We want to know what species are present in our parish and where they are. To find out, we will be doing some organised surveys, but also we want to encourage everyone to record what they see.
We have chosen 20 species that we are especially interested in knowing more about and we are making the reporting of these as easy as possible.
We are offering two methods for reporting sightings. The easiest, which can be used for our ’20 Selected Species’ is via our website form below
The other method is via iRecord which requires more detail but goes directly to a national biological recording system that we can retrieve data from - but you’ll need to add our activity code when you fill in the form.
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Images courtesy of Simon Booker stokerpix.com
upcoming events
Wildflower walks back for 2024 and we'll be looking for insects as well this year - what will we find?
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As usual we will be using the iRecord App to capture important local data.
Everyone is welcome to join in, no experience necessary. See our schedule on our events and surveys page and come along.
The first session will be at White Hill Quarry on Thursday 11th 6pm - hope to see you there!
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Light maintenance of White Hill Quarry on Friday 12th April at 10am - everyone welcome
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*** New photos ***
Click the image below to explore a collection of John Lindley's photos of South Stoke's ladybirds, dragonflies, damselflies and hawk-moths
news
South Stoke Swifts
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In March/April we will be putting up 10 new swift nest boxes to support the local population.
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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.
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Link to YouTube: https://youtu.be/ah0FxeNq_fE
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Grass cutting & clear-up session - Oct 2023
SSWCG had a grass cutting and clear-up session on Sunday 22nd October at White Hill Quarry. This maintenance helps support the growth of wildflowers on the site.
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South Stoke Wildlife & Conservation Group recently became a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and as such we can now claim Gift Aid.
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If you're happy for us to claim the Gift Aid on your donations please print and sign this form.
Please email contact@southstokewildlife.org for details of where to send the completed form
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If you'd like to support us with a donation in 2023 please use our SSWCG GoFundMe page. Thank you to everybody who has contributed so far.
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Thank you for your support :-)
We've added some photos from our wildflower growalong - see how we're getting on!
Hedge planting - March 2023
SSWCG completed their final hedge planting session of the season on Sunday 5th March. Thanks to everyone who came along to help. Thanks also to The Conservation Volunteers for the whips and Guy Hildred for permission to plant a hedge next to Icknield Road.
Caring for our local fruit trees - Sunday 5th February
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We had a great morning tending to the South Stoke community orchard on the recreation ground. First we learnt a technique for deciding what branches to remove and what to keep (thanks Paul and Chris), then the group were let loose, pruning the apple and pear trees. Other volunteers put cardboard down around the base of the trees to supress the grass and covered it with compost to nurish the trees. Great job by all - thank you to those who helped out!
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Hedge planting - Jan 2023
The tally so far this season for new hedging planted by the Wildlife Group stands at a magnificent 350m! - just over 300m east of Postman's Path up on the prairie and c. 40m along the Bier Path between the Village Hall and the Church.
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Our thanks go to all the volunteers who showed up to help (in some pretty miserable conditions on occasion!), to Martin Bullock and the Parish Council who gave us permission to plant in those particular areas, to the providers of whips, canes and guards which came from various sources, and to our local District Councillor, Maggie Filipova-Rivers, who not only arranged some funding for the project through the Councillor Community Grants Scheme, but also showed up on the wettest day to dig holes and plant whips.
We must now hope that there isn't another severe drought in the summer, to give the plants time to establish themselves and prosper into a thriving and biodiverse new hedge.
The CPRE ('the Countryside Charity') has recently published its 'Hedgerow Heroes' report. Roselle Chapman, a friend of SSWCG, led the Oxfordshire contribution for Wild Oxfordshire:
‘The strength of the Oxfordshire project was in its grassroots engagement with communities, building up a whole network of people who are now inspired to care for their local hedgerows. It’s been a great partnership between Wild Oxfordshire and CPRE Oxfordshire and we hope this can be repeated in the future.’ Helen Marshall, Director CPRE Oxfordshire. You can read the full report here. For more information on CPRE Oxfordshire's Hedgerow Heroes project click here
SSWCG responded to a request from the PC for ideas on how The Park may be used in the future, and submitted a proposal for a Community Garden. The proposal was available for all to see and discuss on Saturday, 26th March, in the Village Hall. In preparation for the meeting we created a 'Frequently Asked Questions' document which you can download and read/print on the Community Gardens page. On the same page we've added a summary of the presentation and a document on the management of the gardens.
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.
worth a read
For a really inspiring read: 'I feel I've made a mark': the man who built homes for 60,000 swifts
Trees should be planted without plastic guards, says UK study
Ten ways to be more sustainable in your garden - practical advice from the RHS
UK dragonflies are benefitting from climate change. Read all about it
CPRE releases groundbreaking new research into hedgerows. Read more here
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
Jays and grey squirrels get planting! Half the trees in two new woods were planted by jays scientists find. Read more here
e-newsletter
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Previous e-Newsletter issues can be found in the archive at the foot of the sign up form.