Throughout the winter we have continued to plan and deliver a series of habitat enhancement work parties. Thanks to the fantastic team of volunteers who have been able to join us we have been able to create wildlife ponds in Cottenham and Little Thetford, plant trees (oak, apple and plum varieties) in Over and Haddenham, manage wildflower meadows and create bug hotels in Rampton. Meanwhile, our wonderful team of Nature Volunteers have continued to complete their wildlife transects and have submitted over an 300 records since the new year!

We have a busy and exciting programme of events for spring and summer 2022 which we are looking forward to sharing with you all soon. For now, here is a preview of just a handful!

BioBlitz weekend: Saturday 14^th & Sunday 15^th May

We are working in partnership with National Trust Wicken Fen to organise a BioBlitz weekend. Alongside our New Life Old West experts, we will be running a series of wildlife surveys across the project area during the weekend to discover and record a range of wildlife.

Why not join Project Manager, Howard Jones, for a dawn chorus recording session? Not a morning person? No problem! Spend an afternoon surveying wildflowers and grasses with Laura Allen our Natural Heritage & Communities Officer or join a bat expert for an evening bat walk.

We will also be creating a range of resources on how you can take part at home by recording all the wildlife within your garden or local green spaces. Wherever you take part, join us to discover and record our local wildlife!

Open for Nature Days

Attend one of our three Open for Nature Days this summer for further opportunities to discover local wildlife, take part in wildlife activities and speak with experts from our project partners and other local wildlife organisations.

At each of these events we will be running a series of wildlife activities which may include wildflower surveying, pond dipping, reptile and amphibian surveys, wildlife crafting, creating mini bug hotels and much more. Our project team and wildlife experts will be on hand to answer any questions and provide an insight into the lives of local creatures.

Are you looking for a new volunteering opportunity? Would you like to help with wildlife surveys or habitat conservation? If so, come along to speak with a member of the project team or representatives from our project partners to find out what opportunities are available this year.

We are looking for volunteers to help at each of these open days. If you would like to run a wildlife activity or are passionate about a particular species and would like to share your knowledge with members of the community please get in touch with us!

Workshops and training sessions

Our volunteer training programme will continue with workshops covering hedgehogs, otters and water voles, grassland and aquatic plant identification and amphibian and reptiles. Sign up to one of our sessions if you are looking to develop your species identification skills, discover how to conduct surveys and hear from experts about ways to support a range of species. All workshops will be available to book on our events page – please check back regularly.

For more information about any of our upcoming events please get in touch with us via info@newlifeoldwest.org.uk