Sunday Volunteer Task – 10 February 2013

Conservation, Volunteering

Colin Gray writes:

“We will be joined by the 29th Odiham Scouts and the 7th Fleet Guides this Sunday, so it could be a busy morning!  There are two tasks in need of attention and we might decide to break the session into two teams.

On Coldstream Marsh there remains a block of scrub to clear on the bank along the new diversion channel. Up on the Dry Heath there is more birch to clear. Both will probably need waterproof boots in view of recent rains and high water table and on Coldstream it might be best to  wear wellies.

We will assemble as usual at the Countryside Workshop at 9.15 a.m. and head off for Coldstream Marsh. Once at the gate we can  decide who wishes to tackle the Coldstream Marsh task and who would prefer to walk on to the Dry Heath.”

Further details of meeting arrangements and related information can be found here, including the Sunday programme schedule up to June 2013.

Tree Removal Prior To The Dipping Platform

Conservation

2013-02-05_12-19-20 Trees Pond Dipping sm

Louise Greenwood, Fleet Pond Countryside Ranger, passes on the following useful information:

“Hart Countryside Rangers are currently helping contractors remove some hazard trees by the Flash (the area near the station car park). Two of the trees were dead and one had a large fault so would fall on the new pond dipping platform that Fleet Pond Society are putting in over the next couple of weeks. Removing the trees will also allow lots more light into the pond.”

Photo credit: Steve Lyons.

Fleet Pond And The Quality Of Life

Volunteering

From the BBC News (December 2012):

Hart in Hampshire has been named the UK’s most desirable place to live for quality of life for the second year running.

The study by the Halifax bank took into account factors such as jobs, housing, health, life expectancy, crime, weather, traffic and house prices.

Hart district, centred on the town of Fleet, beat previous four-time winner Elmbridge in Surrey into second place….

Hart, in the north-east corner of Hampshire, has been dubbed “a step back in time”, with 84 sq miles of green wooded landscape and the county’s largest freshwater lake, Fleet Pond.

In a related article in Get Hampshire, the role of strong local volunteer groups was brought out:

Hart District Council leader, Ken Crookes, said: “The results will come as no surprise to our residents who have long appreciated our beautiful environment, our strong economy, our high educational standards, our good health facilities and all the other things that make Hart a great place to live and work.

“The council would like to thank everyone, our excellent public sector partners, our very strong voluntary groups, our socially conscious and active businesses, and last, but not least, our residents, for bringing this about.”

Background information on Fleet Pond Society can be found here. If you appreciate Fleet Pond and are interested in supporting our voluntary efforts, please consider joining – it’s just £10 a year!

Walk The Path 2013 – Sandhurst To Swallowfield

Walks

Walk the Path 2013 Poster

Fleet Pond Society is a member of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership and here’s some information on a walk the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust are organising for April. Please support them if you can.

Christine Reeves, of the BVC Trust, writes:

“Get out your walking boots and come along to walk the lower reaches of the Blackwater Valley Path on Sunday 28th April 2013. After a year’s absence the ever popular ‘Walk the Path’ event returns, as a one day walk covering the last 17 km (10 miles) of the Blackwater Valley Path from Sandhurst to Swallowfield. This beautiful part of the Blackwater Valley passes through some peaceful rural areas and if you’ve never explored the countryside here before this is a perfect opportunity to do so as part of an organised walk.

As in previous years participants can walk at their own pace or be part of a group as there will be designated walk guides.  There will be transport at the start/finish to take you back to your starting point, refreshments stops and toilets en-route and a collection service if you are unable to finish the walk for whatever reason.

Organised by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust, full details including a booking form can be found on their website www.bvct.org.uk; pre-booking essential. Costs £8 per person; £6 for BVC Trust members, with a special offer of £11 which includes the walk fee and membership to BVC Trust.”

Birds Seen At Fleet Pond (1970 To 2012)

Conservation, Plants and Animals

Fleet Pond Birds 70-12

Example: Page 1 Of The Bird Checklist

David Pottinger writes:

William Legge of Hampshire Ornithological Society (HOS) has kindly prepared a (very impressive) checklist of birds that have been seen at Fleet Pond during the period 1970 – 2012.

The survey covers a very long period of time and unfortunately many of the species have not been seen in recent years. However it is hoped that our exciting pond restoration work will bring some of these back!

The full document can be downloaded here.

Information on a recent bird walk at Fleet Pond, lead by Peter Hutchins of RSPB (Basingstoke), can be found here.