Conservation of our local birds
A Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is being prepared for Shropshire, one of 48 covering the whole of England. The ten local Community Wildlife Groups are Stakeholders in the process. For more information, see the LNRS official website
where there is a public consultation questionnaire, which you might like to complete (the deadline is 16 October).
The intention is to create a Long List of species that are threatened with local extinction, then a Short List of species that we should concentrate actions on. Leo Smith is leading on preparing these lists in respect to birds, and setting appropriate actions to help their recovery. The guidance is to use the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) Red List, plus locally-determined priorities, to decide which species should be on these lists. We are aiming to complete this part of the process by mid-December.
A paper recommending the Long List, and candidates for the Short List, along with groups of species (“assemblages”) which can be helped with the same actions, can be found here. The target species for the CWG bird survey are all included in proposed Long List. If you would like to comment on the paper, and in particular on which species should be on these lists, there are two deadlines, to fit in with the timetable for preparing the LNRS.
- Comments on the Long List, including suggested additions or deletions, with reasons, should be sent by 9.00am on Monday 14 October
- Proposals for the shortlist, and actions the LNRS should undertake to help them recover. should be sent by 9.00am on Monday 11 November,
Leo would welcome your comments on birds, please. They should be sent by email to him leo@leosmith.org.uk
Please also copy in the Camlad CWG Secretary, Sandy Scott sscott10@hotmail.co.uk
Bird identification course
If you’re interested in improving your bird ID skills, or would just like a series of guided walks around Shropshire’s best birding sites, we strongly recommend this course. The leaders are two of the county’s most experienced and talented birders, and good teachers.
See the information on this course for the details and dates. Spaces are limited.
If you know anyone who might be interested, please pass this on.
The appeal has been featured on BBC
Plant Group events 2024
The new programme of Plant Group events for the upcoming year is now out. From trees to rare species and fungi, there is something for everyone!
Check out the programme here.
Stepping Stones News
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Welcome
About us
The Camlad Valley Community Wildlife Group (CVCWG) was set up to help local people help local wildlife. The group provides a chance to learn and get that little bit closer to some of our most fascinating plants and animals.
Participating in the group provides an opportunity to find out about the distinctive wildlife of the Camlad Valley and the area surrounding Corndon Hill and to share your local wildlife knowledge. You will receive free expert training and a chance to engage in local opportunities to perform valuable conservation work and have fun at the same time.
An annual report is issued each year, summarising the activities and accomplishments of the past twelve months and laying out plans for the forthcoming period. You can read our reports here.
Alongside other local wildlife groups, we participate in an annual survey of Curlew and Lapwing, and there are projects to protect and enhance diversity of the local flora.
Area of Interest
The geographical extent of the CVCWG’s activities is shown on the map adjacent (please click to enlarge), expressed in terms of tetrads (the 2 km x 2 km squares used in surveying many types of wildlife).
The area includes Churchstoke, Hyssington, Priest Weston and Chirbury, so lies partly in England and partly in Wales. As a result, we have ties not only with the other Shropshire Wildlife Groups but also Powys-based bodies such as the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust.
More information
To join the Camlad Valley CWG or to get more information, please contact:
Sandy Scott (Secretary) or Peter Fenner (Website Minder) at camladvalley@shropscwgs.org.uk
Follow us
Area of Interest
What we do
BARN OWL SIGHTINGS
We want to hear of any Barn Owl sightings so that we can erect nesting boxes where they will be most likely to be used. Find out more about how you can help.
Curlew Surveys
Are curlew numbers continuing to decline? The only way we can tell is by surveying them. These means boots on the ground – will you add yours?
Reports
Click through to view or download our annual reports from 2014 -2023.
Here you can find out about our findings during the year and what we hope to achieve in future.
See what we’ve been up to
Past Events
Bird Walk, 26 May 2019
Leaden grey skies and the occasional shower did not deter the twenty people who joined our birdwatching walk around Roundton Nature Reserve. In fact, the weather had more of an impact on the birds we hoped to see, as they were generally staying sheltered and being...
Bird Group meeting, 18 March 2019
The Bird Group met at the Horse and Jockey in Churchstoke to plan this year’s survey of curlew, lapwing and other bird species. The survey is carried out by volunteers being allocated a tetrad made up of four kilometre squares. Volunteers for most of the Camlad...
River Health Training, 16 March 2019
Our group combined with the Upper Clun Valley CWG to host a ‘River Health’ training session at Clun Valley Memorial Hall. The training was provided by Jenna Shaw of Shropshire Wildlife Trust, who hopes that as many people as possible will get involved with sampling...
Interested in joining?
Anyone who lives or works in the area, or has an interest in its wildlife, and who wants to actively contribute to local knowledge and conservation, is welcome. Membership is free.
Enthusiasm and interest in the area are far more important than specialist knowledge. Group members are assisted by experts in the relevant fields: they provide training to anyone who wants it on such topics as species identification, how to carry out a simple surveys and how to record the results. Survey work is easy and enjoyable, and members will learn new skills.
Join
By joining Camlad Valley Community Wildlife Group, we will email you with information on our events and activities. For more information on how we process your data, please read our Privacy Policy.
Support
The Camlad Valley Community Wildlife Group received financial support from the Stiperstones & Corndon Hill Country Landscape Partnership Scheme, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The lead organisation for the Scheme is the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, and the Scheme is hosted by Shropshire Council. Please see www.stiperstonesandcorndon.co.uk
