Minutes of a meeting of the Ryburgh Wildlife Group Committee held at The Vines on May 11th 2026
Present: Mike Rundle (Chair and Treasurer) David Cooling, Neil Dandy, Barley Wilson, Ian Wilson, Gill Waldron
Apologies: Nick Parsons
- Finance: The bank account stands at £1521.15
- Membership: There have been some deaths of members and some have rejoined after a period of absence. Currently 65 households are members. David is in discussions with Tim about digitising the application form for new members. It was agreed to proceed with that. (David)
- NWT Courses: Several potentially relevant courses have been offered by NWT, Barley will attend the Community Network Planning one on May 27th, this may be of interest to Nick as well. Places must be confirmed to Gemma by May 18th. There has been feedback that the joint NWT/RWG meeting in 2025 kickstarted the interest in networking.
Mike and Ian are attending a meeting on the Glaven Project organised by UWFC on May 13th. They are attending as Trustees of Ryburgh Common.
- Scrape: Mike reported that Steve disagrees with the RWG committee about improved access to members, and encouraging them to fill bird feeders. However, since that discussion, the firm recommendation from the RSPB that feeding birds from feeders and tables should be stopped for health reasons and summer feeding of all kinds be discouraged, was agreed to be a guidance that RWG should follow. Mike will contact Steve to that effect. Mike suggested a monthly birdlist from an hour’s trip to the scrape be a topic for the newsletter. Initially Mike, also Gill.
- Pond: NWT have guidelines for the monitoring of pond health, Ian will check. Possibly link with Sennowe on this. It was agreed to host a Saturday morning guided visit to examine the pond and surrounds for new and returning wildlife. This to be advertised in the newsletter and the village Facebook page. (David). June 20th 10am-12pm. (Mike, Ian and others).
- Initiatives: a) Swallow and swift mapping. John Hopkins is regularly reporting on martin nests in Mill Road, and Ian and Barley have at least 4 nesting pairs of swallows in their outbuildings. Ian proposes the use of a programme called Swift Mapper which will hopefully generate a baseline of village activity. There is some software for house martins, nothing at present for swallows, these are more difficult to count since they nest in buildings etc in gardens rather than obviously on houses which can often be seen from the road. The shop has agreed in principle to host a monitor to show nest activity, but would expect the cost to be borne by RWG.
- b) Tree mapping No progress since last meeting, to be begun. (Ian)
7)Report on events: April 8th Earth Day at Gressenhall was well attended, many families present and interest in RWG was shown. Help from I member to man the stall. April 15th Sennowe walk was well attended, and very interesting, visiting some different parts of the estate. Some positive feedback from participants. Bioluminescence walk on April 14th arranged by UWFC, was a very wet evening and as a result not a very successful occasion.
8) Bug hotels: Flagship housing installed the new Bug Hotel in an excellent position in Highfield Close. Ian was congratulated on his new improved design, the bug hotel has had some very favourable comments from residents. There is another hotel ready to install – where is best?
9) Future events: Barley suggested that the RWG join an event which is organised by the Hall and Playing Field – ‘Picnic in the Park’ a bring your own food event with activities for families. This is at lunchtime on July 19th, and it is suggested that a flower and butterfly walk be offered ( Barley and all available).
Mike to ask John Savory if he would like to host a Moth walk at the farm.
To offer a walk to the Common to explore it, in July/August.
Possibly to attempt a fungus foray, in Sennowe, if Tony Leach has any availability. Mike to enquire. Barley suggests it might be an appropriate event to offer to UWFC for broader take up.
10) AOB: Neil wants to send Crisp pictures of the Bug Hotels they have sponsored, the school photograph cannot be used if it shows children, but the Flagship one is appropriate. It was agreed that a Corporate Membership at £50 be offered to Crisp. (Neil). Barley to send some dates to Neil when volunteers from the Maltings could help prune the Willow structure in the Community Woodland.
Date of next meeting July 6th 7.00 pm at Stone House