Wildlife Survey Group February 2017

Wildlife Survey Group Spring is on its way and It's time to start noticing the wildlife world all around us.

Our small Group hasn't been hibernating and we are meeting again in mid February to discuss ideas for adding to our survey data..
The latest addition to our map was the sighting of a Merlin in the lane to the north of the village on the ridge.

We hope to get some reports back from the Big Garden Birdwatch but the weather wasn't kind so maybe results will be in short supply. We hope residents will perhaps continue to record their garden visitors, say monthly, and copy us in with results.
Apart from birds we hope to get more sightings this year of Grass snakes and Slowworms and another watch for Hedgehogs.

It was great to see the report in the last edition of the CRN giving an account of farming and wildlife on the Home Farm under the management of Henry and Richard Lang. A big success has been the support for breeding Barn Owls producing 74 owlets over the last 5 years. If you missed it in the CR News you can see the newspaper in full on the Community Web site

Some residents in Curry are members of the Somerset Wildlife Trust and its local group "Heart of the Levels." You can view future talks and activities here on the clickable links.
The local group supports our efforts which are being encouraged in other Parishes around Somerset.

Another easily spotted wild life feature in the Parish is the flight of large flocks of Starlings flying over the village in passage to winter roosting sites near Westhay. There is a Starling hotline run by the RSPB. Try this link- for a look at spectacular murmurations. Or ring 07866 554142.

Cranes were given a mention on the BBC Winter Watch programme recently. They have been seen in the northern area of our Parish over West Sedgemoor. Contact RSPB for more information. Check out The Great Crane Project.

Lastly a mention of theBritain in Bloom competition our village has entered this year. An important part of the marking is reserved for community support for environmental aspects of village life and we hope the Batty Piece nature reserve and Eastfield will be included in our presentation to the Judges.

There is much to look forward to in 2017. If you would like to be kept informed about our progress give me a call on 259688 or email : davidgerman555@gmail.com...... David German