News News News ...From the Wildside!!

Wildside Activity Centre

First a little showcase for this important charity that promotes awareness and participation in nature activities, volunteering and conservation.

There is a full programme of fantastic events over the coming half-term week.

Full details can be found at:

http://www.wildsideac.co.uk/images/OctHalfTerm2013.jpg

So no excuse!!! Grab the kids and get down there!!

Wild-Walk

I am inviting anyone interested, to join me and as many of our valley wildlife recorders as possible on an informal walk, covering the mid-section of the valley, between Compton Bridge and Newbridge on Sunday 10th November 2013.

Dogs are welcome, as are children, if accompanied by an adult.We will start at 08:00, with a short skywatch at the top of the Barleyfield, looking for birds on the move along our valley, followed by a trip around the Barleyfield, Compton Park, along the canal and back through the paddocks, following the railway walk.

For all those interested in attending or leading groups, please send me a brief e-mail to smestowsightings@gmail.com so that I can get an idea of numbers.

New Authors

Valley users are probably aware of the presence of our local wildlife photography expert, David Ashcroft, otherwise known as the creator of "Wolves Wild" (http://wolveswild.net/). I have linked his site to this blog from the outset, and I have recently asked David to start keeping formal records of what he sees, so that it can contribute towards our understanding of wildlife, and why it is vanishing at such an alarming rate.

Talking of contributions to wildlife, I bumped into Maureen this morning, who has an excellent feeding station set up in her garden near Compton Lock. She provides an important food supply for the birds in this area, and is also going to start producing records for future valley reports

With these two "Wildlife-Warriors" contributing so much to the reserve, It is therefore fitting that I invite them both as authors to this blog and I am sure you will all join me, in warmly welcoming them to our little, caring community!!

Angus Dickie acknowledges the work of so many others, who have contributed to previous valley reports, every time I see him. Therefore, I also warmly invite anyone else who regularly watches and records wildlife in the valley to get involved by emailing me your details.

As part of the transition from paperback to online reports, I will be offering a pick-up/drop off service, so that we continue to include valuable manual records, provided by passionate enthusiasts, who are, perhaps less able or willing to start surfing the net!! Thank you so much for your continued support.

Moving Mountains Nature Network - Charity Wildlife Walk - Spring 2014

I am planning an event, which will raise awareness and trigger a strengthening of the protective nature networks, around Smestow Valley, Clayhanger Marsh (Diverse habitat and SSSI), and an important urban wildlife corridor near Harborne. Local schools will be involved, so that we can lead our children towards the beauty of Mother Nature that lies within our green spaces. Who knows, it might generate our next Sir David Attenborough or Chris Packham!!!

Any local individuals, groups, charitable organisations or businesses that would like to get involved, please register your interest at smestowsightings@gmail.com

Thank you