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2023 Bird Survey – new helpers wanted
New helpers are wanted to take part in the annual bird survey in the Strettons Area. The main target species are Lapwing and Curlew but participants are also encouraged to record other target species such as kestrel and cuckoo. For background and more details of the...
Red Grouse survey 2023
The annual survey of Red Grouse on the Long Mynd will be getting underway in spring starting with a Project Briefing & Methodology session starting at 19:30 on Thursday 23rd March at the Carding Mill Valley NT Tea Room. The meeting is mainly intended for new...
Stepping Stones tree planting sessions
Tree planting is a great activity – it’s social (or not, depending on how you’re feeling!), good exercise, it gives you that feel-good factor, and at the end of the day you can see that you’ve achieved something tangible. You know that with each tree you plant you’re creating a potential nest site, food resource, or shelter for birds, bats, mammals and invertebrates – and also storing carbon of course.
Free Event – Verges, Ditches & Hedges
You are invited to a day of inspirational talks about the importance and potential of road verges, hedges and ditches for our county's biodiversity and flood management. The event, organised by the Middle Marches Community Land Trust and sponsored by The Green...
Introductory Birding Course
Do you enjoy watching birds? Would you like to expand yourexpertise by building on your current knowledge of common birds? Do you know which birds to expect in different habitats in Shropshire? Would you like to be able to identify the characteristic birds of the...
Stepping Stones Wildlife Gardening Events
The Stepping Stones Project is hosting a series of events on the theme of Wildlife Gardening. All of the events are led by Natural Gardener Nancy Lowe, an organic and wildlife-friendly gardener based near Shrewsbury. A workshop on Gardening for Pollinators on...
Who we are & What we do
About us
The Strettons Area Community Wildlife Group (SACWG) is a friendly group of more than 100 people who live and / or work locally. We have been active since 2012 helping to record and conserve wildlife in and around the around the Strettons area – see the map below showing the area we cover.
The main work of the group is surveying locally threatened species and habitats. The results of the studies are provided to important bodies such as Shropshire Wildlife Trust, the National Trust, Natural England, and Shropshire Council to help them in their conservation efforts. We publish an annual report on our activities, issues of which are available for download here.
If you would like to get involved, either to share your local wildlife knowledge or to gain new knowledge, you are welcome to join us. Interest and enthusiasm are more important than in-depth knowledge as we have support from professional ecologists and local species experts, and training is available. If you are interested, please get in touch with the Secretary at SACWG@shropscwgs.org.uk.
You can download a copy of the SACWG constitution here.
Acknowledgements
Some of SACWG’s 2021 activities were supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, via the Stepping Stones Project. We are grateful for the invaluable support given by the Stepping Stones team at National Trust, Carding Mill Valley.
Sign-up
We occasionally send out announcements about SACWG activities, newsletters and other wildlife-related matters. To receive communications from us, please go to our sign-up page. Theres is no obligation and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact Us
For more information on the Strettons Area Community Wildlife Group,
email Julie Cowley (Secretary) or ☎️ (01694) 722 310
For issues relating to this website,
Follow Strettons Wildlife on X
Annual Public Meetings
The next AGM and APM will be held on Tuesday 27th February 2024 at All Stretton Village Hall. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
The 2023 meeting was held on Wednesday 15th March at All Stretton Village Hall. Minutes of the meeting can be downloaded from here (PDF)
The 2022 meeting was be held on Thesday 1st March at All Stretton Village Hall. Minutes of the meeting can be downloaded from here (PDF)
Active projects
The following are clickable links to the currently active project pages.
Other projects
Ladybird and Shieldbug Survey
This is an ‘informal’ project, meaning organised survey activities have ceased but we are still accepting casual observations from the public.
Future Survey Activities
Repeating surveys annually is far more valuable than continually changing activities, as this helps to monitor species and indicate if populations are increasing or decreasing. However, new surveys can be adopted if there is sufficient interest from the membership and someone to lead the activity.
All members are invited to propose new surveys prior to the Annual Public Meeting. There will be an opportunity at the annual meeting to present potential new surveys to the group. Popular new survey activities can be adopted at this stage.
Common Snipe (Photo: John Harding)
Retired Projects
These are currently neither active nor are they accepting casual observations. It is likely that some may be re-activated in the future as long-term (but not necessarily annual) observations are critical to monitoring changes in wildlife.
- Churchyard and Burial Ground Wildlife Survey
- Hedgerow and Verge Survey (If you are a current hedgerow & verge surveyor and would like to submit your observations online, you can still complete our online form here)
- Moth Trapping
- Rectory Wood and Field Wildlife Surveys
Photo: Caroline Uff
Activities & Achievements
Annual Reports
The SACWG Annual Report summarises the activities of the Group, with particular emphasis on the achievements of each of our surveys. To read the Annual Reports (in PDF format), please click on the appropriate box below.
Send A Message
Sending a message via this form will go to our Secretary. You will not be added to our mailing list as a result of submitting this form but please leave your email if you want us to contact you or add you to our mailing list. For more information on how we process your data, please read our Privacy Policy.