This grey seal was spotted and photographed in the Trent Vale two weeks ago by Dr Robin Brace. The seal was swimming in the River Trent close to Collingham and the Notts Wildlife Trust Besthorpe Nature Reserve. Seals following tidal rivers are not uncommon Britian. There have been three sightings of grey seals so far this year in the Collingham/besthorpe area. If you are lucky enough to spot any seals then we’d love to hear from you!
Archive for August, 2011
Seal makes a splash in the Trent Vale
Posted in Trent Vale News on August 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Free Walk leader Training
Posted in Trent Vale News on August 9, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Free volunteer walk leader training coming up on Saturday 13 August in Clumber Park 10-4pm with lunch provided.
For an application form or more ifnormation please contact Alex Porter on 01909 533468.
Midnight moth hunt
Posted in Trent Vale News on August 8, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Budding moth enthusiasts turned out last Saturday night to Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Farndon Willow Holt for an evening moth watch as part of the Trent Vale Landscape Partnership. County Moth Recorder Sheila Wright and John Osbourne gave a short introduction to the importance of moths, their status in Nottinghamshire and ongoing conservation work before two light traps were set up and we waited for darkness to fall and the moths to appear.
Weather conditions were good for moths, although a bit of early evening rain and the temperature falling quickly under clear skies may have reduced the number of species flying. Despite this, 30 different species of moth were recorded in total, with highlights being a twin-spotted wainscot and crescent moth both of which are wetland specialists with a limited distribution in Nottinghamshire, and the impressive poplar hawk-moth.
Besthorpe Mons Pool Community Excavation
Posted in Trent Vale News on August 2, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The ongoing developer-led excavation at Mons Pool, Besthorpe Quarry, opens up to volunteer diggers for a fortnight from the 8th to the 19th August (excluding weekends). As part of the Trent Vale Landscape Partnership, the University of Salford’s Centre for Applied Archaeology are teaming up with Nottinghamshire County Council’s Community Archaeologists for this fortnight of community archaeology to celebrate the Festival of British Archaeology.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to excavate parts of a Romano-British settlement that once overlooked the River Trent. The site also has fascinating prehistoric origins that stretch back into the Stone Age.
Places on the dig are filling up fast, so email community.archaeology@nottscc.gov.uk or call or call 0115 977 2160 if you want to come along. Also visit our website at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/communityarchaeology for a video and photos from last year’s dig.
Time Travellers
Posted in Trent Vale News on August 1, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Last Saturday’s Time Travel event at Newark Castle was an astounding success with a record number of people attending and lots of fun to be had by all.
As part of the Trent Vale Landscape Partnership, Nottinghamshire County Council organised the day all set within the crumbling walls of Newark Castle and gardens. Over 4,450 people came through the gates and travelled back in time to explore history. Attractions included battle re-enactments, traditional besom broom making, archaeological finds, the grim executioner, stalls from local heritage and wildlife groups and historical musical entertainment. Even Queen Victoria made an appearance.
Several members from the Trent Vale Landscape Partnership came along including Groundwork Creswell, Ashfield and Mansfield, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, The RSPB and the Trent Vale project team.
Next year we will be running another Time Travel Trent Vale event as part of the 2012 Riverside Festival and we can’t wait!