|
PARISH WILDLIFE WEBSITE |
|
| I have been studying and photographing our parish wildlife for many years. |
 |
|
Rather than keeping my pictures hidden away in digital storage, I have at last, by way of my website, found a platform from which I can share them with you, and update from to time. |
|
|
I have added a little information about species and status. (Some are indeed quite rare!)
|
|
|
I hope you find the site an interesting and useful insight into the local natural history of the Parish of Stretton on Fosse. Phill Clayton |
|
|
Stretton Biodiversity Group Introduction Over the last 30 years we have lost all of our mature elm trees to Dutch Elm disease which completely changed the landscape. Following this many of the ancient hedgerows were removed and the small species-rich meadows were ploughed to make way for modern arable farming. We have now lost over 97% of this rich diverse habitat in Britain. Because we produce many of our crops in an almost aseptic monoculture, these vast areas support very little other than planted crops. There are many beneficial life forms such as fungi, plants, insects, birds and mammals that have suffered by the sheer scale of habitat loss. After much scientific research the government has decided that one way we can make a difference is through a Biodiversity Action Plan. Supported by Central, Local and Parish government, we can make a statement of how we intend to nurture and protect our essential local wildlife and habitat. We can do this not for ourselves but for all future generations to enjoy… Planting Trees in the Dairy Ground Spinney Tom, Lily and Owen Lewis planting their trees in October 2007
Parish Biodiversity Action Plan An outline Parish BAP document has been produced by the County Council (see www.warwickshire.gov.uk/biodiversity. The document outlines habitats and species which are threatened or thought of as important are identified for the Parish and actions planned to protect them. These are the areas which already have outline plans written by the County Council: HABITAT ACTION PLANS Farmland habitats Field margins Hedgerows Roadside verges Urban habitats Allotments Built environment Churchyards & cemeteries Gardens Parks & public open spaces School grounds Woodland habitats Traditional orchards Woodlands Wetland habitats Ponds, lakes & reservoirs Rivers & streams SPECIES ACTION PLANS – how to help your local wildlife Barn owl Bats Black poplar Farmland birds Great crested newt Rare bumblebees Scarce arable plants Song thrush The group is selecting the plans that are most important to the Parish and adapting them to our needs. To protect and enhance the Parish environment the group hopes to: Survey: A Biodiversity Action Plan or BAP gives us an opportunity to survey the countryside in our Parish and assess the richness of its flora! Identify: A Biodiversity Action Plan is an ideal way to identify the important and vulnerable species we have and the most valuable areas for wildlife. Restore: Even small restoration projects that everybody may take part in can make a big difference! Clearing scrub, laying a hedge, sympathetic grazing and mowing or allowing meadow to self seed every few years is a great benefit to our wildlife. Protect: By protecting existing habitat from further damage and sympathetically managing some of the neglected areas we can encourage a more diverse population of flora and fauna. For more information contact: Dave Passingham 661816 davepassingham@hotmail.com Phill Clayton 664353 phillclayton@tiscali.co.uk And to see some of the wonderful diversity we have in Stretton-on-Fosse go to the website of our local expert Phill Clayton: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/phillclayton/index.htm |
|
