Henley Wildlife Group

The group actively manages several conservation areas in Henley, such as Mill Meadows and Valley Road Chalk Bank. It holds regular work parties and organises many events such as talks and guided walks.

About the group...

The main aim of the Henley Wildlife Group is to improve Henley's open spaces for wildlife. We have a licence agreement with the Town Council to manage some areas on Mill Meadows for wildlife, and we are working on returning a small part of the Meadows to wet flower-rich meadow and reed bed, an example of the type of vegetation which would once have been common along the banks of the Thames.

Many lovely wetland plants grow on Mill Meadows but they need a more natural environment in order for them to flourish. Increasingly threatened plants such as Cuckoo Flower, Ragged Robin and Marsh Marigold grow on the Meadows, and Southern Marsh Orchids used to grow there. A wildlife area will enable these plants to spread, and it will provide a home for a variety of invertebrates, and a good feeding place for many resident and migrant birds.

The Henley Wildlife Group organises meetings and work parties to care for the conservation areas in the town and anyone with an interest in nature conservation is welcome to come along. A newsletter will be circulated to members advertising the dates and times. The group is affiliated to BTCV (the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and the Urban Wildlife Partnership.

We owe thanks to our local Wildlife Trust, BBOWT. Without their support and guidance the work of HWG and other similar groups in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire would be very difficult, if not impossible.

Events

Wildlife in the Chilterns

Nigel Snell is doing a talk on Thursday, 1 November,7.30pm-9.30pm in Hambleden Village Hall. Contact Nigel Snell
Bird Walk & AGM (BBOWT Berks)

Special trees and woods of the Chilterns

Date & Time: Monday, 12 November 2007; 7.30pm-9.30pm
Speaker: Liz Manley, Chilterns Woodlands Project
Learn more about the Chilterns’ most interesting trees and woods from Liz Manley of the Chilterns Woodlands Project, who will give an illustrated talk making special reference to trees in the Henley area.
Children 10+ welcome
Location: The Barn, Henley, from Kings Road car park
Admission: £2

BBOWT’s Berks regional group’s AGM will be held on Sunday 9 December in the Fox & Hounds pub in Theale at 2pm, preceded by an optional pub lunch at 12.30pm. The AGM will be followed by a bird walk round Hosehill local nature reserve to see winter ducks amongst other birds.
Contact: Jan Haseler

Work Parties

Mill Meadows
Monthly, first Wednesdays, 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.‑
7th November, 5th December, not January, 6th February, 5th March, 2nd April.
Meet in the Mill Lane car park. Wellies, work gloves and rainwear recommended. Tools and refreshments provided.

Chalk Bank Work Parties
Second Wednesdays, four-monthly, 9.30 a.m. to 12.30
14th November, 12th March. Meet by the Knappe Close entrance to the site.

For more information please contact David Parry.
Other conservation/wildlife events and volunteering: see Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum’s environmental e-bulletin:

Cynthia Napper