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We LOVE volunteers. We try to ensure everybody has a fun time whilst hopefully gaining some useful tips for their own gardens too. If you're interested in joining in, please sign up here. There's a huge variety of opportunities so choose what you're into and we promise you a very warm welcome (irrespective of the weather!)

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news

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Chill and Quiz at the Perch & Pike

Big thanks to everyone who joined us for the sell-out Chilli and Quiz Night! It was a fantastic evening filled with fun and friendly(ish) competition. We can't wait to host more events like this in the future!

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Murmurs of murmurations....

The starlings are beginning to do their thing as they gather for a dance as more and more reach us from the continent for winter. A starling murmuration is a thing to behold; a large group of starlings that fly together in a synchronized, ever-changing pattern. The word "murmuration" comes from the noise the birds' wings make.  

Starling murmurations typically occur in the early evening, just before the birds roost for the night. The best time to see them is in the autumn and winter, usually from October to March. The peak in numbers is usually December to January.  

Would you like to join us for a trip to Otmoor to hopefully see a murmuration? Please email and we'll be in contact.

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The Big River Watch

Our rivers face threats from plastic, sewage, nutrient and chemical pollution, which harm wildlife and us. The Big River Watch app is a simple citizen science survey that anyone can take part in across the UK and Ireland, that aims to help support river restoration.

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All you need to do is spend a little time watching your local river and answering the questions in the app. From wildlife and water colour to plastics and pollution, Big River Watch app allows you to record your valuable observations and to upload a photograph of your local river. The app also contains handy wildlife and pollution ID guides.

The Big River Watch is coordinated by The Rivers Trust and supported by partners and funding from: CIWEM and The Rivers Trust Foundation, for Water Research (FWR) legacy fund and Catchment Systems Thinking Cooperative (CaSTCo) project from the Ofwat Innovation fund.

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Braziers Park are running a 'Kids Go Wild' session.  Take a look at their website for more information

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Not all slugs are pests

This one - Testacella haliotidea - is a carnivore and feeds on other slugs and snails. It's unusual because it has a tiny shell at the end of its body, a relic of when slugs evolved from snails. It's also very rare - this is only the eleventh confirmed record for this species in the UK and our very own John Lindley photographed it in his garden!

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The new Oxford Rivers Portal has lots of up-to-date info about water quality and conditions locally. Well worth checking out! 

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With thanks to Maggie Filipova-Rivers: If you have a great idea for a community tree-planting project that will benefit people and nature, then Oxfordshire County Council’s Community Tree and Woodland Opportunity team would love to hear from you!

Oxfordshire needs more trees, and you can help find the best places for them. The CTWO team is looking for community planting projects to support, to increase our tree cover and the environmental benefits they provide. They're especially looking for projects where they’re most needed, such as areas without many trees or where local people have limited access to green spaces.

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South Stoke Swifts

In March/April we installed 15 new swift nest boxes around the village to support the local population. They're fascinating birds; read the article for more information.

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We are happy to announce that we can now share John's awesome presentation at the Why iRecord? Virtual Symposium:

 

How iRecord Helps a Local Wildlife Group - John Lindley

 

South Stoke Wildlife & Conservation Group are trying to monitor biodiversity within our village. This presentation covers our recording activities, how we identify what we've found, and our experiences of using iRecord. We aim to use the information we gather to monitor trends for some of the key species that are present in our village.

Link to YouTube: https://youtu.be/ah0FxeNq_fE

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We're pleased to announce that SSWCG are members of CAG Oxfordshire and also Social Farms & Gardens.

CAG Oxfordshire is a network of almost 100 community action groups working across the county to green and sustainable ends. Social Farms & Garden is a UK wide charity supporting communities to farm, garden and grow together.

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worth a read

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Nature’s top six things to see now

Meet the RSPB's October’s bird of the month, the Bearded Tit. It's one of the best times to see them and this RSPB article will tell you how. Plus, in this month’s top six, it introduces a bird so tiny, it was once believed to migrate by catching a ride on larger birds!

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End of season wildflowers

If you joined in with No Mow May, you may be wondering what comes next? Here are Plantlife's top tips to wrap up the season and prep your mini meadows for a marvellous display of wildflowers next year:

  • Cut and collect the meadow areas you want to manage for wildflowers

  • If you have already cut and collected your meadow areas, consider another cut and collect to keep the grass short - do this as often as needed until April next year

  • Leave selected areas long - these may not be as interesting for wildflowers as later cuts can encourage more coarse grasses, but they will be a welcome refuge for insects

  • If you plan to sow Yellow Rattle or native wildflower seeds, prep the ground by scarifying/raking to create bare ground over about 50% of the area. Remember to use fresh Yellow Rattle seed. Once you’ve sown your seeds and gently trampled them in, keep the grass short until end of March and regularly check for Yellow Rattle seedlings

  • Read more about Yellow Rattle

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For a really inspiring read: 'I feel I've made a mark': the man who built homes for 60,000 swifts 

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Trees should be planted without plastic guards, says UK study

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Ten ways to be more sustainable in your garden - practical advice from the RHS

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CPRE releases groundbreaking new research into hedgerows. Read more here

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The insect apocalypse: insects have declined by 75% in the past 50 years – and the consequences may soon be catastrophic. Biologist Dave Goulson reveals the vital services they perform. Read the Guardian article here

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Jays and grey squirrels get planting! Half the trees in two new woods were planted by jays scientists find. Read more here

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e-newsletter

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We will be producing e-newsletters on a quarterly basis. If you’d like to receive them, please sign up.

 

Previous e-Newsletter issues can be found in the archive at the foot of the sign up form.

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