CONSERVATION NEWS

We have a new member of staff at the Kentish Stour Countryside Project - Hanna Etherington has taken up the post of Ashford Green Corridor Officer. This is a three year post supported by English Nature through the New Opportunities Fund- wildspace!, Rail Link Countryside Initiative, Brett, Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council. Hanna will be aiming to designate the river corridors and adjacent land that is in public ownership as a Local Nature Reserve. She will also be working on all of the river corridors in Ashford for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of local people.

Hanna arrives with a degree from Anglia University and has worked previously at the Sussex Downs Conservation Board and Somerset Environmental Records Centre. She is a keen naturalist, rock climber, and ‘Buffy’ fan?!

She is hoping to involve lots of people and local groups so if you would like to contact her please contact the Project.

Woodland management for wildlife in Clowes Wood, Blean

Work started earlier this year on creating wide rides and more open areas in this important wood between Chestfield and Canterbury. English Nature and the Kentish Stour Countryside Project are helping the Forestry Commission to create improved habitat for the rare heath fritillary butterfly and other wildlife such as nightjar. Kent County Council and the RSPB are also funding the project. The Kentish Stour Countryside Project were successful with a bid to Brett Environment Trust for a sum of £30,000 towards this and other woodland projects in the Stour Valley.

Clowes Wood stands between two large areas of woodland in the Blean that have good populations of heath fritillary and by creating wide rides it is hoped that the butterfly will disperse through the wood. Work will also improve the attractiveness of the Crab and Winkle Way.

Improved bank security at Thanington Riverside

Volunteers have been busy fencing two sections of the riverbank on land owned by Brett’s by Thanington Lakes. Following last year’s flooding, parts of the riverbank have eroded. Keeping out livestock allows vegetation to grow up and this together with willow spiling work planned for the autumn should help stabilise the banks, as well as providing cover for wildlife. Project supported by the Environment Agency.

Pilgrim’s Hospice in Ashford

The Wednesday volunteers have been helping to create habitat and homes for wildlife at the Hospice. They have planted a 140 metre hedge, standard trees and thickets, and put up bird boxes. Hospice volunteers also helped out. The work is part of an overall plan, produced by the KSCP, to enhance the new grounds for wildlife. A 100m2 pond was constructed in January and a wildflower meadow sown in April. The Project is sponsored by the Rail Link Countryside Initiative.

Volunteers returned to school once again to help build a wildlife area in the extensive grounds at Hothfield Primary. Needless to say school dinners were enjoyed and reminisced by all, and Jason got into trouble with the teachers

A five year programme of hedgerow work funded by Countryside Stewardship at Perry Court Biodynamic Farm in Chartham has finally come to an end. Volunteers from KSCP, students from Hadlow College, and French Exchange volunteers have all pulled together over time to plant 1370m of mixed hedges, manage a further 430m and erect over 2km of stock fencing. Thanks to everyone who has helped out.

News from the Rail Link Countryside Initiative (RLCI)

The RLCI was set up as a scheme to distribute money available from the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. It is now in its third year and has £300,000 this year to give in grants. Projects should be related to wildlife, landscape, recreation or interpretation in the Rail Link Corridor. The Kentish Stour Countryside Project has assisted many local groups in carrying out work related to grants. For more information contact the Project or RLCI direct on 01474 337656/7, rlci@gravesham.gov.uk.

Earlier this year, teachers and parents from Littlebourne School asked KSCP for some ideas and help to enhance their nature area. As a result over 100 shrubs and climbers were planted around the edge of the grounds and a 200m woodchip path was constructed by KSCP volunteers. Pupils at the school put in the finishing touches by spreading the woodchip donated by Canterbury City Council. Future proposals include seating, interpretation and planting of woodland wildflowers.

In April KSCP spent a day helping Jumping Downs Trustee, Tony Seymour, complete 170m of stock fencing under the new Stewardship agreement for the 13 acre chalk grassland site. Volunteers proclaimed Jumping Downs (proposed as a Local Nature Reserve) as one of the best sites they had worked on, and were well rewarded with a tray of sticky buns and an early show of Lady Orchids.

Last year, through this scheme, the Project planted 1803 metres of hedge on 10 sites, created one new pond at Chislet, de-silted two ponds at Egerton and laid 105 m of hedge at Pluckley. Unfortunately, Brett Environment Trust has decided not to fund the scheme this year, and so we shall have to await decisions on other funding applications to discover if we can continue with the scheme.

The Environment Agency have been co-ordinating a Stour Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (the first in Kent) which is now out to consultation. The document attempts to address the demand for water in catchments whilst maintaining adequate flows in the river. Jon Shelton is a member of the Stakeholder Group that has overseen the Strategy. There will be a Public Presentation of the Stour CAMS Consultation Document on Wednesday 24 July at 7.00pm at Canterbury Cathedral Education Centre. For further information contact Sarah Norton at the Environment Agency on 01732 223110 or cams.kent@environment-agency.gov.uk

Survey information has now been gathered for this site, owned by the Charing Playing Fields Association. A surprising amount of uncommon and rare wildlife has been found on what is a relatively small site (6.5 acres). Notable and red data book beetles, a fly recorded in the county for the first time, two scarce plants, and an incredibly large number of small mammals, have all been recorded. A Management Plan is now being written. The survey was funded by the Rail Link Countryside Initiative.

The KSCP has overseen a Woodland Grant Scheme application in Brabourne that has resulted in the planting of new native woodland.

The Friend’s are a group of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to the care and conservation of King’s wood, Challock. If you would like to join or help support the Friend’s please contact Pam Cadenhead 01233 740703

The Friend’s are running a programme of events for the summer that are open to all;

Guided nightjar walk – 7^th July 8.30pm main car park £3@

Guided butterfly walk – 28^th July 10.30am main car park £3@

Practical habitat creation day – 4^th August 10.30am main car park, free

Teddy Bears’ picnic – 10^th August 12pm main car park £3@

Guided deer trail – 20^th October 9.30am main car park £3@

Kentish Stour Countryside Project
Sidelands Farm, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5DQ
01233 813307
kentishstour@kent.gov.uk