Tag: nature

  • Westland Countryside Stewards awarded £6,800 of National Lottery funding to replace Kilkhampton Common footbridge.

    Westland Countryside Stewards is happy to announce the charity has received £6,800 of funding from the National Lottery. The funds will allow for the construction of a new footbridge to Kilkhampton Common, replacing the previous one damaged by the floods. The new bridge will continue to allow safe public access to the site. Nature should…

  • Winter 2018

    Winter 2018

    Winter on Kilkhampton Common As we approach midwinter, do not forget Kilkhampton Common is open 365 days of the year; a perfect place to visit to walk off your Christmas lunch!  Nature is in its dormant period. There is little outward growth, as all that energy focuses beneath the soil in roots and seeds, but…

  • Summer 2018 on Kilkhampton Common

    Summer 2018 on Kilkhampton Common

    What a glorious few weeks we have had so far this summer! Great in the way for a tan, however, you may have noticed the lack of rain has caused the top pond to dry right up, and the lower pond has lost a lot of water. This is really bad news for the amphibians…

  • Half term nature exploration on the Common 

    Half term nature exploration on the Common 

    The half term has ended but the weather remained warm and dry for our children’s nature events on Kilkhampton Common. Families walked and explored the many nature trails. With our bug hunting kit, we discovered an array of minibeasts such as slowworms, caterpillars, and insects. Around the wildlife ponds, we also found emerging dragonflies from their…

  • Half Term Children’s Nature Events

    Half Term Children’s Nature Events

    Reconnect with the family and local nature this half term with a range of free activities taking place on Kilkhampton Common. Children can explore the wildlife on their doorstep. All equipment will be provided. Bring a picnic! Meeting at Westland Countryside Stewards office car park, West Street, Kilkhampton, EX23 9QW. Parking available.

  • Spring 2018 on Kilkhampton Common

    After the strange snowy weather of winter, it is finally spring- we think! The common is starting to brighten up with the first signs of butterflies. Small tortoiseshell’s (Aglais urticae) have been spotted on the first butterfly survey of the year along with a single brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni). Within the next couple of months, The…

  • Volunteer in our Spring water vole survey

    Volunteer in our Spring water vole survey

    We invite you to volunteer in our Spring water vole field sign survey in the Bude catchment.   Come join us in a walk along the canal and river. We will search the vegetation and banks for signs such a burrows, latrines, and feeding.   Since the reintroduction of the endangered water vole, monitoring needs…

  • Westland Countryside Stewards is being supported by the Co-op Local Community Fund

    Westland Countryside Stewards is being supported by the Co-op Local Community Fund

    Help local community charities, like Westland Countryside Stewards, by shopping at Co-op.  Kilkhampton based nature conservation charity, Westland Countryside Stewards, has been selected for the Co-op Local Community Fund. Since September 2016, Co-op Members have raised £20 million for thousands of local projects that benefit communities across the UK. Funds raised will help encourage native…

  • Kids activities on Kilkhampton Common

    Kids activities on Kilkhampton Common

    Westland Countryside Stewards invite you and your kids to enjoy some events and activities on the common over the summer holidays. All events will run from 10 am – 1 pm and begin at our office on West Street (EX23 9QW) with plenty of parking available. A minimum donation of £3 per child, or £5…

  • Summer on Kilkhampton Common

    Wildlife on the Common I am sure many of you have been enjoying some summer sun over the last few weeks. Butterflies can be seen fluttering around, however, this has been a poor year for butterflies. With the continuous change in weather, from sun to rain, the butterflies have struggled. Cold winter killed off pupae…