Old Down and Beggarwood Wildlife Group

Gatekeeper


Cowslips


Hedgehog


Wild Garlic


Wild Strawberries

These new woodland parks, once agricultural land, were re-landscaped as part of the residential development in the area. They have been planted with native trees and shrubs and seeded with wildflowers. They are managed for wildlife and offer an excellent opportunity for exercise, such as walking and cycling. A maze at the bottom of the woodland park is great fun for children.

For more information about our group, take a look at our leaflet, Discover Old Down

The Group

The Old Down & Beggarwood Wildlife Group was formally constituted on 17 October 2007. The group is mainly looking to the local communities in Kempshott, Hatchwarren and Beggarwood for support but is open to anyone interested in what they do.

Overall Aims

These are:

• Regeneration and management of public land known locally as Old Down and Beggarwood Woodland Parks, for the benefit of wildlife and the local community - concentrrating first on Old Down.
• Develop interest and learning through individuals, families, local schools and community groups.
• Encourage the community to enjoy and take pride in the sites through involvement in their management and enjoyment.
• Promote the human as well as aesthetic value of bio-diversity.

Objectives

• Increase the diversity and distribution of habitat appropriate flora and dependent species of fauna (birds, butterflies, etc).
• Develop sustainable methods of habitat management that are harmonious with nature.
• Enable people to understand the impact of people and their activities on the natural world.
  

Subscriptions and donations

Although the group is receiving some financial help particularly at start up we need to generate an income to help us buy some of the basic things that the group needs, from stationery to tools, booking venues and to help towards the payment of speakers and in time new plantings. We only ask for a small subscription in order to encourage as many people as possible to join and feel that they are helping a worthwhile activity. We are asking for £2 per person or £3 for a family. If you would like to contribute more, possibly £5, £10, £15 then please, please do so as we do need to build up our funds. It would help us to reduce administration if you could perform an online bank transfer from your bank account to our Nat West Account but if you prefer please send a cheque.  For more infoarmtion about sending a cheque or making a transfer please contact our Treasurer Shaila Lambert, shailalambert@yahoo.com telephone number 01256 359367.

Bird report

Since November 2007, the group has been contributing roving records to British Trust for Ornithology’s Bird Atlas. Bird Atlas is a national fieldwork survey of the distribution and breeding patterns of birds found in the UK and Ireland. The current Atlas lasts from 2007-2011.  For more information on the Atlas, visit the British Tust for Ornithology's website.
http://www.bto.org/birdatlas/index.htm

If you would like to read the full report, please click here

Volunteering

For more information about volunteering with the Old Down group, please visit our volunteering page http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/leisure/conservation/Volunteering.htm

Work Parties

If you would like to be notified of our ad hoc work parties, whether during the week or on Sundays, please contact us and we will add you to our distributio list.  There is never any obligation to come.  We encourage people to participate when they can fit us in.

There are many more opportunities to volunteer with other conservation groups in the borough, click on this link to find out more.