TARCA NEWS ISSUE 2 – 2ND JUNE 2010
TARCA is a new conservation group spawned from interest in The River Anton Enhancement Scheme – a partnership between Test Valley Borough Council, The Environment Agency, and Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust to improve the river corridor for wildlife and people.
Watercress bed & River Clear
Volunteers in March helped clear the watercress beds that had overgrown. This involved the coppicing of some trees to let more light in for invertebrates and removing some some watercress to allow the water to flow more freely again.
Ephemeral Pond Creation
TARCA volunteers put real hard effort into creating a Ephemeral (Seasonal) Pond in the meadow behind Wickes/KFC. It was hard going digging until the water table was found, but the hard effort should pay off as things like Dragonflies and Frogs colonise the pond
Dexter’s New Home
April saw volunteers litter pick and create a new cattle corral in Wickes Meadow in time for its new residents. 3 Dexter’s cattle arrived to graze the meadow and allow some of the more delicate wildflowers to re-establish themselves. Other Dexter’s cattle were moved into Anton Lakes
Discovery Day
The Hi-tech Wild Trek trailer paid a visit to Rooksbury Mill in May. Children and Adults alike were able to pond dip, put their finds under a microscope and have them identified. Rooksbury Mill was teaming with life including this rather large Dragonfly Larvae shown below.
Become a volunteer:
If you wish to volunteer or want information on the new group please contact 01264 368811 or 07722 267138 email: antonriver@live.com or find us on our facebook page by searching TARCA The Anton River Conservation Association. TARCA events will also be published in TVBC’s diary which can be found on: http://www.testvalley.gov.uk as well as on FACEBOOK
NEXT EVENTS:
Sunday 13th June 10am – 2 Anton Lakes clean up of wet area.Meet on path behind Wicks store
Sunday 18th July 10am – 2 Discovery Day with
Hi-tech Wild Trek at Anton Lakes. Another chance for a pond dip for children and adults alike