1.News (April 2004)
Narroways News Archive
Volunteering on Narroways
August 21st 2004 (haycut)
September 18th 2004
and are a great way to get involved and do something practical. We usually meet at 21 St.Werburghs Park around 10.30.

Tree Planting on the embankment
The chap from Chew has said that they will definitely not plant in anything that has already started to bud.They've cleared the area by strimming down the brambles & are putting mulch mats around the base of each tree. It's written into their contract to maintain the site for three years following planting and they've promised to replace any plant failings during this time.They may come back in the summer to put RoundUp down in order to ensure the survival of the young trees against the brambles which we accept is probably necessary.
Other plantings will include Hawthorn, Holly, Hazel, Field Maple, Privet, Dog Rose, Guelder Rose, which will grow round the edges of the larger trees.They will not be watering them but we hope the resilience of the wild species and the mulching will keep most of them alive.

Tree Planting on the embankment
This will hopefully be a fine bit of habitat on our doorsteps in a few years time again.The birds and wildlife will have their home back and we'll all be able to breathe a bit better.
We have had some proper wintry weather over the last few months but it is now becoming decidedly spring like with hedges and trees starting to green up. The weather was mild enough on the evening of 4th February to tempt the local toads out of hibernation - 49 were seen on the path behind the Climbing Centre presumably heading for the Community Gardens pond.
Toads on path behind Climbing Centre
For the RSPB Garden birdwatch on 24th January we saw on Narroways 3 Blackbird, Blue tit, 2Chaffinch, Dunnock, 4 Great tit, 3 Magpie, 2 Robin, Song thrush (singing), 4 Wood pigeon, Crow, 4 Feral pigeon, Jay (Simons Grove), 3 Long-tailed-tit (in the Hollow). Other interesting birds seen over the winter have included Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Coal tit, Redwing and even a Woodcock.
There have been a few sightings, and hearings, and smellings (!) of foxes in the area. An early Red Admiral butterfly was seen on 1st February and frogspawn in the Community Gardens pond on 21st February.
Remember we produce quarterly email reports of wildlife sightings on Narroways and district. If anyone would like to be put on the mailing list or have any local wildlife sightings to report please contact us at narroways@netscape.net
Forthcoming Events
On 17th April at 4.30 a.m. (yes those birds get up early) we are meeting by the Climbing Centre for a Dawn Chorus Walk around Narroways led by our own expert, Des Bowring.
Previous dawn chorus walk
On Saturday 3rd April at 10.30 there is a clean-up morning of the area by the Chestnut tree before the Mina Rad tunnel. This is organised mainly by the Lynmouth Road allotment group but would welcome any local volunteers who would like to get rid of the dumping locally. Alongside the tree planting this patch of ground will be great for wildlife - like a mini nature area.
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Page last updated on 28th March 2004 (look out for new stuff in Autumn 2004 - all relevant information welcome)