Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2017 | Page 71

Country life Ten years of Riverfest Set on Newport’s historic Quay visitors will enjoy and wide range of free entertainment. Organised by the Island’s Footprint Trust charity and supported by Newport Parish Council the event is on Saturday 13th May. Local food and drink, arts and crafts will be available. Historic boats will be on show from the Classic boat museum. Riverfest is the largest free community event in Newport attracting some 4,000 people. Dozens of local charities will be in attendance for visitors to support, and to find out about the many positive projects they are involved in to help improve island life. For more details please contact The Footprint Trust on 01983 822282 or email info@footprint- trust.co.uk Spotting Britains wild mammals People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for an army of volunteers to record any sightings of wild mammals they see in their gardens or local green spaces, as part of its annual Living with Mammals survey. The survey relies on members of the public volunteering their time for a few weeks between Monday 3 April and the end of June. To take part register online at www.ptes.org/living-with-mammals/ Dates for your diary Moth Hunt, Briddlesford: Wednesday 17th May Local expert James Halsey will set up moth traps throughout the woods and will identify what we find and tell us all about their nocturnal lives. Secret life of Dormice: 20th May With Dormouse Officer Ian White. You will check several nest boxes and hopefully get the opportunity to see a dormouse close-up. Other events include a bird ringing session, bat roost count and more opportunities to see dormice. There are many opportunities to visit Briddlesford Woods and learn more about the wildlife that lives there. Please visit www.ptes.org/events or call 020 7498 4533 to find out more and to book your place. Helping hedgehogs There are several ways you can help combat falling hedgehog numbers. BHPS and PTES set up Hedgehog Street in 2011, a citizen science campaign which offers advice and encourages people to connect their gardens and other green spaces to improve hedgehogs’ access to food, shelter and mates. Visit www.hedgehogstreet.org for more details. www.visitilife.com 71