Page 1 - Wildlife News April 2017

Soaring high
What’s your
wildlife favourite?

Nature’s worth

The economic case for saving wildlife ... see page 8

We’re winning Spring is full of promise and this year there are many reasons to be
for wildlife! upbeat, as our nature reserves reveal some heartening findings.

Your membership has never been more The hay meadows at Oxfordshire’s Chimney Meadows have
important. Thanks to your support we’re recovered from summer flooding in 2007. Oxeye daisy, meadow
vetchling and lady’s bedstraw are now at or above their pre-2007
making gains for wildlife across our levels, while a survey of just one field margin found an incredible 61
nature reserves – and beyond. We had harvest mice nests. After a few cold winters Dartford warbler
numbers have bounced back on Berkshire heathlands; the first bird
some inspiring wildlife wins last year was spotted at Decoy Heath after years of absence. Meanwhile
and with your help we’re aiming for populations of great crested newt are booming, with 38 counted in
the entrance field of Upper Ray Meadows’ Gallows Bridge Farm in
more in 2017 Bucks. More ponds are planned, which means more newts.

In this issue Results such as these make working for wildlife so rewarding,
though none of it would be possible without members such as
you – so thank you for your continued support!

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Beautiful bluebell woods Orchids make a comeback Wildlife at the crossroads Why nature’s good for you

Look inside and see how you’re helping local wildlife today