TARCA NEWS Issue 7 13th Sept 2011
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.
The Dragons of Rooksbury
August weather wasn’t the greatest but TARCA & Hampshire & The Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust had a joint dragonfly walk. Despite the threatening showers we had a good show of dragonflies and damselflies including Southern Hawker, Common Darter, Common & Blue-tailed damselflies and a new record for the lakes – A Red Eyed damselfly (Erythromma najas).This was the second new record for the lakes this year. Earlier in the year a Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly (Orthetrum cancellatum) was reported.
Glow-worms & Bats
At the end of June we held a Bat & Glow worm walk at Rooksbury Mill Nature Reserve. The evening went very well with quite a few bat sightings including Daubenton’s bats flying over the lakes. After the bat walk a short walk and survey was carried out for Glow-worms. These beetles were known to have a colony nearby in Upper Clatford. However much to our surprise we found that Glow-worms were actually present on the Rooksbury site.13 individual glowing females were found which have been submitted to the National Glow-worm survey records
If you go down to the woods…
The TVBC Woodfair at Knightwood near Chandler’s Ford went amazing well this year. TARCA had an information stand with activities for children as well as a ‘make your own’ insect hibernation hotels activity for 50p.
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, or new website:http://www.antonriver-conservation.org.uk/
NEXT EVENTS:
Sunday 25th September – Ride Management at Anton Lakes Nature Reserve 10am-2pm
Sunday 9th October – River Clean at Mead Hedges, Andover (Mead Road) 10am -2pm