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International Day of Biodiversity - The North Wessex Downs

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PR 10-01a<br />

11 May 2010<br />

For Immediate Use<br />

PRESS BRIEFING<br />

EVENTS IN THE<br />

NORTH WESSEX DOWNS AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY<br />

MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY OF BIODIVERSITY<br />

Saturday 22 May is <strong>International</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong>. In the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong><br />

<strong>Downs</strong> Area <strong>of</strong> Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) several events will focus<br />

on the biodiversity <strong>of</strong> these landscapes.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> Area <strong>of</strong> Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has unique<br />

and spectacular landscapes that include tranquil open downland, ancient woodland<br />

and chalk streams across areas <strong>of</strong> Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire.<br />

Henry Oliver, acting director <strong>of</strong> the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB, explains:<br />

“<strong>Biodiversity</strong> is a part <strong>of</strong> what makes these landscapes special. It’s not a case <strong>of</strong><br />

biodiversity or landscape. Nationally protected landscapes like AONBs are about<br />

emphasising the integration <strong>of</strong> humans and nature, not trying to separate one from<br />

the other. It presents an opportunity to understand better the relationship between<br />

people and their environment.<br />

“Here in the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB we have one <strong>of</strong> the six remaining colonies<br />

in the UK <strong>of</strong> the Shrill Carder Bee, one <strong>of</strong> the two rarest bumblebees in the country.<br />

Marsh Fritillary and Small Blue are two rare butterflies that need the grazed<br />

downland <strong>of</strong> southern Oxfordshire to survive. Jones’s Mill Nature Reserve at Pewsey<br />

with marsh grasses, flowers and woods is the only fenland nature reserve in<br />

Wiltshire. Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail is an endangered species and lives in the valleys<br />

<strong>of</strong> West Berkshire and Wiltshire.”<br />

To mark <strong>International</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB is<br />

launching the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> Parish Wildlife Map Toolkit. This enables<br />

people to identify and survey biodiversity and create a parish wildlife map <strong>of</strong> the key<br />

habitats and species within their parish, town or village boundary.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB is <strong>of</strong>fering support to communities in the area who<br />

would like to pilot this toolkit. Hampshire & Isle <strong>of</strong> Wight Wildlife Trust produced the<br />

<strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> Parish Wildlife Map Toolkit with funding from the AONB’s<br />

Sustainable Development Fund, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and<br />

Hampshire County Council.


<strong>International</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> events [full details below]<br />

Oxfordshire/West Berkshire border<br />

Bat & Moth Night, 15 May<br />

Celebrate National Moth Night at Sheepdrove Organic Farm, Lambourn. This is a<br />

chance to discover moths and bats at the Farm’s herb gardens and reed beds where<br />

seven types <strong>of</strong> bats have been recorded including the largest species – Noctule and<br />

Serotine – who love to eat moths!<br />

Hampshire<br />

Spring Flying Insects at Old Burghclere Lime Quarry, 19 May<br />

A very leisurely walk to identify butterflies other flying insects and flora, organised by<br />

Hampshire & Isle <strong>of</strong> Wight Wildlife Trust.<br />

Wiltshire<br />

Jones’s Mill Conservation Volunteers, Pewsey, 22 May<br />

Volunteers will be working on this Site <strong>of</strong> Special Scientific Interest and the county’s<br />

only fenland nature reserve just east <strong>of</strong> Pewsey.<br />

West Berkshire<br />

Lambourn Valley Barn Owl Group, 15 May<br />

A practical session to create habitats for barn owls.<br />

Lambourn Stones and Horses, 23 May<br />

<strong>The</strong> Friends <strong>of</strong> Pang, Kennet and Lambourn Valleys and Berkshire RIGS group<br />

guided walk around Lambourn to learn about the geology, history and wildlife as well<br />

as racehorses.<br />

<strong>Biodiversity</strong> for children, Hungerford Farmers' Market, 23 May<br />

Hungerford Environmental Action Team (HEAT) hosts child-friendly biodiversity<br />

activities at their stall.<br />

ENDS<br />

For more information about the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB:<br />

Oliver Cripps, Acting Assistant Director 01488 680457 (<strong>of</strong>fice)<br />

07827 082382 (mobile)<br />

<strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB Office 01499 685440 (switchboard)<br />

*****************************************************************************<br />

Details <strong>of</strong> the events listed above<br />

Bat & Moth Night, 15 May<br />

Celebrate National Moth Night at Sheepdrove Organic Farm, Lambourn. Discover<br />

moths and bats at the Farm’s herb gardens and reed beds where seven types <strong>of</strong> bats<br />

have been recorded including the largest species – Noctule and Serotine – who love<br />

to eat moths! Admission is free but you must book a place. <strong>The</strong> event begins at 8pm<br />

with an introduction to bats and moths, and as the sun sets the bat detectors should<br />

start picking up the clicks, buzzes and pops <strong>of</strong> the farm’s bats! All welcome, children<br />

must be supervised at all times. Sorry, no dogs permitted.<br />

Further information Jason Ball: 01488 674727 to book your place.<br />

Spring Flying Insects at Old Burghclere Lime Quarry 19 May


Old Burghclere, Hampshire<br />

A very leisurely walk, organised by the Hampshire Wildlife Trust and led by Mervyn<br />

Grist and Graham Dennis, to learn to identify the butterflies, other flying insects and<br />

flora in this sheltered quarry reserve. We will also see what's in a moth trap. Bring<br />

your camera and perhaps packed lunch for a longer stay. Meet and park at the<br />

former station yard at Old Burghclere (Map ref. SU 469 578). Detailed directions -<br />

about 6km south <strong>of</strong> Newbury, turn <strong>of</strong>f old A34 (which runs parallel to the new dual<br />

carriageway) towards Kingsclere. After 1km go round sharp right bend and at the<br />

next sharp left bend, go straight on down a lane. <strong>The</strong> car park is in the farmyard<br />

about 200m on the left. Suggested donation £1.50. Sorry, no dogs.<br />

Further information, Mervyn Grist: 01264 358737.<br />

Jones's Mill Conservation Volunteers 22 May<br />

Pewsey, Wiltshire<br />

Help the volunteers to preserve this very special SSSI habitat through tasks varying<br />

from ride clearance and vegetation removal to boardwalk construction. Jones’s Mill is<br />

an area <strong>of</strong> fen vegetation, scrub and woodland lying along the headwaters <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Salisbury Avon north east <strong>of</strong> Pewsey. It represents the best-known example <strong>of</strong> a<br />

calcareous valley mire in Wiltshire. <strong>The</strong> site occupies a shallow valley and much was<br />

formerly managed as water meadow with some watercress beds. <strong>The</strong> pattern <strong>of</strong><br />

vegetation is complex with an intimate mixture <strong>of</strong> fen, willow-scrub and willow and<br />

alder carr. An area <strong>of</strong> woodland planted with native and exotic broadleaves and<br />

conifers adds to the diversity <strong>of</strong> habitats.Take the Burbage road from Pewsey. Turn<br />

left down Dursden Lane, just before a white cottage. Park in the small lay-by, just<br />

over the railway bridge; grid ref SU 169 612.<br />

Further information, Jane Brown: 01672 569241<br />

Lambourn Valley Barn Owl Group 15 May<br />

A session <strong>of</strong> practical Barn Owl conservation work,10am – 1pm.<br />

Further information Jason Ball: 01488 674727.<br />

Lambourn - Stones and Horses RIGS Walk (Friends <strong>of</strong> the Pang Kennet and<br />

Lambourn Valleys Countryside Project / Berkshire RIGS) 23 May<br />

Lambourn, West Berkshire<br />

A joint 'Friends' and Berkshire Geoconservation (RIGS) walk to look at the geology,<br />

history and wildlife around Lambourn. Racehorses will feature strongly! Meet Lesley<br />

Dunlop and Dick Greenaway at Lambourn church (Grid ref: SU 326 790) and bring a<br />

packed lunch. <strong>The</strong>re is an optional short cut home on this walk avoiding one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

two steep hills. Walk lengths 5 miles or 3.5 miles.<br />

Further information, Project Office: 0118 930 5336.<br />

<strong>Biodiversity</strong> Activities with HEAT 23 May<br />

Hungerford Farmers’ Market, Hungerford<br />

<strong>The</strong> Hungerford Environmental Action Team will be holding various child-friendly<br />

biodiversity activities at their stall.<br />

Further information, Corinna Woodall <strong>of</strong> the Landscape and <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Group<br />

01488 680456<br />

Examples <strong>of</strong> biodiversity in the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong><br />

Shrill Carder Bee<br />

<strong>The</strong> Bumblebee Habitat Project is working throughout southern England and Wales<br />

to help conserve the Shrill Carder Bee (Bombus sylvarum), one <strong>of</strong> the two rarest


umblebees in the UK. Bumblebees are key pollinators for the majority <strong>of</strong> our crops<br />

and wildflowers, so it is imperative that we look after them. With a grant from the<br />

<strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB Sustainable Development Fund, the Bumblebee<br />

Conservation Trust produced a leaflet to inform the farmers and land managers<br />

about managing habitats for the Shrill Carder Bee. For more information and<br />

opportunities for habitat maintenance and restoration contact Dr Pippa Rayner <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Bumblebee Conservation Trust on 07792 136928, or pippa.rayner@stir.ac.uk.<br />

Marsh Fritillary and Small Blue butterflies<br />

<strong>The</strong>se are two high priority species in the UK <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Action Plan. Sheepdrove<br />

Farm near Lambourn on the boundaries <strong>of</strong> Oxfordshire and Berkshire has a<br />

conservation project to create the habitats with Devil’s Bit Scabious flowers and<br />

grazed downland in which these butterflies will breed. Sheepdrove Conservation<br />

Volunteers are working on a Butterfly Bank to support the butterflies and their<br />

caterpillars. Further information, Jason Ball: 01488 674727<br />

Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail<br />

This tiny and endangered snail lives in the valleys <strong>of</strong> the River Kennet and its<br />

tributaries in West Berkshire. It may be found on the Elm Farm Wildlife Trail at<br />

Hamstead Marshall.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Organic Research Centre at Elm Farm has produced a range <strong>of</strong> materials,<br />

supported by the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB Sustainable Development Fund, to<br />

publicise its interactive farm trail. Aimed at both adults and children, the leaflets and<br />

interpretation boards are designed to stimulate an interest in the wildlife features that<br />

can be found around a working farm. <strong>The</strong> trail is a permissive path, open to the public<br />

throughout the year. Further information, contact Bob Winfield at Elm Farm: 01488<br />

658298.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> Parish Wildlife Map Toolkit<br />

Further information, contact Oliver Cripps olivercripps@northwessexdowns.org.uk or<br />

01488 680457, or Liz Allinson, Hampshire & Isle <strong>of</strong> Wight Wildlife Trust, 01256<br />

381190.<br />

Editors’ Notes<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> Area <strong>of</strong> Outstanding Natural Beauty covers 1,730 sq<br />

km (668 sq miles) and is the largest AONB in southern England. It was created in<br />

1972 to give a protective coherence to one <strong>of</strong> the largest tracts <strong>of</strong> chalk downland in<br />

southern England which is least affected by development. <strong>The</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> AONBs is<br />

to conserve and enhance the natural beauty <strong>of</strong> the landscape. Together with National<br />

Parks, AONB enjoy the highest level <strong>of</strong> protection. <strong>The</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB<br />

<strong>of</strong>fice at Denford Manor, Hungerford was set up in October 2002.<br />

www.northwessexdowns.org.uk 01488 685440.<br />

National Association <strong>of</strong> Areas <strong>of</strong> Outstanding Natural Beauty<br />

1. 2010 marks the <strong>International</strong> Year <strong>of</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> (IYB).<br />

2. <strong>The</strong> family <strong>of</strong> AONBs including the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB is supporting the<br />

IYB with a series <strong>of</strong> events, talks and publications throughout the year. See<br />

www.biodiversityislife.net for further information.<br />

3. <strong>The</strong>re are 47 AONBs in the UK. <strong>The</strong>ir primary purpose is:<br />

• To conserve and enhance the natural beauty <strong>of</strong> the landscape.<br />

Two secondary aims complement the primary purpose and should be undertaken<br />

without conflicting with the primary purpose:


• To have regard for the interest <strong>of</strong> those who live and work there.<br />

• To meet the need for quiet enjoyment <strong>of</strong> the countryside.<br />

4. AONBs are designated by Natural England (England), the Countryside Council<br />

for Wales (Wales) and <strong>North</strong>ern Ireland Environment Agency (<strong>North</strong>ern Ireland).<br />

5. AONBs are cared for by dedicated pr<strong>of</strong>essional teams working with local partner<br />

organisations to implement a statutory management plan.<br />

6. <strong>The</strong> National Association for AONBs (NAAONB) is an independent organisation<br />

acting on behalf <strong>of</strong> the 47 AONBs in England, <strong>North</strong>ern Ireland and<br />

Wales. Further information about AONBs: www.aonb.org.uk 01451 862007 or<br />

01451 862035.<br />

Press release distributed by<br />

Wendy Tobitt, PR for <strong>North</strong> <strong>Wessex</strong> <strong>Downs</strong> AONB,<br />

07748 641452. wendy.tobitt@btinternet.com

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