The Isle of Wight is inviting everybody to "go nuts" as we help keep it a grey squirrel free zone by learning more about the Island’s indigenous red squirrel population at various events taking place during The Wildlife Trust’s National Red Squirrel Week (3-11 October).

The Isle of Wight is home to only red squirrels as the Solent provides a barrier to greys. It is an important stronghold for this species in Southern England, with shy and secretive red squirrels being found in most of its woodlands. On the Island, there is a waymarked red squirrel trail and hide in Parkhurst Forest, not far from Newport click here for details or see Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL29, Grid reference: SZ480900.

However, there have been occasional reports of greys on the Island and during Red Squirrel Week, visitors of all ages can attend a workshop and a walk which will help them to spot the signs of the Island’s much loved red squirrels while at the same time, reporting sightings of the possible grey invaders.

Sunday 4th October
A walk to look at the red squirrel habitat, learn how to look for squirrel signs and maybe spot one. To book a place on the walk, contact: Helen Butler on 01983 611003, e-mail: wightsquirrels@hotmail.com. Cost: Minimum donation £2 to the Wight Squirrel Project.

Friday 9th October
A workshop designed to show you how to make the most of your walks by looking for signs of red squirrels and recording what you see. Meet at Robin Hill Country Park, near Newport (www.robin-hill.com) at 1pm. To reserve a place on the workshop which lasts around 3 hours, please contact Helen Butler on 01983 611003, or e-mail wightsquirrels@hotmail.com The cost of £5 includes entrance to Robin Hill, plus a red squirrel computer programme, information pack, tuition, a walk around Robin Hill and light refreshments – bookings by 7 October latest.

A few facts about squirrels:
Red squirrels are the only squirrel native to the British Isles – it is illegal to release a grey squirrel into the wild.

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The Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society is celebrating the centenary of an important natural history book.

Frank Morey (1858-1925) published his ‘Guide to the Natural History of the Isle of Wight’ in 1909, and set in motion a process which resulted, 10 years later, in the founding of the Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society.

A FREE Exhibition is being held in the Minster Church of Sts Thomas in Newport which will tell the story of the Guide, and how it has influenced the development of the Society and its work.

The Guide covered almost 7000 species of fauna and flora found on the Island in Edwardian times, and contained chapters on meteorology, geology, archaeology and even earthquakes! Copies of the Guide, now unobtainable, will be on display at the Exhibition for visitors to browse, along with plenty of other material explaining the breadth of work undertaken by the Society. Members of the Society will also be on hand to give further details.

Two guided walks associated with the Exhibition will take place on the Saturday afternoons: one will look at the Changing Wildlife of Newport (26th September) and one will look at 100 years of Newport (3 October). Details of these walks are available on the Isle of Wight Council website (www.iwight.com/just_visiting/walking/) or in the Summer and Winter Walks leaflets.

Location: The Minster Church of Sts Thomas, Newport, Isle of Wight
Dates: Tuesday 22nd September - Tuesday 6th October 2009
Opening times: Weekdays and Saturdays: 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Sundays: 12.00 pm to 4.00 pm
Admission: FREE
Further details: Johanna Jones 01983 526656

On Thursday 10th September delegates from across the Island and South East region attended a special event to celebrate 10 whole years of local action for the Island's Biodiversity at Brading Roman Villa.

Throughout the morning, both informative and reflective presentations were given by Dr Colin Pope - IW Council Ecologist covering major achievements for biodiversity over the last 10 years and Richard Grogan - Head of Conservation (IW) for the Wildlife Trust speaking about wildlife in terms of local heritage, community involvement, land acquisition and education.

A short break followed with tea and delicious home made cakes by the Friends of the Villa.

Next, Marianne Sullivan from Brading Town Council kicked off the second half of the morning with a presentation on local projects jointly benefiting biodiversity and the community. Jackie Kelly, Land Management and Conservation advisor with Natural England was the final speaker emphasising the key work of partnerships, where the work on the Island fits into the national context and the way ahead for the future.

For the final part of the morning, Eccleston George - Landscape Artists led a tour of Medusa's Meadow, the new nature trail in the grounds of the Villa which was a collaborative project between EG, the Villa and local schools; all thanks to a BBC Breathing Places grant. Ian Boyd of Island 2000 was busy sweep-netting whilst all this was going on collecting interesting mini-beasts for the group to marvel at; finds included common blue butterfly caterpillars, a pea weevil and the unmistakable wasp spider!

Lunch was enjoyed on the cafe terrace with the group re-convening for the afternoon's guided walk at 2pm.

Delegates gathered on Brading Down and made their way back down footpaths, along lesser known permissive paths and through the disused quarries returning to the Villa. Colin Pope described the ecology en route, Bob Edney - Countryside Officer was on hand to explain management of the site and Trevor Price from Dinosaur Isle provided a fascinating interpretation of the exposed geology within the quarries.

You can download the special publication here 'Isle of Wight Biodiversity: celebrating 10 years of local action'

You still have time to enter the 2009 Isle of Wight Photographer of the Year competition in which the IW Biodiversity partnership are supporting the category 'It's a very small world: Go Wild on Wight'

If you are looking for inspiration it seems you have to look no further than your back garden click here to view some amazing bat snaps.

‘It’s a very Small World - Go Wild on Wight’ - make the everyday extraordinary. Get intimate with wildlife and bring the natural world that little bit closer to home. Using your skills, celebrate our Island’s biodiversity by exploring your local patch and uncovering nature’s hidden or little known treasures.

Three winning entries will be selected in November 2009 from both categories. There are some great wildlife-themed prizes up for grabs in ‘It’s a Very Small World - Go Wild on Wight’ kindly donated by the National Trust, Wildlife Trust and Gift to Nature.

Shortlisted entries will embark on a travelling exhibition in 2010 and you will be able to enjoy the photographs at various locations including Island public libraries, Newport Minster Church and Ventnor Botanic Gardens.

So get snapping and upload your entries at www.iwpoy.org

Wildlife is increasing at Brading Marshes after a trial conservation project has produced the best marshland conditions there for more than 20 years.

The highest number of breeding lapwings has been recorded on the reserve this summer, after the Environment Agency helped the RSPB bring water back to part of the marsh there.

The RSPB’s Keith Ballard, the reserve manager, said: “Lapwings and other wetland wildlife need damp ground – without it, they just can’t probe for food. This project has allowed the marsh to become truly marshy again, and wildlife is flourishing as a result.

To see certain species returning in such good numbers is so gratifying, especially as marshland is such a rare habitat on the Isle of Wight. Although this year’s successes are encouraging, there is much more to be done and we’re looking forward to working with the Environment Agency again to see if we can repeat and even improve on this year’s conditions.

One key target is to get redshanks and snipes breeding here again. If we can do that, the marshes really will be back to their former glory.”

Other wetland bird species benefiting from this year’s enhanced conditions include reed warblers and teals. Sightings of rarities from Europe including a little bittern and a cattle egret have also been recorded.

John O’Flynn, Environment Agency Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager, said: “The Environment Agency is committed to improving the conditions of Brading Marshes through the delivery of our programme of Water Level Management Plans.

“Our aim is to achieve a balance between improving the environment whilst maintaining our commitment to reduce flood risk within our communities. We are delighted this trial has been a success in terms of the number of breeding lapwings and we continue to work with the RSPB, Natural England, the Isle of Wight Council and local landowners to implement a longer term scheme."

The increase is also due to careful work by the estate management team, funded by SITA Trust, which has seen ditches and fences restored and scrub removed.

Natural England and the Isle of Wight Council have also been involved with the work at Brading Marshes, and welcomed news of the successes there.

Mark Larter, Solent Reserves Manager for Natural England, said: “We’re pleased to see how well the improved marshland conditions and the active work by the partnership is helping the lapwings and other species. We see this as a ‘work in progress’ and a great demonstration of how a well run Environmental Stewardship project can provide the right conditions for wetland wildlife.”

Cllr Edward Giles, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: “The council was delighted to play its part via the planning process in helping to create this special habitat. We hope that the Island’s ecology will continue to benefit from this partnership.”

The best way to view Brading Marshes is via the train station at Brading, where there are free trail guides and a display hosted by Brading Town Council.

For more information on Brading Marshes and the work of the RSPB visit www.rspb.org.uk or call 01273 775333

Images: Brading Marshes, Lapwing © Derek Hale

Award-winning farm sparks inspiration to save Island birds

The award-winning Kings Manor Farm on the Isle of Wight and a leading conservation charity; The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust are uniting to offer an inspiring workshop, which could offer renewed hope for some of our most threatened farmland birds.

Many once-common farmland bird populations on the island are now at their lowest level and some, such as corn buntings and wild grey partridges are even on the brink of extinction, However, this joint event being staged at Kings Manor Farm, Freshwater on 6th October, should offer a kick-start to the recovery of many once familiar farmland birds on the Isle of Wight.

This free event is open to farmers and all those with an interest in boosting wildlife on the Isle of Wight, particularly grey partridges and other farmland birds.

Click here to read the full press release

To book a free place or for further information, please contact Lynda Ferguson, The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, tel: 01425 651013 or email: lferguson@gwct.org.uk