Friends of Upper Saxondale Conservation Area

Background

The need for this group emerged following discussions about the tree work recently carried out on David Wilson Homes (DWH) owned land and how village residents could have a greater say and involvement in how land in Upper Saxondale is managed and cared for in the future. 

This group's initial remit was to make recommendations to USRA about how they would like to see budgets spent on maintenance for USRA owned land. Now ownership of the land has transferred to USPC, the group will work with the parish council on caring for the land. You can find a map of village land, and who owns / cares for which sections by following this link.

Membership
The group welcomes village residents to join by contacting info@uppersaxondale.com.

Meetings
You can read notes from each meeting by following these links:
12th September 2022
14th November 2022
23rd January 2023
25th September 2023
27th November 2023
12th February 2024
22nd April 2024 & Biodiversity Action Plan
10th June 2024
16th September 2024

Conservation Activities
In October 2022, Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Volunteer Forum, which is a collaboration of nature based organisations including Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, held a workshop at FarmEco in Screveton. You can read about it in this report.

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Tree Management and Protection Policy
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) have issued a policy on how they plan to manage and protect trees. The policy will run until 2028 and provide guidance and consider legalisation on how RBC will manage its own trees, respond to requests from members of the public to maintain trees they care for, and deal with any statutory duties and planning applications. You can find out more on RBC’s website.

 _______________________________________

Moth Survey June 2024
On one of the few rain free weekends in June, moth expert Paul Dulwich, of South Notts Wildlife Group, and village volunteers, who are members of the village conservation group FoUSCA, carried out a survey of moths that can be found living in the various habitats around our village. Traps were set at dusk behind the village hall, on the grassland, woodland area and fruit garden. The moths are attracted to the bright light then snuggle down in the cardboard egg trays to rest until the next morning when they are identified, counted then safely released to carry on doing what moths do. An amazing 56 moths were counted of 17 species across the different habitats. It’s hoped to do another survey in July or August when there should be greater numbers of moths and perhaps more species too.

Moth Survey July 2024
Moth expert Paul Dulwich, of South Notts Wildlife Group, and village volunteers carried out a further survey of moths that can be found living in the various habitats around our village.

In just one morning they recorded a total of 45 species of moth - 31 species of macro/larger moth and 14 species of micro/smaller moth. An excellent variety too. Here are five of the moths found, and the habitats where they like to live.

Black Arches - their larvae are Oak feeders

Ruby Tiger - ragwort, plantain, dandelion wildflowers. They have a double square spot in the background

Coronet - Ash trees

Poplar Hawk-Moth - Poplar and Willow trees, the adults don’t feed at all!

Buff Tip - like all sorts of broadleaved trees, including Birch. It looks like a broken Birch twig, isn’t fussy about where it lives and is very common