Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2009 | Page 65
COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING
life
Frogs and Toads
Swallows
Sorrel
Expect to see frog and toad spawn
appearing in your ponds. Within four to
five weeks they will start to hatch, the
pond becoming alive with hundreds, often
thousands of tadpoles wriggling around.
They usually find plenty to eat in the pond,
but you can give them a lettuce leaf as an
inducement to stay in one place so as to
watch them!
Having over wintered in Africa, these
agile birds fly north to Great Britain (and
surrounding countries) in order to breed.
There numbers have dropped dramatically
in recent years, through loss of quality
habitat. They require mud for their nest and
open pasture with access to water. They
feed on small invertebrates, often catching
thousands of gnats a day whilst feeding
their young.
This is one of the earliest greens to appear,
with the leaves being at their tastiest, when
young and fresh in March. They have
a lemony/fruity tang and can be used in
salads. Common in grassland and woodland
rides but also found along road verges, and
on rough ground. The flowers are pollinated
by the wind
Rural Development Funding
The Isle of Wight LEADER Local Action
Group have funding available to help
micro-business develop and expand.
Through the Rural Development Fund
for England aid is available to rural
businesses that provide support to their
local communities, add value to agricultural
or forestry projects or encourage tourism
activities through co-operative development
and marketing.
Aid rates vary between 40% and 50%
and are for capital expenditure. The
Isle of Wight Economic Partnership are
particularly keen to hear from projects that
can be delivered prior to the end of March.
Contact Carole Flux on 01983 535836 or
email: [email protected]
New Chairman for NFU
AT this years NFU AGM, Laurie Calloway took over as Chairman
from David Brown. Hugh Milner, recently retired from the Forestry
Commission received the NFU Conservation Award in recognition for
all his hard work in improving and the planting of woodlands on the
island. And Ian McDowell of Woodhouse Farm, Whippingham picked
up the Outram Trophy for services to agriculture.
[email protected]
Forest School's Project
The Isle of Wight Forest School Project is going from strength
to strength. Groups of Year 4 children from Whippingham and
Niton Primary Schools have just completed the programme and,
in Niton’s case, this culminated in a Forest School Family Day
in Parkhurst Forest where parents could witness their children’s
newfound skills. For more information please contact Kathy
Grogan on 01983 529199 or email [email protected].
The Island's new funky radio station www.wightFM.com
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