All posts by Roger Stevenson

10th Anniversary Open Day 6th September

After last year’s successful open day, we have planned another that’s bigger and better. There will be pony rides, children’s activities, craft fayre, refreshments, woodland walks, cider making demonstration, music and Morris dancing and demonstrations of woodland skills such as pole lathe, wood turning, tree felling, horse logging, chainsaw sculpture.

As before there will be free parking on site but, remembering that last year this filled up pretty quickly, we do advise those who can walk up to do so or to park in the Mountain Air car park.

There will also be a special event for members the night before so, if you’re thinking of becoming a member, there is no better time than now.

Bracken Bash

This Sunday, 13th July, we are holding a bracken bash. Quite apart from making walking difficult, bracken also chokes wild flowers and can knock down young saplings so it’s an important job. the beauty of bracken bashing is that you do not need any skill to do it – just a stick and the ability to hit things.

Afterwards we are holding a barbecue for those who want to stay, having worked up an appetite smacking bracken.

We are meeting at the log circle at 10.00 am but feel free to join us any time between then and 1.00pm when we will be having the barbecue.

Birds in the woodland

These are what Gwent Ornithological Trust saw on their walk on Sunday.
Mallard, Goshawk, Buzzard, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Crow, Raven, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch.  That’s 38 species, not including the one I saw which could have been a sparrowhawk, according to them.

Butterflies included: Peacock, Green Hairstreak, Small White, Tortoiseshell and Small Skipper.

Also noted were Carder Bee and Cuckoo Bee.

It’s noticeable the species number grows every year so we must be doing something right. Our thanks to them for their efforts.

A busy weekend

Just a reminder that the AGM for our members is this Saturday, May 31st, at 2.00pm, Ebenezer Chapel, the Square, Upper Cwmbran. Please come along for our report and to tell us your opinions.
Also on Sunday, June 1st, Gwent Ornithological Trust are holding a bird spotting walk in the woodland. All are welcome, meeting in the car park at the unearthly hour of 8.00am. This has proved highly successful in the past with 36 different species seen last time.

Larch clearance

Warning! The clearing of the larch above the track between the Mountain air gate and the gate by the start of the stream is expected to begin on Monday 7th April. This means this part of the woodland will be out of bounds for up to three months. Notices will be put up warning of this. There is more guidance here Newsletter 12.

Next woodland walk

We are holding a series of walks to look at different sections of the wood to look at the woodland management plan ‘on the ground’ including getting views on what people what like to see done in the wood. This particular walk will focus on the forest school area.

 

This is on Saturday 22nd March  at 10.20am for 10.30am start, meeting in the lower car park. The walk will be approximately one and a half hours.

 

All ages are welcome as long as parents/ grandparents accompany children or vice versa! Also please feel free to bring along non-members you know so they have a chance to walk in the woods as well.

 

It would be helpful to have some idea of numbers, so if you are interested in coming then contact David Williams, who is leading the walk, on 01633 875704 or 0793 9003131.

 

It will not be an arduous walk but do wear stout shoes/boots and dress warmly, bringing waterproofs if necessary.

Our ever popular social evening

Our ever popular social evening is back. It’s at the Bush Inn on February 25th at 7.30pm. There are games and quizzes. Tickets are £5 which includes food and the first game. All other games are 50p. Tickets are available by phone from 01633 875704 or 01495 767983 or from the Bush Inn.
It’s very informal, lots of fun and teams are usually formed on the night. Here’s a poster you can download with all the information.

Social-evening-poster

Woodland walk 22nd February

We are holding a series of walks to look at different sections of the wood to look at the woodland management plan ‘on the ground’ including getting views on what people what like to see done in the wood. This particular walk will focus on the arboretum.

 

This is on Saturday 22nd February  at 10.20am for 10.30am start, meeting in the lower car park. The walk will be approximately one and a half hours.

 

All ages are welcome as long as parents/ grandparents accompany children or vice versa! Also please feel free to bring along non-members you know so they have a chance to walk in the woods as well.

 

It would be helpful to have some idea of numbers, so if you are interested in coming then contact David Williams, who is leading the walk, on 01633 875704 or 0793 9003131.

 

It will not be an arduous walk but do wear stout shoes/boots and dress warmly, bringing waterpro

Wildlife in Torfaen talks

Torfaen Council are running a series of taks entitled “Wildlife in Torfaen” given by Chris Hatch, a naturalist and wildlife photographer. They all take place at Llanyrafon Manor and begin Tuesday 4th February.

fox

There will be six 2 hour sessions all commencing at 7pm at Llanyafon Manor. As space is limited, booking is essential via Carla Kavanagh Tel:01633 648308. Email: Carla Kavanagh@torfaen.gov.uk. Talk dates as follows.

 Feb        4th (Tues), 12th  (Wed), 18th  (Tues)

March   6th (Thurs), 11th (Tues), 18th (Tues)