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Biodiversity Group

The Biodiversity Group aims to encourage natural habitats within the village.  If you would like to join the group Rob Reed is your man.  He will be happy to tell you about what we do and you are welcome to join the group, either at a formal meeting or at a working party activity.

                 

Biodiversity Group members:

Rob Reed, Mari Galvin, Jill Turner, Chris Hassall, Tricia Footman, Sue Tait, Mary Brooks, Janet Smith

Forthcoming meetings/events in 2022

Watch this space!

Results of 2017 Bat Survey

Everyone has been astonished at the number and diversity of bat species revealed to be living within Littleham and Landcross with a total of 11 distinct species identified and another 4 categories where the exact species could not be distinguished but were amongst the 11 listed.  The recorders indicated the number of passes by each species of bat, which is only an indication of the actual number of bats, as a single bat could have spent all three nights circling around the microphone just to confuse us!  The total numbers of recorded passes in Littleham varied from a maximum of 598 Common Pipistrelles to just two Greater Horseshoe bats, although elsewhere there were 47 Greater Horseshoe passes at Watertown, Landcross, in May and 2774 Soprano Pipistrelles 'singing' at Alwington Church in October! 

The full list for Littleham:

Common Pip       598                  

Soprano Pip        554

Whiskered Bat       87

Natterer's Bat        45

Lesser Horseshoe  20

Noctule                   18

Daubenton's           18

Serotine                  15

Brown long eared    5

Barbastelle              3

Greater Horseshoe  2

Those most worthy of note are the Greater Horseshoe, Lesser H., Barbastelle and Serotine.  Brown Long-eared bats are normally quite common, so the low number recorded in Littleham this summer is surprising.  They tend to roost in the old stone barns, so perhaps there are few such building left in the village.  Two other species were mentioned- Leislers and Brandts.  Neither were specifically identified and both are considered unlikely to be in this area. 

Fritillary Planting

The Biodiversity Group planted fritillary bulbs in the Autumn 2014, having noticed that the few plants previously planted at the pond were thriving.  Much to our delight,  a sea of fritillaries became evident this Spring.  

The working party and the resulting blooms.

  

The Big Butterfly Count    19th July-10th August 2014

RESULTS FOR LITTLEHAM AND LANDCROSS

There were 22 counts entered for our parish out of 43570 nationwide.

The order of prevalence this year was:

1	Peacock
2	Small Tortoiseshell
3	Small White
4	Gatekeeper
5	Large White
6	Speckled Wood
7	Red Admiral
8	Green- veined White
9	Comma
10	Meadow Brown
11	Ringlet
12	Painted Lady
13	Small Copper
14	Common Blue
15	Large Skipper
16	Brimstone

There were no sightings of the Six-spot Burnet moth, Silver Y Moth, Holly Blue, Wall or Marbled White.

With this base data, we can hopefully build year on year comparisons.

Thank you for your entries.  We hope you enjoyed identifying the butterflies in our midst.

March 2012 -  Spring is around the corner and we have been preparing with the following project work:

• Construction of 20 bird boxes for Robins or Bluetits completed and installed in gardens and along paths in the village. It’s over to the birds to take up residence – if you see one of the bird boxes being used do let us know via email from this website.
• Oliver, Jamie and Toby cleverly worked out how to construct the Tawny Owl box which is fixed high up above the bridlepath behind the church.  They also helped put together the last two bird boxes with the help of Owen and Iona.
• On request from the Parish Council the Biodiversity Group selected a Mazzard Cherry tree to be planted in recognition of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. This is a native Devon species that is undergoing a revival to save it for future generations. The Littleham and Landcross Mazzard has been planted in the wildflower area of the village playing fields.
• On March 24^th we will be clearing a bramble patch in St Swithun’s churchyard and planting wildflowers.
• We’re keeping a watch on the RWE website for publication of Atlantic Array environmental study data so that we can input to the next stage of consultation.

 The Mazzard is planted.

   Bird boxes constructed and finished!

  Bird box given its new home!

October 2011 - the Biodiversity Group has been busy on a variety of projects:

• After a glorious display of summer flowers, two hours of brisk activity got the Playing Field Wildflower and Pond Wildlife areas cleared ready for Winter.
• The Littleham Churchyard and Playing Field information boards displays are updated to help you identify Autumn plants and wildlife as well as the rare collection of churchyard lichen.
• Two fun afternoons bashing hammer and nails resulted in 20 robin/blue tit bird boxes which are ready for installation around the Parish in January.  Some boxes have already been taken home by the children who made them and the remainder will be sited by the Biodiversity Group at the two existing project sites and in the churchyard. We’re adding a Tawny Owl nesting box and hope to attract this beautiful bird to the churchyard.
• We have informed ourselves about, and contributed to, the Atlantic Array Consultation Process as the Parish Biodiversity Group and eagerly await publication of the environmental data that is needed to fully inform the consultation process.

  

   The photo shows the Littleham playing field information board.

May 2011 - the bluebells planted in the wildflower area of the playing field flowered this spring and a number of other wildflowers including yellow rattle are just coming into bloom among the grass.

The pond area at the top of church lane has been cleared of some of the brambles and stinging nettles to allow a wider variety of grasses and wildflowers to become established there. Snowdrop bulbs and primroses have been planted, and a mix of grass and wildflower seed sown. Also the willow which was shedding dead branches has been felled so that the area has more light.

This photo shows the Biodiversity Group busy clearing the pond!