Natural History – June 2022
At our monthly group meeting on Wednesday, 18th May, in the Mayor’s Parlour of the Manor House, a nearly full house gathered to discuss and hear the following:
- Silent Spring: Possible reasons for the absence of bird song this year.
- Dawlish Warren: Review of Field Trip
- Dawlish Warren (Medicinal) (20th April) and Exeter Double Locks (Culinary) (23rd April)
- St. Gregory’s Churchyard: Working party review
- Gambia: Natural History & Impact of Civilisation
- Dave Hutton’s Report: Field trip to Audrey Compton’s farm two weeks ago to identify plant species that were indicators of ancient woodland.
On 25th May, a return visit to Dawlish Warren revealed its Spring Glory:
By contrast, and possibly reflecting the welcome return to post Covid lockdown removal of restrictions, all but 2 members have declined, with suitable apologies, Toby and Kerry’s kind invitation to visit the private Stewards Wood, in Mid Devon, on Wednesday 15th June. What a missed opportunity.
St. Gregory’s Churchyard
Good and bad news. St. Gregory’s Church have kindly provided us with a key to the Sexton’s/Garden Hut for access to tools and storage of refuse sacks. Regrettably, Teignbridge District Council (TDC), who had initially welcomed our voluntary involvement in restoring bio-diversity in the churchyard have since March ceased to communicate with us; and the churchyard has been neglected. Whilst TDC’s neglect has been a bonus in some parts, permitting a flourishing of Spring growth, in other areas, a profusion of nettle (up to 1.5m tall), convolvulus and cleevers has smothered any diversity.
George Lipscomb, Convenor