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Haycop Gains Wildlife Status
On 16th November 2015 the Haycop Nature Reserve was awarded Local Wildlife Status, this will afford greater protection to the site in the future. The Haycop was awarded Local Wildlife Status for the following reasons:
1. Supports a breading population of the Dingy Skipper butterfly
2. Potential for a colonies of the Small Heath and White Admiral butterflies
3. Recordings of the Marsh Pug moth
4. Several sightings of the Song Thrush which is a highly endangered species of bird
5. The presence of rare fungi, including the second only recording of Copprinellus verrcisporus in Britain in 2008
6. The presence of several plant species of particular interest to botanists (axiophytes) for example, the Scaly Male-fern (Dryopteris affines), Lowland Heather (Calluna vulgarise) and the native Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
The site also meets all of the criteria for social selection
Haycop volunteers support Broseley Youth Day 2015
As part of our commitment to support local community projects volunteers from the Haycop Conservation Group recently attended the Broseley Youth Day. This provided a great opportunity for us to promote the Haycop Nature Reserve and also recruit some additional young volunteers to help with our important environmental work.
Dog Poo Poster – Competition Winners
A big thank you to all those pupils from the local primary schools who entered our recent poster competition. The competition was prompted by the problem with dog mess that we currently have on the Haycop.
As an open nature reserve we are very happy that the people of Broseley visit the Haycop to enjoy the wildlife and natural environment. However, we would ask that all dog owners keep their dogs on a lead and clear up any mess the dogs make before leaving the site. Dog mess is toxic and harmful to people, animals and plants. Schools and youth groups use the site and consequently we want to ensure that the children who visit the site are kept safe.
The winner of the KS2 competition was Joe Riston from Barrow 1618 Primary School and the winner of the KS1 competition was Lucy Allen from Broseley CofE Primary School. The prizes for the competition were presented by Ben Simons, Broseley’s own bob sleigh Olympian, at our Open Day in July.
Open Day 2015 a Huge Success
As the sun shone over the Haycop on Saturday 4th July the residents of Broseley came out to enjoy a mix of music, dance, stalls, caterpillar racing, food and drink. A big thank you to all of our entertainers: Severn Sisters Tribal Dancers, The Innmates, Sam Cooper and Zac Jones, as well to Simon Gibbons for providing his Pork Bap stall.
Grow Wild on the Haycop!
In March 2015 The Haycop Nature Reserve in Broseley took part in an initiative promoted by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, which encourages people around the UK to grow more wild flowers. This is thanks to the landowner, Jane Roberts, who applied to be part of Kew’s “Grow Wild” initiative. In response to Jane’s request, the Haycop has received several boxes of native wild flower seeds, which will bring extra colour and vibrancy to the reserve. The seeds included Corn Marigold, Poppy, Cornflower, Lady’s Bedstraw and Meadowsweet. The flowers will help to support birds and insect life on the site, including the nationally important and rare Dingy Skipper butterfly. As part of a regular programme of visits, the Year 2 class from Broseley CE Primary School came down to the Haycop to help Jane plant the seeds.
Jane Roberts, owner of the Haycop (right), pictured with Year 2 Teacher, Jo Aston (left), and pupils from Broseley CE Primary School