Quantock Hills Blog
Just a tick …
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Posted by Tim Russell on 05 May 2010
The Quantock Hills AONB hosted a conference on Ticks & Tick Borne diseases at Halsway Manor on Tuesday.
Surveys over the last 20 years show that tick numbers and associated diseases (such as Lyme Disease) have increased significantly. The habitats found on the Quantocks (in particular bracken, rough grassland and bilberry), provide ideal conditions for tick populations to thrive. Ticks feed on the blood of other animals (particularly large mammals such as deer) and can readily spread diseases to humans.
Around 50 health practitioners and countryside managers attended the conference which focussed its attention on ways forward in habitat management and raising peoples’ awareness to help reduce the incidence of tick borne diseases.
Simple points to remember to help reduce getting tick bites are to:
• keep to the middle of paths to avoid dense vegetation
• wear shoes – not sandals
• tuck trousers into socks
• ticks are easier to see on light coloured clothing and picnic blankets
• always check for ticks on skin surface and remove as suggested on the Lyme Disease Action website (see below)
• if you have ANY doubt about feeling poorly from a tick bite contact your GP as soon as possible
Useful website address is: http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/.
Stay in the loop
Annual Reports
View Annual reports from the Quantock AONB Service
AONB Planning Consultation Comments 2011
Please click below to read responses made by the AONB on behalf of the Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee
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 Plan
The Quantock Hills AONB Management Plan 2009-2014 and Management Plan Summary
Newsletters
If you would like to subscribe to the Quantock Hills e-newsletter please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we will put you on our mailing list
Other organisations and activities in the Quantocks
A few things you might find interesting from organisations we work with in the Quantocks
Planning Application Comments 2012
Find out how the Quantock Hills AONB Service commented on planning applications in 2012
Planning Guidance and Position Statements
Find our guidance documents and position statements here.
PREPARING FOR CHANGE
Climate-proof your tourism business
Quantock Deer Count Results
Annual deer count results for 2010, 2011and 2012
QUANTOCK ECO EVENTS PROGRAMME
Building Resilient Villages
Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) Papers
Papers from the partnership committee the Joint Advisory Committeeqhjac_papers_22nd_july_11.pdf
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
SCC disposal of land
Find out the Quantock Hills AONB Service position, and our response to SCC
Sustainable Development Fund forms
The SDF for 20011/12 has £45,000 to allocate. This will provide grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to explore and develop practical projects that enhance, conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life.
Tick Leaflet
Ticks are becoming more common and a bite from this spider-like parasite could lead to Lyme Disease. This is a treatable infection caused by bacterium transmitted by ticks when they bite. Not every tick carries Lyme Disease and it is important to realise that the disease is relatively rare.
Wild Places competition
Win a chance to create your own 'wild place'.
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
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