Quantock Hills Blog
Have your say…
Follow the blog of Rangers Andy Harris and Tim Russell as they roam the Quantocks, working to enrich the wildlife and helping keep the Quantocks outstandingly beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Sign up and let them know your thoughts on whats happening day to day on the hills.
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Gold winners - Andy finds gold in the Hills.
01 Nov
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When the autumn afternoons turn dimpsy, treasure arrives in the Quantocks. Does anyone know the collective noun for a flock of goldfinches?
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In the Steps of the Romantic Poets - Tim leads a walk through spectacular Coleridge country
18 Oct
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Last Sunday I led a guided walk along the Quantock Hills section of The Coleridge Way. The route we took was circular so that we ended up in the same car park where we left our vehicles. We started at Holford Village Green car park and followed the old coach drive into Alfoxton Park. This is where the Wordsworths resided at the same time that Coleridge lived in Nether Stowey. We were lucky enough to see a large herd of red deer on the fields below the drive.
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What a finish! - Andy and Boyd have been spotting the elusive Shrike
17 Oct
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FC Wildlife Ranger Boyd Hay and I led a walk to view the Red Deer Rut on Sunday. We met at 6am and although it was overcast we had good views across the hills as it became light.
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It’s Rubbish - Incidents of fly-tipping appear to be on the rise
11 Oct
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Volunteers Dave Pusill and Chris Tilley ably assisted with removing yet more illegal rubbish dumped on the hills. This load was reported to us by a local horse rider and was down in the bottom of Merridge Common.
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Happy Heathland - It takes a lot of hard work to keep the heathland looking so beautiful
13 Sep
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It seems that all the hard work of those involved in the Quantock Commons Countryside Stewardship Scheme is beginning to pay off. Probably the most striking example that can be seen right now is the amazingly vibrant colour of the heathland.
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The Great Escape - Tim and the Volunteers head off to Slimbridge
13 Sep
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Last Thursday a minibus load of Quantock Conservation Volunteers (armed with binos and sarnies) headed north to Gloucestershire to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust HQ at Slimbridge.
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Wonders of wildlife - Ranger Andy, a Long Eared Owl named Otus and some defensive wood ants
05 Sep
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The Discover Wildlife event which took place in Ramscombe for a group of children and their parents was especially rewarding this weekend .
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Never a dull moment on the Quantocks - AONB Rangers Tim and Andy were out on the busy bank holiday
05 Sep
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There are always issues to deal with on such potentially busy days and August Bank Holiday Monday is usually a good one! What was it going to be today … hill fires, motorbikes, lost people or sheep worrying?
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Weekend Patrol - news from AONB Snr. Ranger Tim Russell
22 Aug
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Sunshine in August?! Seems a bit unusual … but last Sunday’s patrol was blessed with blue skies. People were out taking advantage of wonderful conditions, and Kilve Beach seemed to be the place to be!
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Introducing Tori - Our new full time volunteer
02 Aug
1 Comments
Hello everyone, my name is Tori Kirk and I am the new full time volunteer ranger, shared between the Quantock Hills AONB Service and the National Trust, based here at Fyne Court.
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 Guidance and Position Statements
Find our guidance documents and position statements here.
PREPARING FOR CHANGE
Climate-proof your tourism business
Quantock Deer Count Results 7 March 2010
The results of the annual Quantock Deer Count held on 7 March 2010.
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
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
