Royston Wildlife Group
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The Royston Wildlife Group, which for many years has organised a series of highly acclaimed wildlife presentations during the autumn and winter months, was merged with the FOTH&G in 2023. These engaging presentations feature captivating photographs and fascinating information about the incredible world of wildlife, while raising funds to support Therfield Heath and wildlife in general.
Wildlife Presentations - 2025/2026 More information will be coming soon. Keep an eye on our What's On page. |
Credit Clare Nuttall
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Wildlife Presentations - 2024/2025
This season's line-up of presentations was as captivating as ever, offering a diverse array of topics.
Event Details and Admission
Our presentations take place on the last Tuesday of each month. We gather at 7.30 pm in the Heritage Hall at the Town Hall in Royston for an unforgettable evening of wildlife discovery.
We believe in making wildlife education accessible to all, which is why the admission prices are remarkably affordable.
For Friends of Therfield Heath members and existing Royston Wildlife Group members, it's just £4 per session, while non-members can attend for £5. Alternatively, you can opt for a season ticket covering all five sessions at just £17 for members and £20 for non-members. Under 18s can attend for free!
Join Friends of Therfield Heath
By joining the Friends of Therfield Heath for as little as £12 per annum you can enjoy discounted rates for our wildlife presentations.
This season's line-up of presentations was as captivating as ever, offering a diverse array of topics.
- 29 October 2024: Bats in Hertfordshire
Chantal Helm from the Herts & Middlesex Bat Group will introduce us to the amazing world of bats, focusing on recent learnings about the Barbastelle bats as part of the Hertfordshire Barbastelle Project. - 26 November 2024: Improving Biodiversity
Dr Marc Wilcox, HCC Biodiversity Net Gain and Local Nature Recovery Strategy Project Manager, will discuss how building developments can positively affect biodiversity and the efforts to create Hertfordshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy. - 28 January 2025: Following the Swan - A Walk of Discovery Down the Lea Valley
Elizabeth Hamilton from the Campaign for Rural England will take us on a journey along the River Lea, exploring the wildlife, geography, history, and features of interest along the river. - 25 February 2025: Swifts, Masters of the Sky
Clive Fleming from the Hertford Swift Group will enlighten us about the amazing swifts, their decline, and the efforts being made to help their numbers recover, including how you can assist.
Event Details and Admission
Our presentations take place on the last Tuesday of each month. We gather at 7.30 pm in the Heritage Hall at the Town Hall in Royston for an unforgettable evening of wildlife discovery.
We believe in making wildlife education accessible to all, which is why the admission prices are remarkably affordable.
For Friends of Therfield Heath members and existing Royston Wildlife Group members, it's just £4 per session, while non-members can attend for £5. Alternatively, you can opt for a season ticket covering all five sessions at just £17 for members and £20 for non-members. Under 18s can attend for free!
Join Friends of Therfield Heath
By joining the Friends of Therfield Heath for as little as £12 per annum you can enjoy discounted rates for our wildlife presentations.
Local wildlife links
Bats - Herts and Middlesex Bat Group - www.hmbg.org.uk
Butterflies - Hertfordshire & Middlesex branch of Butterfly Conservation - www.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk (see below for more butterfly information)
General wildlife - Royston Wildlife Group
General wildlife - www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk
General wildlife blog - roystonwildlife.blogspot.co.uk (see below for more details)
For environmental and conservation groups, please see our Conservation page here
Butterflies - Hertfordshire & Middlesex branch of Butterfly Conservation - www.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk (see below for more butterfly information)
General wildlife - Royston Wildlife Group
General wildlife - www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk
General wildlife blog - roystonwildlife.blogspot.co.uk (see below for more details)
For environmental and conservation groups, please see our Conservation page here
National wildlife links
Birds - RSPB - www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved
BIRD NESTING SEASON on the heath - 1ST MARCH TO 31ST JULY
The breeding season, between 1st March and 31st July, is a particularly vulnerable time for ground nesting birds, some of which on the Heath are endangered species. When ground nesting birds are disturbed they may be prevented from settling, or if already nesting they may fly away from their nests, neglecting their eggs or chicks.
Disturbance may result in:
• Birds failing to nest
• Eggs failing to hatch
• Chicks dying from cold or lack of food
• Nests becoming vulnerable to predators
It is a criminal offence to disturb rare breeding birds, including Hen Harriers, Peregrines and Merlin’s, intentionally or not. This also includes disturbance caused by your dog. Information about Moorland restrictions can be found on local signs or at www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk. Fines of up to £20,000 and or imprisonment are possible.
How to recognise a distressed or disturbed bird
• They will make a loud repeated alarm call – they don’t sound very happy and they’re not.
• They will approach people much closer than would normally be the case - some birds may even dive bomb you. This is a clear message that the bird feels threatened by your presence and that you should retreat.
• They will feign injury in an attempt to distract you from the nest.
• Subtle behaviour such as circling high above.
What you can do to help
• Wherever possible stick to tracks or paths, particularly when going through dense heather.
• Keep dogs away from birds and areas where they are likely to be nesting. Birds see dogs as a threat.
• Give a wide berth to young birds and to adults that appear distressed. Move away quickly and quietly, this may mean going back the way you have come.
• Do not stop for prolonged periods away from paths. Move on if a bird shows signs of disturbance or distress.
• Avoid steep cloughs.
• Follow the Birdwatchers Code of Conduct, available from the RSPB website.
• Follow any instructions or advice given by Rangers or Wardens.
( Source of info Tread Carefully Leaflet )
Enjoy your days out and be careful where you're treading.
Disturbance may result in:
• Birds failing to nest
• Eggs failing to hatch
• Chicks dying from cold or lack of food
• Nests becoming vulnerable to predators
It is a criminal offence to disturb rare breeding birds, including Hen Harriers, Peregrines and Merlin’s, intentionally or not. This also includes disturbance caused by your dog. Information about Moorland restrictions can be found on local signs or at www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk. Fines of up to £20,000 and or imprisonment are possible.
How to recognise a distressed or disturbed bird
• They will make a loud repeated alarm call – they don’t sound very happy and they’re not.
• They will approach people much closer than would normally be the case - some birds may even dive bomb you. This is a clear message that the bird feels threatened by your presence and that you should retreat.
• They will feign injury in an attempt to distract you from the nest.
• Subtle behaviour such as circling high above.
What you can do to help
• Wherever possible stick to tracks or paths, particularly when going through dense heather.
• Keep dogs away from birds and areas where they are likely to be nesting. Birds see dogs as a threat.
• Give a wide berth to young birds and to adults that appear distressed. Move away quickly and quietly, this may mean going back the way you have come.
• Do not stop for prolonged periods away from paths. Move on if a bird shows signs of disturbance or distress.
• Avoid steep cloughs.
• Follow the Birdwatchers Code of Conduct, available from the RSPB website.
• Follow any instructions or advice given by Rangers or Wardens.
( Source of info Tread Carefully Leaflet )
Enjoy your days out and be careful where you're treading.
Map - High density of ground nesting birds
The highest density of ground nesting birds is usually in the long grass, in particular in the red zone on the map. The 'MacDonalds' roundabout on the West of Royston can be seen in green just above this red area, with the Heath Sports Club to the right of it.
The highest density of ground nesting birds is usually in the long grass, in particular in the red zone on the map.
Butterflies
Butterfly sightings on Therfield Heath and adjoining Bridleways - observed by a local wildlife enthusiast on Sunday 22nd August 2021 walking along Bridleway 14, Bridleway 13 across Therfield Heath to Church Hill
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Adonis Blue
Brimstone Brown Argus Chalk Hill Blue Comma Gate Keeper |
Large White
Meadow Brown Peacock Red Admiral Ringlet Skipper |
Small Heath
Small Tortoiseshell Small white Speckled Wood |
Wildlife blog
Martin Johnson runs a blog (roystonwildlife.blogspot.co.uk), which includes his sightings on Therfield Heath as well as his 'Local Patch', formed by the triangle of Royston and the villages of Reed and Therfield. Look under the index of 'Local Sightings' to see a record of his sightings going back a couple of years.
The blog contains sightings of birds, butterflies, other insects and plants (as well as the occasional mammal) that Martin sees on Therfield Heath, as well as the area to the south of Royston including the villages of Therfield and Reed. Martin is currently working on a number of photographic projects relating to the butterflies and plants on Therfield Heath: these may well be turned into potential articles for Natural History Societies including the RSPB (Martin leads the Local Group that covers this area), Butterfly Conservation and/or the Hertfordshire Natural History Society. Martin also plans to produce a couple of Photo Books in the coming year. 'Lockdown' has actually benefited these projects by giving him more time to get out locally 'in the field' in recent months: it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good!
The blog contains sightings of birds, butterflies, other insects and plants (as well as the occasional mammal) that Martin sees on Therfield Heath, as well as the area to the south of Royston including the villages of Therfield and Reed. Martin is currently working on a number of photographic projects relating to the butterflies and plants on Therfield Heath: these may well be turned into potential articles for Natural History Societies including the RSPB (Martin leads the Local Group that covers this area), Butterfly Conservation and/or the Hertfordshire Natural History Society. Martin also plans to produce a couple of Photo Books in the coming year. 'Lockdown' has actually benefited these projects by giving him more time to get out locally 'in the field' in recent months: it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good!
RSPB
There are lots of ways to get involved and give nature a home with the RSPB. They have big dreams and we're part of them.
From starting or joining a local group, fundraising and volunteering, to taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch or Give Nature a Home, we can be a part of saving nature. Its future is in all of our hands, and together we can make a big difference.
To find out more, visit www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved
From starting or joining a local group, fundraising and volunteering, to taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch or Give Nature a Home, we can be a part of saving nature. Its future is in all of our hands, and together we can make a big difference.
To find out more, visit www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved