School children helped us with final autumn cleaning above Asuan

After the sheep and goat grazing, there were small stubbles and stunted shoots left on the hillside above Asuan reservoir. Therefore, it was necessary to pull out the brush cutter before winter. We mowed a larger area of ​​the hillside, which then had to be raked and cleaned. Pupils from the nearby FZŠ prof. Otokara Chlupa helped us a lot. In several groups, they dug up cut branches and twigs. All the biomass was then carried or dragged into large piles. After work, they deservedly enjoyed a fire with sausages.

Field trip for ECCB participants

An excursion to Dívčí Hrady was organized as part of the international conference ECCB held at the Czech university of Life Scieneces in Prague. Almost thirty scientists and conservationists from Europe and other countries had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with interesting biotopes and individual management measures that are taking place within our project.

Mosaic cutting above Asuan and maintenance of nectar-bearing plots

At the turn of July and August, a mosaic cutting of vegetation using brush cutters took place on the slopes above the Asuan Reservoir. The chopped biomass was raked and cleared away. A “volunteer hay event” for the public was organised. Unfortunately, only one volunteer, Matěj, came due to the extremely hot weather and a last-minute change of date. Despite that, Matěj was not afraid of work and helped us a lot! We also mowed the previously sowed nectar-bearing plots to support slower-growing and less competitive target plants.

School children and volunteers have helped with wood chips

The amount of wood chips and rubbish above the Asuan reservoir was so large that it was not possible for the members of the project team to clean the entire area. Fortunately, pupils from the FZŠ Prof. Otokara Chlupa, also took part in the work within the Patronages project under the auspices of the Scout Institute. With the rakes, they set out to help not only the butterflies, but they also managed to save the overheated toad. Over the weekend, their efforts were followed by other volunteers who, in addition to the feeling of a job well done, could sit by the fire and refresh themselves. Although there is still some work to be done, there is less wood chips and rubbish.

Spring is calling – the raking call No. II

Do you want to help nature and missed our last event? Or have you been there and want to experience it again? Participate in the wood chips raking and garbage cleaning around the Asuan pond in the Prokop Valley in Prague: 50.0455628N, 14.3467067E

The event will take place on Saturday 26th March from 9:00, if the weather is nice. If you are interested, write to us at: insectecologygroup@gmail.com. We will offer REFRESHMENTS in the form of sausages and drinks (beer, lemonade). Beautiful weather guaranteed!

Cleaning the wood chips after shrub pruning around Asuan reservoir

On Saturday, March 5, we cleaned the garbage and removed the wood chips that remained after cutting and crushing the overgrowth trees and shrubs around the Asuan pond. A total of 12 people participated in the event, both team members as well as enthusiastic volunteers. THANK YOU VERY MUCH (VOLUNTEERS) and we hope to see you again! There is still plenty of chips to remove. In the next step, sowing of nectar-rich plants and other interventions to support endangered butterfly species will begin.

Help us clear wood chips after shrub pruning around Asuan reservoir

Do you want to do some good for nature? Participate in the removal of garbage and wood chips around the Asuan pond in the Prokop Valley in Prague.

The event will take place (if the weather is good) on Saturday 5 March from 9:00 CET.

If you are interested, send us a message via our Facebook page or to: insectecologygroup@gmail.com. REFRESHMENT in the form of sausages and drinks (beer, limonade) will be provided.

Excursion to butterfly places

Due to the unfavourable weather forecast, we had to change the date of the excursion at the last minute. Nevertheless, a number of children and adults interested in butterflies and other invertebrates arrived. With great enthusiasm, they started to hunt butterflies with nets, and collected individuals were identified by experts and supplemented with interesting facts about the species biology. We made a short talk about our projects for adults, and some of them joined the marking of rock graylings after the official end of the excursion. Secrets of the butterfly developmental cycle were introduced to children, using real animals (we observed pupation). The bravest then took the living caterpillars at home for feeding and observation.