biggreenbutton

KWACS was formed in 1997 by a group of local wildlife enthusiasts inspired by a summit held in Rio de Janeiro on the diversity of wildlife around the world.  The group’s key aim is to look after local habitats and wildlife, and to encourage others to consider wildlife too, e.g. in their gardens.

ACTIVITIES

KWACS is involved in a broad range of activities:

Current practical work

• Managing the village pond.

• Managing parts of the churchyard at St Mary’s.

• Occasional scrub clearance in the Quarry to protect grassland flora.

• Running bird surveys including a Garden Birdwatch scheme.

• Gathering data about local wildflowers, mammals, insects and birds.

• Working with the Cherwell District Council to help protect nesting sites for Swifts.

Monthly talks

• We hold monthly meetings between October and April to which we invite experts to speak on a wide range of wildlife and conservation topics.  Recent topics have included Bats, Habitat Restoration, the wildlife of St Mary’s Fields Kidlington and Beetles.

Walks & visits

• We arrange occasional nature walks, including a dawn chorus walk, in and around the village, often led by local experts.

• We arrange occasional group visits to sites outside the village.

Liaison with other wildlife groups

• We liaise with other local wildlife and conservation bodies to share our knowledge with them and to benefit from theirs.

• We attend local wildlife conferences and contribute to regional nature conservation forums.

ACHIEVEMENTS

We have:

• Surveyed all of the hedgerows in the Parish.

• Erected, and now maintain, nest boxes in Kirtlington Quarry.

• Campaigned to promote wildlife friendly gardening.

• Written and published a Parish Conservation Plan.

• Installed, with the permission of the Parochial Church Council, nest boxes for swifts in the church tower.

A warm welcome is extended to new members of any age.

All of our activities are voluntary: some members are involved in most activities, some members simply come along to our monthly talks, and others dip in and out of activities that interest them.

We would appreciate offers of help with any of our practical work from both members and non-members.

Membership costs just £5 per year, and includes entry to all seven monthly talks.

If you prefer to then you can simply come along and pay £1 to hear an individual talk of interest.

Please contact Chris Mason (Chairman) for more information on 01869 350518 or email him: mason@cando.eclipse.co.uk