Wildlife Groups
Wildlife Trust’s Species Groups by Debbie Whitfield
Are
you interested in local wildlife? Would you like to learn more about natural
history? Did you know your local Wildlife Trust runs three specialist groups,
for people with a passion for amphibians and reptiles, mammals, and flora? The
groups are supported by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust but organised
by committees of dedicated volunteers, who are experienced and extremely
knowledgeable about local wildlife.
Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group (HARG) focus their efforts on conserving our local herpatofauna. There are 13 native species of amphibian and reptile, and 12 of them can be found in Hampshire. HARG organises many walks, talks and training days and have carried out a number of sessions for one of our most colourful, rarer and protected amphibians, the Great Crested Newt. Trainees learnt how to survey for newts using different techniques and how to tell Great Crested Newts apart from their cousins, the Smooth Newt and the Palmate Newt. HARG is chaired by John Poland, an ecologist and reptile and amphibian expert.
Hampshire Mammal Group (HMG) spend their time surveying and sharing knowledge about our mammal fauna. The variety of different habitats from wetlands to grasslands to woodlands, means that Hampshire is home to important populations of some of the UK’s rarest mammals, including otters, dormice and water vole. HMG organise several interesting talks and walks for members to learn more about these species, this year the Group held a fascinating talk on Shrews, carried out a Dormouse Nut Hunt, a Bat Walk and Badger Watch. HMG are also interested in how the different species are distributed in the county and carry out surveys in order to find out.
Hampshire Flora Group are interested in all things botanical but also cover lichens and ferns. The Flora Group organise several events each month across the County, surveying and monitoring our local Flora. Trips are often off the beaten track and cover a number of interesting sites. This year as part of the Trust’s 50th Anniversary celebrations the Flora Group have a held a number of special walks, for example to Noar Hill, where members observed Pyramidal, Fragrant, Frog and Musk Orchids.
For more information about all three groups and upcoming events please contact Tiki Leggett, Hampshire Wildlife Trust on 01489 774455 or check out the Trust’s website under “get involved” at www.hwt.org.uk