Penwith

The Penwith group have held a couple of well attended events recently. Sylvia Gartside led a walk from Perranuthnoe ending up at her recently planted wood and meadow; when I say recent it was planted five years ago which is very recent for woodland.

Roy Phillips led the annual nightjar walk and despite the absence of any nightjars a very enjoyable walk was had by all.

On my ramble in the St Erth area it is encouraging to see that most hedgerows remain uncut with the exception of a few roadside verges.

One hedge in particular has always been cut hard back every May, the worst month to cut a hedge. This year this hedge is a mass of flowers and the pleasant aroma of the honeysuckle makes an afternoon's stroll even more enjoyable. It is also good to see so many butterflies.

Looking across the valley there is a tractor ploughing up acres of established grassland. Old grassland is a very important wildlife habitat and seems to be disappearing at an alarming rate. I have spent many hours watching buzzards and barn owls feeding from these fields.

Back in May I spent a cold wet morning rolling grass fields at home.

While rolling one field I was accompanied by a lone swallow flying directly behind the tractor. Was the swallow attracted to the colour blue? (the colour of my tractor) or was I encouraging insects to fly up/ thus giving this little bird a good feast.

I am warden of St Erth Pits Nature Reserve and it is getting increasingly difficult to get volunteers to help with work on the reserve. If you are interested in lending a hand occasionally, please telephone me on (01736) 755099 - it would be much appreciated.

Alistair Beasley

Tamar

The summer events that have taken place have been much enjoyed. The Dawn Chorus in May drew eight 'larks'/ and though the warblers failed to warble and the blackcap did not give of his best/ we enjoyed hearing the green woodpecker/ a view of a sparrowhawk and the peace and beauty of the valley - not to mention the bacon butties later!

An early evening walk round Lower Lewdon gave us the opportunity to see a great variety of plants nestling in the culm grasses. As the weather

was dull, we did not see any of the marsh fritillary butterflies recently established there; the colony at Greena Moor is also doing well.

A neighbour of mine discovered a pied wagtail's nest containing five eggs under the bonnet of his car above the wheel arch. As he had already driven the car and only makes short journeys/ the eggs and later chicks enjoyed several trips to Bude and Camelford, the parents were waiting when they returned and all were safely reared. The first nest was then removed; it has been rebuilt/ holding four eggs!

This branch is concerned about the early trimming of hedges. If they are left till New Year/ birds have a chance to eat berries and wildlife to shelter. Over zealous trimming (in fields not bordering a road) also damages the hedge itself/ thus further harming the environment. Also/ please remember that whereas garden trimmings can provide shelter for wildlife/ bonfires endanger it (especially hedgehogs), as well as polluting the atmosphere.

Gill Ruddock