Category Archives: Wildlife

Ritual Burning

Posted on January 13, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Thursday morning volunteers again visited the neglected and overgrown area now known as Northchurch Flats – it is far from flat! The first visit to clear the scrub took place before Christmas, with a record turn-out, and it was expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, Thursday Conservation Group, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Calling all Rangers

Posted on January 8, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Rangers have been invited to a meeting at the Visitor Centre on Friday 27th January at 2.00pm., which is a change from the original date of January 20th. The gathering will include a short walk around the Estate to view … Continue reading →

Posted in Archeology, Charcoal, Events, Flint wall group, Flint Wall Volunteers, Flora and Fauna, Fly Tipping, History, Litter Picking, Personal Messages, Sunday Group, Thursday Conservation Group, Volunteer Rangers, Walks, Why I Volunteer, Wildlife, Windmill | Leave a comment

Holiday Heaven

Posted on January 5, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Visitors took advantage of the good weather on Monday, the last day of the Christmas holiday for many, to take in the air at Ashridge. Despite the muddy ground conditions some four hundred and fifty vehicles were parked at any … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, Thursday Conservation Group, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Roll on 2017!

Posted on December 31, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

To all card-carrying countryphiles. If you can believe the press, most of the 82% of the nation who live in built up areas subscribe to Christopher Marlowe’s Passionate Pilgrim – an idyllic vision of rustic romance beyond the greenbelt:  Come … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Flora and Fauna, History, Sunday Group, Thursday Conservation Group, Volunteer Rangers, Walks, Why I Volunteer, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Bee Bread?

Posted on December 28, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Bumble bees build a pile of pollen, then mix in honey to make their bread! What do bees in general get up to in winter time – how do they hibernate? Although honey bees and bumble bees are closely related, … Continue reading →

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Children’s Trail

Posted on December 13, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Volunteers are supervising the Christmas trail taking place on the three weekends before Christmas, and the one weekend thereafter. The course runs around the outside of Meadley’s meadow, and the theme this year is based on woodland creatures preparing for … Continue reading →

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“Woodlanders”

Posted on November 25, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

The woodlanders, those that inhabit woods, returned again in force this week to Dockey Wood, clearing up ready for next Spring and the expected mass of visitors. It does not seem that long ago when the wood was a carpet … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, Thursday Conservation Group, Walks, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Louise Prideaux

Posted on October 27, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

In the “myvolunteering” newsletter for October, Louise Prideaux the N T’s volunteering correspondent for the South West, wrote a piece about being a “voice for the countryside”. Visiting the Countryfile Live exhibition at Blenheim in August where the N T … Continue reading →

Posted in Charcoal, Flint wall group, Flint Wall Volunteers, Flora and Fauna, Walks, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Eric the rat catcher

Posted on September 16, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Following the collapse of part of a beech tree onto Duncombe Terrace due to squirrel damage, the Trust has been keen to address the problem of the tree rats. We understand that initially they have called upon the services of … Continue reading →

Posted in Volunteer Rangers, Wildlife | 2 Comments

A magic carpet

Posted on June 24, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

There is a magic carpet of wild flowers on the south east side of Beacon Hill at SP962165, which can be seen from the Beacon car park. It appears as a purple haze from a distance, but on closer inspection the … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, Wildlife | Leave a comment