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In this newsletter:
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Staying safe when visiting our parks
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Savernake Park update
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Our photo competition has closed for entries
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Findings from our wildlife surveys
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Sites of the season - Lily Hill Park
Our parks are still open for fresh air and exercise, but as of yesterday (5 November) you can only visit them with:
- the people you live with
- your support bubble
- or, when on your own, one person from another household. Children under 5, as well as disabled people dependent on round-the-clock care, are not counted towards the limit on two people meeting outside.
If you do visit our local parks, then please stay two metres apart from people you do not live with, where possible. Take hand sanitiser with you and use regularly, washing your hands before and after your visit.
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We also ask all parents and guardians to ensure their children don’t gather in groups.
In recent weeks, large numbers of young people, in groups as big as 40 people, have been gathering in local parks, with many of the people not social distancing.
We must all do what we can to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our borough from the virus.
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The improvement project is progressing well at Savernake Park thanks to the hard work and dedication of our rangers, volunteers and contractors.
Hugh, who is one of our long serving volunteers and a member of the Hedge And Woodland Conservationists (HAWC), is pictured (right) laying a hazel hedgerow.
This is an ancient and skilled management practice, which helps to rejuvenate a hedge by encouraging new growth.
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Our contractors (from Flowline Ltd) have completed the work to clean out the silt traps, which will increase improve water quality and the pond’s capacity and effectiveness in controlling water. |
Work lined up in the coming weeks includes, further habitat improvements and cleaning the roadside gullies that run up the side of Savernake Way, to improve drainage to the pond.
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Thank you to everyone who has entered our 2020 photographic competition, which closed for entries last Saturday.
Our judges and sponsors (below), who are generously donating the prizes, can’t wait to see all your fantastic pics of how you’re staying safe and inspired in Bracknell Forest.
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Our thanks to:
We have completed wildlife surveys across the borough, which has revealed some of the following key highlights:
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Butterflies
Dark green fritillaries (pictured), silver washed fritillaries and purple hairstreaks have been recorded at Ambarrow Court; silver studded blues have been recorded in our heathlands and there's evidence of purple emperor butterflies at Lily Hill Park.
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Reptiles
Surveys have been carried out at our heathlands including Englemere Pond, Caesar's Camp and Wildmoor Heath, where we've recorded a total of 36 adders (pictured), 28 grass snakes, 25 slow worms and 32 common lizards.
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Birds
A breeding pair of peregrine falcons has been recorded at the industrial estate off Mill Lane in Bracknell.
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Wildflowers
The resown wildflower areas at Cabbage Hill in Warfield are establishing well.
The yellow rattle (pictured) recorded at South Hill Park (11 species per metre squared on average) will help to suppress grass growth and encourage wildflowers to flourish.
There has been a decline in the number of orchids at Wykery Copse, but recent habitat improvement work carried out by the Bracknell Conservation Volunteers should help to improve conditions.
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Autumn is a majestic season with the trees delivering spectacular displays of colour and an array of fungi, fruits and wildlife to explore.
We thought we'd share with you some autumnal photos taken at Lily Hill Park in Bracknell, to show you what the site has to offer at this time of year.
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This lovely picture of the Acer tree in Starch Copse was taken by our communications team, who ventured there for a socially distanced lunchtime autumnal stroll prior to the national restrictions coming in to force. |
Did you know that there are around 15,000 species of fungi in the UK? Fungi at Lily Hill Park can be spotted in grassland and woodland areas and can usually be found near dead or rotting wood. |
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We liked these pretty colours and twisted bark of a sweet chestnut tree. |
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![Parks and Countryside [Autumn/Winter]](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKBRACKNELL/2020/07/3561412/parks-and-countryside-gov-delivery-header22_original.jpg)
