MWN Postbox Pocket Meadow Management

mwn_adminMWN in action

A few members of MWN got together on Saturday to work on Postbox Pocket Meadow. The plan for the day was to do a late cut on the grass, and clear away the debris, and particularly the leaves that have accumulated on the spot. These provide too much nourishment to the ground, and discourage the succession of the plants we’d like to see growing.

The mow went surprisingly well given the damp grass, and the area was very vigorously raked, with the intention of disturbing as much of the grass as we could, in order to the the next phase. Which was adding some of our saved and donated yellow rattle seeds over the area and tamping them down with some very coordinated stomping! It was also great to engage a number of dog walkers and passer’s by to tell them what exactly we were up to.

We were incredibly lucky with the weather, as it was dry on the day, and nice and wet the next, ensuring that the seed would get a great chance to bed in. Be sure to keep an eye out from March to see how the patch is going!

FSC “Signs of Spring” survey

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Field Studies Council is working in partnership with the Royal Society of Biology to bring you the Signs of Spring survey 2025. Signs of Spring is a survey asking members of the public to record ten signs of spring across the UK.

They would love people to get involved by looking out for any of the ten indicator species or events that herald spring, and when you see one, record it using their short survey. For more information on the survey, click here. And to submit a sighting if you already know what inidcators they are using, click here! (Hint, bluebells are one!)

UK’s Largest Amphibian Survey Launches 2025 Season

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The Freshwater Habitats Trust has announced the start of the 2025 PondNet Spawn Survey, continuing its critical work monitoring Common Frog and Common Toad breeding patterns across the United Kingdom. This citizen science initiative, which began in 2012, has become an essential tool for understanding amphibian populations and identifying crucial breeding sites.

Following a record-breaking 2024 season with over 2,000 documented sightings, the survey continues to provide valuable data for national conservation efforts. The information collected contributes to the Record Pool, the UK’s primary herpetofauna database, supporting both local and national conservation strategies.

The survey’s significance extends beyond simple population tracking. Data collected helps identify Priority Ponds, which receive special conservation status based on their ecological value, particularly when Common Toads are present. These long-term datasets are proving invaluable for wildlife conservation planning and habitat protection.

Participants can submit sightings from any location – private gardens, community spaces, or wild areas. The survey typically sees its first recordings in the South West, with early breeding activity often documented before the new year.

Those interested in participating can find submission guidelines and view existing records through the Freshwater Habitats Trust website. Participants are encouraged to share their findings on social media using #SpawnSurvey.

MPC and MWN first working group meeting

mwn_adminMWN in action

Molescroft Wildlife Network is pleased to announce that we had our first working group meeting with Molescroft Parish Council. We’ve been incredibly grateful to MPC for their support so far, and have enjoyed attending Parish Council meetings. This was the first opportunity we had to meet our new councillors and explain our goals around the Parish. It was an incredibly productive meeting and we look forward to many more to come!

Left to right: Cllr Adrian Costello, Steve Parkin (MWN), Cllr Mac Fleming, Angie Norman (MWN), Cllr Elaine Aird, Sharon Stone (MWN), Cllr Pam Lockyer

MWN receieve Beverley Area Community Trust Grant

mwn_adminMWN in action

We are incredibly grateful to the Beverley Area Community Trust for a grant awarded to Molescroft Wildlife Network.

The Beverly Area Community Trust is funded through the use of clothing collection bins (the one in the car park at Molescroft Pavillions is one of these!), fundraising events and collection buckets, and provides small grant’s to local groups and organisations within the Beverley Area. (Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire) covering Beverley, Molescroft and Woodmansey.

We will be using the grant to procure more equipment and materials for running wildlife focused events.

Below: Steve, Sharon, Karyn and Sheila from MWN receive the award from Cllr Elaine Aird

Virtual Ecologies in East Yorkshire

mwn_adminNews and events

Virtual Ecologies is an intergenerational learning project which aims to unlock local ecological knowledge, through free critical and creative response workshops, hands-on outdoor gatherings, skills development opportunities and unique experiences with artist-educators and natural scientists, for people of all ages across East Yorkshire.

All their events and activities are free of charge, with all materials, resources and hospitality included. Events include family workshops, field trips and guided walks, school enrichment days, communal wild space festivals, photography and journalling mentorships and more. Through these experiences, they aim to reduce rural and coastal isolation and remove barriers to access for engaging in creative exchanges.

It’s an amazing looking Lottery and Arts Council England funded project, with the first events already listed. Check out the website here.