WildChiswick

Chiswick Flower Market
2024-05-05 10:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
We will be at the flower market during Hedgehog Awareness Week! Yes, we will be talking hedgehogs plus other projects we are working on. A “Hedgehog Pledge Certificate” awaits you. Pop by and see us!

Hedgehog (fact) Hunt
2024-05-06 10:30 | Chiswick House & Gardens, Burlington Lane, Chiswick, London, W4 2RP
Come and join us outside the Chiswick House Cafe and start our hedgehog (fact) Trail!
Bank holiday Monday 6th May, 10.30am until 2.30pm.
You will be given your first clue to find hedgehog facts across the grounds. Returning to us at the Cafe to tell us what you have learnt about hedgehogs. A “Hedgehog Pledge” Certificate, sticker and lollipop awaits the successful fact finder!
FREE
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Evening with Edward Mayer, Swift Expert
2024-05-08 19:00 - 20:30 | St Michaels Church, Elmwood Road, St Michael's ChurchElmwood Road, Chiswick, W4 3DZ, United Kingdom
We are delighted that Edward Mayer, founder of the Swift Conservation Group, will join us to share his experiences with this magnificent bird as well as give us some advice on how to help the local population. Edward will talk about how important biodiversity and the maintaining of ecosystems is for this bird and how we can plant our gardens and green spaces accordingly. Edward is a fascinating speaker and this is not to be missed!
Tea/coffee and biscuits upon arrival and raffle!
£5 per adult, children 12yrs or under are free. Payable at the door, cash or card.
Photo credit: Jon Perry

Hedgehog fun afternoon!
2024-05-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Dukes Meadow Community Centre, Dukes Meadow Community Centre, behind Cavendish School,, Chiswick, United Kingdom
Starting at 1pm until 2.30pm a day for youngsters to learn about hedgehogs!
Includes story telling and art & crafts.
Make your own hedgehog or colour in a hedgehog mask!
FREE event, children must be accompanied by an adult.

The world below our feet - Soil Biodiversity
2024-06-27 19:00 - 21:00 | St Michaels Church, Elmwood Road, St Michael's ChurchElmwood Road, Chiswick, W4 3DZ, United Kingdom
THE WORLD BENEATH OUR FEET – SOIL BIODIVERSITY
We are excited to have Gino Brignoli return and talk to us about Soil Biodiversity. Some of the most impressive biodiversity hotspots can be found beneath our feet. Scientists believe that 50% of the world’s species live in the soil. Without this biodiversity, most animals would die – including humans. Come along to learn what lives beneath our feet and the crucial part they play in the survival of the planet. Soil is vitally important, and we need to take better care of what we have.
Gino has extensive knowledge of insects and a keen interest in urban wildlife. He has an MSc in Ecology and Evolution from Queen Mary University, volunteers with the Soil Biodiversity Group at the Natural History Museum, is Finance Controller of the Earthworm Society of Britain, and is the Biodiversity Officer at Cody Docks. He is a knowledgeable, fascinating, and passionate speaker.
£5.00 entry per adult, pay at the door.
12yrs and under, free of charge
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tea/Coffee/Biccies and a Raffle

Why care about Fungi?
2024-09-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Chiswick Pier Trust, The Pier House, Corney Reach Way, Chiswick, London, W4 2UG, United Kingdom
WHY CARE ABOUT FUNGI?
Fungi come in all shapes and sizes. Although often overlooked, they are an important feature of a healthy ecosystem. They enrich and aerate soils, help breakdown dead matter, help trees communicate, are a food source, and have various relationships with other species that will make you gasp!
Alexandra Dombrowski achieved an MSc in Plant and Fungal taxonomy, conservation, and biodiversity through Kew and Queen Mary University. Genetic assessments of biodiversity are now vital in the face of acute biodiversity loss and Alex’s work contributes to this within the Darwin Tree of Life Project at Kew, where she identifies fungi, maintains fungal cultures, and completes molecular work.
Come along and hear Alex talk about the importance and wonder of fungi and how by growing fungi we can help maintain biodiversity and soil health in our gardens and allotments. She will also show us some of the most common fungi to find around London and where to grow them.
£5.00 entry per adult, pay at the door.
12yrs and under, free of charge
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tea/Coffee/Biccies and a Raffle

HOW TO KEEP A HEDGEHOG HAPPY!
2024-09-14 08:00 - 17:00 | Pensford Field, England, United Kingdom
HOW TO KEEP A HEDGEHOG HAPPY!
Pensford Field Environmental Trust
17 Pensford Avenue Richmond TW9 4HP
12.15 – 13.15pm
Saturday 14th September
Join us to hear Joanne Gilbert MSc – Founder, WildChiswick talk about hedgehogs.
Who wouldn’t want to make a hedgehog happy? Joanne will explain the life of a hedgehog and the problems faced, particularly in an urban environment. Most importantly, she will explain what we can do to help this threatened species survive.
There are indeed lots of ways we help we can help, even if we do not have a garden of our own. Joanne will share with us the work her community group has done so far for hedgehog in Chiswick. Come along and learn about hedgehogs and why they are so special!
Joanne has an MSc in Animal Behaviour and volunteered at a Wildlife Rescue for 4 years. She was Secretary of Devon Mammal Group and upon moving to Chiswick she set up a community group called WildChiswick. Joanne has also written a children’s book which teaches children what hedgehogs need in a garden to live happily.
www.friendsofsnout.com
REGISTER HERE

SMALL MAMMAL SURVEY TRAINING WITH THE MAMMAL SOCIETY
2024-09-21 14:00 - 19:00 | Staveley Allotments, Staveley Allotments, Chiswick, London, United Kingdom
SMALL MAMMAL SURVEY TRAINING WITH THE MAMMAL SOCIETY 21st September, 2pm-7.00pm

22nd September, 9.30am – midday
FULLY BOOKED

We are excited to report that in collaboration with The Mammal Society, we will be holding a two half-day training, trapping and recording small mammal course. Small mammals are an important part of the ecosystem and yet are under-recorded in the UK. The surveying completed during this two half-day course will be of national as well as local value.

Derek Crawley will be our lecturer and trainer for this course. He is a member of the Mammal Society Council, with responsibility for the National Mammal Atlas and is chief verifer of records working closely with iRecord. He is the founder chair of the Staffordshire Mammal Group. Mammals are his hobby; carrying out surveys and direct observation on behavior. Derek has championed otters, dormice, hedgehogs and harvest mice over the years and runs training courses on their ecology.

Day one (afternoon of 21st September). Derek will show us how to ID various small mammals. We will set traps varying from live, audio and trail cameras.

Day two (morning of 22nd September). We will collect audio and visual data. Derek will show us how to analyse and record our findings.

Venue: Afternoon of 21st September will be Staveley Road Allotments, Chiswick. Morning of 22nd September will be Dukes Meadow Community Centre.

* Registrants must complete the two half- days as we will use this course to continue monitoring and recording across Chiswick. * Children 14yrs and over and welcome, accompanied by an adult. * These courses are usually charged at £60.00 or more. This is FREE to members and those who are keen to learn and join WildChiswick in future surveying and recording. Donations always welcome!

Bat Walk Chiswick House
2024-09-25 06:30 - 20:30 | Chiswick House & Gardens, Burlington Lane, Chiswick, London, W4 2RP
THIS IS NOW FULLY BOOKED.

HEDGEHOGS AND HIGHWAYS
2024-09-28 11:30 - 13:00 | St Michaels Church, Elmwood Road, St Michael's ChurchElmwood Road, Chiswick, W4 3DZ, United Kingdom
CELEBRATE CHISWICK HEDGEHOGS – St Michael’s Church, Elmwood Road, 28th Sept, 11.30am-1pm
FREE EVENT
(donations always welcome!)
Want to know more about hedgehogs and where they are in Chiswick? Want to help them but unsure about feeding or putting in a hedgehog highway? Then come and talk to us!
Tea/coffee and biscuits
Hedgehog facts for all to enjoy
Hedgehog mask colouring for children (must be accompanied by an adult)
Hedgehog highway “kit” on display
Talk by Jo Gilbert, Founder and Chair of WildChiswick – Introducing Chiswick Hedgehogs and how to keep them happy!
Questions and informal hedgehog chat.

How does wildlife adapt to urban environments?
2024-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | St Michaels Church, Elmwood Road, St Michael's ChurchElmwood Road, Chiswick, W4 3DZ, United Kingdom
How does wildlife adapt to urban environments?
13th November, 2024. St Michael’s Church, Elmwood. 7pm-8.30pm. £5 per person. payable on the night via card or cash. Children 12yrs and under FREE. must be accompanied by an adult.
We are delighted to have Dr Philip Barker from Reading University join us again.
Dr Philip Baker lectures Evolutionary Biology and Ecology at Reading University. He is well known for his fox and hedgehog research as part of his work covering urban ecology, mammal diversity, behaviour and conservation. He is part of the scientific advisory panel for The Mammal Society.
Studying wildlife behaviours in an urban environment is an interesting yet complex field of study. Philip will share how some animals are adapting to cope with increased human presence and structural changes to habitats. Philip will explain research and theories behind some species surviving better than others, and he will share some interesting questions he feels remain to be answered.
This is an evening talking about a relatively new area of research and should evoke an amount of healthy thought and discussion. Please come along and join us!

Shedding light on the effects of light & noise on wildlife
2025-02-12 19:00 | St Michaels Church, Elmwood Road, St Michael's ChurchElmwood Road, Chiswick, W4 3DZ, United Kingdom
Shedding light on the effects of light & noise on wildlife
We are aware light and noise pollution can affect wildlife, but do we know to what extent? And are these pollutants bad for all species – you may be surprised to know the answer!
Philip will shed more light on how these pollutants affect different species and how covid lockdown helped with research. Philip likes to mention future research that may be valuable. For example, does noise and light cause sleep deprivation in animals and at what cost to the animal? Philip’s talks are always open, and frank. He enjoys answering questions and create discussions from them which makes his lectures friendly and interactive.
Dr Philip Baker lectures Evolutionary Biology and Ecology at Reading University. He is well known for his fox and hedgehog research as part of his work covering urban ecology, mammal diversity, behaviour and conservation. He is part of the scientific advisory panel for The Mammal Society.
Please come along and join us!
£5.00 entry per adult, pay at the door.
12yrs and under, free of charge
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tea/Coffee/Biscuits
Raffle!

Species Recording Training Event
2025-03-13 15:30 - 17:30 | Staveley Allotments, Staveley Allotments, Chiswick, London, United Kingdom
WildChiswick,along with entomologist Mick Massie will be showing people on the allotments and other interested people how to record species sightings at the Staveley Road Allotments. FREE.
Recording species is very important. Without knowing what species we have where, we do not know what habitats to nurture or create. Indeed, knowing what species are not to be found, is just as important, so we can create habitats that may attract them.
We want to record as many species of fauna and flaura across Chiswick as possible during 2025 and beyond!
Please register to join this event as we will need to let attendees onsite, which is usually locked.

Adventures with Britain's Wild Mammals - the good, the bad and the unexpected!
2025-03-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Christ Church, Turnham Green, W4 5DT
An evening with Prof. Fiona Mathews
A life in Mammal Conservation; the good, the bad and the unexpected!
18th March, 7pm, Christ Church, Turnham Green, Chiswick.
We are delighted to have Professor Fiona Mathews and her husband, Tim Kendal, join us for a fabulous evening talking about their experiences working in mammal conservation.
Together, they wrote the Wainwright award-nominated book “Black Ops & Beaver Bombing: Adventures with Britain’s Wild Mammals”.
The couple will talk about the conservation of several mammals from their book and the sometimes-hilarious situations they found themselves in, as well as frustrations and the “mysterious”.
Fiona Mathews is a Professor of Environmental Biology at the University of Sussex founding Chair of Mammal Conservation Europe, previous Chair of The Mammal Society and author of the UK government’s official census of British Mammals. Tim Kendall is a professor of English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Exeter, and together they have had many adventures recording mammals and finding solutions for animal conservation.
This will be an excellent night out for anyone with a love for wildlife or a good book, who wants to hear about the adventures of one of our most treasured conservationists.

Saving the World's Coral Reefs
2025-05-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Chiswick Pier Trust, The Pier House, Corney Reach Way, Chiswick, London, W4 2UG, United Kingdom
SAVING THE WORLD’S CORAL REEFS
A Story of Conservation in action.
20th May, 7pm,
Chiswick Pier Trust, The Pier House, Corney Reach Way, Chiswick, London W4 2UG
CANCELLED
Due to personal reasons the speaker can no longer attend.
.
A vertical shot of beautiful corals under the sea

Boston Manor Park Nature Festival
2025-05-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Boston Manor Park, Boston Manor Road, Boston Gardens, Brentford, TW8 9JX, United Kingdom
Boston Manor Park Nature Festival.

Come and join the fun! WildChiswick will be celebrating nature with other nature friendly groups at Boston Manor Park. There will be information booths, arts & crafts and other exciting adventures for young people and those nature spirited older folk too!

Chiswick Flower Market
2025-07-06 09:00 - 15:00 | Chiswick Flower Market, Chiswick High Road, London, W4 2DR, United Kingdom
WildChiswick will be at the Chiswick Flower Market in July. We will be launching the new Snout the Hedgehog book, written by our founder, Joanne Gilbert. If you have children aged 5yrs to 10yrs, come along and join in some hedgehog facts and fun!
Chiswick Flower Market

An evening with Elliott Newton from Citizen Zoo All you want to know about urban “rewilding”
2026-02-11 19:00 - 21:00 | St Michaels Church, Elmwood Road, St Michael's ChurchElmwood Road, Chiswick, W4 3DZ, United Kingdom
An evening with Elliot Newton from Citizen Zoo
All you want to know about urban “rewilding”
Have you ever wondered what “rewilding” really means? And how it could change a city as large as London? Or, how biodiverse our streets, parks, nature reserves and waterways could become if we challenge current anti-rewilding assumptions?
Join us for an evening with Elliot Newton, co-founder and Director of Rewilding at Citizen Zoo, as he shares how rewilding is already taking root across the capital. Elliot will take you behind the scenes of pioneering projects including the latest developments on the Ealing Beaver Project, the Get InVOLEd water vole reintroduction on the Hogsmill River, Rewilding Tolworth Farm, and Citizen Zoo’s work to help make London a white stork-friendly city. He’ll also explore how the rewilding revolution could transform how we see, value and shape the urban landscape.
Each rewilding project puts community at its core. They empower local people to play a direct role in bringing wildlife back and shape a greener, wilder London. You’ll hear how we can all get involved with such projects, from volunteering and citizen science to supporting local habitat restoration and community action. Come along and hear how we can rewild London – including Chiswick, together!
£5.00 per adult, children 12 yrs. and under are free of charge (payable at the door)
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tea/coffee/biscuits on arrival
Raffle

How to Make a Hedgehog Happy
2026-02-12 11:30 - 12:30 | Age concern chiswick, Friendship Club,Oxford Road North, Chiswick, W4 4DN, United Kingdom
Our Founder, Joanne Gilbert, will be explaining “how to make a hedgehog happy” on 12th February, 11.30am at Chiswick Age Concern, Friendship Club, Oxford Road North, W4 4DN – (just down a short drive).
Anyone 55 years or over can register to attend. Joanne will explain the life cycle of a hedgehog, why they are unhappy and ways in which we can help them. We have hedgehog populations in Chiswick and they need all the help they can get to survive!
We hope you will join Age Concern to learn more about hedgehogs with WildChiswick.
Register via email: ageconcernchiswick@outlook.com

Hedgehogs ahoy at Boston Manor Park
2026-04-25 13:30 - 15:00 | Boston Manor Park, Boston Manor Road, Boston Gardens, Brentford, TW8 9JX, United Kingdom
Boston Manor Park, WildChiswick and Ealing Hedgehog Friends will be hosting a hedgehog event from 13.30pm until 15.00pm on 25th April. There will be a mixture of activities within the grounds, talks and opportunities to learn more about hedgehogs and how you can help them. Come along to learn more about what to do if you find a sick hedgehog, how to make your garden wildlife and hedgehog friendly and how to join the great hedgehog highway!

Nature Festival, Boston Manor Park
2026-05-23 08:00 - 17:00 | Boston Manor Park, Boston Manor Road, Boston Gardens, Brentford, TW8 9JX, United Kingdom
Boston Manor Park, Nature Festival.
WildChiswick can be found at the Boston Manor Nature Festival on 23rd May. We will be talking to visitors about how to make your garden wildlife friendly, how to record the many species of wildlife you may find in your garden to help protect habitats and learn how to increase biodiversity in your own garden, hedgehogs, swifts and much more!

Chiswick Flower Market
2026-06-07 09:00 - 16:30 | Chiswick Flower Market, Chiswick High Road, London, W4 2DR, United Kingdom
Chiswick Flower Market, 7th June
WildChiswick will be at the Chiswick Flower Market on 7th June.
We will be there to talk about wildlife friendly gardening, the importance of recording species around Chiswick, hedgehogs and happy to answer any questions you may have about nature in general or specifically around Chiswick. Come along!
