Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2014 | Page 70

COUNTRY LIFE

Countryside news
with Tony Ridd

Acorn Steps moves forwards
Following a successful pilot
project run in 2013, the easy
walking programme Acorn
Steps is now available for
those interested in doing
more walking, but who lack
the confidence to get out by
themselves.
This free programme, for
adults and accompanied
children, offers six weeks of
gentle walks at a pace and
gradient to suit the individual.
Small groups, usually between
two and 10 participants,
are led by experienced walk
leaders from The Footprint
Trust. Potential clients meet
for an initial assessment, to

What to look out for...

find out what their needs and
requirements may be. They
are matched with people with
similar requirements, so need
never feel they are having to
‘run to catch up’.
To join Acorn Steps, it is
expected that people are
physically capable of walking
for about 15 minutes; will be
able to get themselves to the
starting point of the walk and
will commit to the full six weeks
of the programme.
People can be professionally
referred, or join up themselves.
Contact Helen Stichbury on
07582 238678 for further
details.

Rowan Berries
Hanging in dense clusters,
rowan berries are just ripening
to a bright scarlet (other colours
are available). The berries have
in the past been used by fowlers
to trap birds and made into ale
and distilled to a spirit. Now if
you can pick them before the
birds do, they are used to make
a jelly to serve with meat dishes.
Red Underwing Moth
When resting during the day they
are almost impossible to spot,
camouflaged against the bark of
a tree. If disturbed they will flash
their bright red underwings in an
effort to surprise any attacker,
such as a bird. This is one of
our larger moths and will be
attracted by light a nd sugar.

70

www.visitilife.com

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar
The black and orange colour of
the Cinnabar moth caterpillar
indicates a warning to all
predators that it is unpleasant
to eat. Birds recognise this
and leave it well alone. They
hatch from large batches of
shiny yellow eggs and feed
gregariously mainly on common
ragwort, but also groundsel and
coltsfoot.
Young Barn Owls
For the last couple of months
the young barn owls have
been learning, and hopefully
perfecting the art of flying,
hovering, landing and hunting,
all in readiness for them leaving
their parents. Although not
particularly territorial, they have
to find an area that will provide
food and shelter, long rough
grass being ideal.