The Rare Breeds Centre is primarily a farm attraction, however, with 100 acres of woodland, wildflower meadows and ponds, there is much more wildlife at our site than our visitors may realise. So, we asked our conservation officer to provide an update in celebration of  World Wildlife Conservation Day!

As we approach winter, much is changing in the wild world, as the weather drops, and daylight closes in. Winter berries are appearing onsite, such as hawthorn, blackthorn, spindle and holly, which birds and mice will rely on in their search for protein-rich foods. Many animals will be growing their thick winter coats ready for the changing weather on our site – these animals prepared for the cold include badgers and polecats.

 Getting ready for hibernation

It is time for the Kent Mammal Group to clean and close our dormouse boxes for the winter, as dormice head to the understory to hibernate under leaves and log piles. Other animals hibernating on our site include bats, such as the Daubenton’s bat and soprano pipistrelle which have previously been found on the site. Toads, frogs, great crested newts, smooth and palmate newts are all hibernating underneath rocks, in cracks and below the frost lines until spring; some great crested newts will even hibernate in the pond if conditions are perfect. Grass snakes, adders, lizards and slowworms will also join in the winter hibernation. Most butterflies and moths will also enter a dormant phase in the cold weather, similarly, the Butterfly Tunnel on our site is also shut down for the winter as they struggle to survive in the cold temperatures.

Bumblebee news

The Bumblebee Conservation Group have concluded their BeeWalks for the year, as the colonies die, and the new queens hibernate beneath the ground, ready to emerge next year and create a new colony. The BeeWalks occur once a month from March to October, when bumblebee activity is at its highest. Despite an overall decline in the UK bumblebee population, the Rare Breeds Centre site has still hosted a wide variety of species this summer, including Buff tailed bumblebees, Common carders, and the rare, Ruderal.

Fungus is among us!

All the autumn rain brought huge influxes of mushrooms of all kinds, from Turkey tails and Jelly ears to Sulphur tufts and Amanita. As we say goodbye to autumn and the winter rolls in, most fungi stop producing mushrooms but are very much still alive below the ground. The rain has also meant that ponds have filled back up, and streams around the site are flowing again after drying out in the summer months.

Preserving habitats

Winter is a great time of year to top up dead hedges after cutting back and clearing branches from the woodland floor. Hedges can be trimmed now that nesting season is over, and leaves swept from paths to prevent animals hibernating in areas where they may be harmed. The ground conditions in the woodlands will vary greatly over the winter months, with hard ground in the frosts, and much softer ground and mud when the frosts melt. Habitats will be carefully maintained and managed to ensure successful hibernation for our resident wildlife, and to ensure a suitable environment for emerging in spring.

If you visit the Rare Breeds Centre in the winter months and venture to the woodlands, be sure to be mindful of log piles and fallen leaves and keep an eye out for animals feeding on winter berries and sheltering from the wind.

Celebrate International Day of Charity with Us!

On September 5^th we are celebrating International Day of Charity and the important work of Canterbury Oast Trust (COT) and the life-changing impact it has every day. COT became a registered charity in 1985 and has always been dedicated to empowering adults with learning disabilities, helping them take control of their lives providing training, housing, and work experiences.

Our founders, many of whom are still involved with the charity today, were mainly parents who wished for their adult children to have the opportunity to live their own independent lives. COT has grown steadily over succeeding years to become one of the most groundbreaking and respected providers of accommodation and support for people with a learning disability in Kent.

Our charity also operates the Rare Breeds Centre, a supportive environment for skills development and a beloved family attraction welcoming 130,000 visitors annually. Every visit to the farm directly supports our mission, with funds contributing to improving the lives of those we serve.

Currently, we care for and support 83 individuals in our accommodation services in Kent. We also offer 150 training placements for people with learning disabilities and/or autism, allowing them to thrive in programs that build both confidence and essential life skills.

To keep up to date with our charity, follow our Facebook page

When you visit the Rare Breeds Centre, you may notice our students around the farm, helping with the animals, assisting with events, or engaging with visitors. This is part of our Farm Life Skills programme, designed to teach individuals skills in animal care, customer service, and teamwork in a real-world environment.

Across our skills and therapeutic programmes and residential facilities, we are fortunate to have an incredible team of volunteers who are vital members of our organisation. From regular, committed helpers to those who volunteer occasionally, our work wouldn’t be possible without their dedication and passion.

We’re always seeking new volunteers! Right now, we have exciting opportunities available in our Granary Training Kitchen, where we particularly need some new volunteers to help our students to gain practical experience of food preparation and cooking. Level 2 food hygiene training will be provided. If this is something of interest, get in touch today! If your interests lie elsewhere, we’re happy to tailor volunteer roles to match your skills and provide training as needed.

If you’d like to join our team and make a difference, we’d love to hear from you. No experience is necessary, and all training provided. Just bring your enthusiasm, patience, and energy!

To learn more about volunteering with us, please contact Paul Harris at paul.harris@canterburyoasttrust.org.uk