Ventnor Blog

We weren’t able to make it over the water this morning, but TV star and lover of all things wild and furry, Chris Packham was on location in Southampton ready and willing to help launch Red Squirrel Week which kicks off tomorrow.

Red Funnel have got involved with the Red Squirrel Trust and The Wight Squirrel Project in support of Red Squirrel Week 2008 which we’re told aims to promote awareness of the plight of this rare indigenous species.

As you can see from the photo, dear Chris was joined by a huge and rather fluffy red squirrel this morning at the Red Funnel terminal.

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Thinking that your place is a bit messy and needs a tidy up?

You ain’t got nuffin’ to worry about mate, judging by a collection of extraordinary photos that we came across. (Yes, that is a bedroom in the photo on the left!)

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The Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends Society have arranged for this popular annual event to take place during the summer holidays.

The meeting will start outside the Visitor Centre at the garden on Tuesday during Carnival week.

Graham Street from the Isle of Wight Bat Hospital is extremely knowledgeable about, and dedicated to, the welfare of these delightful little mammals.

He begins the evening with a fascinating talk about their habits and habitat, explaining their importance to us and the dangers to them.

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Good to read in the Portsmouth News today that according to wildlife film-maker Sir David Attenborough, Hampshire (and that includes the Isle of Wight) is set to become a potential butterfly paradise.

It’s all part of a plan to rebuild the butterfly populations and put a stop to the decline of Britain’s butterflies. As well as Hampshire, there are another 19 areas in the country which will be doing the same

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Whilst we were roaming around the recent Isle of Wight Festival we were drawn to a tent bearing the name ‘Give Bees a Chance’.

We’d heard that a couple of Bees were asking for a second chance that weekend, so we made our way into the tent to chat with the lovely Sam from Gift to Nature to find out more. (more…)

Last Friday morning, legendary designers Gerardine and Wayne Hemingway were to be found at the Totland Parish Council offices. An unlikely place perhaps, but the reason for their presence on the Wight will soon become clear.

Inside the buzzy Parish Council offices a meeting was taking place to discuss the regeneration of some open spaces in Totland. Sat around the table were representatives from the IW Council, the Parish Council, public artists - Ecclestone George, Craig Antony Ratcliffe Gardens and Kate Sanger (furniture maker).
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There’s a great story on the BBC today about a lady who got more than she bargained for when she bought a souvenir from her hols on the Isle of Wight.

Bexhill, chicken breeder, Gillian Stone, chanced her luck on three emu eggs, which she incubated when she got home. Two were infertile, but much to her delight one of them hatched and she now has a gorgeous fluffy emu running around the house.

Read the article in full and watch the video - boy that Emu’s cute!

You might’ve heard the news that as part of the Bestival bandstand at the forthcoming Big Green Picnic, The Bees will be gracing the stage and providing some quality entertainment for green loving punters (more details to follow later).

But, we bet you didn’t expect 20,000 of them.

We noticed on the Virtual Ranger’s blog yesterday, that a swarm of bees have set up home at County Hall and are causing a bit of a stir. Being a man of multi-media capabilities, he managed to capture the beauty of the bees on film (video after the jump)
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Thanks to David Mears, The South Wight Warden for reminding us of this very interesting walk coming up on Sunday. If you’ve had enough of the jazz by then, escape to the Downs and learn a few things you didn’t know about the goats. Ed

For those people who are interested in learning more about the goats and the management of the chalk downland above Ventnor, I will be leading a guided walk that starts at 1:30pm on Sunday 13th April 2008.

The meeting point is the Dakota Memorial Car Park (on Wroxall Down, St Boniface Down, Littleton Down, etc, depending on who you speak to) which is just before the Radar Station (SZ565785).
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Some great news in from our friends over at Goodleaf Tree Climbing who are doing their bit to help protect the beautiful red squirrel on the Wight.

They have joined forces with the Wight Squirrel Project to ensure that red squirrels on the outskirts of Ryde are being fed on a regular basis.

Abigail from Goodleaf tells us that Russell Page had fed the squirrels since 1996 when the rope crossing across Calthorpe Road, Pondwell was put up, but has had to recently relinquish his duties due to injury. (more…)

Just heard on IW Radio of the mystery oil spill that has affected wildlife between Grange Chine and St Catherine’s Point.

According to the IW County Press, the Environment Agency, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the IW Council have been working together to find out the extent of the pollution and the source. As of yesterday, around 60 birds had died and some were being cleaned and cared for at the RSPCA centre in Sandford. (more…)

This Saturday over in Freshwater, The League Against Cruel Sports will be putting on a day of wildlife education, looking at newts, badgers, bats, ferrets and many other animals.

It’s all happening over at Freshwater Memorial Hall and the programme starts at 11am (doors open at 10.30).

There’ll be an update on the League’s snaring campaign, the Bat Man will be talking about work going on at the Bat Hospital and bats in general around the Island. Learn about the newt conservation project and hear a talk from the RSPCA’s local inspector.

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Whilst catching up on some reading over at NatureNet’s excellent Rangers Blog, I came across a wonderful story about a shrew being found inside Ruth D’Alessandro, The Wildlife Gardner’s fridge.

When Ruth realised that something had been at her mussels, it didn’t take long to discover who the culprit was.

It’s a great read and has a happy ending, albeit with lots of disinfectant and an upset tummy for one.

As part of the Ventnor 2007 survey that is in full swing at the moment, a discussion was started on the forum a couple of weeks ago.

One suggestion to come out of the survey was to tidy up and enhance the FlowersBrook area. Forum member, Matthew Chatfield who is also Parks & Countryside Manager for the IW Council came on at the end of last week and posted this message …
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Starting yesterday and running every Wednesday (1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th August) throughout the school holidays, kids between 7 and 16 years old can learn to fly one of Appuldurcombe’s trained birds.

The day starts at 11am and finishes at around 4pm with a one hour break for lunch (bring your own as this is not included).

Pre-booking is essential and kids must attend with an adult.

Call them on 852484 to book or check out their website for more info.

Thanks to Mark for making us aware of this great event for the kids.

Very many thanks to David Mears, the National Trust South Wight Warden for breaking this news on the forum last Friday - haven’t had a chance to put it up until today. Here it is for those of you who missed it on the forum last week.

With the warmer weather, longer days and the plants starting to grow again there can be nothing more pleasant than a stroll in the countryside with your faithful companion. As you walk along the footpath your companion charges around with a happy smile, wagging tail and tongue hanging out. Every so often a small inconspicuous bird takes to the air and then another. But wait….

Why have they taken to the air? More often than not these birds are either Meadow Pipits or Skylarks, both of which nest on the ground. Sensing that a predator is near they have run away from their nest and taken flight to distract the would-be egg eater. It is not so bad if the disturbance is just once, but when it is regular the parents could quite easily abandon the nest.

To help prevent this happening the National Trust is encouraging people to keep to established paths and keep their dogs under close control this spring and summer on the Ventnor Downs and Easton Field in Freshwater Bay. The two main areas where this restriction is in place on the Ventnor Downs are Luccombe Down and the eastern end of Wroxall Down from Bridleway V8. By minimising disturbance to the birds you can help them to have a successful breeding year.

This restriction will be in place from the 1st March through to the 31st July which is the main part of the breeding season, although the Skylarks and Meadow Pipits may be bringing up the family well into August. This is the third year that we have asked people to respect the nesting birds and so far the results have been positive.

David Mears, South Wight Warden said, “Although the birds can nest anywhere on the downs, by taking these positive steps and with the co-operation of the local dog walkers I feel we can really improve the chances for breeding birds whilst still enabling people to walk their dogs and enjoy the wonderful open countryside. Being the owner of two young Springer Spaniels I realise that your dog likes to run free, but I do ask that if you can’t keep your dog under close control in these areas then please keep it on a short lead.”

One question often raised is regarding the cattle and ponies trampling nests. David answered this “Although there is a possibility of nest trampling by livestock or people, this is very rare. The greatest problem is disturbance”.

The National Trust will be once again monitoring the success of breeding birds on the Ventnor Downs to assess the effectiveness of this approach to visitor management.

[Meadow Pipit image courtesy of The Natural Stone and Ventnor Downs Image courtesy of Joe Cornish, NTPL]

If you’re not working on Thursday this week and looking for some inspiration in your life, pop yourself down to Steephill Cove and you’ll be in for a treat.

Island 2000 have organised an event where artists will create humongous sand sculptures of the threatened wall lizards. The public can have a go too, so bring your bucket and spade.

There’ll be a talk afterwards at the Botanic Gardens about our cold-blooded friends who are diminishing in numbers.

Doing a quick google on sand sculptures bought up some amazing examples, what incredible talent! Yes, that sculpture on the left is made entirely of sand.