Gunwalloe Rock Pooling!

A few of us at Gunwalloe had a great time rockpooling last Sunday! The tide was mid-way down the shore at 3pm in the afternoon, so not too many pools were exposed however we still managed to find a nice load of different species with a couple of extra large crabs and a shanny fish topping the list!

Alfie claimed find of the day with this huge shore crab, and was the only one brave enough to pick it up!

A few Shanny's or Common Blenny's were also found. 

It was a great afternoon and we hope to run many more free wildlife activities at Gunwalloe this summer, if you're interested in coming along then please don't hesitate to get in touch, lb337@exeter.ac.uk


Lee.

Holfiair time again!

The Trust team are delighted to be attending Holifair again this year. Based at Holifield farm in Gweek, Holifair is a 3 day family music festival and is taking place on the 5th, 6th and 7th August this year. Its a great little festival and tickets are just £45 so make sure you get one and don't miss the barn dance on the first night!

Look out for us near the wooded area at the entrance. This year we will be putting on a range of childrens eco craft activities as well as bushcraft in the Tipi and green woodworking in the woodland glade.

For more info http://www.holifieldfarmproject.co.uk/holifair

See you there,

Elle

St Martin Mad Fest

Much fun was had by all at the Mad Fest on Saturday. No matter what the weather threw at us, St Martin community was determined to have a great time, and they did. We were thrilled to be a part of it, and yet again the 'bodging' proved to be a favourite and some excellent candle holders were turned on the lathe.

If your interested in learning more about bodging then check out our 'Dirty weekend in the woods' event at Tremayne Quay on the 1st and 2nd October.

Elle 

The Bear Grylls experience

Or more appropriately named the 'Rabbit Grills' experience!

Last week Mullion comprehensive school camped on the heath at Predannack. They began thier 3 day adventure by navigating thier way accross Predannack Airfield where they were met by the MOD's Jack Frost. Jack enabled the children to have a once in a lifetime experience of exploring the aircraft wrecks and fire training simulators. They learned the importance of the airfield not only for the MOD but for its nature conservation value and how the National Trust, Natural England and Cornwall Wildlife Trust work alongside the MOD to care for this area.



Dinner!

Exploring the wrecks on Predannack Airfield



  After continuing their way onto the Pig's ear (an area of Predannack heathland) they set to work building their camp. This included digging a fire pit, collecting wood and making thier own long drop toilet. The happy campers then set to work starting a fire and skinning their dinner of rabbit which went down a treat after all thier hard work.



Crab fishing off Mullion Harbour



The following day the children set off along the coastal path to Mullion Harbour where they were treated to a sea kayaking trip with Lizard Adventure where they had a close encounter with a seal. This was followed by some cave exploration and a touch of crab fishing off the harbour. Unfrotunately none were caught for a crab supper but some enourmous spider crabs were hauled up from the bottom of the harbour walls.

On the final day, the some what tired campers by this point, packed up their bags and began the walk back to school where I expect some were pleased to see the luxuries of civilisation again, such as a flushing toilet! A great few days was had by all and amazingly the sun shone throughout making it one of the most breathtaking camping sites I've ever seen.

Elle

NT society Foraging Trip.

The National Trust Society made one of its first outings last weekend to the beautiful location of Tremayne woods, where a weekend of fun was had, with foraging, fire making, whistle making and even bread making! 

The Saturday begun with a quick lesson in fire making and was followed by a trip down to the local sea shore to find our lunch, mussels, cockles and seaweed were found in abundance and made for a tasty meal. 

We were kept occupied with whistle making throughout the sunny afternoon, using pieces of elder wood, hollowed and then carved to create a very effective home made whistle!

Fortunately for us the weather remained clear and warm all evening, meaning it wasn't even necessary to build any shelter for the night, instead sleeping outside under the stars. 

The Sunday was a day of coppicing in the ancient woodland of Tremayne, this allows the oaks more space to grow, as they are often out competed by faster growing species. 

Thanks very much to Justin from the National Trust for his expert foraging and fire making knowledge and also to EcoSoc for advertising the event. 

If you'd like to find out more about the NT society or get involved please email me at lb337@exeter.ac.uk

Lee. 

Camping it Up!

Get out with your tent this summer and join us!

From Friday this week (15th) we will be taking on the campsite at Teneriffe farm on the Lizard, near Predannack. It's a 25+ pitch site with hook ups and it's suitable for all from caravans to small tents. We have great facilities on site and we have some space during the summer.

We'll also be running loads of great family events onsite throughout the summer. Teneriffe farm is ideally located right by the coast path and the beautiful beaches on the Lizard. We are keep prices low this summer so if you do come and stay please give us feedback about how you'd like the site to be run in the future.

Hook ups cost: £13.00 per night, other pitches £11. That covers two adults, for anyone else over the age of 5 it's just £1 a night! We welcome dogs also, although they must be kept under control.

To book your pitch this summer call 01326 240293

School nature adventures

Newts at the Waterings, with Landewednack School

It's been fun all round as all years from Grade-Ruan and Landewednack Primary Schools have been out and about with us in the last few weeks, for action packed nature themed adventures. Class 1 from Landewednack came pond dipping at The Waterings nature garden, and then later in June joined us for a fun day on the beach at Poltesco, scrambling amongst the rockpools. Prize for the biggest crab of the day to head teacher Mrs Wilson! Class 2 came along for a habitats themed afternoon at the Waterings, learning how to use keys to identify trees, and quadrats to survey the meadow. We learned that quadrats could work well as quoits too! Class 3 were set the task of making their own natural pigments for artworks on wooden 'canvases', using berries, leaves, chalks and charcoal, as well as the big rope challenge. Could they, from nothing more than plant leaves, make a rope strong enough to lift their teacher? The answer was a resounding yes, although just to be sure we didn't dangle Mr Bolton over the pond, as the kids had requested! Everyone soon mastered the art of twisting and braiding the New Zealand Flax leaves into cord, which we could plait together into an ever thicker rope.



Grade-Ruan - just testing their home-made rope!



Grade-Ruan joined us en masse for two days of fun at Poltesco. On Monday yrs 3-6 were challenged in teams to build their own shelters from bamboo, poles, bracken and other natural materials at hand. The dens were soon put to the test as the rain set in, but even the weather couldn’t dampen high spirits as everyone rose to the construction challenge. A wildlife quiz, nature painting and ‘rope challenge Mark 2’ rounded off an action packed day.

Grade-Ruan testing out their shelters



On Tuesday the younger classes joined the older children, and all were treated to tales of the old serpentine factory in the cove at Poltesco, and the mysterious loss of a cargo of polished stoneware at sea, which helped seal the demise of this once bustling Victorian industry. A drama session with professional storyteller Mark Harandon for the older pupils, and a fishing game for the younger children, rounded off a fun-filled few days.

The kids have risen to every challenge we have set them, from making rope to building shelters, and they can be really proud of all they’ve achieved. Thanks to all our volunteers who have helped make these days with Grade-Ruan and Landewednack schools so memorable for all the kids.

Rachel