FotD Blog

Kestrel

2012-01-19T18:44:34Z

The kestrel is a beautiful bird, an elegant killer. This one is resting between meals on a sapling on the Downs, just below the thatched cottages.

Kestrel on the Downs 1st Jan 2012

Nice ice

2012-01-19T17:20:45Z

I still find myself musing over the contrast with last winter - bitter winds, snow on the ground for weeks, people muttering about climate change. People still seem to be muttering about climate change, but this time due to the oddly mild winter - only a couple of frosts so far this year (by the coast).

Frost on the Downs - 14th Jan 2012

Mystery plant

2012-01-19T09:44:02Z

These "mystery plant" plant pictures will probably be popping up more and more often as the year progresses. The wildlife survey by KWT last year identified about 150 species, and that was from one guy (Fred Booth) visiting a dozen or so times across the year.

What caught my eye about this one was simply that it was flowering in middle of January (well, 8th Jan). The rest of the plant, best described as a lightweight bush, was just brown twigs. Any ideas?

QE2 Coastal Park in Herne Bay

2012-01-07T00:01:43Z

I am very concerned that Members are mistakenly believing that the ongoing village green application requires that a number of activities on and around the Downs at Herne Bay must be deferred until the outcome of the application is known. None of the Items in the QE2 Coastal Park Action Plan that are being deferred pending the outcome of the village green application actually need to be deferred for that reason.

A couple of examples:

The Bounds of The Downs

2011-12-08T12:05:56Z

Borrowing from the tradition of beating the bounds of a parish, walking The Bounds of The Downs is an opportunity to appreciate The Downs from every angle. Walking the Bounds will happen on the Sunday nearest each solstice and equinox, so that we also get to appreciate The Downs throughout the year.

Small Mammal Survey

2011-09-18T15:20:37Z

Roll up, roll up, for the small mammal survey on the Downs.

The Friends of the Downs are working with Wildwood and the Kent Mammal Group to carry out a survey of the tiny furry beasties that scurry about trying to keep out of sight.

Wildwood are running two courses that you need to go on to qualify you for safely handing the small mammals. You will need to go on both courses.

The first is on Saturday 29th October 2011 - download details.

At the end of the day participants will:

Have increased their practical field skills to enable them to trap, identify, sex, weigh and release small mammals found in Kent
Understand the conservation and licensing legislation relating to these mammals
Understand the methods of the Kent Mammal Group small mammal survey
Be able to submit accurate mammal records

The second is on Saturday 19th November 2011 - download details.

At the end of the day participants will:

To teach participants to identify mammals found in Kent from sightings of the animals themselves and their field signs
To introduce participants to conservation and licensing legislation relating to these mammals
To encourage participants to record mammals for the Kent Mammal Group atlas

Please click here to download your course booking form.

When you are filling it in, please tick the "I would like a free place" box, as we will be surveying areas that the Kent Mammal Group haven't yet surveyed and by way of thanks they will waive the course fees.

Could you then either scan and email your registration form to FriendsOfTheDowns@gmail.com, or post it to FoTD, 56 Beacon Hill, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 6JN.

Grass cutting on the Downs

2011-09-08T11:11:03Z

By popular demand, here is the grass cutting plan that Serco have for the Downs.

Click it to big it.

Fred Booth MBE

2011-08-19T11:15:58Z

The Summer 2011 edition of the Kent Wildlife Trust magazine carried a very welcome bit of news:

June saw the award of MBE to Fred Booth. Fred has been actively involved in telling people about the importance of Kent's Wildlife for years. Leading YOC and RSPB local groups in Canterbury; the Trust's first Chief Executive; active in the Kent Field Club; leader of walks and talks and an early advocate of the need to know more about our marine environment, active in the Maidstone Local Group - Fred has done it all. No royal accolade has been more deserved than Fred's.

Congratulations to Fred from all the Friends of the Downs. Now we'll have to have a whip-round to get some red carpet for his next visit!

Wildlife walkabout

2011-07-29T11:00:00Z

Wildlife survey: a Walkabout with Fred Booth

Click it to big itDespite the rather threatening looking weather there was a good turn out for the walkabout with Fred Booth from the Kent Wildlife Trust. Fred divided the Downs into three distinctive areas

the western end with its mix of wild blackthorn and grassy areas.
the central area being mainly open grassland.
the eastern end being grassy areas dotted with mixed scrub.

Nearly a hundred species of plants were identified in each of these areas,including some rarities that are only found in a few locations in the country. Many insects and birds have been observed, including the rare long horned bumble bee, grasshopper warblers and linnets displaying breeding behaviour. Full details of Fred's survey should be available soon. It was an enjoyable afternoon and nice to share this beautiful environment with so many like-minded people.

URGENT: Beach hut threat

2011-06-05T22:08:38Z

Beach Hut Option Appraisal Report 2011

Here we go again! Despite the massive support for the Village Green application, and the clear message that Herne Bay wants the Downs unspoilt, the Council is thinking of putting up beach huts.

The consultation process is described below - the first step will be a debate at HBAMP (the Herne Bay Area Members Panel, i.e. our town councillors) on 14th June at 6:30pm in the Salvation Army Hall, 33 Richmond Street, Herne Bay.

I won't be able to be at that meeting. I think it is very important that SOMEONE is there (ideally, lots of someones!) to put the case for NOT having beach huts on the Downs.

You are entitled to make a short (3 minute) speech at HBAMP. You won't be cross-examined - you just say your piece and sit down. I'm happy to provide you with facts and arguments, or even write a short speech for you to modify and make your own - just contact me at FriendsOfTheDowns@gmail.com

If you want to do it all under your own steam, just contact Lyn McDaid, email: lynda.mcdaid@canterbury.gov.uk tel: 01227 862006.

This is your chance to stand up and make your voice heard. Literally.

The Report

Personally, I find it in many ways unimpressive and disappointing, but that's a story for another day. You can read the report online here, or you can download it here, or you can visit the Council website. The key parts are:

Sections 3.4 to 3.8 - the current position in Herne Bay,
Section 4 - the Process,
Section 9 - the Assessment Matrix and Scoring,
Sections 11.2 to 11.6 - the sites that have been assessed as potential beach hut sites,
Section 12.2 - SWOT analysis issues
Section 13.1 - the potential sites, prioritised
Section 14 - next steps

The Potential Sites on the Downs

The concrete plinths at the bottom of the Hundred Steps.

Site assessment and SWOT analysis: you can read it online here, or download it here.

The upper level of the promenade, a little further east of the Hundred Steps.

Site assessment and SWOT analysis: you can read it online here, or download it here.

Consultation Process

This is a consultative draft for discussion, which will be debated at the Herne Bay Area Members Panel on 14th June 2011.
The community steering group seeks our views on the report and the recommendations for further feasibility work by Monday 4th July 2011.
The feedback from the community and comments from the Area Members Panel meeting will feed into a report to the Council’s Executive meeting on the 28th July 2011 to decide a way forward.
If feasibility studies are required the aim will be to bring forward feasibility reports for consultation by the end of 2011 or early 2012.