Page 4 - Wildlife News April 2015

(Ric Mellis)OJoxfionrduFsesattivatlhoef Nature

T here are pockets of wildlife within every city – we just have to get out there and find them! This
June’s Oxford Festival of Nature, the second to be organised by BBOWT, is inviting Oxford’s residents
and visitors to come and learn about the wildlife that makes its home in the city.
The two-week festival begins with a wildlife gardening workshop. The programme of activities
continues with a self-guided wildlife trail that can be picked up around the city, helping nature enthusiasts
to explore the wildlife on their doorstep. The Phoenix Picture House will be hosting two wildlife-themed
screenings and The Story Museum’s courtyard will showcase a wildlife garden to demonstrate how easy it
is to make spaces for nature at home.

Other events include wildlife talks, a bat walk, a grasses workshop, and crayfish and small mammal
trapping sessions. This year also welcomes the launch of a photography competition, with prizes for the
top wildlife photos. The winners and runners-up will be on display at the festival’s finale event at the
Oxford University Museum of Natural History on Saturday 13 June.

You’ll need to be up early to get the most from the finale, which starts with a dawn chorus walk led by
our Reserves Ecology Officer Colin Williams. Then it is over to the museum for bird box and bug hotel

making, birds of prey, family workshops, Dr Leahy’s double-decker Zoo-Bus
and a host of wildlife-themed stallholders. Why not come along to one of the
planned events and reawaken your wild side?

The full programme of events can be found on
our dedicated Oxford Festival of Nature website:

www.oxfordfestivalofnature.org

NEWS IN BRIEF

10% off nature books Lifetime Achievement In business Bluebells
Award winners (L to R): (Mike Snelle)
Publisher NatureBureau is Richard Birch, Martin Sell Thank you to The Duke of
offering BBOWT members and Martin Woolner. Marlborough, Blenheim Bluebell walks
10% off its books when (Andy Fairbairn) Palace and also Research Sites
you order online at www. Restoration Ltd for renewing Late spring sees our ancient
naturebureau.co.uk/ Volunteer Awards as corporate members. woodlands come alive with
bookshop. To claim, enter BBOWT’s partnerships team bluebells. Join one of our
‘BBOWT10’ in the SAVE box on The hard work of three has plenty of ideas for staff bluebell walks to take in this
the checkout page. This code volunteers, Richard Birch, work party and team- seasonal highlight under the
also means 25% of the profits Martin Sell and Martin Woolner, building days. We also have guidance of experts. Join us
of these books is donated to with between them more than sponsorship opportunities, at Moor Copse or Warburg
the Trust. Titles include the 80 years of service to local including the members’ Nature Reserve on 2 May,
acclaimed A Comprehensive wildlife was honoured with handbook. Could you raise Finemere Wood on 3 May
Guide to Insects of Britain & Lifetime Achievement Awards funds for BBOWT by taking and Bowdown Woods on
Ireland and the A Guide to at BBOWT’s AGM. Sadly, Martin on a challenge such as a half 4 May. Share your bluebell
Finding series, a collection of Sell (pictured centre above), marathon? For a fundraising pictures by Tweeting us
local wildlife guides. reserve manager for Aston pack email jessgallagher@ @BBOWT or upload them
Upthorpe, orchid warden at bbowt.org.uk to our Flickr group at www.
Claim your discount. Hartslock, and who patiently flickr.com/groups/bbowt
shared his vast knowledge Enjoying a staff work party.
of birds with beginners and (Tristan Blaine)
experts alike, died in February.
Full obituary at www.bbowt. Millionth visitor
org.uk/volunteers and in the
May edition of Grapevine. Celebrations to mark the 20th
anniversary of the Nature
Discovery Centre in Thatcham
continue, with the millionth
visitor passing through the doors
of the centre in February.

4 Wildlife news