The Friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields have published their latest newsletter with notes on wildlife that you keep an eye on in November and up to Christmas. They note: “Black ivy berries and red hawthorn berries attracting blackbirds and thrushes. Mixed flocks of small birds, calling to each other with high pitched tweets.
“The hard black buds of the ash and the hanging seeds (keys) revealed now the leaves have parted company with the parent tree. The occasional yellow hawkbit flower defying the season.The old flower heads of the tall hemp agrimony fluffy with seeds. Cobwebs revealed by the early morning dew or frost. Male and female robins singing on sunny days to defend their winter territories.A kestrel perched sentinel in a tree waiting for a vole to appear.”
Sadly there is no likelihood of residents being able to spot reindeer in the woods and meadows of the city in December but their cousins the tiny Sika deer and larger Roe deer often make an appearance. As for foxes there several who live in Bath and have been seen in gardens and on the streets – especially at dawn and dusk.
The Friends continue to do the city proud with their activities in making the ‘hill top green paradise’ an environmental success. They reported: “The Friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields have again been visited and evaluated for the annual Royal Horticultural Society and South West in Bloom ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ (IYN) assessment. This is based on three main criteria: Community Participation, Environmental Responsibility, and Gardening Achievement. For the fourth year in succession, we have been judged to be in the highest category, “Level 5, Outstanding”.
If you’d like to support their work in the fields your donations are very welcome. Please donate via Local giving at friendsoflyncombehillfields.co.uk
Volunteering: Typically around 12 people join us in the Fields for two hours on Sunday mornings, with slightly smaller numbers on Wednesdays. Our sessions are from 10.00 to 12.00 on Sunday and Wednesday mornings.
You can come as often or as infrequently as you wish. In doing so you will do your bit to improve the local environment and community, and improve your health. We will teach you new skills, and you will find that this is a very sociable activity. There are no fees; all it costs is your time. If you or any family or friends are interested in getting involved, please contact us at lyncombehillfields@gmail.com
Main photo is from Somerset Wildlife Trust of a Roe Deer.
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