The Village Voice Dec 18 Jan 19

MCV NEWS
www.milfordcv.org
THE OLD MILL—WOODLAND
The Milford Conservation Volunteers are
delighted that Amy and Simon Davies were
granted planning permission for the renovation
of The Old Mill. They have already been busy
de-silting the leat and thinning trees, and have
generously given the rights to the wood to the
MCV which will be sold to the community. This
reduces the carbon footprint by not having to
transport it further afield. We hope your
aspirations for the Old Mill soon become a
reality.
DOGS, FOXES & DEAD SWANS!
Regular users of the Solent Way footpath
around Sturt Pond nature reserve may have
noticed two Swan carcases.
Each year dog attacks on birds increase. Quite
often, swans have to be rescued from animals
not controlled by their owners. These attacks
are often witnessed by alarmed passers-by and
are regularly reported to
This exhausted Swan died
later at RSPCA Rescue Centre
from injuries sustained
following ‘dog attack’.
MCV. We often hear
that irresponsible dogowners
are not local
people. However, we
know that this is not
often the case. Dogs off
lead sometimes act
before owners can stop
their animals from bird
attacks. Owners are
often
highly
embarrassed and
equally upset about what their animals have
done.
A Dog Order could be made through the local
authority to introduce a ‘Dog’s on Lead’ only
policy. Maybe this is the only action that can be
taken to reduce dog attacks on swans? Let us
hope that consciences will be pricked by
leaving the carcases on view and that more
dogs are put on leads as a matter of course
when near vulnerable wild birds.
Please remember, hundreds of our winter birds
e.g. Brent Geese, have just flown from Siberia,
a 2,500-mile migratory journey. Birds are tired
and in desperate need of refuelling and rest to
help get them through our winter and ready
for their return flight in March/April, to their
Arctic breeding grounds. They do not deserve
to be chased across the Pond by owner’s who
are often seen encouraging their dogs into the
water.
STORAGE SPACE REQUIRED
MCV continues to find it difficult to store, and
season, wood extracted from the Pleasure
Grounds and space to secure our range of
mechanical conservation tools.
If you know anyone who can find a little space
at their property, or smallholding, and would
like to support MCV in this practical way,
please contact - keithmetcalf@btinternet.com
We are grateful to one local family who has
already made space in their garden for us to
store materials. Thank you.
SEASONS GREETINGS FROM MCV
Happy Christmas & New Year
from us all
Unseasoned logs available
Steve or Lorraine Mabbett
lorrainemabbett@sky.com
(01590) 381255 or
(07543) 901324
or
keithmetcalf@btinternet.com
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