Save the Middlewick Ranges🍃💚🍃

The largest remaining greenspace in Colchester is under threat of development, we need to protect it before it's too late.

[caroline white @saoirse65]

@TonyJuniper @NaturalEngland You say that it is @NaturalEngland's "job to protect areas that are deemed to be of special scientific interest". You also talk about the expertise of your national experts. NE experts have said Middlewick is of national importance. Why are you not protecting it? @SaveRanges

[caroline white @saoirse65]

@dory_drew @SaveRanges @TonyJuniper @markrwilliamson @NaturalEngland I would be very surprised to not hear several song thrushes on the Wick. It would be nice to be able to just enjoy them without having to worry about @mod_dio degrading their habitat. If we were just part of an “iconic landscape” ….. @MaryCreagh @TonyJuniper

[caroline white @saoirse65]

@TonyJuniper @markrwilliamson They do well at Middlewick Ranges which also supports Nightingales, Skykark, Linnets and many other farmland and woodland birds with a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker there lately. It should be protected by @NaturalEngland @SaveRanges

[caroline white @saoirse65]

This may be “outstanding” habitat but it is not a Priority habitat supporting nationally important invertebrates, grassland fungi and Nightingales as well as Barbastelle and 9 other species of bats. You have a statutory duty to designate SSSIs and are avoiding this @SaveRanges

[Angelo Dundee @ecofriendlydd]

@saoirse65 @NaturalEngland @mod_dio @SaveRanges @TonyJuniper £30 million is a positive step, but I hope important habitats near communities are supported too. Middlewick should not be overlooked.

[Save the Middlewick Ranges🍃💚🍃 @SaveRanges]

@andy_goodey @martgathercole they did, is why you see bricked up windows in
old buildings as people didn't want to pay the window tax.

[Rosie P 🦇 🦎 🕷️ 🦭 🐌 🍃🌳🚲💧 @RosieP4]

A drop in the ocean and ignores the fact that countryside outside national parks is being concreted over under the build-baby-build agenda

[caroline white @saoirse65]

Defra announced £30 million funding to create and restore habitats in "iconic landscapes". I wonder if @NaturalEngland and @mod_dio would protect nationally important Middlewick if it wasn't on the edge of housing estates? Not quite "iconic" enough 🤔@SaveRanges @TonyJuniper

[St John's Residents Association🍃💚🍃 @Stjohnsfieldsra]

Here’s an insect eaters breakfast. We need lots more of this - flies in this morning’s sun. #insects #birdfood #bullockwoodsssi #colchester

[caroline white @saoirse65]

@tlander93 @mod_dio @LukePollard @SaveRanges Exactly! Habitat creation has been turned into a money-making business so destroying habitats generates profits for the few while destroying the future for the many.

[TL9346💙 @tlander93]

@saoirse65 @mod_dio @LukePollard @SaveRanges Fine. But why not stop destroying what we already have - it's there the trees are mature, the hedges are established. The grass can be managed to increase flowers. oh yeah...houses, roads etc etc. Can imagine what Reform will do with this!

[caroline white @saoirse65]

Meanwhile @mod_dio and @LukePollard say it would not be a good use of public funds to put a management plan in place for the nationally important acid grassland and biodiversity at Middlewick Ranges. They are only interested when nature can be sold in units! @SaveRanges

[Save the Middlewick Ranges🍃💚🍃 @SaveRanges]

@TonyJuniper we have a whole book, would you like a copy ?

[Andy Goodey @andy_goodey]

Middlewick Ranges. Colchester: a few hours in afternoon produced 15 Green Tiger Beetles, 20 Small Coppers, 10 Small Heaths, singles of Brimstone, Brown Argus, Common Blue and Brown-tail Moth caterpillars. Raven over, Garden Warbler and, of course, Nightingales singing!

[Save the Middlewick Ranges🍃💚🍃 @SaveRanges]

@alexdpking @STAUNCHcampaign there's a hell of a lot @NaturalEngland are supposed to do but they don't , designating Sssi's for a start

[Andy Goodey @andy_goodey]

Some video of Green Tiger Beetles mating at Middlewick Ranges, Essex, at least 15 others seen at this fantastic and STILL THREATENED site
@TonyJuniper
@EssexFieldClub
@SaveRanges
@EssexWildlife

[caroline white @saoirse65]

@TonyJuniper @NaturalEngland @Love_plants Great news but Natural England still has a statutory duty to protect sites like Middlewick. There is indeed a very strong case for extending the Roman River Valley SSSI to incorporate nationally important Middlewick and protect nature at a landscape scale @SaveRanges

[ACHUB PENRHOS / SAVE PENRHOS NATURE RESERVE 🍃💚🍃 @PenrhosSave]

Beautiful photos from last year! .Penrhos should never have been sold to speculators/developers ! Sadly we can’t turn back time but if
Penrhos was returned to the community to take care of it,as we did when Ken Williams vision was realised, at the beginning of the 70s! We would ensure this precious place and all within would be protected in perpetuity!
📸Shirley Blease

[caroline white @saoirse65]

@TonyJuniper Friends of Middlewick extend an invitation for you to meet us at Middlewick Ranges to view the nationally important biodiversity that needs protecting. It's down the road from the solar farm you visited at Langenhoe. Let us know when you are free @SaveRanges

[Save the Middlewick Ranges🍃💚🍃 @SaveRanges]

@nfsway60 @saoirse65 @TonyJuniper @DefenceHQ @NaturalEngland @RosieP4