Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2010 | Page 83

country life Island Life - April/May 2010 St George's Mushroom Fox Cubs Swallows Most people expect to find mushrooms in the autumn, but the St George’s Mushroom tends to appear around 23 April, St George’s Day! Frequently found growing in rings. The larger rings can be several hundred years old. Remember don’t eat mushrooms unless you have taken advice from someone who knows. Having departed our shores last autumn, the swallow will arrive back mid April, having flown 6000 miles from it’s winter vacation in southern Africa. The journey takes about four weeks with the males normally the first to arrive. Many see their appearance as a sign that summer is on its way. After a gestation period of 53 days the vixen will have her cubs in March or April. They will stay underground for four to five weeks before emerging from the den to play, squabble and fight amongst themselves. Non breeding vixens in the family may help the mother to rear her cubs. West Wight Landscape Partnership Footpaths, forts and trees are the winners in the latest round of grants awarded by the West Wight Landscape Partnership. They include £7,000 for the IOW Ramblers Association to improve access to the Freshwater Way, one of the West Wight’s most popular walking routes. Hog Watch When was the last time you saw a hedgehog? Evidence suggests that they are declining at a very rapid rate! How serious is the decline and what is causing it? To try and find out The People Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and the British Tapnell Farm, Yarmouth will receive £8,000 to help conserve the Island’s only native stand of small-leaved lime, plus a package of works to strengthen the historic character of the Grade II listed Fort Redoubt on Freshwater Bay. www.wwlp.co.uk Hedgehog Preservation Society are carrying out a nationwide public participation survey of hedgehogs, called HogWatch. To find out more or take part, go to www.hogwatch.org.uk. Bird Watch 2,216 people on the Island took part in this years ‘RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch’ during one of the coldest winters for years. Blue tits remain the most common bird on the Island. Blackbirds stayed second and house sparrows third. Sophie McCallum, RSPB South East media officer, said “We were particularly concerned for small birds over Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com the winter. These results highlight the importance of feeding and gardening for wildlife, especially during prolonged cold periods.” To find out how to make their gardens more wildlife friendly, visit Homes for Wildlife website at: www.rspb.org.uk/hfw 83