HART is organising a visit to Fenn’s and Whixall Moss National Nature Reserve, a very large raised bog on the England/Wales border about 5 miles north of Wem, Shropshire. This is a fantastic site with a wide range of wildlife. Reptiles present, which we hope to see, include Adder, Common Lizard and Slow-worm. There are also rare invertebrates such as the impressive Raft Spider, plus many birds and a specialised flora. It is the southernmost location in Britain for the White-faced Darter, a strikingly coloured dragonfly mainly associated with the Scottish Highlands; these should be on the wing at the time of our visit.

The walk will be led by local volunteer Stephen Barlow. Some of his photos taken on the Moss can be seen here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/steb1/albums/72157653639584689

Bring: Appropriate footwear for walking on rough and damp ground, waterproofs and suitable clothing depending on the weather. Sun cream and a hat. Insect repellent is highly recommended as biting insects can be troublesome. Bring a packed lunch, snacks and enough to drink as it will be a long day including travel. A camera and binoculars will also be useful.

Contact: Please contact HART to let us know if you are interested in coming or if you have any questions. Email  editor@herefordhart.org

Distance from Hereford is about 72 miles so allow plenty of time for travel. It would be good for people to car-share if possible.

HART welcomes you to enjoy this lovely pool in its woodland setting and search for the aquatic wildlife. Bring a picnic and HART will bring the dipping nets.

This landscape was  partly restored through a recent project collaboration of HART and the National Trust.

For more information about The Grove Pool go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brockhampton-estate

Parking:
There is parking  just off the A44, signposted to The Live and Let Live Pub on Bringsty Common. This small car park is off the road at SO698550.  Also parking in lay-by, opposite side of A44 from the above car park, at SO697550.

The pond and shelter are approximately 3/4 mile from the car park areas.  Walk across road (if on Car park pub side A44 ) & continue following track down hill toward Brockhampton woodland.  Will eventually go through a steel gate at bottom of Bringsty Common  descending into a  grazing field,  follow  this track downhill through field.  (Please note there are usually cattle in this field.) There is a stock gate for a track, located along the stone wall on the edge of the Brockhampton Estate woodland, and this track leads through the woodland to the Grove Pool and Shelter.  Pool location SO694555

Will have HART members  directing on the route.

It is recommended people park in the car park or lay by but please do not block the entrance and track on to the common as locals need this access to houses.

Bring a picnic and drinks.

Wear suitable clothing for exploring near water (wellies).  It is however  forecast to be hot and sunny so  be prepared  for strong sun with sun block, hat and cold drinks.  It is fairly shaded within the pool woodland setting and there is also a spacious wooden shelter with benches and tables to get out of the heat.

Children must be accompanied with parents or guardians.

HART will be having a stand at the Herefordshire Country Fair.  We would very much appreciate some help - so if you could give an hour or so to help on a stand please email editor@herefordhart.org

For more details about the Fair visit their web page www.herefordshirecountryfair.co.uk

David Hutton, Project Manager d.hutton@herefordshirewt.co.uk
Our new Heritage Lottery and Kingspan funded project in partnership with the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust has started its Development Stage. During this stage preliminary surveys, consultations with public and private landowners together with further prioritisation and selection of ponds will take place. Successful completion of this by August 2019 is necessary in order to secure funding for a further two-year Delivery Stage.

Project Manager David Hutton has been appointed (from end November 2018) and Beth Andrew, the Project Officer for the geology aspects, has been appointed by EHT. David will have overall responsibility for the project, based at the HWT in Queenswood, reporting to Andrew Nixon. Ecology Consultants have been appointed too: HART’s Will Watson and Giles King-Salter.

If you are interested in joining the project, either with an ecology or a geology interest, or both, there are plenty of volunteering opportunities, and training courses will be provided from March onwards (see below). We will be surveying ponds along the areas either side of the River Wye West of Hereford where many ponds were created at the end of the last Ice Age (20,000 –15,000mya). Another area is in North West Herefordshire (Pembridge, Kington) where there is a lot of hummocky moraine left at the end of the Ice Age where ponds could have formed.

Not all ponds there today would be of this age – the aims of the surveying will be to identify both the wildlife species found in the ponds, and the form and origin of the ponds using geological techniques to analyse the soil and sediments around the ponds.

A chance to learn about the fascinating world of Ice Age Ponds, how they were formed, their wildlife and geological origins, and how we can help to conserve them for future generations. Learn why they are so special and how to identify the wildlife that can be found.

Morning Indoor Session

• Introduction to the Ice Age in Herefordshire and the landforms it left behind
• Introduction to Pond Ecology
• Introduction to field survey techniques for Ecology and for Geology

Afternoon Session

• Practical demonstration and chance to have a go at doing Geological recording, soil core samples using augers, GPS recording of water levels and water quality testing.
• Practical demonstration of Ecological recording techniques, habitat mapping, dipping for invertebrates.
• Training in the use of GPS, Water quality meters etc will be given.

Training lasts from 10.00am – 4.00pm and all equipment, plus hot drinks and biscuits will be provided. You will need to bring suitable outdoor clothing and a packed lunch.
These training sessions are all free but places are limited and booking is essential.
To book your place or find out more details please contact David on 01432 356872 or e-mail d.hutton@herefordshirewt.co.uk

A chance to learn about the fascinating world of Ice Age Ponds, how they were formed, their wildlife and geological origins, and how we can help to conserve them for future generations. Learn why they are so special and how to identify the wildlife that can be found.

Morning Indoor Session

• Introduction to the Ice Age in Herefordshire and the landforms it left behind
• Introduction to Pond Ecology
• Introduction to field survey techniques for Ecology and for Geology

Afternoon Session

• Practical demonstration and chance to have a go at doing Geological recording, soil core samples using augers, GPS recording of water levels and water quality testing.
• Practical demonstration of Ecological recording techniques, habitat mapping, dipping for invertebrates.
• Training in the use of GPS, Water quality meters etc will be given.

Training lasts from 10.00am – 4.00pm and all equipment, plus hot drinks and biscuits will be provided. You will need to bring suitable outdoor clothing and a packed lunch.
These training sessions are all free but places are limited and booking is essential.
To book your place or find out more details please contact David on 01432 356872 or e-mail d.hutton@herefordshirewt.co.uk

A chance to learn about the fascinating world of Ice Age Ponds, how they were formed, their wildlife and geological origins, and how we can help to conserve them for future generations. Learn why they are so special and how to identify the wildlife that can be found.

Morning Indoor Session

• Introduction to the Ice Age in Herefordshire and the landforms it left behind
• Introduction to Pond Ecology
• Introduction to field survey techniques for Ecology and for Geology

Afternoon Session

• Practical demonstration and chance to have a go at doing Geological recording, soil core samples using augers, GPS recording of water levels and water quality testing.
• Practical demonstration of Ecological recording techniques, habitat mapping, dipping for invertebrates.
• Training in the use of GPS, Water quality meters etc will be given.

Training lasts from 10.00am – 4.00pm and all equipment, plus hot drinks and biscuits will be provided. You will need to bring suitable outdoor clothing and a packed lunch.
These training sessions are all free but places are limited and booking is essential.
To book your place or find out more details please contact David on 01432 356872 or e-mail d.hutton@herefordshirewt.co.uk

A chance to learn about the fascinating world of Ice Age Ponds, how they were formed, their wildlife and geological origins, and how we can help to conserve them for future generations. Learn why they are so special and how to identify the wildlife that can be found.

Morning Indoor Session

• Introduction to the Ice Age in Herefordshire and the landforms it left behind
• Introduction to Pond Ecology
• Introduction to field survey techniques for Ecology and for Geology

Afternoon Session

• Practical demonstration and chance to have a go at doing Geological recording, soil core samples using augers, GPS recording of water levels and water quality testing.
• Practical demonstration of Ecological recording techniques, habitat mapping, dipping for invertebrates.
• Training in the use of GPS, Water quality meters etc will be given.

Training lasts from 10.00am – 4.00pm and all equipment, plus hot drinks and biscuits will be provided. You will need to bring suitable outdoor clothing and a packed lunch.
These training sessions are all free but places are limited and booking is essential.
To book your place or find out more details please contact David on 01432 356872 or e-mail d.hutton@herefordshirewt.co.uk