Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2014 | Page 48

COUNTRY LIFE

Countryside news
with Tony Ridd

Volunteers are so valuable
A big thank you to The
Natural Wight Project run by
Spectrum Housing Group,
16 to 25 year olds, who
have been volunteering in
the countryside for the past
three years on conservation
projects around the Island.
Working alongside The
Footprint Trust, The Wildlife
Trust and other groups, they
have developed important
skills, gained experience
and have a lot of fun while

providing the Island with a
much needed service.
Natural Wight Apprentice
Ross Cosgrove said: “It’s
amazing to see the difference
that a few hours of outdoor
work can do, not only to
the countryside but to these
volunteers, their attitudes
towards nature and the
positivity that it brings. I
really feel like we’re making a
difference and I’m very proud
to be part of the team.”

Jane Mabe
making homes
for bees

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What to look out for...

Sweet Violet
There are several wild violets,
but Sweet Violet is for most the
true violet of spring. They are
the most scented, with white
being the commonest colour.
You can find them on woodland
margins, hedge banks and
churchyards, especially on richer
soils with plenty of leaf-mould.

Pussy Willow
This is the name given to many
of the smaller species of willows
when their furry catkins are
young in early spring. Before
the male catkins come into full
flower they are covered in fine
greyish fur. The catkins appear
before the leaves and are one of
the earliest signs of spring..

Red Admirals
This familiar butterfly can be
found almost anywhere and in
most habitat types. It is a strong
flyer migrating to our shores
in the summer. Sightings can
continue well into our winter
months up until February, when
it emerges from its hibernation
on sunny days.

Brown Hares
Hares breed from February to
September and females can have
up to four litters a year. During
breeding season females fend off
the attentions of amorous males
by standing upright and striking
out with their front paws. This
‘boxing’ is the origin of the
phrase ‘mad as a March hare’.