Latest News - News Snippets prepared at 'irregular intervals' by Colin Penny
2008
Sat. 9th February - 1 Grass Snake and 4 Adders seen. 3 of the Adders were at the bank on the northern boundary of Mervyn's meadow. Report by Colin Thompson.
Sat. 23rd February
Saddened by the apparent disappearance of the Buxton Heath Wildlife Group web site from the location it had held since Andy Dolman kindly repositioned it a few years ago, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a replacement. As this is my very first attempt at web-site creation, this site is probably a little "rough round the edges" but I couldn't bear the thought of BHWG and BH not having a presence on the internet. I'll be refining the site as I become more proficient at using the site tools. Best wishes, Colin Penny.
Thurs. 30th October
According to Colin Thompson, the contractors have been in with the large vehicles to process the felled trees from the northern heath. These were the same vehicles used a few years ago, and they take no prisoners! They make use of a mechanical arm to pick up the fallen trees and then feed them into a high-power chipping tool that disposes of them in seconds. It looks like a scene from the 'Terminator' movie!
Once the cages of these machines are full of chippings, they disgorge their loads into a collection vehicle and are removed from the site.
Colin says that I wouldn't recognise the place now. Is that good or bad, I wonder?
Although generally pleased with the work, there is some disappointment from BHWG and Butterfly Conservation as one of the best heather areas for the Silver Studded Blue butterfly has been ploughed up by these vehicles. Yet another test for the recovery powers of nature!
Tis the new school year at the UEA and The Heath has already enjoyed visits from several keen students. Hopefully I'll soon be receiving some up-to-date photographs to add to the 2008 photo gallery !
Wed. 12th November
As the photo gallery on this site has pushed the mb's to the limit (and beyond !), I've had to start yet another site to accomodate new pics. The new site covers BHWG shots commencing 2005 onwards. Go to: www.freewebs.com/bhwg/ to see the latest happenings.
Photos from 'my' BH period (1991 - 2004) remain in the photo gallery on this site.
2009
Sat 17th January 2009
Buxton Heath has today been featured in a local news report in Norfolk's daily newspaper, the Eastern Daily Press. The report features Norfolk Wildlife Trust Director, Brendan Joyce, enthusing about the Silver-studded Blue success story at the site. I tend to be slightly cynical regarding such reports as the facts are seldom accurate, and they tend to portray that 'everything in the garden is rosy'. Although it's good that the Biffa company and Natural England have pumped considerable funding into the management of the site, one hopes that the heavy machinery running to and fro across the site has not damaged the ant nests that are so vital to the life story of this butterfly species.
Good news for Heathlings everywhere is that Buxton Heath Wildlife Group actually gets a mention, albeit in the last paragraph, but a mention nonetheless!
A copy of the report can be seen at the 'Publicity' page on this site.
2010
Wed 13th January
So, we are now well into January 2010, and Norfolk has even more snow than we have here in Hungary! Isn't life strange? BHWG will clock-up its 18th birthday on the 16th of May, so well done to all those who have supported the Group during that time, and to those stalwarts who've kept it running following my departure in 2004. I hope you've all enjoyed being part of the Buxton 'heathy' project, and that your memories of good times at the site will remain with you always. Best wishes, Colin Penny.
2012
Sat 19th May
Heathlings old and new (if you'll pardon the expression) gathered at Buxton Heath to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of Buxton Heath Wildlife Group. It was my first return to England for seven years, and it was rather a 'culture shock' to see the vast open spaces of the 2012 Buxton Heath. My thanks to Phil, David and Colin for keeping the BHWG show on the road since 2004, and to all those who were able to come to the site on the day: a BIG thank you !
