Southern marsh orchid

Photo: David Chapman

Camel

In an effort to get back in touch with the grass roots, Camel Branch has started to arrange some of its committee meetings outdoors at some of the Trust's less visited reserves.

Just recently we had a very productive evening at the Downhill Meadow reserve at St Eval. Volunteers had recently trimmed back the access path, although it was very heavy going once in the meadow.

We took note of the flora and fauna and highlighted some of the management that we hope to put into practice later in the year. There was a fantastic show of southern marsh orchids, with some specimens almost 18 inches high and with five- inch flower spikes.

There were several species of birds present, with many holding obvious breeding territories; these included sedge warbler, whitethroat, reed bunting and song thrush. Song thrush numbers seem to be doing well this spring, with birds holding territory in many new areas. I personally noted four such birds in our Hawkes Wood reserve and this is rather encouraging after the downward spiral of late.

At Walmsley Sanctuary there has been regular viewing of marsh harriers, with an immature one still present into July; let's hope it's prospecting for future nesting sites and that it may return with a mate some day. Swans have bred at Walmsley again this year, with two pairs and 11 cygnets - this despite numerous encounters with the Canada geese, which also raised 11 goslings through two pairs.

Adrian Langdon

Caradon

Since retiring as Caradon Branch Chairman two years ago, I have continued to organise an events programme in order to keep some activity going within the area. Recent attendance, however, at branch events has been very low, so the October event as listed in this issue will be the last I intend to organise. The future of the branch events programme will therefore depend on any positive response from branch members.

Goodbye for now.

Dave Gibbon

Launceston

Crofty the short- eared owl has been adopted by Launceston Branch.

Our final winter talks, on the Carey and Wolf Valleys, were well attended. Members from other branches also enjoyed the outings to the Screech Owl Sanctuary and to the wet heath at Bolventor. Special thanks are expressed to the Connells for hosting the latter. The branch has adopted Crofty, a short- eared owl. The Victorian Fair in June raised over £100. The planned open day in August had to be cancelled due to problems with the venue.

We have a wealth of good wildlife habitat in our area. However, only a small amount of this is currently managed for wildlife and there is very little monitoring being done. An ambitious attempt is being made by two branch members to train and lead volunteers on local wildlife surveys. Millennium Awards have been applied for to cover training, reference books and equipment. We have had promises of help with training from specialists in a range of subjects, and a network of local experts is being put together to back up our limited knowledge in the early stages of the project. There will be opportunities for local members to contribute to the surveys and be trained, so please get in touch if you want to use and develop your interest in wildlife.

The branch is working up a wetland project for use with primary schools. Boyton will be the first to get involved in the project. Other schools watch this space!

The next series of winter talks starts in September. Clive Fairweather returns in November to entertain us with his storytelling. Remember to book for this event.

Brian Stringer

Penwith

I'm writing this having just returned from one of our more popular summer events. Some of the delights spotted en route were iced buns, chocolate cake and strawberry gateau. Our annual walk at Halamanning, followed by tea at Mary Johnson's, drew in the crowds as usual despite the walk being delayed by some 20 minutes as we all dived back into our cars to avoid a particularly heavy rainstorm.

Our first walk of the season, at Porthgwarra, was blessed with sunshine, even if the breeze was a little chilly. However, the peregrine and a nest full of fledgling ravens were more than apt compensation for the cold. In May, an intrepid few set their alarms for 4.30am and accompanied Roy Phillips to hear the dawn chorus along the Hayle River where we (yes, yours truly was one of the few) logged 37 species and a group of teenage revellers returning home from who knows where along the riverside path ... not sure they knew either.

At the other end of the clock, those who waited until darkness fell at Bosigran were rewarded by hearing the call of the elusive nightjars.

Finally, I must apologise to those members who turned up for our walk at Predannack. Unfortunately the absence of a leader and the limitation of access to the ponds to those wearing suitable footwear made the trip a bit of a non- event for some people. We were joined by a group of fellow "naturalists" from Germany, as expected, but what we didn't bargain for was a whole coach full of tourists who must have wondered where on earth they were being taken. I only hope that the visit to Roskilly's for ice cream afterwards was compensation enough (it would have been for me, that's certain).

Jane Richardson

Restormel

Our March Ladock Wood meeting started rather strangely when we were met by about a hundred people; thankfully most of them were taking part in an orienteering day. With a good number of people some came from as far as Penzance and Plymouth - we went off in the opposite direction through a very wet wood, only to be found by most of the runners.

Kirsty Gosling

May saw a good turn- out for our visit to Cabilla and Redrice Woods, a new venue for our annual bluebell walks. Unfortunately heavy rain curtailed the proceedings. Thanks to Steve Chudleigh for guiding us. We hope to be back next spring.

Dell Netherton

Our June meeting was well attended on our first visit to our newest reserve, Rosenannon Downs. Thankfully the weather was on our side but sadly, due to a recent large fire, only the charred remains of many of the plants were seen. With the help of our expert botanist, Ian Bennallick, we found some surviving wild flowers, including several spotted orchids, one lesser butterfly orchid and a good show of bog asphodel. Unfortunately, we also saw the remains of several burnt- out nests.

As I write this our former Chairman Denis Ellory is just recovering from a very serious aortic bypass operation (no, not the Bethel bypass that was finished ages ago!). We in the Restormel Branch wish Denis a very speedy recovery and send him and his private nurse (Jean) our best wishes.

Dave Thomas

Tamar

In May, a coachload of Tamar Branch members set off for the china clay works near St Austell. An autumn talk about the heathland restoration work being done there, in conjunction with English Nature, had fired our enthusiasm to see this area.

Over the last two hundred years heathlands have largely lost their traditional economic value, which dated back to the Stone Age. Eighty- two per cent of the heathland which existed in 1800 has been lost, but heathland provides a rich and varied home for wildlife, such as dragonflies, butterflies, nightjars, stonechats, woodlarks and Dartford warblers. Now the loss of heathland has been checked and the biggest threat is a lack of management.

When we arrived we transferred to another coach. We set off for a viewing point, where heathland restoration is already under way and we could see the other areas still being worked and being restored. The panorama was wonderful. A large map was produced and held down by the stronger members of the party as the wind was fierce and nippy - we were not sorry to return to the coach!

A very interesting tour of the area followed. The works are huge. Down at the bottom of the pits the vehicles look like toys. We were given a good deal of information by a company spokesman and saw moisture being extracted from the clay and the filtration system before returning for a quick look around the museum and a much needed cup of tea!

Gill Ruddock