Volunteers Week

As part of Volunteers Week (3nd to 8th June) we hold our annual Volunteer Away Day where we invite our volunteers to have a day off from undertaking volunteering for us and visit other organisations and see what they are doing.

View across Chippenham Fen © LOHP

This year we visited Chippenham Fen National Nature Reserve (NNR), in Cambridgeshire. The site is managed by Natural England (NE). Senior Reserves Manager for NE, Chris Hainsworth met us and gave us a guided walk around the reserve.

LOHP Volunteers enjoying a visit to Chippenham Fen © LOHP

We were told all about the history and management of the reserve. Which included their recent project to try and improve the peat soils across the reserve by increasing their wetness. This was done by installing a series of dams.

One of the many dams installed at Chippenham Fen to help wet up the peat © LOHP

We also were lucky enough to encounter some of the rarer species found on the site such as Cambridgeshire Milk Parsley, Silver Barred Moths and Beruladium procurens a hybrid umbellifer. There were also lots of more common things including Orchids, Sedges, Bog Bean, Bog Pimpernel, along with a Grasshopper Warbler and Marsh Harrier.

Bog Pimpernel at Chippenham Fen © LOHP

Everyone found the morning really enjoyable and informative, a nice change from doing practical work, hopefully everyone will be spurred on to get back to work next week.

LOHP Volunteers winding their way through Chippenham Fen © LOHP

Little Ouse Welcomes Hopton Primary School

We were visited by Oak Class from Hopton Primary School in mid-June. The group of 21 year 3/4 pupils (aged 7-9), enjoyed the morning learning more about their local river. They heard where the water in the Little Ouse flowed to and what had made it so silty. They saw the cattle grazing the surrounding fenland and watched the brightly coloured Banded Demoiselle Damselflies flitting about the river. They enjoyed looking at the river bugs that had been caught from Snails, to Damselfly larvae, Cased Caddis and even some small Fish.

Hopton Primary School visit to Little Ouse © LOHP

Hopton Primary School looking at river creatures © LOHP

On the way back they stopped to do some drawings about their river visit and ended the session with a game of pooh sticks. LOHP Conservation Manager - Ellie Beach said 'It was nice to have our local school come and visit us and learn about what is on their doorstep. Hopefully these will be the next generation of nature lovers'. Hopton Primary School Teacher Mrs Jones said, 'The children really enjoyed their morning and have not stopped talking about it, thank you to LOHP and their volunteers for making it happen'

Nature Gets a Boost

A huge thank you to those of you who took part in the Big Green Hike, last month. All your walking has raised over £250 for LOHP to help us to continue to protect and restore our natural environment.

Water Vole © Arthur Rivett

Helping species such as Water Voles to thrive. Thank you for all your efforts.