The Blog @ Shropshire Wildlife Trust

April is the month to stop any large scale changes to your wildlife area, such as pond creation or clearance; hold off any tree planting until Autumn, and certainly delay any removal of trees for a while, as Spring really gets underway. Take the class out and look for the first dates of Hawthorn blossom (it’s beautiful and smells very sweet). Traditionally called “May” (due to it’s flowering time), it gives rise to the traditional saying of “Cast not a clout ’til May is out”. It doesn’t mean “don’t hit anyone until June!” as someone once told me; rather “don’t take off any of your winter clothes until the May blossom appears”.

Hawthorn blossom usually heralds the onset of summer, the end of frosts and cold winds. Unfortunately, in these days of changeable climate, May blossom is appearing earlier and earlier- click here to see this year’s records on the nature’s calender website. The first May blossom spotted was on the 21st March! Are we going to have to change the name of this attractive flower?

Towards the end of April, look out for the first dragonflies of the year. The Common Blue and Large Red Damselflies are the first to appear, followed swiftly by larger species such as the Broad-Bodied Chaser. Take part in a national dragonfly survey with the British Dragonfly Society by clicking here.

Our summer migrants are due to appear - look to the skies for returning swifts, sand martins and swallows and listen out for chiff chaffs. All these birds have flown incredible distances from southern Europe and Africa. They’ll be with us now until September, when their breeding season ends and they head south once more.

There’s less to do now that Spring is well underway, just keep on top of little jobs like path clearance, maintain Forest School basecamps and vegetable gardens, but above all, get outside and explore.

We’ve just taken delivery of an exciting new book in our shop. Called “The Wildlife of Britain - The Definitive Visual Guide”, it takes you on an exciting pictorial journey across our varied landscape and habitats. It’s a beautiful book, too heavy to take out in the field with you, but perfect to dip into on a rainy summer’s afternoon, as I’m doing today.

I’ve used my copy many times, to check the names of strange fungi I’ve spotted; to find out what that strange bird was on my bird table and to plan my trip to the coast later this year.

It may sound like a cliche, but it really is a treasure trove of ideas and information. If it doesn’t make you want to go out for a walk in the countryside, then I don’t know what will.

Here’s a resource that gives you a local perspective on the vast subject of geology and earth science. Shropshire Rocks was created by our very own Liz Etheridge, a very inspiring geologist who has a knack of explaining the most complicated ideas in a straightforward, engaging way.

We suggest you use this site in a number of ways. The best way is to sit down with a cup of tea and just enjoy exploring and reading about Shropshire’s geology, starting with Planet Earth, A Beginner’s Guide.

We hope that you may find it useful in planning some lessons - it could be a useful starting point in finding the rock type in your area and how this affects the soil, plants and wildlife.

It’s a really nice looking website; use the animated time slider at the top of each page to find out what was happening in Shropshire many millions of years ago, we think you’ll be surprised.

A lovely part of the site is the “What’s My Rock” section. Find yourself a pet rock and find out its real name by following a simple, animated key.

Liz is sadly no longer working for us at SWT, but is still very much a part of the team- even from her new base in Norfolk! If you have any questions about the geology of Shropshire, please email them to the education team sarab(at)shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk, and we’ll pass them on to Liz for a definitive answer!

We’ve just finished writing to all the applicants for this summer’s work experience programme. We’re now fully booked and it was encouraging to see so many keen 14-18 year olds writing to us, telling us that they plan to work in conservation when they’re older.

But, do you know what? Anyone passionate enough about countryside, wildlife and community can work in conservation and you don’t have to wait until those magic two weeks of the year, when school officially runs its work experience time table.

I met a Year 10 student today (who shall remain nameless to spare his blushes), who was so disappointed that he didn’t get onto the official work experience programme, that he turned up at the offices asking for any opportunity to come and work for us.

We will bend over backwards to help people like him, as these are clearly the next generation of people who genuinely care about our wildlife- we look forward to welcoming him as a valued volunteer over the coming weeks. Who knows, he could end up a full time member of staff.

So, just in case you know of anyone in your class or community who really loves wildlife, but doesn’t know how to get a foot on the career ladder, here are a few ways you can get involved with us here at the Trust.

1. Ask about the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme at school- we have students volunteering for us as part of their Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Speak to Kate Purslow on 01743 284280.

2. If you are 16 or older, you can help out on our regular conservation work parties. They even run at weekends.

Speak to John Powell or Carl Pickup on the Reserves team for more information: 01743 284280, or email johnp(at)shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

3. Volunteer for us during the summer holidays or at weekends. We always need help at special events, in the office or out on reserves. What better way to get a feel for life at the Wildlife Trust! 01743 284280.

4. Get involved with our Viva Veolia Youth project on The Ercall, Wellington. This project has been set up to give a helping hand to young people considering a career in conservation. Contact Stuart Jones on 01743 284285 or email stuartj(at)shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

5. Become a volunteer warden of a nature reserve. Become our “eyes and ears” by paying regular visits to your local reserve and monitor the wildlife there. Let us know of any management issues and help out with local special events.

01743 284280, or email carlp(at)shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

6. If you are 18 and above, you could consider helping our education team. We need people to help develop exciting resources for children and community groups. Do you feel creative? Speak to Sara Bellis 01743 284284 or email sarab(at)shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

We always want to hear from you- so please champion the young wildlife enthusiast in your community or school, and get them in touch with us.

(By the way, we’ve not gone funny and lost the ability to use the @ symbol in our email addresses, we use (at), to avoid being picked up by spam accounts!)

Here’s another event you can get involved with at half term.

National Nest Box Week is an annual event, designed to get you and your garden birds ready for spring.

Come along to Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s HQ at Abbey Foregate in Shrewsbury, on Wednesday 13th February for workshops at 10.30am and 11.30am, and make your own nest box.

Booking is essential (as we don’t have hundreds of boxes), but you are more than welcome to come along at any time between 10am and 4.30pm and meet Wildlife Trust staff, plus the famous sparrows in our wildlife garden!

We’ve found some interesting resources, free to download -Click here for a free information pack from the British Trust for Ornithology

If you would like to make a bird box, it will cost just £5 for the whole family, and we’ll give you all the advice you’ll

need on putting it up, watching birds and maintaining your nest boxes all year round.

If you would like any more information, please call Kate in reception, on 01743 284280,

or Sara (Education) on 01743 284284.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there!