1.News (January 2002)
Narroways News Archive
We're in the depths of winter; some days so gloomy that you cannot turn the lights off. Still, there have also been some of those sharp bright frosty days that are so attractive for us and so life-threatening for the garden birds which throw themselves on the mercy of the bird feeders.

Frosty Church Field
In November Des and Lincoln organised some small mammal trapping on Narroways so we could start to find out what lives on the hill. Baited traps are put down then checked a few hours later and any creatures caught are released unharmed. Well, there are definitely Woodmice - we caught 2 on the 10th and another 7 on the 11th November 2001. Coincidentally I also disturbed 2 woodmice sheltering under carpet on an allotment nearby. We will try again in the spring and see if we can find any voles or shrews. Des and Lincoln saw a large Red Fox in the hollow when putting down traps on the 9th November. I saw a Grey Squirrel by the Church Field and Boiling Wells in November.
There have been numerous sightings of the once elusive Jay around the trees and bushes this winter and another Green Woodpecker was seen in Simon's Grove on the 8th December 2001. On one of the coldest days I saw 3 Redwings flocking with Blackbirds above the tunnel. A Sparrowhawk flew above the Severn Beach embankment on 2nd January and a female Blackcap was feeding in the Ivy on a garden wall by the Church Field. There was another Meadow Pipit on the grassy hill on the 4th November.

I have been working on the Interpretation Boards with Landmark for the past couple of months and with the help of Steve and a group of environmental students at Edinburgh University I think we have now produced 3 very informative and attractive boards which will also go in place next month.
Naomi has been active in liasing over the artwork we will place on the hill. In the end we are working with Julian Warren who came up with a great looking design which will be a metal bench incorporating themes of the railway track and local wildlife. It may also incorporate names of people important locally.
We are getting help from British Trust for Conservation Volunteers to do some major bramble control in February/March. They will also be involved in plans to manage the Ash wood to make it even better for wildlife
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Page last updated on 13th January 2002 (look out for new stuff in March - all relevant information welcome. Don't forget St.Werburgh's day is the 3rd February.)