Otherwise known as SoberNewts

​​Programme  

Sunday  12th May Pond Dipping at Soberton Heath Pond 2pm to 4pm

This is one of our perennial favourites for all the family as well as being a vital part of our annual monitoring programme. We evaluate the health of the pond by checking the number of different species living there. Nets and buckets are provided and you will be able to examine specimens under high-powered microscopes at Dr Richard Osmond's Hi-Tech Wild-Trek trailer. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Recent Activities

Plans for 2013 - In January we held an open committee meeting to gather input from members about the sort of activities they wanted to do in the year ahead. Chairman Richard Osmond summarises the various suggestions and views here

In February we had a half-term family blackthorn snipping session on Soberton Down and in March some brave souls waded into the Village Pond to clear the weed.

Our April early birdwatch in West Walk was a new departure - and very well attended. Ian Cox guided us on a 90 minute trail and helped us identify the various warblers and other migrants which have recently flown in. 

Our bird box and bird feeder workshop in December was a great success. A large group of younger members and their parents built 16 boxes and a large number of fat and seed feeders which the birds have no doubt been enjoying during the January snows.

In November we cut blackthorn on Soberton Down, which is an SINC or site of importance for nature conservation. As an added attraction we barbecued sausages and marshmallows and it was surprising how many people felt they had to "help" with this task rather than man the secateurs and loppers. Nevertheless some useful work was accomplished.

As expected, the moth count at our trapping session in September was down on last year because of the very poor weather this year, but we saw some very interesting specimens including the Snout and the Setaceous Hebrew character. Thank you to Denise and Peter Richards for their hospitality.

Check out the full list of moths we found this year here Last year's list is here

The High-Teck Wild-Trek trailer in action at Soberton Heath pond in May 2012. Dr Richard Osmond examines some of the finds under the microscope.

     Younger SoberNewts with birdboxes built at the December 2011 workshop and below one of the boxes in use in Newtown.

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About SoberNewts

We are a group of conservation enthusiasts who help maintain some of our area’s sites of special interest such as Soberton Down - a local Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, or SINC -  local woodland and the village pond. Our expertise comes from chairman, Dr Richard Osmond and secretary Dr Nigel Johnson – both highly qualified natural scientists who ensure excellent stewardship of our natural environment.

In 2011 Soberton and Newtown Conservation Group was delighted  to receive a Mayor’s Award for Volunteers at a ceremony in Winchester in recognition of its service to the community and its important work in monitoring and protecting the local environment.

Known locally as Known locally as "SoberNewts” we meet monthly – usually on a Saturday or Sunday. Our meetings are divided between practical tasks such as clearing weed from the village pond and clearing blackthorn from Soberton Down and sessions where we enjoy and learn more about the local flora and fauna. For more information about Soberton Heath Pond look at our chairman Richard Osmond’s website http://www.5kingdoms.co.uk/page20.html

​Our programme is included in every issue of the parish magazine. We also have an email distribution list for up-to-date information and reminders about our events. If you would like to be added to the distribution list send an email to phil.bergin@btinternet.com

How to Join Us: Membership rates: £2 for individual, £3 for family. You can join at one of our events or by contacting Sarah Walton, Blue Marlin, Liberty Road or email: andyw_sarahm@yahoo.co.uk