Wildlife Circus

                                     Ancient Oak   There was a good turn out for the bat walk on Saturday evening (23.9.23). Three species were recorded on bat detection equipment:  Common Pipistrelle bat, Soprano Pipistrelle bat, and Nathusius’ Pipistrelle bat. The activity was slightly down on previous years, but we were still able to see: foraging bats in the old orchard, commuting bats along the tree lines, and  detect many social calls at the end of the evening by the lake. The lower activity level was surprising due to the warm evening temperature, lack of wind and at a time of year when bats normally require stocking up on food for the colder months ahead. We had a good discussion on the problems faced by bats with climate change, light pollution, insect loss and loss of habitat.

It is some time since I have attended a Guildhall meeting, as everything can be viewed on - line now; last Thursday's Place Committee was a must see/hear culmination of several months of meetings between the council and interested parties to work on a consensus position for the future of the Filter Beds.  https://kingston.public Seething Wells All Party Working Group Meetings began 11.3.22 and there were five during 2022 and three this year with  recommendations produced for the Place Committee's consideration. Throughout, there was a useful focus on actions that had often been on the agenda, but never progressed, such as the application for designation as an Asset of Community Value. The application was unsuccessful based on the lack of public access onto the site. The Neighbourhood Manager stated that the decision does not preclude a further application in the future should circumstances change.   Meetings have also been convened with the site owners, Cascina, who welcomed t