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wildlife and the grounds

The first survey of the wildlife pond was carried out by Year 8 pupils in summer 2005. The survey results are here.  Further surveys were carried out in summer 2007 and 2008. We also, with the help of Richard Osmond, undertook the first survey of our new ponds in July 2008. These superb underwater photographs give some idea of what's there.

We have stag beetle larvae in one of our log piles!  The photo above shows their discovery. Although the New Forest is one of the beetle's strongholds, nationally this is a threatened species. Read all about it and the Great Stag Beetle Hunt here. Autumn 2007 Our biggest and wettest ever Big DIg has just taken place... all in the interests of habitat. (See Projects 2007-8) We have collected willow to patch our willow dome from the Mistaed STudy Centre - an inspirirng visit. The new ponds take shape, thanks to Richard Trim and a  team of students. Liners are filled with water. We are letting succession take place rather than stocking immediately! We have obtained turf from FREECYCLE to go round the edge of the ponds. All we need now is a dipping platform  Thanks to the Woodland Trust,  a hedge has been planted round the edge of the new pond enclosure. We plan a new animal house in the pond area - see November's Gardeners World! Summer 2007 The science pond requires further clearance and starts to look messy as becomes congested with Greater Reedmace again  The hedge planting round the pond area looks good Biodiversity in the pond jumps hugely. Our pond survey in July (see 'SURVEYS') shows surprising diversity We have strted work on two new ponds ina  new area of the grounds. Richard Trim is helping students. At teh moment, there is little to see except cleared vegetation The contractors in for building are digging the ponds!  Our raised beds are FANTASTIC! We have bumper onion, salad, beetroot and potato crops! Spring 2007 We carry out RSPB Birdwatch. Diversity has increased! Another Big Dig, courtesy of the Woodland trust! This time we plant for the Twon council on the edge of Carvers. Some students going to carvers are planting with us to offset their carbon emissions. We construct a willow dome - unfortunately it's the hottest April on record and we hope the willow will root  Year 7 also construct an iconic reindeer at the front of the school and a Midsummer Night's Dream charcter. Both are constructed from willow Autumn 2006 Some Eco students helped to plan the planting for the Ann Steggall pond. This is the small fish pond near PE.  Some of these students will help with the complete replanting of this pond on 31st October. Watch this space. Year 7, working with a sixth form student, are carrying out the National British Snail survey. We have found Garlic Snails in the school grounds!! Summer 2006 The science pond has become congested with Greater Reedmace and with Crassula. Clearance started on May 5th. Read about it (and the Crassula problem) here.  Take a VIRTUAL POND DIP We find baby newts in the grounds here Year 6 students have helped Eco students to make a TREE TRAIL in the grounds. They have also made model trees as part of the Built Environment project.  An ECO TRAIL is now being planned for the grounds. The tree trail page is here. Identify the trees in the school grounds with this key  On Eco Day, July 5th 2006, students constructed insect boxes. We hope that this will help certain species to survive the winter Autumn 2005 Results of the follow-up to January's RSPB bird survey, carried out in September 2005 here.  We have now built some boxes for animals to hide and hibernate in during the winter Tulipwatch: Year 9 plant bulbs from BBC Radio Solent November 5th here Meet the Birds: Lou Fairless' talk on birds of prey November 3rd here