Quantock Hills Blog
Have your say…
Follow the blog of Rangers Andy Harris and Tim Russell as they roam the Quantocks, working to enrich the wildlife and helping keep the Quantocks outstandingly beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Sign up and let them know your thoughts on whats happening day to day on the hills.
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DEER COUNT -
08 Mar
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On a very cold Sunday morning the Quantock Deer Management and Conservation Group’s (QDMCG) deer count took place. For several years I have worked with Jochen Langbein to liaise with the many dedicated volunteers to cover 44 areas right across the AONB and with perfect conditions the count got underway at 06:00.
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Cranes -
08 Mar
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There are plans to reintroduce cranes to the Somerset Levels. However, one was spotted on the Quantock Hills.
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WE ARE SWALING -
03 Mar
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Over the next three weeks Rangers will be out on the hills organising the annual swaling programme. Swaling (heather burning) is carried out to maintain the nationally important heathlands that the Quantocks are so well known for.
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DESPITE THE COLD VOLUNTEERS TURN OUT -
23 Feb
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In a previous blog I wrote about an afternoon we spent with Chris Sperring from the Hawk and Owl Trust as we learnt how to use a recall method for surveying Long Eared Owls (LEO). This involves playing a CD of a calling male LEO to entice other males or a female to call back.
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FALLEN WOMAN - This blog from our Support Assistant, Katy Coate.
22 Feb
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We arrived at Holford Green nice and early, the sun shone and although there was snow and ice up top, once I was in my gear I felt ready to run.
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IT’S A HOOT -
02 Feb
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Has anyone seen their first snowdrop, heard a Tawny Owl declaring its territory or the blood-chilling scream of a fox calling for a mate? If you have or have any other interesting sightings I would be interested to hear from you. Another species that is beginning to make themselves heard is the Long Eared Owl, a scarce species throughout the UK but associated with conifer woodland and heathland.
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SWALE MEET AGAIN -
02 Feb
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Weather permitting, the next few weeks promise to be busy as the swaling season begins. However our volunteers have taken part in some training and with their help the work will be enjoyable and fun.
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SUNNY SUNDAY -
19 Jan
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Glorious weather brought many visitors out onto the hills at the weekend.
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IN THE ROUGH -
19 Jan
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Rangers had thought they had seen almost everything on the hills . . .
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SNOW PATROL - Rangers have been out and about on the hills despite difficult conditions, keeping ponies fed and watered.
13 Jan
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Water was also delivered to one other hill resident whose own water supply had frozen up! The ability to get out and about on the quad bike has proved invaluable and allowed access to the hilltops and ensured that the AONB Service herd of Exmoor Ponies on Cothelstone Hill have been checked on a daily basis.
Stay in the loop
Annual Reports
view Annual reports from the Quantock AONB Service
Events Leaflet
At a loose end? Come and join us on one of our many events planned throughout the year.
Information leaflets
Find out more about why the heathland is so important for birds, the red deer on the Quantocks and why the history of the landscape is so special.
Management Documents
including the Management Plan and SDF Application Forms
Newsletters
read the AONB Service's seasonal newsletter
PREPARING FOR CHANGE
Climate-proof your tourism business
Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) Papers
Papers from the partnership committee the Joint Advisory Committee
Quantock Hills Visitor Guide
Quantock Hills Visitor Guide
Recreation Leaflets
a full range of leaflets from circular walks to event guides and leaflets to allow you to enjoy the best of the hills
Information
Useful Contacts
Quantock AONB Service
Tel: 01823 451 884
Somerset Wildlife Trust
Tel: 01823 652 400
www.somersetwildlife.org
National Trust
Tel: 01823 451 814
www.nationaltrust.org
Forestry Commission
Tel: 01278 732 319
