Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2008 | Page 67

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING Greater winter walking There’s nothing better on a winter’s day than a brisk walk on a Wildlife Trust reserve. It’s particularly good for … visiting school groups. It is best to arrange a visit with the Education Officer or the Countryside Officer, both of whom will gladly lead you round. life We need business to support us You also need to know … the copse is a good place to see the various stages of coppice work. This is an old management technique that helps to regenerate the hazel stand and, in doing so, encourage wildflowers and invertebrates in spring and summer. Getting there The woods are about two miles from Brading just off the main Newport to Brading road on the Isle of Wight. There is good car parking and links with other public footpaths as well as the Nunwell and the Bembridge trails. For more information, contact our Isle of Wight office on 01983 533 180, email LucyW @hwt.org. uk or visit www.hwt.org.uk Eagleshead and Bloodstone Copse The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is calling for local businesses to become a ‘Wildlife Investor’. In addition to a thriving individual membership scheme, the Trust is now launching a Corporate Membership scheme aimed at all types and sizes of companies. By your company joining the Wildlife Trust, you will help us to protect the wildlife and landscapes which are most under threat. For more information and to see the range of benefits available to you, please call Trudy Gough on 01489 774400, email her on [email protected] or visit our website at www.hwt.org.uk. It’s our business to give wildlife a helping hand, we need your business to support us. Why is it so special in winter? It’s a great opportunity to see red squirrels foraging through piles of leaves on the ground. You can walk the copse either as a short linear route or as part of a circular route starting at the parking area. It can also be accessed via the footpath on Ashey Down. The path is gentle and suitable for all ages, though it can be slippery when wet. Your local Wildlife Trust When is a good time to go? The low winter sun can give wonderful light effects through the bare damp trees, especially as it sets. “The whole wood is a special place,” says Reserves Officer Chris Archbold. “There is always something to catch your eye, whether it’s nuts opened by dormice or flints used by the past occupants of this quiet Eagleshead Copse by little Chrisvalley.” Archbold Eagleshead Copse by Albert Roberts The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust works to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Island. As the leading local wildlife conservation charity, it looks after 57 wildlife reserves, has 27,000 members and 1,000 volunteers. The Trust manages its own land and advises other landowners how to manage their land with wildlife in mind. Staff and volunteers also carry out surveys and gather data to monitor how our local wildlife is doing. Find out more at www.hwt.org.uk. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is a charity. Join today and help your local wildlife www.hwt.org.uk Island Life - www.isleofwight.net 67