Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2011 | Page 83

country life Island Life - February/March 2011 Orange-Peel fungus Marching Frogs! Sticklebacks Quite common and found in many different places, grasslands, gardens, woodland and roadside verges. The inner surface is much brighter than the underside. It has a nice taste and texture and is often used as an addition to other wild mushroom dishes, giving both flavour and colour. Frogs begin to emerge from their winter retreats in February and March. On the ‘right night’, they will congregate in their thousands at a suitable breeding site, some travelling half a mile to get there. The males will arrive first, striking up a croaking chorus to attract the females. You can find sticklebacks in streams, ponds, ditches even rock pools! They start breeding in March when there is plenty of food around. The male will build a nest on the bottom and lures females into lay eggs, which he fertilises. He will then guard the nest until the young hatch and continue to look after them for another week. Bouldner NFU AGM At this years NFU AGM, The Conservation Award was given Farm to Geoff Hughes for his work on wood chip fuel and Graham Biss of Natural Enterprise was presented the Outram Trophy, hosts for his support to the farming community through the ‘LEADER’ programme. Both awards were presented by Kevin 2011 Roberts, the Director General of the NFU. [email protected] Wood IOW Young Farmers Fair Club Reunion In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the local team will be hosting an Autumn wood fair at Bouldnor Forest on 9th October. Although the format of the day will be that of a country fair, the theme will be Isle of Wight woodlands and the associated rural skills, produce and wildlife. There will be activities for children, refreshments, guided walks and much more. Enquiries are invited from local craftsmen and producers who would like an exhibition space at the event. The team would particularly like to hear from those who work with locally sourced timber. For further information please contact Kathy Grogan on 01983 529199 or email kathyg@hwt. org.uk "The Leverets" are organising a reunion evening for all IOW Young Farmers on Saturday 21st May 7.30pm - 11.00pm to be held at The Chequers Inn, Rookley. On offer is a hog roast, scrumpy cider, raffle, guess the weight of the lamb, a shooting gallery, music and much more. Naomi and Vanessa are hoping for a good display of old photos and memorabilia and would love to hear from anyone who could help. Please tell everyone that you know who used to be a Young Farmer. Contact: Naomi Bellamy (Chairman of "The Leverets") on 741184 or Vanessa Whitewood on 525511 for more details. Getting kids into the countryside! The West Wight Landscape Partnership has been busy encouraging kids to learn more about the outside around them. Year 1 of Brighstone School visited Grange Chine and created some environmental art on the beach, with Year 2 visiting the Yar to learn about the river and the plants and animals it supports. St Saviours School hosted a star gazing night and WWLP is involved in a huge grounds project involving parents and artists. www.wwlp.co.uk Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com 83