Launceston

Over the winter months there has been little activity within the group. There were no winter talks planned and a very wet start prevented any progress being made on wildlife surveys. The absence of the Chairman - who was in the Falklands for six weeks in early 2001 - restricted further activities. Foot-and-mouth is now a serious threat in our local area and we are not organising any events of any kind until the threat has been cleared.

The FMD has led to the postponement of both the March and April meetings, to September and October, respectively, so put these in your diary and come along and support us. Get in touch on (01566) 774902 or e-mail brian@justwright.com to find out when we will be starting up the family nature walks in local parishes. Two further events for Fox Club members are being arranged for June and July - see the diary - but please contact us nearer the time to confirm.

In the meantime, we will be developing our local website - www.parish-wildlife.org.uk - which will keep you informed on all the wildlife activities, including meetings in the local parishes.

Brian Stringer

Penwith

As I write this article the country is in the middle of a foot-and-mouth outbreak; as yet it has not reached West Cornwall. However, the effects are still felt down here, with rights of way sealed off and all nature reserves closed to the public; this is having a bad effect on the tourist industry.

Before the outbreak we had a very successful working party at St Erth Pits. We waged war on invasive sycamores and opened up a glade that had succumbed to brambles. Hopefully there will soon be a circular path around the reserve. Many thanks to all who helped with the work.

We have arranged several outdoor activities over the summer months. In June we have a butterfly walk, and a nightjar walk incorporating a cliff walk and pub visit. We will also have another working party at St Erth Pits. As we are unable to provide tools, please bring shears, loppers, secateurs and rakes.

In July we have a river walk followed by a barbecue. In August we will hopefully be looking at ocean wildlife with a snorkelling event. Our summer diary ends with a twilight walk on Duchy College's organic farm with a bat expert. Details of all events can be found in the diary pages and the majority of events are dependent on the footpaths being reopened.

Here's hoping for a good summer.

Alistair Beasley

Restormel

Once again Red Moor lived up to its designation as a nationally important wetland by providing the annual Restormel work party with a complete washout! The comfortable and, in one sense, dry St Blazey Football Club furnished the venue for Kirstie and Ewart Roots' talk on Lundy Island. Familiar tasks such as gorse bashing and dry-stone walling against the unique background of the island habitat was portrayed on slide. Members wrapped up well for our joint meeting with the Camel Group at Oldtown Cove in February. Goldeneye and a good number of wigeon were recorded plus one godwit which was either black-tailed or bar-tailed depending on the direction in which it was observed.

Dell Netherton

Our members' evening this year in Newquay was well supported and benefited from a diverse selection of slides and photographs. We were fortunate that people have been to such interesting places as Kenya, Namibia, Hong Kong and the Seychelles. We were transported

from Breney Common to wild game parks and deserts and viewed birds, animals, plants and a wonderful selection of tree frogs. We hope to see other people's slides taken this year at our meeting next January - don't forget to take your camera on holiday!

Kirstie Roots

Tamar

Our winter programme of meetings has continued. In January, we held our AGM, which was well attended. Afterwards Alison Vaughan from headquarters talked about the work of the Trust. We appreciated the chance to hear about the variety of tasks undertaken.

Tim Dingle stepped in at the last moment in February to speak on "Changing Wildlife in Cornwall". Despite the loss or decline of some species, others, such as basking sharks, little egrets, peregrines and some butterflies, are becoming more common. Tim also reported a large quantity of migrants at Maer Lake, and sightings of a black redstart. A kingfisher has made frequent appearances at the Bude end of the canal path.

In December an article in a national newspaper reported the "spring in winter" caused by the warm, wet autumn. Two local examples given were five painted lady butterflies seen in St Austell and frog spawn on The Lizard. Certainly in January I saw a chaffinch nesting, while eggshells were found beneath a nesting site and a greenfinch fledgling was reported to have been seen on a bird table.

At the time of writing the countryside is affected by foot-and-mouth disease, which is of necessity curbing all members' countryside activities. I am sure we are all missing our normal visits to favourite springtime locations but are willing to forego these for the sake of farmers and farming. Perhaps we shall all value our countryside the more for these deprivations when we are free to walk again.

Gill Ruddock