The Natural History of Keyworth Meadows

June 2010

Not directly related to either of the Meadows, but I met with Mark Speck, a Conservation Officer with the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust in early May to consider options for their “Farmland Birds Bed and Breakfast Scheme” along Lings Lane. This was prompted by an enquiry from the local Guides group as it seems that they are dab hands at nest-box building and the Trust’s scheme promotes nest boxes and seed hoppers in suitable habitats to help boost numbers of declining farmland birds such as reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and especially Tree Sparrow.

Mark agreed that the area was ideal for their scheme and Marjorie and Tim Flint, who are marvellous neighbours to Keyworth Meadow and support our conservation efforts in many ways (as does Norman Davill, another farming neighbour) agreed to have the nest boxes and hopper sited in one of their fields. It will be interesting to see how the bird populations respond to these efforts, which should start, dare I say it, this coming winter.

Little Owls were very evident during our visit, Barn Owls are using the Rushcliffe Barn Owls project’s box and Tawny Owls were behaving nervously, suggesting successful breeding off Wolds Lane. A Common Tern was an unexpected but brief visitor to a nearby lake.