Wednesday 29th September 2021
Warminster Town Councillor John Syme writes:
Wheelers Lane is a migratory route of toads from the north side to Smallbrook land. It is also an important area for bats. The loss of a mature hedge is detrimental to nesting birds some of which return each nesting season to the same nest. Help needed to monitor biodiversity in this sensitive area. I am not against development as long as it takes account of wildlife and habitats.
The Warminster U3A Newsletter, May 2019, includes the following report by Steve Dettmar:
Birdwatching
The group were treated to a trip around Perwood Organic Farm with our guide, Nick Adams, the conservation adviser for the farm. The highlight was the large number of Corn Buntings that over-winter there. March found us at Blashford Lakes where we had excellent views of Brambling in differing plumages and some Redpoll. Goosanders and Goldeneye on the lakes were lovely to see. April found us at Portland where we were treated to more Wheatears than I had seen in one place before. At one point there was a Wheatear on every mound. We also had views of a pristine male Redstart, always a favourite. On visiting the Observatory we were treated to a Willow Warbler which had been rung, in the hand of the Warden (see photo). We finished the day at Lodmoor with close views of Black-tailed Godwits.
Saturday 20th April 2019
Danny Howell writes:
Today, I heard a cuckoo for the first time this year – calling in Battlesbury Wood.
23rd February 2019
From the Facebook page of Longbridge Deverill Village Hall:
An Eagle Owl has been spotted in Longbridge Deverill in the last week Please keep an eye out for her. She went missing from Mere Down Falconry ten months ago and was last spotted on Sunday in Longbridge Deverill.
Tuesday 8th May 2018
A robin at Grange Lane, Warminster.
Photograph taken by Danny Howell
on Tuesday 8th May 2018.
Thursday 1st March 2018
A robin in a snowy garden at
St. George’s Close, Warminster.
Photographs taken by Danny Howell
on Thursday 1st March 2018.
Wednesday 24th May 2017
A robin on a gravestone at the Parish Church
of St. Denys, The Minster, churchyard.
Photographs taken by Danny Howell
on Wednesday 24th May 2017.
Monday 28th March 2016
There is some local talk at the moment that a bird of prey nesting in the Westbury Cement Works chimney could delay the demolition of the iconic Wiltshire landmark. The talk is unconfirmed by the owners of the site, Tarmac, but last October there was a brief article in Global Cement News, as follows:
‘A pair of peregrine falcons nesting in a disused building at the former Westbury Lafarge Cement plant in Wiltshire will be protected even if the buildings are demolished, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).’
‘Owners of the site, Tarmac (now part of CRH), recently submitted a Prior Notification to Wiltshire Council to have the area demolished so that it could be used for other purposes. “We’ve worked with Tarmac nationally and we’re working with them on this to ensure that the birds are not dramatically affected by any development work at the site,” said Phil Sheldrake, a conservation officer from the RSPB. “They don’t have a nest in the chimney, but they are nesting in another building on the site for the first time this year and have been roosting on the chimney. We have to make sure that if the buildings are demolished we can provide an alternative for them, such as a nest box that could be placed close to the site until a new building is built.” Peregrine falcons are strictly protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act after their numbers went into steep decline in the 1980s.’
Thursday 11th June 2015
A cock pheasant on the green between
Woodcock Road and St. George’s Close,
Warminster.
Photographs taken by Danny Howell
on Thursday 11th June 2015.
Monday 8th June 2015
A sparrow takes a drink from a
birdbath in a garden at
St. George’s Close, Warminster.
Photographs taken by Danny Howell
on Monday 8th June 2015.
