Boxmoor Direct November 2023 | Page 10

Conservation in action : Common Tern chicks The Common Tern is of conservation concern ( BoCC5 amber listed ) due to a decline in both the breeding population and the breeding range ( by around 30-40 %). A major cause of their decline is the lack of suitable breeding sites . They require open ground free of vegetation and have traditionally nested on coastal shingle or on low lying inland islands . They are increasingly dependent on the latter as a result of coastal development and human disturbance . Another cause for concern is the potential spread of avian flu to the larger colonies .

A couple of years ago , the Trust was instrumental in the deployment of a new floating tern raft at Pixies Mere , specially designed to create nesting habitat for terns . For the first time this year , we are delighted to report that three Common Tern chicks have successfully hatched and fledged – a very significant development . As an isolated colony , the terns at Pixies Mere have a higher chance of breeding successfully , so we are very hopeful of having more chicks in the future . This is real conservation in action from Box Moor Trust .

Common Tern ( Photo Dennis Furnell )

At Hemel Hempstead Town Cricket Club the award went to Jacob Hodgins , one of a number of young cricketers who have made a notable transition into senior cricket at the club . Boxmoor Cricket Club ’ s Junior Cricketer Award went to Aiden Manning , who this season has progressed to play Saturday 1st XI cricket . Both bats were presented by Trustee Peter Phillips .

For over 100 years now the hybrid willow Salix Caerulea has been grown along the canal and riverbanks on Trust land . Every ten to twelve years , a number of trees become ready for cropping and new young setts are then planted in their place . Once felled , the trunks are sent to the sawmills where they are cut into clefts and sold on to bat makers . It takes about a year to make a fully seasoned bat .

NOVEMBER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES :

Jacob Hodgins with Peter Phillips ( Trustee )

Aiden Manning with Peter Phillips ( Trustee )

Recognition for young local cricketing talent Once again this year , the Trust has been very pleased to award cricket bats , made from willow grown on the Trust estate , to deserving young cricketers from each of the two clubs that play on the land .

To book places and see further details of these and other events , visit : https :// bookwhen . com / boxmoortrust /

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