Owlthorpe Fields Conservation Group
News & Events
Over the next three years a series of events will be scheduled which may included such things as volunteering opportunities hedgelaying workshop, fruit tree pruning workshop, bioblitz, macro photography workshop, apple day and more.
Keep your eye on this page for upcoming events and on our Facebook page.
We are always looking for volunteers to help with the ongoing orchard work so it you would like to volunteer with Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust here at Owlthorpe, please use our contact page to get in touch.
Event - Plant Walk with Gerry Firkins Saturday 10th May 2025
Summary
An easy stroll led by Gerry Firkins to look at some of the plants of Owlthorpe Fields and how they fit into the ecology of the area. The walk will include the local wildlife sites (designated for grassland habitat), the Ancient Woodlands and the newly created pond / wetland area if time permits! This walk is limited to 20 people. Free tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Time & Location
10th May 2025, 10:30
Roundabout at Owlthorpe Medical Centre, Moorthorpe Bank, Sheffield, S20 6PD.
About the Event
An easy stroll to look at some of the plants of Owlthorpe Fields and how they fit into the ecology of the area. The walk will include the local wildlife sites (designated for grassland habitat), the Ancient Woodlands and the newly created pond / wetland area if time permits!
The walk will be led by Gerry Firkins; he is a local botanist and has led field meetings and taught plant identification for Sheffield University, WEA and the RSPB since the 1980s and is now a tutor for the Botanical Society of the British Isles.
Tickets are free, but if you could make a small donation to Owlthorpe Fields Conservation Group on the day, this would be greatly appreciated.
Please sign up for the walk using the Eventbrite link below.
W/C 31st March 2025 - Orchard site work
Next week (w/c 31st March 2025) Adrian and Tony will be starting to remove top soil from the orchard in preparation for seeding with a native wildflower mix to start the process of turning the orchard into a beautiful wildflower meadow.
Please be aware that there may be machinery working in and around the orchard.
Feel free to have a chat with Adrian & Tony when it's safe, and they will be happy to tell you more about what they’re doing.
It might look a bit brutal at first, but please be assured that in the long-run, the orchard will look splendid and be beneficial for both people and wildlife.
22nd February 2025 Hedge Planting Hawthorn Whips
The group have been very busy planting over 200 hawthorn whips, with the landowners permission, to fill in the gaps in the local ancient hedgerows, which have become depleted over the years. Hedgerows are very important ecological habitats as they provide homes, shelter, food and corridors for wildlife. We know we have a population of yellowhammers locally but sightings have been declining in recent years. These hedgerows are their favourite location in the area and we wanted to do our bit to help increase their numbers. It was hard work but a beautiful day and enjoyed by all of us.
6th February 2025 Visit by Councillor Kurtis Crossland
On the 6th February Beighton ward Councillor Kurtis Crossland visited the orchard to find out a bit more about the National Lottery Heritage Funded project. Whilst there he met a few members of OCG and Adrian and Tony from Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust, who showed him what they have done so far in the orchard and explained to him the future plans.
January 2025 S20 Raptor Monitoring Project
You may have seen the articles announcing our raptor project. Led by Will Warhurst, a licensed bird ringer and holder of a schedule 1 license and member of Sorby Breck Bird Ringing Group, the project will provide additional raptor boxes down the S20 green corridor, with the aim of monitoring and encouraging breeding of different raptor species within the area.
The boxes will be monitored and the chicks ringed over a 3 year period. We’ll keep you updated of progress.
Will Warhurst said: “It’s very exciting to be leading the raptor project. I grew up and still live in the S20 area, and have been passionate about bird monitoring from a very early age. With the BTO looking to increase raptor monitoring, it is a timely opportunity to get this project underway and provide essential data on breeding numbers, productivity and nest locations, which are highly valued by the organisations that work to conserve raptors across the UK.”
Past Events
Take a look at some of the events we have held over the last few years.
