Welcome
to the Cam Valley Wildlife Group
Cam
Valley Wildlife Group is an independent, volunteer-run, wildlife
group based around Midsomer Norton and Radstock. The area
covers the towns and villages of Cameley, Camerton, Carlingcott,
Chelwood, Chewton Mendip, Chilcompton, Clapton, Clutton, Coleford,
Combe Hay, Dunkerton, Emborough, Farmborough, Farrington Gurney,
Faulkland, Foxcote, Hallatrow, Haydon, High Littleton, Hinton
Blewett, Hinton Charterhouse, Holcombe, Kilmersdon, Litton,
Midford, Midsomer Norton, Norton St Philip, Paulton, Peasedown
St John, Priston, Radford, Radstock, Shoscombe, Southstoke,
Ston Easton, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Temple Cloud, Timsbury,
Tunley, Welton, Westfield, Wellow and Writhlington.
Our
aims are the conservation of local biodiversity, the promoting
awareness and understanding of local wildlife, and the encouraging
the enjoyment of wildlife. Our activities include a varied
events programme, talks, walks, field trips, workshops, social
events, survey projects and practical conservation projects.
We
produce a newsletter four times a year and have an online
discussion group for members. Membership is open to anyone
who supports our aims and an annual fee of £5.00 covers
all members in one household.
Feel
free to browse around our website.
What
To Look For in... January
A
relatively quiet month but snowfalls can give clues to animal
(particularly mammal) activity through tracks left.
Birds
-
Early singing birds can be heard including Blue Tit,
Great Tit, Robin, Nuthatch and Starlings.
-
Wrens ands Dunnocks started earlier and their loud
burst of song can also be heard.
-
A peak time, through to February for Tawny Owls calling
with the hoot of the male and the “twit”
of the female.
-
Ravens start to build their nests.
-
Watch for flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare which may
be hunted by Sparrowhawk.
-
Look out for flocks of Golden Plover which we had
in the past at Peasedown Flat.
|
Mammals
-
Badger cubs start to be born.
-
Rabbits start to breed.
-
Foxes can be heard barking.
-
Bats are hibernating now though wakening occasionally
to change roosts (important not to disturb them when
they are torpid).
|
Insects
-
A quiet time for insects.
-
Look out for the December Moth, Winter Moth, Early
Moth and Pale Brindled Beauty.
|
Plants
- Hazel
catkins appear.
- Snowdrops
come into flower.
- Various
species may be found in flower (e.g. Groundsel and
Speedwells).
|
From
'The Wildlife Year' - a month
by month guide to the things that may be happening in the
Cam Valley Wildlife Group area.
|
