THE NOAK BRIDGE NATURE RESERVE SOCIETY

Summer 2009

   Betty Haynes, Chair

The Society's first ten years have gone now and we are looking forward to the next ten! Thanks to all our members and to Basildon Council Countryside Services for their support and encouragement as we assisted in the improvement and development of the reserve. We have seen many changes during this time including our rangers. Mark Williams, our current ranger has been with us longer than any of the previous ones. Mark supervises our monthly work parties and we would like to see more members coming along. We have witnessed changing water levels in all of our ponds; full to overflowing, then having no water at all. This is due to climate changes but there is usually enough water when breeding time comes around in the Spring.

So far this summer we have had two moth surveys. They were very interesting. We have a very colourful selection of species on the reserve and I was personally amazed. One type has only been seen in the country in the last ten years and it is breeding on our reserve! Great! Another species we were lucky to see was the Red Underwing - quite a large one! Our thanks to Graham Bailey and Les Steward for the surveys.


   Membership Secretary, Weed

We are now two months into the new membership year and so far there have been 51 renewals, which is very encouraging. However we have had no new members yet, so if you have friends or neighbours who may be interested, please let them know about us. Once again, on behalf of the Committee, I would like to give a big thanks to all those who have sent in donations.


   Web Site  http://www.nbnrs.org.uk

Details of guided walks and work parties are published on the web site, which also has back issues of our newsletters. If you have taken part in any of our activities, then please feel welcome to post an account of on the noakbridge.net forum in the NBNRS discussion section. If members feel it is useful, information could also be made available on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Plurk etc - should anyone be interested in moderating, contributing or just following then please email info@nbnrs.org.uk or leave a message on the forum.


   Mark Williams, Ranger - Noak Wildlife Feature - The Roesels Bush-cricket

A hundred years ago Roesel's bush-cricket was confined to the coastal fluke of the river Thames & small coastal pockets stretching northwards to the Humber. It was not until the mid 1980s as part of The Greater London Survey that this infrequently seen species was noticed establishing itself in & around the Home Counties. Now in the 21st century this climate driven expansion has led to it being found just about anywhere with a suitable environment, top of the list as des-res being water meadows and ungrazed grassland. Both of these habitats are found in good supply at Noak Bridge.

This visually & vocally striking species (sounding similar to a camera delayed action mechanism) can as an adult be found in warm weather from July onwards, when the males can often be heard wooing the females well into the evening using high pitched stridulation (Crickets & Grasshopper actually sing by rubbing their legs together).

The female can quickly be istinguished from the male because like all female Crickets she has a long upward curving ovipositor (egg laying tube).

Otherwise both sexes look very much alike with a black pronotum (a shield situated behind the head) flanked with a distinctive narrow yellow horseshoe band, while in front of the very long hind legs can be found three yellow ovular stripes.


   Work Parties

Every third Wednesday in the month, 1pm - 3pm.


   Dogs

If you have been frightened or threatened by unleashed dogs in the reserve please report the date, time and details of the incident to the dog warden at 01268-294280 or to Betty Haynes at 01268-531365.

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THE NOAK BRIDGE NATURE RESERVE SOCIETY

10TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, 9 July 2009
Village Hall, Noak Bridge
7.30pm

MINUTES

Committee:

Betty Haynes, Chair Weed, Membership sec. Joan Fynn Jean Youé

Janet Bircham, Secretary Ralph Chapman, Treasurer Peter Fynn

1. Apologies for absence
Terri Sargent, John Baron

2. Chairperson's Welcome - Betty Haynes
Betty welcomed 13 members attending our tenth Annual General Meeting and thanked them for their continued support. She reported on the recent burst water pipe in the reserve. Repairs have been made and an investigation into the cause of the incident will continue. Last September's bat walk was enjoyed by all in spite of the shortage of bats on that particular evening! Our thanks to Becky Gibson who led the walk and provided everyone with a bat detector.

3. Matters arising from the Minutes of the AGM held 17 July 2008
There were no questions.

4. Adoption of the Minutes of AGM held 17 July 2008
Approved (proposed by Joan Fynn; seconded by Becky Gibson).

5. Treasurer's Report - Ralph Chapman
Ralph Chapman presented the annual Statement of Accounts which recorded a current bank balance of £1,732.07. Expenditures for the year included the purchase of a crab-apple tree in memory of Tony Youé, a long-standing member who passed away this year. His dedication to the work of the Society and his contribution to projects completed by the work parties are very much appreciated.

6. Membership Secreatry's Report - Weed
At the end of our 2008/09 year we had 94 members, in increase of 3 from the previous year (lost 6, gained 9). Seventeen of the original members from 1999/2000 are still members. Four members have requested Newsletter deliveries by e-mail.
   Website - http://www.nbnrs.org.uk
Thanks to our ranger, Mark Williams, we have some excellent new photographs - some still to be added to the galleries. Informal records on the wildlife page go back to Betty Haynes's list of birds (2002). Our thanks to Noakbridge.net for the provision of our webspace.

7. Countryside Services - Mark Williams
Conservation continued in the reserve with the Work Party engaged in providing nest/shelter chambers for bees. Some were placed in trees and some on the ground for solitary bees. The nests were inspected in the spring and we were pleased to see that they had been used. The woodpeckers were also delighted to employ their destructive skills on some sites! The Society has provided bat boxes which have to be sited in threes as the bats move from one to the other as the temperature changes. Female bats may prefer to nest together in a communal site to raise their young.

8. Election of Officers and Committee
As required by our Constitution, the current Officers and committee members officially stood down and Betty Haynes asked for nominations. There were no nominations for new Officers but Michele Walker volunteered to serve as an additional committee member. Therefore, Betty suggested to the meeting that the previous officers and committee be re-elected en-bloc. This suggestion received a unanimous vote of approval and your current officers will be pleased to continue to serve.

9. Open Forum
Betty is waiting for the results of a survey of butterflies and moths found in the reserve this year by Graham Bailey. She also told the meeting that we are going to replace the glass in the reserve's notice board as it has been subjected to many attempts to destroy it! However, it is a very robust design and we have been fortunate to have only minimal damage.
   Norsey Wood Nature Reserve Open Day - Sunday, 21 September 2008
Committee members enjoyed a fine day at Norsey Wood.

The business meeting as declared closed at 8.15pm and members enjoyed wine and cheese and a delicious Birthday Cake.

The meeting closed at 9pm.

   Date of next Committee Meeting - Thursday, 3 September 2009
(pending availability of substitute Countryside Services representative as Mark Williams will be unable to attend).

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WILD FLOWERS ON THE RESERVE

Here are a few facts and myths about some of the wild flowers which can be seen on the Reserve during the summer.

Common Bird's Foot Trefoil - Lotus corniculatus

This has yellow pea-like flowers and blooms from June-September. It gets its name from the elongated seed pods which have a hook at the end resembling a bird's claw. It is also known as Eggs & Bacon, Devil's Claws and in the UK, Granny's Toenails. It attracts bees, wasps and butterflies.

Cow Parsley - Anthriscus sylvestris

Tiny white flowers make up the umbrella shaped heads which bloom from April-June. This tall plant is also called Queen Anne's Lace due to its scented frothy lace-like flowers. It is sometimes mistaken for other similar but poisonous plants and is called Devil's Meat. It attracts a huge number of insect species.

Herb Robert - Geranium robertianum

This has pink flowers from May-September. As the stems and leaves turn scarlet in the autumn, ancient herbalists thought that this plant could cure blood disorders. The name Robert may have been derived from the latin for red, ruber. Several other suggestions are that it was named after Robert, Duke of Normandy, St Robert, Abbot of Molesme, founder of the Cistercian Order, or the mischievous sprite Robin Goodfellow, also known as Puck. As Herb Robert gives out a somewhat unpleasant odour it is also called Stinking Bob, Stinking Jenny and Stink Flower, it does however appeal to a wide range of insects.

Red Deadnettle Lamium purpureum

Pinkish-purple flowers from March to October. This is a nettle whose leaves do not sting, but it is a pernicious weed. It begins flowering early then releases vast quantities of seeds. Long ago it was used to treat 'king's evil' (scrofula) which is glandular tuberculosis. It was believed to be curable by the touch of a monarch. It is widely used in herbal remedies.

Hedge Bindweed (Bellbine) - Calystegia sepium

These large 30-50mm across, pure white trumpet shaped flowers appear from June to September, and have given this plant the name Morning Glory. When there is a very bright moon the flowers stay open at night to attract Convolvulus Hawk moths which pollinate the flowers whilst lapping up the nectar with their long tongues.

Common Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale

Deep-yellow flowers from March-October. One of the most well known wild flowers we have with above 1000 species growing across Europe. As children we have all blown onto the dandelion 'clock' to attempt to determine the time of day. It derives its name from the French for lion's teeth, 'dents de lion'. Dandelions were used medicinally and for culinary use, from flower head wine, to tangy leaf salads.

Greater Stitchwort - Stellaria holostea

Blooms April-June with white flowers. Butterflies, bees, moths and beetles love this plant making it a must for any wildflower garden. A loud 'pop' can be heard when its seed capsules burst. Its name refers to its use in relieving a 'stitch'. It has also been called Poor Man's Buttonhole.

Common Mallow - Malva sylvestris

Pink to purple flowers from June -September. This plant is very common on the Reserve and is usually found in cottage gardens too. The fruits are similar in shape to a cheese cut into wedges. In pre-Roman times the young shoots were eaten as a vegetable and later, the whole plant was used as an anti-aphrodisiac to promote sobriety and calm!!

Meadow Buttercup - Ranunculus acris

Yellow blooms from April-September. Another familiar flower from our childhood. Remember holding one beneath our friend's chin to see the yellow glow which we believed indicated their fondness for butter? (It always did glow didn't it?). In an Irish May Day tradition the flowers are rubbed on to cows' udders to encourage milk production.

Herb Bennet (Wood Avens) - Geum urbanum

Has yellow flowers from May-September. This plant was thought to have power over evil. The German name Nelkenwurz, (clove root) was derived from the clove scent of its root and in the 15th century, roots were kept in the house to ward off the devil. The English name comes from the latin herba benedicta or blessed herb as does the French name 'herbe de St Benoit'.

Yarrow - Achillea millefolium

From July-October has white flowers. Another prolific plant on the Reserve. It has legendary healing properties and was named after Achilles who used it to heal his soldiers at the Battle of Troy. It was used to forecast the weather by the Druids and in Ireland bunches of it were thought to keep illness at bay. It also confers disease resistance on nearby plants.

Researched by Joan Fynn

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BASILDON COUNCIL COUNTRYSIDE SERVICES
EVENTS 2009

Friday, 7 Aug 1pm - 2.30pm		Pond Dipping 8-12 year olds with an adult		Norsey Wood Nature Reserve no dogs
Sunday, 16 Aug 2pm - 4pm		Crickets and Dragonflies		The Wick Country Park children with adult
Sunday 23 Aug 2pm - 3.30		Minibeast Safari		Norsey Wood Nature Reserve
Wednesday, 26 Aug 10.30am - 12pm		Wicked Wildlife 6-12 year olds With adult No dogs		The Wick Country Park BOOKING ESSENTIAL Tel. 01268-550088
Wednesday, 26 Aug 1pm - 2.30pm No dogs		Wicked Wildlife Minibeast Detectives 6-12 year olds With adult		The Wick Country Park BOOKING ESSENTIAL Tel. 01268-550088
Thursday, 27 Aug 10.30am - 12pm		Woodland Crafts 8-12 year olds With adult		Norsey Wood Nature Reserve No dogs
Thursday, 27 Aug 1pm - 2.30pm		Shelter Building 8-12 year olds With adult		Norsey Wood Nature Reserve No dogs
Sunday, 20 Sep 1pm - 4pm		Kite Festival Children With adult		The Wick Country Park
Tuesday, 27 Oct 11.30am - 2pm		Souper Coopers No dogs		Wat Tyler Country Park Coopers Cottage Soup 50p
Wednesday 28 Oct 1pm - 3.30pm		Creepy Crafts No dogs		Wat Tyler Country Park Blunts Cottage
Sunday, 29 Oct 1pm - 3.30pm		Creepy Crafts No dogs		The Wick Country Park
Sunday, 6 Dec 2pm		Yuletide Ramble Wine, Mince pies Free		The Wick Country Park
Sunday, 13 Dec 1pm - 3pm		Yuletide Ramble Wine, Mince pies Free		Nevenden Bushes Nature Reserve