Upper Onny Community Wildlife Group

The Group was formed in 2003, to work within the local community to find out more about local populations of Lapwing, Curlew, Skylark and other wildlife, and to help in their conservation. We cover a total area of about 122 square kilometres, between the Long Mynd and the Welsh Border including the parishes of Ratlinghope, Wentnor, Norbury, Myndtown, More and Lydham. Most of this area is within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Shropshire Hills Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA). We have around 30 members, all local people who live or work in the area.

Work carried out by Upper Onny Community Wildlife Group:

- Breeding Bird Survey every year since 2004 focusing on Lapwing and Curlew

- Surveys of Mountain Pansey and 16 other wild flowers which are indicators of important habitats

- Survey of Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary

- Nest Box Schemes for Barn Owl, Dipper and Farmland Birds

- Survey work for Glow Worm is proposed for 2009

We want to involve more local people, and we are going to extend the number of birds and plants we look for. Enthusiasm and interest in wildlife is more important than expertise. Training is provided for anyone that wants it. We have proved that local people can make a difference, and we can do even more with your support. Please help.

Lapwing Results

The Upper Onny Community Wildlife Group have carried out Breeding Bird Survey each year since 2004, concentrating on Curlew and Lapwing.

The area has been divided into 30 squares. Each member surveys a square looking for these birds and when they are seen some group members carry out a follow-up survey, locating the birds and monitoring breeding success. Farmers with nests on their land are contacted and encouraged to take appropriate conservation measures. This includes joining one of Natural England's farm payment schemes, so farmers are rewarded financially for conservation.

Our work is important, and appears to have helped arrest and reverse the decline of Lapwing in the area – the population was 19 pairs in 2004, 18 in 2005 and down to only 13 in 2006, but it then increased to 17 pairs in 2007 and 26 pairs in 2008.

Curlew Results

Individual pairs of Curlew are generally faithful to their breeding site, returning to the same area year after year. The knowledge and experience of Group members has increased each year and we have become more proficient at locating them.

Monitoring of Curlew 2004 - 2008 suggests that 4 pairs have been lost, a 10% reduction in population across our area, which is now down to around 35 pairs. A leaflet, 'Please Conserve Our Curlews', providing advice for farmers on grassland management, has been produced with the support and endorsement of our partner organisations.

Upper Onny Community Wildlife Group Meetings 2009

There will be a public meeting to discuss the findings from 2004 - 2008 and to present 'a vison for the Onny Valley' on the 3rd March 2009.

We have two other meetings planned, both at The Crown Inn, Wentnor, starting at 7.30pm

· Wednesday, 11th February, to make final arrangements for the Public Meeting, and decide our survey plans and programme for 2009
· Wednesday, 18th March, to finalise arrangements for the Lapwing and Curlew survey 2009, and looking for other wildlife

Click here to view full details of the public meeting on 3rd March 2009

	Contact details
For more information or if you wish to attend a meeting please contact: John Muller, the chairman at MllUnder@aol.com

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