NATURE RECOVERY IN SKIPWITH AND NORTH DUFFIELD – LOCAL UPDATE

Thanks to all who showed interest in becoming involved in Nature Recovery at the Skipwith and North Duffield village fêtes. This is an initiative to encourage communities across the country to protect and increase biodiversity in their parishes.

Our first event is a walk round North Duffield on the morning of Saturday, 13 September to look for possible sites for Swift and House Martin nest boxes to be installed over the winter, either in private gardens or in public spaces. All are welcome, including children, whether already involved or not. If you think your property might be suitable, let us know and we can add it to the itinerary (blake5rg@btinternet.com; rosalind@escrick.com; jenhub@live.co.uk). Meet at 10 am for tea/ coffee at Allonby Lodge, The Paddocks, North Duffield YO8 5DR. The Paddocks is the new development next to the North Duffield playing field; Allonby Lodge is the only house with black bricks. Setting off around 10.30, the walk will take about one hour. If you would like a reminder nearer the time and your name to be added to the mailing list, please email the Clerk – parishclerk@skipwith-pc.gov.uk with your e-mail address.

Further events under consideration:
– Walking route between North Duffield and Skipwith Common – possible footpath connection
– Talk/demo on ‘no-dig’ vegetable and flower gardening
– How to encourage bees, butterflies, moths, ladybirds, hoverflies and other pollinating insects

Other suggestions welcome, especially for indoor talks/demonstrations over the winter
Top tips for August: If the hot weather persists, hedgehogs will continue to struggle for food and water. If you see a hedgehog out in daylight, it is almost certainly dehydrated and hungry. Move it to a shaded place in your garden and provide water in shallow bowls and kitten food if you have it. Unless obviously very ill, in which case take it to a hedgehog rescue centre, leave it near to where you found it as it may be feeding hoglets close by. The national helpline for hedgehogs is 01584 890801 and the Sherburn in Elmet Happy Hedgehog Haven number is 07984 4376511. Birds who are in their post-breeding moult also need water for bathing as well as drinking at this time.

This month’s question: If 1 square metre of each garden in North Duffield and Skipwith was given over to wildlife/nature conservation, how big would this area be (bigger than North Duffield Village Green?) Answer to be revealed at coffee time on 13 September with a prize.