Latest News - News snippets uploaded at 'irregular intervals' by Colin Penny
2014
20th February 2014 - I'm still working on the massive web site that you are perusing at this moment ! I still have a few thousand more photos to scan and upload, and then I need to backtrack to add captions and other relevant details. Although the site is still not finished, I'm sure that you can already see what a big project this has been, and how enjoyable it has been for those taking part in it. I hope more people will want to become involved with the on-going Buxton Heath project, especially those at UEA, as it's a nice break from the concrete of the campus. You can rely on Phil, Colin T, and David to warmly welcome you to Buxton Heath Wildlife Group.
Bye for now, Colin Penny.
Bye for now, Colin Penny.
17th January 2014 - Today I completed the task of uploading the BHWG newsletters that were produced between 1998 and 2003. They can be found under the NEWSLETTERS tab above.
These 'newsy' publications didn't commence when the Group was formed in 1992 because I didn't acquire a computer until 1998! The final issue (216) related to Saturday 8th February 2003, and presumably I didn't have enough spare time to compile further 'newsies' before I left England in May 2004. This means that there is information lurking here in deepest Hungary which should be turned into newsletters .... and this I will do eventually.
I still have my notes relating to the earlier visits (from 1991 until the 1998 commencement of the newsletters), and so, I will try to document those earlier visits too. Special thanks to David Ruthven for supplying his Buxton Heath observations from 1948 onwards.
Best wishes, Colin Penny.
These 'newsy' publications didn't commence when the Group was formed in 1992 because I didn't acquire a computer until 1998! The final issue (216) related to Saturday 8th February 2003, and presumably I didn't have enough spare time to compile further 'newsies' before I left England in May 2004. This means that there is information lurking here in deepest Hungary which should be turned into newsletters .... and this I will do eventually.
I still have my notes relating to the earlier visits (from 1991 until the 1998 commencement of the newsletters), and so, I will try to document those earlier visits too. Special thanks to David Ruthven for supplying his Buxton Heath observations from 1948 onwards.
Best wishes, Colin Penny.
15th January 2014: Voluntary Warden Phil Davison gave the following update on the events and observations of 2013:
"Happy New Year heathlings! It's definitely time for a bit of an update!
BHWG is still going strong, we're out two or three Saturdays a month, still with the minibus from Norwich, so if you want to join us let me know! Next days there are 18th and 25th Jan. At the moment we're cutting birches on the dry heath.
2013 was another great year on the Heath. We dug two ponds and cleared a lot of scrub. The mire looked absolutely fantastic, thanks to the grazing by our 10 ponies, with an excellent display of orchids. Our old favourites had a pretty good year (Silver-studded Blues, Marsh Gentians, Adders) as did some of our recent arrivals (Keeled Skimmers, Oblong-leaved Sundew, Marsh Clubmoss). Wildlife highlights included our first sightings of Long-winged Coneheads, and 5 bat species recorded in June as part of the Norfolk Bat Survey (Nathusius's Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Common Pipistrelle, Noctule and Whiskered/Brandt's Bat).
Exciting developments are going on in Merv's Meadow (Mervyn Williamson), which has now been purchased by Norfolk Wildlife Trust. A lot of scrub is being cleared in there, it will be fascinating to watch what comes up in the spring".
Phil says he will post some photos of the above events and sightings on the Facebook page of Buxton Heath Wildlife Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/50451126890/?fref=ts
"Happy New Year heathlings! It's definitely time for a bit of an update!
BHWG is still going strong, we're out two or three Saturdays a month, still with the minibus from Norwich, so if you want to join us let me know! Next days there are 18th and 25th Jan. At the moment we're cutting birches on the dry heath.
2013 was another great year on the Heath. We dug two ponds and cleared a lot of scrub. The mire looked absolutely fantastic, thanks to the grazing by our 10 ponies, with an excellent display of orchids. Our old favourites had a pretty good year (Silver-studded Blues, Marsh Gentians, Adders) as did some of our recent arrivals (Keeled Skimmers, Oblong-leaved Sundew, Marsh Clubmoss). Wildlife highlights included our first sightings of Long-winged Coneheads, and 5 bat species recorded in June as part of the Norfolk Bat Survey (Nathusius's Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Common Pipistrelle, Noctule and Whiskered/Brandt's Bat).
Exciting developments are going on in Merv's Meadow (Mervyn Williamson), which has now been purchased by Norfolk Wildlife Trust. A lot of scrub is being cleared in there, it will be fascinating to watch what comes up in the spring".
Phil says he will post some photos of the above events and sightings on the Facebook page of Buxton Heath Wildlife Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/50451126890/?fref=ts
2012
As it was the 20th Anniversary of the formation of Buxton Heath Wildlife Group, I made a nostalgic return visit to Norfolk in May 2012. I was able to visit Buxton Heath on the day I arrived in England (17th May) on a private visit with Dr. Tony Leech, and then there was a big get-together with BHWG members, old and new, on Saturday 19th May.
As it was the 20th Anniversary of the formation of Buxton Heath Wildlife Group, I made a nostalgic return visit to Norfolk in May 2012. I was able to visit Buxton Heath on the day I arrived in England (17th May) on a private visit with Dr. Tony Leech, and then there was a big get-together with BHWG members, old and new, on Saturday 19th May.
2010
Wed 13th January
So, we are now well into January 2010, and Norfolk has even more snow than we have here in Hungary! Isn't life strange? BHWG will clock-up its 18th birthday on the 16th of May, so well done to all those who have supported the Group during that time, and to those stalwarts who've kept it running following my departure in 2004. I hope you've all enjoyed being part of the Buxton 'heathy' project, and that your memories of good times at the site will remain with you always. Best wishes, Colin Penny.
Wed 13th January
So, we are now well into January 2010, and Norfolk has even more snow than we have here in Hungary! Isn't life strange? BHWG will clock-up its 18th birthday on the 16th of May, so well done to all those who have supported the Group during that time, and to those stalwarts who've kept it running following my departure in 2004. I hope you've all enjoyed being part of the Buxton 'heathy' project, and that your memories of good times at the site will remain with you always. Best wishes, Colin Penny.
2009
Sat 17th January 2009
Buxton Heath has today been featured in a local news report in Norfolk's daily newspaper, the Eastern Daily Press. The report features Norfolk Wildlife Trust Director, Brendan Joyce, enthusing about the Silver-studded Blue success story at the site. I tend to be slightly cynical regarding such reports as the facts are seldom accurate, and they tend to portray that 'everything in the garden is rosy'. Although it's good that the Biffa company and Natural England have pumped considerable funding into the management of the site, one hopes that the heavy machinery running to and fro across the site has not damaged the ant nests that are so vital to the life story of this butterfly species.
Good news for Heathlings everywhere is that Buxton Heath Wildlife Group actually gets a mention, albeit in the last paragraph, but a mention nonetheless!
A copy of the report can be seen at the 'Publicity' page on this site.
Sat 17th January 2009
Buxton Heath has today been featured in a local news report in Norfolk's daily newspaper, the Eastern Daily Press. The report features Norfolk Wildlife Trust Director, Brendan Joyce, enthusing about the Silver-studded Blue success story at the site. I tend to be slightly cynical regarding such reports as the facts are seldom accurate, and they tend to portray that 'everything in the garden is rosy'. Although it's good that the Biffa company and Natural England have pumped considerable funding into the management of the site, one hopes that the heavy machinery running to and fro across the site has not damaged the ant nests that are so vital to the life story of this butterfly species.
Good news for Heathlings everywhere is that Buxton Heath Wildlife Group actually gets a mention, albeit in the last paragraph, but a mention nonetheless!
A copy of the report can be seen at the 'Publicity' page on this site.
2008
Thurs. 30th October
According to Colin Thompson, the contractors have been in with the large vehicles to process the felled trees from the northern heath. These were the same vehicles used a few years ago, and they take no prisoners! They make use of a mechanical arm to pick up the fallen trees and then feed them into a high-power chipping tool that disposes of them in seconds. It looks like a scene from the 'Terminator' movie!
Once the cages of these machines are full of chippings, they disgorge their loads into a collection vehicle and are removed from the site.
Colin says that I wouldn't recognise the place now. Is that good or bad, I wonder?
Although generally pleased with the work, there is some disappointment from BHWG and Butterfly Conservation as one of the best heather areas for the Silver Studded Blue butterfly has been ploughed up by these vehicles. Yet another test for the recovery powers of nature!
Tis the new school year at the UEA and The Heath has already enjoyed visits from several keen students. Hopefully I'll soon be receiving some up-to-date photographs to add to the 2008 photo gallery !
Thurs. 30th October
According to Colin Thompson, the contractors have been in with the large vehicles to process the felled trees from the northern heath. These were the same vehicles used a few years ago, and they take no prisoners! They make use of a mechanical arm to pick up the fallen trees and then feed them into a high-power chipping tool that disposes of them in seconds. It looks like a scene from the 'Terminator' movie!
Once the cages of these machines are full of chippings, they disgorge their loads into a collection vehicle and are removed from the site.
Colin says that I wouldn't recognise the place now. Is that good or bad, I wonder?
Although generally pleased with the work, there is some disappointment from BHWG and Butterfly Conservation as one of the best heather areas for the Silver Studded Blue butterfly has been ploughed up by these vehicles. Yet another test for the recovery powers of nature!
Tis the new school year at the UEA and The Heath has already enjoyed visits from several keen students. Hopefully I'll soon be receiving some up-to-date photographs to add to the 2008 photo gallery !
Sat. 9th February - 1 Grass Snake and 4 Adders seen. 3 of the Adders were at the bank on the northern boundary of Mervyn's meadow. Report by Colin Thompson.