the boat trip, which has been
run in previous years. We set off from Smuggler’s cottage,
Tolverne, and spent three hours on board. Due to a high
flood tide, we were able to get up the creeks along the
Page 28
Our September venture with the National Trust – the
Botallack Country fair – early in the month was blessed
with beautiful weather and it was great to see so many
people including members enjoying a rare sunny day
out. Sustainability was our theme this year. Thanks to
Cornwall Wildlife Trust for spare materials for our bug
bundles and leaflets on wildlife gardening. Over 40
children made miniature gardens as part of the day’s
activities.
Please note that our efforts to organise some volunteer
work on The Isles of Scilly in May 2009 have not been
successful. Ring if you want more information or want to
volunteer independently.
Jane and Nigel Haward
These summer meetings take a lot of thought and
organisation, yet are never well attended despite the
publicity we endeavour to give them. Is it worthwhile
continuing them?
Our fundraising events, though, were very successful
this year. We were asked to return to Boscastle by Mrs
Caspling of Valency house, who generously donates the
table top rents and donations at the door to chosen local
charities. This year we received over £300 for sitting in
Boscastle for a day and our own stall made some £60.
We also had a small stall at Crackington Carnival (which
had to be held in the Institute due to pouring rain), which
raised £30 and our traditional Triangle Sale in August
raised a further £90. So all is not lost.
Gill Ruddock
Fal and Truro Rivers, to see little egret, heron, shags and
cormorants resting in the trees. A few lucky people even
spotted an osprey! In addition to the wildlife seen, Rhos
Newman, the boat’s captain, provided a very informative
commentary about the history of the area. After a brief
stop to pick up pasties, we headed out into the Carrick
Roads, to Loe Beach, and Restronguet Creek – and the
sun shone!
At a meeting on 17th September 2008, further events
were discussed with existing members of the group.
Details of these will appear in subsequent editions of
Wild Cornwall. For more details about the Carrick
group, please contact me on (07974) 391957;
joannawallis@sky.com.
Joanna Wallis
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Restormel
A bit of a bug hunt for our Breney Common visit in June.
The wind kept the horseflies away and concentrated
butterflies around the sheltered sunny spots. Small
pearl-bordered fritillary, small heath, small copper and
meadow brown where seen. Violet ground and fast
moving tiger beetles were also out and about, and the
ponds provided plenty of damselflies and dragonflies.
Our February work party did a good job of clearing out
invading willow, revealing a good showing of spotted
orchids. We had to get down on hands and knees to see
the Dartmoor matches, a very small lichen with bright
red match heads.
Once again we had an excellent turnout for the August
bat evening, a joint event with the Friends of Luxulyan
Valley, with some people coming from as far away as
Nottingham and Sheffield. Dr Carol Williams started
with an introduction on bats and their lifestyles and
then with torches, Ed Harradence led us into the dark,
wooded valley where pipistrelle bats swooped around
our heads, Daubenton’s bats flew low over the river, and
greater horseshoe bats flitted around old mine buildings.
Our thanks to Carol and Ed for a fascinating evening.
Dave Thomas
Dell Netherton
We had a good turnout at Porthpean Beach in July, on
one of the sunniest days of the year. Marine biologist
Catriona Burt described the geology of the area and then
took us to explore the beautiful rock pools where the
younger members found top shells, crabs and starfish.
Many thanks to Catriona for a great bucket and spade
day out.
Mid-Tamar Valley
The Stoke Climsland Wildlife Awareness project gave the
group a new focus and direction this summer. A summer
programme aimed to give residents an insight into their
locality that may not have been appreciated before. On
a dull Sunday in May we looked at the habitats on Kit
Hill overlooking Stoke Climsland. On one of the few
bright days, we drove along the late spring flower filled
lanes of East Cornwall to the Deer Park which in living
memory has been a market garden, a site for mining
infrastructure, a conifer plantation and now has been
partly cleared to aid the adjoining heath fritillary project.
June saw us helping the Scouts with wildlife appreciation
and venturing along the River Inney tracking the local
otter population. Our two moth evenings provided
The Restormel Group beachcombing. Photo: Dave Thomas
viewings of 23 different moths including three
brimstones, eight dark arches and one gothic in July
at Stoke Climsland and 18 different moths in August
at Florence Park including dusky thorn and the hedge
rustic. This is only the second time our recorder has seen
a hedge rustic since 1992. Tony Atkinson completed his
tenth annual survey of Daubenton’s and pipistrelle bats
on the Tamar at Tutwell. Sensors detected 45 and 55
respectively. We have started habitat mapping around
Stoke Climsland, giving crucial data for planning issues
affecting wildlife. Finally a big thank you to Kate Stokes
for all the help she has given during her 9½ years with
the Trust.
David Baldock, Administration Volunteer
Stoke Climsland seen from Kit Hill. Photo: Rowena Millar
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Page 29
Page 30
Issue 107 Winter 2008
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Issue 107 Winter 2008
Page 31
A history of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife
Trust: 1985-2006
Part 3: The problem of funding
Although the Trust’s main charitable object was to
conserve wildlife habitats and it had commissioned
consultants to draw up a management plan for some
2,500 acres of wild landscape, its historian cannot fail to
remark upon the lack of land and habitat management
and the failure to appoint a Field Officer until late 1989.
Indeed, shortly before this, the director and trustees
are recorded in the minutes as stating that they did not
consider a Warden/Field Officer strictly necessary.
There were no doubt several reasons for this, not the
least being finance. The Moss Report had suggested
various means by which the Trust might be financed:
(i) membership, (ii) environment levy on visitors, (iii)
income from services, (iv) sponsorship by industry, (v)
grants and (vi) contracting. Of these options, (iii) and
(vi) would have required a well-established organisation
backed by experience and expertise that the Trust did not
then possess. Local industry (iv) has never shown any
inclination to support the Trust other than in minor ways.
Membership (i) takes time to establish and the small local
population of 2,000 could not contribute significantly.
An environmental levy (ii), consisting of a small charge
to every visitor to the Isles, was discussed at a very early
stage but to this day has never been adopted. It would be
the most effective means of raising ‘unrestricted’ funding
but it would require the whole-hearted backing of the
local Council, the tourism industry and local transport
operators (who would have to administer the levy) and
these have never been forthcoming.
The Environmental Trust’s finances were initiated by
a one-off donation from HRH The Prince of Wales of
£50,000. After this, it was one of the new director’s
Belladonna flowers on Tresco. Photo: Suzanna Jeffries
main tasks to raise funds, which he did with reasonable
success, in the form of covenanted donations. These,
however, would provide only a small proportion of the
Trust’s requirements if it were to fulfil its objectives. In its
first full financial year the Trust received 66% (£24,000)
from its sponsors (Duchy, Countryside Commission and
English Nature) but by 1990/91 that had fallen to16%.
By 1991/92 both Duchy and English Nature contributions
had fallen to zero. Indeed, between 1990 and 1992
payments made to the Duchy exceeded the sums received
from it, mainly because of charges made by the Duchy
for accommodation but also administrative items such
as photocopying and materials for estate management,
despite the fact that these were essentially for managing
Duchy land. Although Moss mentioned grants (v above),
the Trust had not at this time secured grants other than
those from the sponsors and grants (‘restricted’) funding
did not contribute significantly to its finances for many
years to come.
Mike Gurr
Eerily calm seas around the Eastern Isles in summer. Photo: Suzanna Jeffries
Page 32
Issue 107 Winter 2008
The Isles of Scilly Bat Group
A voyage of discovery
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The reasons for the decline in bat
numbers are probably many, but barn
conversions and the use of lindane in
agriculture were perhaps contributory
factors. Members of the Cornwall
Bat Group conducted research in
the 1990s. They found that the
bat population was vulnerable and
suggested a Species Action Plan.
At the end of the 1990s, David
Mawer, Senior Conservation Warden,
began the first scientific recordings of
bat activity in Scilly. He participated
in the Bat Conservation Trust’s
National Bat Monitoring Programme
(NBMP), making observations on
St Mary’s and Tresco. Leading on
from David’s work, the Isles of Scilly
Bat Group was formed in December
2006. Its aims are to promote bat
conservation, to provide an informal
forum to meet and learn about bats,
to provide and exchange information
and to conduct research.
When the Group started, there were
only two well recognized roost sites
in the Islands: Maypole Farm on St
Mary’s and the Abbey on Tresco.
The common pipistrelle was the only
species that we could be sure was
present, although droppings and
chance sightings suggested that there
might be others. Maypole Farm has a
maternal roost of common pipistrelles
occupying the space behind a
fascia board of a granite cottage.
Observations since 2000 show an
encouraging increase in numbers
emerging from the roost in midsummer. In 2007/8, we established
clear and regularly used lines of flight
along roads, tracks, hedgerows, elms
and pines. We also noted the locations
of several feeding sites.
The Tresco Abbey roost is probably
the largest in the archipelago;
single observations found 93 and
153 emerging in 2002 and 2003
respectively. Last year, Adam White,
formerly of the BBC Natural History
Unit, came to live on Tresco and is
now starting to make observations.
Bryher has a very active group of
members who have established that
there is considerable bat activity
throughout the island and confirmed
the presence of a roost in the Church.
We also have members on St Agnes
and St Martin’s, who are beginning to
map bat activity on those islands.
We found considerable bat activity
during the winter of 2007/8 and
conclude that bats here go in and out
of torpor but do not fully hibernate.
Noctule bat.
Illustration: Sarah McCartney
Noctules, not previously found here,
were recorded on St Mary’s and
Bryher; a Nathusius’ pipistrelle turned
up on St Agnes and on Bryher there
was a surprisingly high proportion of
soprano to common pipistrelles.
Future investigations will be to locate
and characterize other maternal and
male roosts, extend studies of nightly
bat movements and ask the allimportant question: ‘Where do bats go
in winter?’ We are reasonably sure that
inter-island migration is occurring and
also that we are seeing migration from
the mainland. There is still plenty to
learn about bats in Scilly.
Anne Gurr
News in brief
A wet welcome
Cornwall Wildlife Trust picked one of the worst days in a
dismal summer for their annual outing. The stalwart souls
who braved the crossing on the Scillonian in July got a
very wet impression of the island paradise advertised in
all the tourist brochures. They survived a walk to Porth
Hellick Down to see conservation grazing in progress,
where they were given a talk about the islands by Senior
Conservation Warden, David Mawer. Plans for a picnic in
the sunshine sadly had to be abandoned, but it was great
for the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust to meet and talk to
our new partners from across the water.
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Dolphin and whale stranded on St Agnes
A few days after a whale was found stranded on St Agnes,
a Risso’s dolphin was reported. The dolphin was young and
quite thin and it had suffered bottlenose rake marks. It was
transported to St Mary’s and from there was transferred to
the Scillonian for a post mortem on the mainland.
Dead Risso’s dolphin.
Photo: Ann Horton
Page 33
Lesser black-backed gull on Gugh. Photo: David Mawer
Monitoring seabirds on Scilly
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A careful sweep of the island’s coast is made, with the
group lined up to cover from the strand line to the edge
of the bracken, recording numbers and species of eggs
and chicks. Great care is taken to avoid standing on
young or eggs, and to keep moving as quickly as possible
to allow adults to return quickly to the nest to minimise
disturbance. This annual count monitors trends on Annet
on a yearly basis and can also be used in conjunction
with the ‘all seabird species on all islands’ count that is
carried out every six years across Scilly.
our lesser black-backed gulls (which are of international
importance), carefully attaching GPS devices to track
and monitor their feeding behaviour to gain a better
understanding of their feeding patterns and potential
threats. Other seabird research work includes gull,
kittiwake and fulmar productivity monitoring in
collaboration with the RSPB, and recording of storm
petrel ‘chatter’ from burrows.
The Trust visited Green Island and Peashopper with
help from local seabird expert Vickie Heaney to count
common tern eggs and chicks. Last year, due to bad
weather early in the season, no terns settled to breed,
with the exception of one early failed nest found on
Annet. This year 51 nests were found and 10–15 young
are thought to have fledged successfully.
David Mawer
Senior Conservation Warden
Common terns with three chicks on Peashopper.
Photo: David Mawer
This year’s results from Annet indicate a continued
increase in shags, with a decline in all the gull species,
which is broadly in line with the findings of the last ‘all
island’ count made in 2006. There is often no simple
explanation for species’ decline and it is often down to
a complex mix of factors. This year Exeter University
has been carrying out research work, particularly on
Page 34
Tern eggs on Peashopper. Photo: David Mawer
Issue 107 Winter 2008
You might expect a man passionate about wildlife to
have been brought up in the countryside, but Danny
Cooper comes from suburban Kingston on Thames in
Surrey and he went to school there until he was 13. He
became fascinated by wildlife when he was very young,
when his mum used to take him to Chessington Zoo,
as it was then. His favourite animal was the okapi, a
South American antelope cum giraffe. His first job after
leaving school was as a volunteer with Burstow Wildlfe
Sanctuary. He lived in a caravan, which he shared with
dogs, cats, rats, mice, a hedgehog, a Chilean rose spider
and a Madagascan hissing cockroach. At the sanctuary
Danny worked with meerkats, Arctic, silver, and red
foxes, badgers and owls.
This is Danny’s second summer volunteering with
the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, and we have been
very fortunate to have benefited from his enthusiasm,
expertise, and his considerable artistic skills. Danny’s
favourite part of the job is talking to families who
come in with lots of questions. It takes him back to
when he was a curious seven year old. He has created
opportunities for children to learn in the centre with his
dry rockpool, his shell quiz and his colouring sheets. One
of the painful parts of the present job is having to be
inside, but Danny feels this is made up for by the chance
to inspire young people who come into the centre.
Suzanna Jeffries
Since then Danny has worked in kennels, catteries, and
with ex-racing greyhounds. He had an interesting spell in
southern Turkey with the British Trust for Conservation
Volunteers, where he started working on a project to
conserve a colony of green turtles only to have the project
aborted, because of the lack of basic facilities near the
beach. He later went on to work with loggerhead turtles
in another Turkish location. Danny has also had several
spells at the Monkey Sanctuary in Looe in Cornwall, and
with the RSPB at Arne in Poole Harbour. He is a keen
birdwatcher, and he keeps an up to date record of bird
sightings in Scilly at the Quay Visitors’ Centre. He gained
a National Certificate in Habitat Management in 2004 at
Merrist Wood in Guildford, where he won the award for
being the best in identification skills.
Danny Cooper. Photo: Suzanna Jeffries
New benches celebrate heathland project
The Heritage Lottery funded Waves of Heath project not
only enabled us to bring Scilly’s maritime heathland into
appropriate management but also carried an element of
education about our heathland.
The interpretation board near the Higher Moors nature
trail on St Mary’s depicts grazing on Porth Hellick Down,
a Scilly shrew eating a cricket, a Scilly bee, a rock pipit
and an oil beetle.
Due to the sensitivity of Scilly’s landscape we wanted
to find an imaginative way of showing the wonderful
variety of Scilly’s heathland. Two benches and an
interpretation panel were commissioned from the
company Greenspace (www.greenspace.co.uk), who work
in wood. Images of the heathland and special features of
each island have been carved into cedar wood, sourced
from the South West. The bench on St Agnes at the top
of the quay shows the lighthouse, grazing cattle, and
concealed images of a Scilly shrew, a grasshopper and a
Scilly bee. The bench on Bryher, close to the community
centre, shows the Trust’s grazing ponies and cattle,
golden-hair lichen, a minotaur beetle and dwarf pansies.
Julie Love
Volunteer & Education Manager
Wild Scilly is prepared by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust Editorial Team: Suzanna
Jeffries, Mike Gurr and Anne Gurr.
Issue 107 Winter 2008
Page 35
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Issue 107 Winter 2008