The look of indignance, straight after being ringed! - image from webcam

Dear EWG Newsletter Subscribers

When I look back at the five weeks since our last newsletter so much has happened! 

Firstly we’ve changed our newsletter publication date to the last Friday of the month allowing us to reflect on the past month and look forward to the month to come.

In late April we welcomed two Peregrine chicks to our Ealing pair, Dusty and Freddie. Since then we’ve all been glued to YouTube watching the youngsters' rapid growth. The live stream was stopped for our expert licensed ringer to ring both chicks which we believe are girls. Here’s the link to the video short of that event.

The success of our Harvest Mice breeding and reintroduction programme with our project partners at Battersea Children’s Zoo and New Forest Wildlife Park continues and they joined us to release mice at the beginning of May. See the article below on how successful our releases have been.

After achieving our funding target, activities on the Hedgehog Highways project have continued to progress. We had a very successful habitat creation day at Boles Meadow on 20th May, and the highways extended further with 22 more holes bored in garden fences and boundaries on 21st. 

While things might have gone quiet on the Ealing Beaver Project, there is still a lot going on behind the scenes including data analysis of the species on the site now, so we can monitor any changes once the Beavers arrive in the autumn. I was thrilled when the Beaver Trust asked me to become their brand new Ambassador as I fully support their mission of restoring Beavers to regenerate our landscapes. We have another volunteer day booked at Paradise Fields on 3 June, the details of which are in our Volunteers section. You might also be interested in this short video on how Beavers will transform London.

Lastly, I’m excited to announce that for the seventh year in succession, we will be hosting our annual photography exhibition. We will be opening the competition on 1 June and you will have until 31 July to get your entries in; good luck everyone. Please put the date of 30 September into your calendars now for the exhibition opening at the Rickyard in Walpole Park. We’ll send out a special newsletter with all the details of how to enter, the categories and the rules on 1 June, so watch this space.

Sean

Chair, Ealing Wildlife Group

Using the Grand Union Canal as a wildlife corridor, suitable sites have been found for the release of our hugely successful Harvest Mice breeding and reintroduction programme. 

Things might have been busy near Westminster on 6th May, but they were also busy at a very soggy Paradise Fields where we released 65 mice.

The following day, delayed due to firework displays, was the first release at Marnham Fields in Greenford. We had 47 people there to help, which was just as well as we had 70 mice, one of which was our one-thousandth to be released. The honour of that release went to the grandson of a long-time supporter who was turning two that week. 

Our continued thanks go to the “Mousewives” and "Mousekeepers" (their choice of names) for all the hard work they do at Horsenden Farm looking after the breeding colony every week.

Before the sun was up, a group of very early Ealing risers met outside The Fox Inn in Hanwell (which was sadly closed) for what was the seventh Dawn Chorus Walk hosted by Sean. Even lockdown didn’t stop this annual event as although gatherings and events were banned, Sean ventured out on his own and live-streamed the chorus for all to enjoy.

There were just under 40 people walking about cupping their ears to listen for bird songs around Hanwell Meadows, Trumpers Field, Long Wood and Warren Farm. Lead again by Sean, who on this occasion was ably supported by his wingman (pardon the pun) Nigel Dodd, there was a cacophony of birds singing.

The group heard Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Wren, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Green Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon. The walk ended with one particular Skylark who on cue flew up to sing right above their heads.

Coronation day was a day of celebration and cakes! A young supporter held a cake sale and wanted any funds raised to go towards our Hedgehog Highways appeal.

We are delighted to announce that not only did Violet get her Brownies Charity Badge but ably assisted by her sister Rose, they raised £80.75!

Congratulations Violet (and Rose) and thank you for helping the wildlife in Ealing; check out those cakes!

As the sun slowly set on the 11th May, a small group of around 20 people gathered at Horsenden Farm to learn about bats and how to lead bat walks. Nadya Mirochnitchenko, EWG's ecologist, talks us through echolocation, detectors, and the link between Bats and Beavers.

EWG Bat Walk @ Northala Fields

June 07, 21:00 

Meet by the café in Northala Fields

Come and find out more about our local bats

Bring a torch and suitable footwear. Under 18's must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Visitor open day @ Costons Lane Nature Reserve
June 24, 10:00 - 14:00
Reserve entrance off Ruislip Road, across from Lidl Car Park, Greenford, UB6 8R
The reserve is open to visitors every 4th Saturday of the month. Come and relax and see what wildlife you can spot.

Beaver Community Volunteering Day @ Paradise Fields

Jun 3, 10:00 – 14:00

Meet at the Paradise Fields designated car park (the crescent-shaped parking space by McDonald’s)

Volunteer day @ Costons Lane Nature Reserve

June 10, 10:00 - 14:00

Reserve entrance off Ruislip Road, across from Lidl Car Park, Greenford, UB6 8RS

Invertebrate Field Recorder Day

June 24, 10.00 - 16.00

Paradise Fields, Greenford, UB6 0AD

Over 18s only. Booking essential. More information