|
Bank Holiday Sunday found fifteen members of the Lynsted with Kingsdown Society gathered at Hare Cottage for, what has now become, an annual walk around the land farmed and managed by our Chairman.
 Last autumn Hazel Ryan, from the Kent Wildwood Trust visited us to talk about the 'protected' common dormouse. She told us about nest boxes that she had placed in Erriott Wood to help with this project. Last year some dormice had been found in the boxes and we were eager to have a look to see if there was any sign of a return of these attractive mammals. Neil had a quick look at three of the boxes which were mounted about two metres above the ground on tree boles. Hazel had cleaned out the boxes in the Spring but there was evidence that fresh leaves had been brought into some of the boxes, so we are optimistic for their return this year.
After a while we were joined by Jeff Handy, the gamekeeper for all the surrounding woodland area. He gave us a summary of the job he does and explained how he fed and managed the land for game shooting. He gave an interesting explanation of land management from his viewpoint and claimed that 80% of the countryside conservation work is dependent on the gamekeeper's successful management of the land for game shooting. In answer to many questions put to him he told us that predator species numbers have to be kept in check to achieve a 'balance' of species and prevent the songbird population declining even further.
 |
When asked about the decline in the insect population which is such an important part of the food chain he said that he shared our concern but could give no clear reason for it. He also worried about the re-introduction of the sea-eagle in South East England. If the population of such large birds increases we will need a much broader based predator-prey 'pyramid' and that will be difficult to achieve. Jeff also discussed the increasing use of wood pellets as fuel in renewable energy schemes and felt that this would help restore the coppicing system and economy in North Kent. Converting derelict woodland timber to pellets would help re-establish the broad range of wildlife that coppiced woodland encourages.
After a couple of hours strolling around, enjoying the views, admiring the speed of the local hares and the grace of the buzzards soaring high above our heads, we returned for tea, cake and Pimm's jelly in Neil and Jenny's idyllic garden. There may not have been a Mad Hatter nor a Dormouse asleep in a teapot at our tea-party but the sun shone down on us as we admired the expansive view from the garden making it a perfect finale to the afternoon.
Norma Baxter
|
