OXFORD WILDLIFE

NUMBER 84   NEWS   WINTER 2009



A brown long-eared bat by David Endacott

NEWS FROM BOUNDARY BROOK NATURE PARK

The big news is that after all the hard work by Alan, Peter, Terry, Mark and Karl the pond is now finished and thanks to the wet weather it is filling up all too rapidly. The bridge is now under construction and the sides are nearly ready to be installed but as the pond is now so full this may be a tricky project. When the sides are in position the walkway will then be added.
We had some interesting bird sightings at Boundary Brook recently: on 12th September a spotted flycatcher was seen as well as the sparrowhawk which is a frequent visitor. For the first time a raven was seen flying over Boundary Brook on 13th October. Previously most people have only seen them at the Tower of London but this opportunistic, omnivorous bird is increasing in much of the UK apart from Scotland. A rare sighting was a water rail which was spotted in the original pond. It is more frequently heard rather than seen and its cry sounds rather like a pig squealing. On 28th November a lesser redpoll joined the birds feeding at the large bird feeder. One most unwelcome visitor to our bird feeder is a local cat which has learnt to lie in wait under our new “bug house” shown in the last newsletter. The frequent clusters of feathers on the ground testify to its hunting skills.
There are signs that the foxes have been clearing out their home under the wildlife garden ready for the winter and next year's cubs. We had a visit from a group of Cubs - human this time - not the resident foxes who don’t dig in the required places! They came to do a task and they did a really good job clearing the beds in the Kitchen Garden. Many thanks.

Apology: the fox photo in our last issue was taken by Alan Hart not Peter Wilkinson.

EVENTS

Standing Order Form
We have had a few problems with cheque renewals and with the current postal problems we are asking people to pay by standing order if possible. We have enclosed a form for people who still pay by cheque. Also whether you pay by cash, standing order or cheque if you pay income tax we can reclaim money if you also fill in a direct debit form. Forms available from me (tel: Oxford 874487).
Pat Hartridge (Membership Secretary)

TWENTY YEARS AGO
Oxford Wildlife News Number 5: February 1990 (page 7)

TWENTY YEARS ON
Much has happened in the last 20 years. Can you spot the changes from our original plan? We now have a far greater range of habitats. Some of the changes were that the banks of spoil from the pond did not migrate so far because of expense, the fruit trees were thought to be an attraction for people to come in and scrump so we made it a bird orchard. We planted a larger woodland area and got a grant from the Forestry Commission and the flower and herb bed became the demonstration wildlife garden and kitchen garden. In addition, twenty years later we are doubling our size to include the north and east extensions. Next time you visit look at our two new notice boards to see what additional habitats that we are creating - and we still want your help!

BBOWT Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary

The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. As you probably know it is one of 47 Wildlife Trusts working across Britain to achieve the shared aim of securing a better future for wildlife. It was started in 1959 by local ecologists who could see the extent of harm being done to the wonderfully rich natural environment of the three counties. It now has more than 1,300 active volunteers and over 50,000 members. Many of you will have visited the local reserves, you will have seen there stalls at many of the events we attend and some of you will remember when OUWG started off, over 20 years ago, under their umbrella. We met in their headquarters then based at the junction of Church Cowley Road and Rose Hill. We used their postal address, they gave us advice when we started Boundary Brook Nature Park and for some time we held shared talks and other events. Gradually we became an independent group and acquired charitable status ourselves. We are very grateful for all their support in the past and wish them every success in the future.


BBOWT & OUWG: Sue Antrobus (Founding member and first Chair of OUWG) remembers:

BBOWT (or BBONT as it was then) had a large number of temporary employees through a scheme called the Manpower Services Commission (MSC). From 2, Church Cowley Road and the Littlemore Office they ran at least 4 teams that provided 6-month or a year placement. I was on the surveys and later on the management plan team. These included habitat surveys, management plans, estates team and a hospital gardens project. As you can imagine there were lots of mainly young people wanting to do something new. Urban wildlife was the in thing with urban wildlife groups springing up around the country and lots of research into the value of urban habitats and their importance to people being carried out by the then NCC . . . so we got to thinking about an urban wildlife group for Oxford. One of the leading people was Grace O' Donovan who was the team leader on the MSC scheme at the time. There was also the BBONT Oxfordshire Conservation Officer Dave Dunlop, who gave support as well as BBONT member Peter Creed. Pat Hartridge, who was behind the hospital gardening project, also got involved. There was also Malcolm Chandler, who wasn't an employee but he did a lot before the group was launched. All these people worked towards the launch of the Oxford Urban Wildlife Group. It all seems a long time ago!
 ™
Tree O’Clock on 5.12.09
We joined many groups and individuals all over the country to take part in the attempt to break the world record for the most trees planted in one hour. We would like to thank the volunteers, who had cleared the ground over the preceding weeks and Peter Wilkinson and Terry Wood who did the vital preparatory work, the previous day, putting in 150 labelled sticks to mark where the 150 trees, of 15 different types, were to go. Then on the day itself Peter, helped by Chris Lewis put out the trees in the correct place ready for planting.
Mati and Pip, our two youngest planters, and father Hugh Warwick


The proof we provided that the timing of our event was correct – a clock and a daily paper.

Everything was ready on time and, at 11am, as the whistle signalled the beginning of the hour, the 27 volunteers of all ages started planting. They were so efficient that all the trees were planted by 11.30. After admiring their handiwork we all retired for a hot drink and a chat. Some inspected the new pond which is filling rapidly and others cleaned the very mud-encrusted spades.
We’ve just heard that the Guinness World Record for the most number of trees planted at a single location was a team of volunteers at Gransha Park, Derry, Northern Ireland, who managed to plant an unbelievable 26,422 trees within the hour.

Marsh Helleborines in Hogley Bog (Lye Valley)
A letter from Judy Webb
You may have seen the article on the good work that is going on in Hogley Bog (Lye Valley) SSSI fens in the Oxford Times Country Matters section recently. Or maybe you came to my talk about the Lye Valley this autumn. Some of you may have come to help me clear wood chips from the marsh helleborine areas this spring or came back in June for a Himalayan Balsam pulling session.
If you did attend, thanks very much for your help. What you need to know is that your efforts resulted in the astounding total of over 1000 marsh helleborine flowers being counted in June 2009 (responding to the increased light from scrub removal). However even these are struggling to get to the light through dense reed growth in some areas and we know that reed cutting will enable even more numbers to flower in 2010, making a truly impressive display and a marvellous example of rare wild flower survival in a city context. Other flowers, like grass-of-Parnassus, bog pimpernel and marsh lousewort will also benefit as well.


Marsh helleborine, Hogley bog 05.07.2009
Photo: Judy Webb

It seems as though there may be some delay in Natural England achieving the grant to fund reed cutting by the City Council in the southern fen area at the bottom of some private gardens. I had hoped this could be done in December or January, but it seems it may not be possible until the end of next spring. I feel this may be too late to help the marsh helleborines in their struggle up to flower next year, so I’m wondering if you would like to join me in some manual reed cutting with shears to attempt to reduce the sedge and reed his winter? Every metre cleared will be important to the flowers, so if one person were only able to manage to clear 2 square metres, it would make a big difference. The site owners have kindly given permission for this work.

I would like to lead a group cutting reed and sedge with shears on Sunday 24th January. If we target only the reeds and sedges in the area we know marsh helleborines occur, I feel it may be a manageable task. We can leave the reeds in other areas without the marsh helleborines for the grant-funded cutting by City Council staff whenever that is possible. Cut reeds can be piled in an unimportant area where they will provide useful grass snake nest sites if they are in a damp, shaded place.

I expect to start at 1.00pm to make best use of winter sunlight and expect to stay 2 hours, but come if you can only manage an hour – any time is valuable. Meeting point is the footpath entrance on Lye Valley Road, or on the fen if you have been before. All you need is sharp shears, gloves and maybe waterproof trousers (enables kneeling in the waterlogged fen, if you find this easier on the back). Shears are the safest tools so, if you are coming, please DON’T bring anything with large long blades, such as scythes or sickles, for health and safety reasons.
Best wishes
Judy Webb
Home: (01865) 377487, Mobile: 07968395243

Shotover Wildlife
Congratulations to Shotover Wildlife which has just celebrated its 10^th Anniversary.  They are a very active group who have achieved a lot in their decade and they now have over 90 members.  Their Conservation Work Days have carried out habitat restoration in Brasenose Wood and on Shotover Hill.  Jacqueline’s teaching and the establishment of the Oxford Mossing Group have recorded bryophytes and raised awareness throughout the county. They have produced many useful publications among which are 26 wildlife leaflets which are both concise and informative.  Apart from the lively talks for both children and adults, they participate in local events, lead local walks and above all have developed a knowledgeable team skilled in recording the diverse groups of species on Shotover.  This is essential in understanding and conserving the ecology of habitats of this invaluable SSSI.

Oxford is a funny place: the moment you get to know people, they pack up and move to far-flung places from where, months later, you get forlorn invitations to visit. So it was that I found myself in York, in a trendy cinema, watching a new film called 'Creation'. It's about Charles Darwin and how he came to publish 'On the Origin of Species' in 1859. It also marks the 200th anniversary of his birth in 1809. I write about it here because we all look at wildlife through Darwin's binoculars, if you see what I mean, but what do we know of the man himself? There's a local connection too.

I can save you £7.00 by saying that your washing-up liquid makes a better film than this one. Yes, the lighting was murky, the actor playing Darwin was charmless throughout while the director threw in annoying film-school effects to stretch out a thin script. It lasted one hour and 45 minutes plus 30 minutes of adverts beforehand, but felt somewhat longer than the Bronze Age. Disappointment drove me to Headington Library, where I found a biography called 'Charles Darwin - The Power of Place' by Janet Browne (Jonathan Cape, 2002). I'll pick out the main ideas.

Firstly, was Mr Darwin the only person to write about evolution by natural selection? No, he drew on earlier thinkers such as Thomas Malthus, who said that the number of people alive in the world was more to do with the food supply than with God's plan. A younger naturalist called Alfred Russel Wallace came to the same ideas as Darwin in 1858. Wallace actually posted to him from Indonesia a short summary and asked for help in getting it published. Darwin could have burnt the letter but, as a true Victorian gentleman, he did as he was asked. The feeling of competition drove him to pull his research together into a 30-page 'abstract' but he couldn't stop writing and ended up with a book. The reason we talk about Darwin and not Wallace today is that Darwin had the methodical research to back up what he wrote. He also had the right connections in London and a persuasive style of prose.

Secondly, was Darwin hostile to religion? No, he wasn't a Richard Dawkins of the nineteenth century but a modest, painstaking man who gave up on Christianity at the age of 40 because 'it is not supported by evidence'. Despite that, he called himself agnostic rather than atheist. He clung to the belief in an after-life because he longed to meet his three dead children again. He didn't theorise how life on Earth first began because - once again - he had no evidence. One of his best friends for 30 years was a local vicar called John Brodie Innes. The two men teased each other about their different beliefs but worked happily together on charitable projects such as giving food and coal to the poor. Darwin's followers were less tolerant - but more of that later.
Thirdly, was he a professional scientist? No, he was a gentleman-amateur who had a 20-acre private estate at Downe in Kent. Downe was then a village of 500 people but now it's just inside the M25 near Bromley. The house survives and is open to the public. He and his wife Emma had 10 children in total. He had no need to work because he inherited a family fortune and could employ 12 servants. After his famous voyages aboard the survey ship 'Beagle' ended in 1836, his major pastime-cum-research method was writing letters to all types of people who could send information from all over the world. Apparently 14,000 of his letters survive. The postal system was a kind of Victorian internet. Darwin had the time and money to use it whereas Alfred Wallace had to fund his research by travelling, collecting specimens and selling them on his return to England. Poor Mr Wallace! - one time his ship sank and he came home from Brazil with nothing but a parrot.
And why is evolution called a theory but gravity (for example) a law? The difference is that evolution cannot be tested or repeated under laboratory conditions, though recent DNA analysis has confirmed many of Darwin's ideas. Gravity by contrast can be observed, measured and proven. The evidence for evolution was strong but circumstantial, and that's why Darwin worked so hard and long to make a detailed case. Perhaps this has prompted people to take shortcuts and end up with a misunderstanding. For example, the common school-book picture of a Tree of Life with humans at the top and single-cell beasties at the bottom suggests a moral, civilizing purpose in evolution. This is flattering to ourselves but wrong: the bacteria in our guts have equal pedigree. And if we could add to that Tree picture all the species which have ever lived but gone extinct plus draw the invertebrates and microbes in proportion to their numbers on Earth, the Tree would become a thicket and our space in it would be tiny. A bit less flattering by now...

The Oxford connection is a famous debate that happened in 1860 at the University Museum of Natural History, a sparkling new building at that time - you know, the one in Parks Road opposite Keble College. Darwin himself didn't go but speaking for his ideas was Thomas Huxley, a friend with a far more aggressive character. He was known as 'Darwin's bulldog'. The Bishop of Oxford took the other side. He was Samuel Wilberforce, son of William Wilberforce the anti-slavery campaigner, and nicknamed 'Soapy Sam' because nobody could corner him in an argument. The press built this up as the battle of science versus religion and both men lost their cool. The Bishop grew sarcastic and asked if Mr Huxley was descended from an ape on his grandmother or grandfather's side of the family. The bulldog replied that he'd rather have an ape for an ancestor than a mocking bishop. Nobody wins in this type of virility contest, so Mr Darwin had been very shrewd to stay at home.


Another link to Oxford came in 1870 when the University tried to award him an honorary degree. Darwin refused because he was frail and he would have to collect it in person - at that ceremony in the Sheldonian Theatre where the great and good dress up in red robes and suffer a speech in Latin. Cambridge University offered a similar degree but when Darwin collected it, naughty students in the balcony dangled a stuffed monkey above his head. Cartoonists had equal fun with him because his tall brow and big white beard (plus the monkeys) were a gift to caricature. Politicians on the make did it too - Benjamin Disraeli asked in a famous speech, 'Is man an ape or an angel? I am on the side of the angels.' Darwin hated the fuss and stayed more and more at home.
On the dark side of his life were depression, severe stomach troubles and the death of two children - Annie and Charles. On the lighter side were his snuff habit, his home-made laboratory equipment and the reactions of people who didn't know what he was working on. Servants thought he had nothing to do - why else would he stare at a flower for ten minutes or watch an ants' nest for an hour? As to the Heath Robinson devices, one experiment on plants' responses to sunlight (phototropism) involved ten clocks laid face upwards with small wooden pots fixed on the centre spindle so the plants in the pots revolved at a regular speed. Ingenious, but very odd if you happened to look in at the window. The snuff he tried to limit by keeping it locked in a cellar with the key stored on the top floor of the house, but still he took it. He also believed in hydrotherapy - bathing in spa water - for good health, bred pigeons, loved billiards and romantic novels.

Hyping up a mediocre film sells tickets, and I saw extreme comments such as 'Charles Darwin - the man who killed God' or 'the man at war with God' in adverts and reviews. This plays on the idea that when his favourite daughter died at age 10, Darwin felt bitter towards God for taking her life and so he published his book in revenge. Well, who can say? I think it's a cartoon view of a complex man and there's no evidence for it. More intriguing to me is how the right person and the right idea come together at the right time for maximum impact. That time was a new age of industry driven by scientific discovery, so why not a new way of looking at the world driven by scientific analysis? Another Charles D, Mr Dickens, was equally well-placed in history: new printing machines, cheap monthly magazines and a prolific writer ready to fill them with his latest chapters. 'A Tale of Two Cities' came out in the same year as Darwin's masterpiece and Karl Marx was publishing his ideas too. Is that match between time and talent being made today? Perhaps there's a new Darwin at work with computers somewhere now, ready to unleash an idea whose time has come. . .

On the other side of things, do Christians have to believe in the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark and more? I didn't know I had an answer until about ten years ago when I worked in Saudi Arabia and a Muslim colleague tried to convert me to Islam. He told me that at one place in Genesis it says God created the world in 5 days while at another place it says 2 days and therefore the Bible cannot be true. My Scripture lessons came back to me: the Bible is translated from Hebrew, it was written by different people at different times and parts may have been lost, so mistakes are likely. He never spoke to me again. I asked another workmate, a devout Canadian Catholic, if I'd been right. He said yes, and at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D the heads of the early Christian church decreed that the Bible is not the direct word of God. Selection and interpretation are everything. That leaves plenty of scope for puzzling over what to believe.


Charles Darwin died from heart failure in April 1882. He was 73 and said in his last words that he didn't fear death. He also praised his long-suffering wife. Although he had asked for burial in the Downe village churchyard, the family agreed to a grave in Westminster Abbey - near to Isaac Newton's in the nave if you want to find it. The story of his life would make a magnificent film but I wonder if today's directors, who learn their trade in TV adverts and pop videos, have the stamina to take it on. Meanwhile, I hope Wildlife News has given you something to ponder on a grim winter's day.

Finally, a grave-digger leaning on the churchyard gate saw a tourist approaching.
'What can you tell me about your churchyard?' asked the visitor.
'Nobody living in this village can ever be buried here,' came the answer.
'Why not?'
'They have to be dead first!'

John Gorrill

John added, “We could show the film from DVD in a future meeting so people can judge it for themselves. I hated it but at least it showed the person behind the famous name.”

Butterfly Conservation (Upper Thames Branch)

The Upper Thames Branch monitors butterflies and moths in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. This area is home to several rare species of butterfly and moth, including the Black Hairstreak (with half the UK colonies being found in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire), Adonis Blue and Striped Lychnis Moth. However, they would like any butterfly and/or moth records from members and non-members. You can obtain a record form from their website or if you haven’t access to the internet you can contact the Butterfly Records Officer: Jim Asher, 24 Fettiplace Road, Marcham, Abingdon, OX13 6PL.

Although at this time of year you are unlikely to come across many butterflies and moths, one of their research projects is to monitor the populations of the Brown Hairstreak by carrying out “Winter Egg Hunts”. If you’d like to take part in one of these join the one on Sunday 7 March in Marston Meadows led by David Redhead (see Events for other organisations).
For up-to-date news on the latest butterfly and moth sightings in Oxfordshire, Berkshire & Buckinghamshire visit their website on www.upperthames-butterflies.org.uk

Oxfordshire Recorders and Conservation Day
on 27th February 2010, 09.40 - 16.15 at County Hall, New Road, Oxford

This is an event for those with an interest in wildlife recording and wildlife conservation issues in Oxfordshire. The theme for this year's Recording and Conservation Day is Biodiversity as Indicators of Climate Change. The day will include a morning of topical talks, followed by an updating session for individuals, recording groups and organisations to report on notable sightings, events, courses and new projects. Afternoon workshops will provide an opportunity for everyone to be involved in discussions on the topic of climate change and biodiversity. The cost is 10 for students/volunteer recorders and 15 for professionals. Further details can be obtained from Gavin Bird, TVERC, gavin.bird@oxfordshire.gov.uk 01993 814110.

Members of OUWG usually attend this very interesting event although last year, sadly, it coincided with the event we'd booked at Stansfeld Field Centre so we couldn't go. We will be going this year. The day is jointly organised by Cynth Napper of ONCF, Ivan Wright of Shotover Wildlife, Camilla Lambrick of the Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire, BBOWT and Gavin Bird of Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC). We have close contacts with all of these people (some of whom also are members of OUWG) and with most of their organisations but some of you may not know much about TVERC. It is based at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock and is a 'not for profit' operation run by a partnership of organisations that collect or need to use information about the natural environment. It is one in a national network of Local Environmental Records Centres. Each year we send the results of our surveys to the Centre where they collect, collate and make available information that will help people to make sound decisions about our natural environment in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. The information is also widely used for education and research purposes. TVERC aims to hold all available information about the plants, animals, wildlife habitats and important wildlife and geological sites in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. There are many people collecting information about our natural environment and by collating all this information at TVERC, everyone can get a better picture of the status and distribution of wildlife.

Warneford Meadow Campaign
Friends of Warneford Meadow are engaged once again in raising funds to pay for legal costs. These arise from the need for representation at the hearings following Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation's (OBMH's) request for leave to apply for a Judicial Review into the Inspector's report. The report recommended that the Meadow and Orchard should be registered as a Town Green.

OBMH has been granted leave to make its application. They have now heard that the judicial review is going ahead and the High Court hearing is expected to take place in the spring. The Legal Services Commission has indicated that the community should be prepared to contribute up to £16,000 towards the legal costs incurred. £5,000 has already been pledged but they need to raise around £11,000 to pay towards legal costs.

If you would like to support the campaign, you can do so by buying FoWM merchandise, such as the beautiful bone china Warneford 'Apple Mugs' and Warneford Meadow notecards, or making a direct donation. Gift Aid will add a further 25% to the value of donations of £50 or more. Mounted prints of meadow views will be available shortly.

To find out more visit the FOWM website at: http://tinyurl.com/36z6k3
For more information contact tel: 01865 426955 or email: info@friendsofwarnefordmeadow.org.uk
Cartoon by John Gorrill

Identification courses 2010
Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire Education Group
www.anhso.org.uk

The Basic Course
Now in its ninth year, the basic course is held on six Saturday mornings from April to September. The aim is to teach the use of a dichotomous key to gain knowledge of the main families of flowering plants and to provide an understanding of technical terms and descriptions in the keys in order to identify plants. No previous experience is necessary for this course. A certificate is awarded on satisfactory completion of the course.

The basic course is for a maximum of 18 students and will usually be taught by four tutors. Tutors will be active botanists or experts in the particular botanical group that the course is covering. Each session will be a mixture of practical work and talks. We will use binocular microscopes, hand lenses and dissecting tools. There will be information on books, societies and other useful organisations. Students will be expected to do work between sessions. The course book (which students should buy) is the New Flora of the British Isles by Clive Stace, Cambridge University Press. (NB The third edition of this is expected in February 2010.)

Continuation Courses
These courses are for those who have attended the Basic Course or with a similar level of experience. Usually for 12 students maximum. Generally they use the same methods as the Basic Course with adaptations to suit the subject of study.
Use of Microscopes, Vegetative Key, Grasses, Grassland Flora and Quadrat Recording, Field Outing
The Education Group Team: Our regular tutors are Susan Erskine, Sue Helm, Jennifer Kirby, Camilla Lambrick, Alison McDonald, Caroline Pannell, Tim Waters and Frances Watkins.
Dates, Costs and Venues: Costs include coffee etc. and biscuits but bring a packed lunch for whole-day courses.

Basic Course
April 10th, May 8th, June 5th, July 3rd , August 7th, September 4th, Saturday mornings, 10.00 am to 1.00 pm at Hill End Field Studies Centre, Farmoor, Eynsham, Near Oxford. Cost £120.
Use of Microscopes January 23rd, 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. Hill End. Cost £20.
Vegetative Key March 27th, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Hill End. Cost £35.
Grasses May 22nd and June 12th, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Wytham Field Station. Cost £70.
Grassland Flora and Quadrat Recording May 31st, 10 am to 4.00 pm, Hinksey Meadows and Botley WI Hall, Cost £35
For further information on all courses phone Frances Watkins on 01865 863660 or email: frances@oxfordrareplants.org.uk

EVENTS FOR OTHER ORGANISATIONS (For contacts see next page unless otherwise listed)
DECEMBER
Saturday 26: Boxing Day Walk on Shotover, 10 – 11.30 am. Meet at Shotover car park, Headington. Join Shotover Wildlife for the traditional festive walk around Shotover to appreciate its special winter beauty. Everyone welcome! Contact: 01865 874423. Email: enquiries@shotover-wildlife.org.uk, website: www.shotover-wildlife.org.uk (SW)

JANUARY
Sunday 10: CS Lewis Nature Reserve 10.30am-4pm help to maintain paths, steps, boardwalks, to survey various species and keep the reserve litter free. Meet: Reserve entrance on Lewis Close, Risinghurst. SP 560 065. Contact: David Fordham Oxf. 400676. (FoCSLe)

Wednesday 13: Waxwings by Raymond Duncan. 7.45 pm. Stratfield Brake Sports Ground Kidlington. Contact Barry Hudson 01993 852028. (OOS)

Thursday 14: Rhythms of Life – The Body Clocks that Regulate our Lives. Professor Russell Foster explains how our internal body clock controls all aspects of our physiology and behaviour – from our sleep patterns, to our blood pressure, and even our physical strength. But what happens if we ignore our natural rhythms? 7.30pm, £3/SO Live Friends Free. (SOL)

Thursday 14: First for Britain by Phil Palmer. The history of who recorded the first species of birds on the UK list. Sandhills Primary School, Terrett Ave, Headington, opposite Thornhill Park & Ride. 7.45pm. Non-members welcome, entrance £3, Students £2. Details: Wendy Black 01491-612600. (RSPB)

Sunday 17: Ashley Walk, New Forest, Hampshire (winter visitors & residents). Contact: Stephen Alley 01608 659628. (OOS)

Sunday 17: Ouse Washes RSPB Reserve / Welney WWT Reserve, Cambridgeshire Coach 7.30am Wild swans and spectacular numbers of other wildfowl all seen in close-up. Booking: Anne Clark 01865 723868 or David Rolfe on 01993 773123. (RSPB)

Thursday 21: Restoration of Grassland Plant and Beetle Communities. Dr Ben Woodcock of CEH. 1.10pm in the Department of Plant Sciences, South Parks Road, Oxford. £1.50 voluntary donation. (RPG)

Thursday 28: Hot or Not? Dr Eleanor Weston. By drawing on examples from humans, apes and other primates, she discusses the differences between male and female faces, and the evolution of attractiveness. Why do we find some people more attractive than others? 7.30pm, £3/SO Live Friends Free. (SOL)

FEBRUARY
Thursday 4: Progress Towards a Red List of European Aquatic Plants by Richard Lansdown. 1.10pm in the Department of Plant Sciences, South Parks Road, Oxford. £1.50 voluntary donation. (RPG)

Thursday 4: Chiltern Experience by John Wyatt. John's insight into the lives of our local birds, butterflies, plants and animals will make us more aware of this AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Sandhills Primary School, Terrett Ave, Headington, opposite Thornhill Park & Ride. 7.45pm. Non-members welcome, entrance £3, Students £2. Details: Wendy Black 01491-612600. (RSPB)

Sunday 7: CS Lewis Nature Reserve 10.30am-4pm help to maintain paths, steps, boardwalks, to survey various species and to keep the reserve litter free. Meet: Reserve entrance on Lewis Close, Risinghurst. SP 560 065. Contact: David Fordham Oxf. 400676. (FoCSLe)

Wednesday 10: The Biology of the Red Quelea by Clive Elliott. 7.45 pm. Stratfield Brake Sports Ground, Kidlington. Contact: Barry Hudson 01993 852028. (OOS)

Thursday 18: Developments in European Conservation: a case study from the Rhineland by Wolfgang Ritter of BBOWT at 1.10pm in the Department of Plant Sciences, South Parks Road, Oxford. £1.50 voluntary donation. (RPG)

Sunday 21: Pulborough Brooks RSPB Reserve, W. Sussex. Coach 7.30 am. Easy paths, a variety of habitats, large hides, RSPB shop and a cafeteria! Booking: Anne Clark 01865 723868 or David Rolfe on 01993 773123. (RSPB)

Saturday 27: Recorders Conference and Conservation Day – County Hall 9.40 am - 16.15pm. This year's theme is Biodiversity as Indicators of Climate Change including topical talks, updating session for individuals, recording groups and organisations to report on notable sightings, events, courses and new projects. Afternoon workshops on climate change and biodiversity. Booking required Students/volunteer recorders £10, professionals £15. Contact Gavin Bird, TVERC, 01993 814110. gavin.bird@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Sunday 28: Bourton on the Water, Glos. (Windrush Valley, G.P.s). Field visit. Contact: Stephen Alley 01608 659628. (OOS)

MARCH
Thursday 4: The Decline of Common Juniper: a paradox in more than just name. Tim Wilkins of Plantlife International. Plantlife's lowland England Juniper Project 2009-11. 1.10pm in the Department of Plant Sciences, South Parks Road, Oxford. £1.50 voluntary donation. (RPG)
Thursday 4: Panama by Barry Oxley. A snapshot of the wildlife and its people. Barry leads tours for Naturetrek. Sandhills Primary School, Terrett Ave, Headington, opposite Thornhill Park & Ride. 7.45pm. Non-members welcome, entrance £3, Students £2. Details: Wendy Black 01491-612600. (RSPB)

Saturday 6: Rubbish Blitz at the Trap Grounds (south of Frenchay Road canal bridge, north Oxford), 10 am to 12 noon. Volunteers, please wear thick gloves and boots. Details: tel. 01865 511307. (FoTG)

Sunday 7: CS Lewis Nature Reserve 10.30am-4pm come and help to maintain paths, steps, boardwalks, to survey various species and to keep the nature reserve litter free. Meet: Reserve entrance on Lewis Close, Risinghurst. SP 560 065. Contact: David Fordham Oxford 400676. (FoCSLe)

Sunday 7: Brown Hairstreak egg hunt. Marston Meadows, Oxford. Meet at 10.30 am to 1pm at eastern end of Linton Road by entrance to Wolfson College (SP 514 083). On road parking. Please bring hand lens or magnifying glass and wear warm and waterproof clothing and footwear. Contact David Redhead 01865 772520 a day or two before as they have had to cancel this event in the past owing to flooding! (BC & NMWG)

Wednesday 10: Amphibians by Rod D'Ayala. 7.45 pm. Stratfield Brake Sports Ground, Kidlington. Contact: Barry Hudson 01993 852028. (OOS)

Friday 12: (Talk) 7.30pm, £3/Science Oxford Live Friends: Free
Saturday 13: (Exhibition) 10am–5pm, £3/Science Oxford Live Friends Free
Focus on Low Carbon Living: Science Oxford Live bring you the results of how students across the UK have been exploring how energy functions in their daily lives, and what steps can be taken to reduce energy use or be more energy-efficient. (SOL)

Sunday 14: Wilstone Reservoir (SP905134), Herts and College Lake BBOWT Reserve (SP935139), Bucks. Car 9am. Close views of wildfowl and small birds usually including Kingfisher. Booking: Anne Clark 01865 723868 or David Rolfe on 01993 773123. (RSPB)

Sunday 21 March: Bramble Blitz at the Trap Grounds (south of Frenchay Road canal bridge, north Oxford), 10 am to 4 pm. Tools provided; please wear thick gloves and boots. Details: tel. 01865 511307. (FoTG)

Tuesday 23: Annual General Meeting of The Friends of the Trap Grounds, St Margaret's Institute, Polstead Road, north Oxford, at 7.30 pm. All welcome. After a short business meeting, Diane Wilson will give an illustrated talk entitled 'Wildlife in My Garden', featuring foxes and badgers (sometimes both at once on the same slide!). (FoTG)

Sunday 28: Chadlington, Oxon. (Evenlode Valley) Field visit contact Stephen Alley 01608 659628 (OOS)

NEXT NEWSLETTER
Please send your copy for the next newsletter as soon as possible to: Janet Keene, 7 Norwood Avenue, Southmoor, Abingdon, OX13 5AD or if possible email: keene@ouwg.org.uk The final deadline is by the end of February.

OXFORD URBAN WILDLIFE GROUP Website: www.ouwg.org.uk

Don't forget that we are here to help. Please contact any member of the committee for help or advice on wildlife matters and we will attempt to help or to put you in touch with someone who can answer.
Contact numbers
Kathy Chicken: Boundary Brook Nature Park Information Oxford 770742
and Alan Hart (Warden) 07979608013
Janet Keene: Newsletter Oxford 820522
Pat Hartridge: Membership Secretary Oxford 874487
Delia Twamley: Planning Oxford 554636

CONTACTS FOR OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire (ANHSO): Lin Baldock Oxford 762951
Botanic Garden: Oxford 286690
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers 01296 330033
Butterfly Conservation (BC): David Redhead Oxford 772520
Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) Christopher Gowers Oxford 512047
Forest of Oxford: John Thompson Oxford 513528
Friends of CS Lewis Reserve (FoCSLe) 07977 980 301
Friends of Oxpens Meadow (FOM) Margaret Maden Oxford 721372
Friends of the Earth (Oxford): Jackie Walkden 07981 572629
Friends of the Trap Grounds (FoTG)
Catherine Robinson Oxford 511307
Friends of Warneford Meadow (FOWM): Oxford 426955
Local Wildlife Trust (BBOWT): Oxford 775476
New Marston Wildlife Group (NMWG): Curt Lamberth 07763-191072
Oxford City Council Countryside Service (OCCCS): countryside@oxford.gov.uk. Oxford 252236
Oxford Conservation Volunteers (OCV): Paul 07812 494164
Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum (ONCF): Oxford 407034
Oxford Ornithological Soc. (OOS): Barry Hudson 01993 852028
Oxford Tree Club (OTC): Ian Gourlay Oxford 245864
Oxfordshire Badger Group: Julia Hammett Oxford 864107
Oxfordshire Bat Group: David Endacott 01235 764832
Rare Plants Group (RPG): Sue Helm 07774205972
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB): Peter Wilkinson Oxford 452579
Science Oxford Live (SOL) St Clements: Oxford 728953
Shotover Wildlife (SW): Chair: Ivan Wright Oxford 874423
West Oxford Wildlife Group: Julia Hamer-Hunt Oxford 240904
West Oxfordshire Field Club: Anthony Florey 01993 775 020

UNIVERSITY of OXFORD – Department for Continuing Education
Further approaches to Leadership for Climate Change and Sustainability Sat 23 Jan 2010, 10.00am - 5.15pm. Fees from £44.00

The Landscapes and Habitats of Oxfordshire 10 Wednesday meetings: 20 Jan to 31 Mar 2010, 7.00-9.00pm Fees from £125. The Course will explore the landscapes and associated habitats of Oxfordshire with indoor sessions looking at geology, landscape character, habitats and species and field visits during early summer to explore these habitats in more detail.

Fossils and the History of Life: Saturday 20 OR Sunday 21 February, 9.15am - 5.15pm Fees from £54.00. Course tutor: Dr Peter Sheldon. A wide-ranging introduction to this inspiring subject for beginners. Topics include: preservation processes; how to recognise the major fossil groups; an overview of the history of life; basic principles of evolution and the fossil record; mass extinctions and evolutionary radiations; recent finds and remaining mysteries.
Field techniques for surveying vegetation: a short, stand-alone training course which is taught entirely online. For students of conservation and management wanting to improve their ability to conduct vegetation surveys. Fees from £250.
Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice: Mon 5 Apr to Fri 26 Nov 2010 for further details see : http://www.wildcru.org/courses/diploma/
The Landscapes and Habitats of Oxfordshire: 10 meetings on Wednesdays Wed 20 Jan to Wed 30 Jun 2010. 7.00-9.00pm. Fees from £125.00. The Course will explore the landscapes and associated habitats of Oxfordshire. It will include a number of indoor sessions looking at geology, landscape character, habitats and species. There will also be a number of field visits during early summer to explore these habitats in more detail.
For more information contact the Administrator, Day & Weekend Schools, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JA.
Tel 01865 - 270380 or by email: pp@conted.ox.ac.uk. Website: www.conted.ox.ac.uk.

OUWG EVENTS www.ouwg.org.uk
JANUARY
Sunday 3: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

Sunday 10: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

Sunday 17: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

Monday 18: East Oxford beneath our feet, an illustrated talk by Jane Harrison who will describe the archaeological landscapes of East Oxford from the recent past to earliest prehistory, and show how we can all become involved in learning more about them. 7-9pm. East Oxford Primary School, Union Street entrance, off Morrell Avenue (parking available inside).

Sunday 24: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

Sunday 24: Reed and sedge cutting in Hogley Bog (Lye Valley). Meet at the footpath entrance on Lye Valley Road 1.00pm or on the fen if you have been before. Bring sharp shears, gloves and maybe waterproof trousers.

Sunday 31: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

FEBRUARY
Sunday 7: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

Sunday 14: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

Monday 15: Combined General and Boundary Brook meeting. 7-9pm. East Oxford Primary School. Union Street entrance, off Morrell Avenue (parking available inside).

Saturday 20: Winter Walk around Christ Church Meadow meet outside Town Hall in St Aldate’s at 2pm. A leisurely, circular walk of less than 2 miles to look at winter wildlife.

Sunday 21: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

Sunday 28: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

MARCH
Sunday 7: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

Sunday 14: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

Saturday 20: Oxfordshire Goes Wild 2010. OUWG stall at this free event for families at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History on Parks Road. 12-4pm (see page 2 for more details).
Sunday 21: Boundary Brook Nature Park: work party between 10am and 1pm. Refreshments provided.

Sunday 28: Spring Open Day at Boundary Brook Nature Park. 2-5pm. Come to see the spring flowers in all their glory, the active frogs and, if the weather is good, there may be early butterflies. There will be guided walks, and stalls with native wild plants, cottage garden plants and seeds to attract wildlife to your garden this year as well as booklets about wildlife for sale. Children under 14 to be accompanied by an adult.

BOUNDARY BROOK NATURE PARK. Come and help us to manage the Nature Park. You can choose your task from a variety of jobs. A warm welcome guaranteed. You need not come for the whole time. Please ring on the day of the work party to ensure it has not been cancelled through bad weather etc. Contact: Alan Hart 07979608013 or Peter Wilkinson 07760 226333. There is usually someone working at Boundary Brook most days so, if you want to come at other times, find out who will be there and when by ringing Alan Hart 07979608013. We plan to have work parties every Sunday, weather permitting as there is so much to do but check before arrival.
Bus routes Cityline 4A, B or C; Stagecoach Route 3.

OXFORD URBAN WILDLIFE GROUP If you wish to contact OUWG or would like to become a member write to the editor:
Janet Keene, 7 Norwood Ave, Southmoor, Abingdon OX13 5AD or phone/fax Oxford 820522. E-mail: keene@ouwg.org.uk