Welcome to the archive for news, events and other updates from 2023 in the life of the DEG.
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For Churches Count on Nature 2023, visit https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/get-involved/love-your-burial-ground-week/.
For information about what happened in CCoN, look at the following:
- Information page https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/get-involved/love-your-burial-ground-week/
- Events that took place in Warwickshire, see https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/submissioncounty/warwickshire/ and in Coventry, at Stoke St Michael's and St Laurence's, see https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/submissioncounty/west-midlands/
- FAQs: https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/get-involved/love-your-burial-ground-week/churches-count-on-nature-faqs/
- Resources: https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/get-involved/resources-for-love-your-burial-ground-churches-count-on-nature-week/
- Press release: Parishes prepare for mass ‘citizen science’ biodiversity events after huge success of last year’s Churches Count on Nature | The Church of England
- Come to the CofE webinars, "'Knowing your ant from your elder' Why and how to record during Churches Count on Nature". Recordings of these and other 2022 webinars, together with the CCoN 2021 webinars can be found at: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/environment-and-climate-change/webinars-land-and-nature-churches-count-nature
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Report from the Warwickshire Biological Recorders Meeting 11/3/23
Below are notes from a selection of the talks, that could be of relevance for Eco Churches to know about and possibly engage with.
Butterfly Conservation
Mike Slater and Keith Warmington have written a book ‘Conserving Butterflies – the Warwickshire Approach’. This might be useful to anyone planning to manage land for Butterflies. It is priced £40. It was available on the day for £25 cash, and I assume can now be purchased via Butterfly Conservation.
Insects of Abbey Fields, Kenilworth
Steven Falk spoke about the Insect Survey that he did in Abbey Fields during 2021.
Heart of England Forest
Bioblitz in Noleham and Giddings Wood 30th June- 1st July, everyone welcome to take part.
Warwickshire Bat Group
They have bat detectors that are put in place for 7-10 days. This has helped to identify some interesting bats. They would be interested in hearing from anyone who lives in north or south east Warwickshire who would be willing to allow one of these trackers in their home or other premise. Website - https://www.warksbats.co.uk/aboutus/home.aspx
Warwickshire Mammal Group
Interested in any owl pellets that people can collect. Send to them with a grid reference of where it is found.
Email: warksmammalgroup@gmail.com
Website: https://warksmammalgroup.wixsite.com/warks-mammal-group
Foundry Wood in Leamington Spa
They have obtained a 15 lease on some extra land which is old sidings. The area is not open to the public for free access in order not to disturb the wildlife, but can be visited on open days etc.
Warwickshire Fungus group
Now have a website. A series of field meetings take place, mainly in the autumn and winter on Sunday mornings. Beginners are welcome.
Bird recording
Please use the Birdtrack app to record birds.
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What is the City Nature Challenge?
From Friday 28th April – Monday 1st May, Coventry itook part in City Nature Challenge, inviting everyone to share their wildlife sightings from windows, gardens, local parks, city streets - wherever you were in the country, all data collected contributed towards conservation and monitoring efforts both in your local area and on a national-scale.
You did not have to be an expert or even know the name of the species you’ve seen to take part! You cpould simply download the free iNaturalist app, take a photo of the nature you find, upload and share. The app helps you identify what you’ve found, and a community of wildlife experts will work together to confirm the exact species.
It’s more important than ever that we know what wildlife is living in the UK and where it is located – and what species are missing from the map. By recording nature sightings in your neighbourhood during the City Nature Challenge, you could provide important data to help tackle the ecological emergency that is threatening species across the UK.
City Nature Challenge Coventry was organised by a collaboration of groups who care about recording nature, from the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Warwick and Coventry University, The City Council Parks and Ecology teams, and the Canal and River Trust. We’re also working closely with Warwickshire Biological Records Centre who are leading the Warwickshire and Solihull City Nature Challenge!
Sign up for iNaturalist training
To learn more about recording nature using iNaturalist or the City Nature Challenge, there were iNaturalist trainings:
- Tuesday 11th April 11:00 – 14:00 at Allesley Scout Hut
- Saturday 15th April 11:00 – 14:00 at War Memorial Park Visitor Centre
Take part in our events
For an up to date list of our events please check out our iNaturalist website blog. You can also sign up to our iNaturalist project page for updates.
School strike for the Climate? Why was Greta Thunberg, a Swedish school girl, on strike about Climate Change? See her TED talk.
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Thousands of churches have switched to Parish Buying. Has your church switched to a cheaper and 100% green energy supplier yet? Check out Parish Buying. For news about The Big Energy Switch, click on our Get Involved page.
New Housing Developments
With a number of new developments springing up in the Diocese, let's make sure that these are built for the benefit of those who live there, both people and wildlife. Read Warwickshire Wildlife's advice on the planning process.