Mid Herts Local Group
News and events: April 2015-September 2015
Welcome to our Spring/Summer newsletter and events sheet
Redlist Revival - Restoring farmland birds
In October farmer Edward Darling, Chief Executive of
Redlist Revival Group and custodian of Greys Farm near
Therfield, talked about his vision for the future and how
his farm is focussing on the continued survival of our
This approach demands considerable goodwill and compromise, but creates benefits that make the farm a wonderful
place to work. We were shown field margins planted with
wild flowers and mixed hedgerow that is cut by hand in alternating 30m lengths each May. Grass margins border the
richly fruiting hedges creating yet another crucial
farmland birds. His team is dedicated to the
environment to help nature thrive. We were
recovery of ten red listed species; grey
fortunate to see hares and grey partridge
partridge, lapwing, turtle dove, skylark,
amongst the stubble fields and a gather-
yellow wagtail, starling, tree sparrow,
ing of yellowhammers. Something quite
linnet, yellow hammer, corn bunting.
unique to this farm is that Edward and
Edward encourages wildlife on the
the team have more than100 birdfeed-
farm by providing suitable habitats
ers that are kept filled with additional
from arable crop fields to rough
seeds. Paul fills them with between
grassland field margins and flower
ten and twelve tonne of seed per year,
meadows. He warns us that if we do
quite a task and costly too, but obviously
not slow present rates of decline we are
well worth the effort. There are also six barn
going to start losing birds that up until now
owl boxes and tree sparrow nest boxes too. This
we have taken for granted! Present statistics reveal we have only 20 chances (20 springs and winters) left
to reverse this trend before the unimaginable prospect of
a walk in the British Countryside without the company of
such creatures could become a reality.
In January our group was guided rounded Greys Farm by
Paul and Brenda Wittey who gave a wonderful insight on
how the farm is managed for nature.
is an uplifting and very successful piece of conservation
in progress and we hope that Edward’s desire to share it
with other like-minded farmers bears fruit in the future and
plays its part in slowing the decline of farmland birds.
Edward and his team are truly inspirational farmers and conservationists who support the Wildlife Trust and link in with
our Conservation Manager Tim Hill.
▲Photo: Grey partridge, courtesy Brenda Wittey
Save the date...

Mid Herts Local Group AGM, Wednesday 1st July
Come along for an evening at lovely Lemsford Springs

The Future of our wildlife, Tuesday 22nd September
A chance to hear the future plans for the Trust, with Lesley Davies, Chief Executive
Lesley Davies, Chief Executive
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
PTO for more information and our full events programme - we look forward to seeing you soon!
hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/mhlg
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Mid Herts Local Group Events:
April 2015 - September 2015
Venue for all evening events (no booking required): Howlands Baptist Church,
The Commons, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 4RS adjacent to Commonswood School.
Donations: £3 at indoor (including coffee) and outdoor meetings unless otherwise stated.
Contact: Neale Holmes-Smith 01707 324313 or Penny Fanthorpe 07761 712245 email
[email protected] Families welcome.
Saturday 25th April: Spring birds and birdsong
Join the Sherrardspark Wood wardens to enjoy the magnificent sights and sounds of our birds in spring time. Walks
start from the Pentley Park entrance to Sherrardspark Wood, near Templewood School, Welwyn Garden City at
9.00am. No booking required
Tuesday 5th May: Nightingale serenade at Paxton Pits
Join the Friends of Paxton Pits for their ‘Nightingale walks for all’. Walk starts at 7.30pm from the visitor centre. Travel
on A1M north and take exit to St Neots and Little Paxton. The reserve is signposted from the outskirts of Little Paxton.
£2.50 to Friends of Paxton Pits on the night. Booking with Penny 07761 712245 or email
[email protected]
Sunday 17th May: Lemsford Springs multi-activity morning
River dip for life below the waterline then seek out birdlife above. Meet at 10.00am at reserve entrance. From A1(M)
J4 take B197 north through Stanborough. Turn left at roundabout and park in cul de sac named Lemsford Village.
Please wear wellingtons and bring binoculars. All other equipment provided. Bring own refreshments (bacterial handwash available) No booking required
Saturday 20th June: Greys Farm wildflower meadows
A visit to Edward Darling’s farm - a national award winning wildlife site nr Therfield at a prime time for its wildflowers,
birds and butterflies. Meet at 10.00am. Turn right off A505 onto Baldock Rd nr Royston at MacDonalds roundabout.
Then take 1st right up the hill ( signposted Therfield ) then left at signpost for Greys Farm.
Booking essential as places limited with Vicky - [email protected] or 01707 390064
Wednesday 1st July: Mid Herts Local Group AGM at Lemsford Springs
Explore the reserve at leisure from 7.00pm with the AGM at 7.45pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy the company of other
wildlife enthusiasts following the formal proceedings. From A1(M) J4 take B197 north through Stanborough. Turn left
at roundabout and park in cul de sac named Lemsford Village
No booking required
Sunday 12th July: Butterfly bonanza at Aldbury Nowers
This HMWT reserve on the Chiltern escarpment adjoins the Ridgeway National Trail and the Vale of Aylesbury. It is one
of Hertfordshire's richest butterfly habitats, home to over 30 species.
From Tring town centre head east on Station Road to Tring Station and Aldbury. Just beyond the railway bridge turn left
onto Northfield Road. Park in the small layby on the right at HP23 5QW. Meet at 10.00am at reserve entrance - a five
minute walk along the track opposite the layby. No booking required
Sunday 13th September: Visit to Oughtonhead Common, Hitchin
Oughtonhead is one of the larger fen woodlands in Hertfordshire. The site has a rich array of wildlife including over 200
different types of plant, many species of birds, over 20 species of butterfly, various dragonflies, moths and other insects, frogs toads and newts and some mammals. Meet at 10.00am in the Swinburne Avenue playing fields car park.
Oughtonhead Common is situated west of the A600 between Hitchin and Ickleford (O/S 166: TL 170 303) SG5 3RP.
Booking essential. Book online at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on
Tuesday 22nd September: The Future of our wildlife - Lesley Davies, Chief Executive, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
Trust Chief Executive, Lesley Davies, will give a presentation entitled The Future of our wildlife and vision for Herts and
Middlesex Wildlife Trust. A chance to be hear the future plans for the Trust. 8pm Howlands Baptist Church,
The Commons, Welwyn Garden City. No booking required
hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/mhlg
Protecting Wildlife for the Future