ASHFORD GREEN CORRIDOR

Locals from all over Ashford enjoyed a week of events in August. At Leacon Road riverside sculptures were repainted by the Millennium Volunteers improving the appearance of the riverside walk. The YMCA and Stour Valley Art Trust held a Wild Art day at Watercress Fields, the children explored the river, grassland and woodland areas in the morning and took part in an art workshop in the afternoon. The day finished with the launching of their floating pieces of artwork on the river. The Kent Bat Group conducted a walk around Singleton Lake and Buxford Meadow and recorded four bat species, the daubentons bat were particularly enjoyable to watch flying acrobatically over Singleton Lake catching insects close to the water. Intrepid locals stayed up late to record moths at the site, mercury-vapour traps were used and 35 species were identified and recorded.

Dig pic: Repainting of riverside sculpture.

Young people from the Millennium Volunteers helped to clear the riverside at Queen Mothers Park of invasive Himalayan Balsam. Himalayan Balsam is recognisable with bright pink flowers and reddish bamboo like stems, it flowers until October but seeds disperse readily when ripe allowing it to spread along rivers and streams shading out native vegetation. There is plenty more work to do at Queen Mothers Park next year. If anyone wants to help please contact Rosemary.

Caption

18,000 Green Corridor leaflets were distributed throughout Ashford, the leaflet includes a map of the town showing the Local Nature Reserve as well as the overall Green Corridor and describes the habitats and wildlife that can be seen. Leaflets are available on request if one didn’t come through your door.

Reptile surveys have been taking place at Buxford Meadow, viviparous lizard and grass snake have been recorded. If anyone has any records of reptiles in Ashford please contact Rosemary. Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group are compiling records for sites throughout the county.

Slide: Grass snakes are found in the Ashford Green Corridor.

South Willesborough and Newtown Environment Group are holding a walk on the 2^nd November to discover the areas legends and folkelore surrounding local wildlife. The walk includes two Local Nature Reserve Sites, Aylesford Green and Boys Hall. There will be children’s activities and drinks after the walk. Meet at the Albion Public House, Mead Road, South Willesborough at 10.30am.

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