FIELD MEETINGS
· The HNHS cannot be held responsible for any injury, loss or damage to person or property incurred at any of its meetings.
· Dogs are not permitted.
· High tide is given for Chichester Harbour (entrance).
· In exceptionally severe or dangerous conditions please assume that the meeting is cancelled.
· Click on Grid Reference to go straight to StreetMap.
· Always wear appropriate clothing and footwear for expected weather conditions
·
Junior members are always welcome but MUST be accompanied by an adult.
·
If any of the leaders is unable to be present, every effort will be made
to find a substitute.
· Although visitors are normally very welcome at our meetings, Covid restrictions mean we are unable to accommodate non-members for the time being.
**** PLEASE OBSERVE COVID-19 PROTOCOL ****
1. IF MEMBERS WISH TO ATTEND, LET US KNOW 7 DAYS IN ADVANCE, either by email or by phone or text message to our Secretary, Sue Bradford on 07852 206479. Give your full name and contact details so that if necessary, these can be used to enable test-and-trace.
2. If you develop symptoms within 7 days of the walk notify the Society.
3. Bring a face covering and hand gel (in case gates or stiles are encountered).
4. Be prepared to keep your distance – 2 metres.
5. Should it be necessary to cancel the walk we will inform you.
6. Visitors are not permitted currently.
****
During Covid restrictions it will be necessary for members to book places on
meetings in advance.
****
JUNE 2022
Saturday 25th
20.45
GR:
SU852220 GU29 0PB
Nightjar walk on Iping Common
JULY 2022
Saturday 16th
11.00
GR:
SU511295 SO21 1HE
Butterflies on Magdalen Down, nr. Winchester
Saturday 30th
10.30
GR:
SU890410 GU8 6LL
Hankley Common, nr. Thursley
AUGUST 2022
Saturday 20th 10.30 GR:
SU783316 GU33 6AZ
Woolmer Pond, nr Greatham
SEPTEMBER 2022
Saturday 3rd 10.30 GR:
SU978180 GU28 0JR
Burton Mill Pond
Friday 16th 19.45 GR:
SU945333 GU84SW
Moth Trapping
OCTOBER 2022
Saturday 8th
10.30
GR:
SU976278 GU28 9LD
Fungi on Ebernoe Common
(Sussex Wildlife Trust)
Leader: Andy Swan (HNHS Member)
A morning walk through ancient woodland in this National Nature Reserve known
for the abundance and interest of its fungi. A hand lens would be useful.
Directions: From A283 1½ miles south of Northchapel, take turning on L
into Steel's Lane, signposted Ebernoe. After 1½ miles just past phone box, look
for track on R leading to Ebernoe Church.
Saturday 22nd 09.30 GR:
SU908326 GU27 2HY
Small Mammal Trapping at Swan Barn
NOVEMBER 2022
Saturday 19th 10.30 GR:
SU534023 PO143JT
Birds at Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve
DECEMBER 2022
Saturday 3rd 10.30 GR: SU922307 GU27 3BJ
Winter Birds on Black Down
(National Trust)
REPORTS OF RECENT
EVENTS
(Click underlined links for photos taken on the day)
MAY 2022
Saturday 28th
Field Crickets on Farnham Heath
(RSPB), Tilford
Leader:
Leader: Mark Crisp, Assistant Warden
From the Farnham Heath area where 6 Longhorn Cattle were resting and grazing,
the walk entered “Tankersford Common” which is not open to the public.
Seen were: Fox, Roe Deer, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stonechat,
Dartford Warbler and Heath Cudweed. A Whitethroat gave its scratchy song.
In an open, sunny area of tussocky grasses with bare patches of soil the male
Field Crickets were stridulating from their burrows. A
female cricket was
located crawling through the grass. After crickets were introduced here in 2010
the numbers steadily built up until in 2018 136 males were recorded. This
spring 48 had been heard by the end of May.
In flower-rich acid grassland (soon to be grazed by 8 resident Konik Ponies)
finds included: Heath Bedstraw, Heath Speedwell, Sheep’s Sorrel, Bird’s-foot and
Heath Grass.
Saturday 14th
Selborne
(National Trust):
Landscape, Wildlife and Gilbert White
APRIL 2022
Saturday 30th
Early Spring Heathland Birds on Lavington Common
(National
Trust)
Saturday 9th
Kingley Vale,West Stoke, National Nature Reserve
(Natural
England)
Leader: Helen Beal (Reserve Volunteer Worker)
MARCH 2022
Saturday 19th
10.30
Wild Daffodils at West Dean Woods Reserve,Singleton
(Sussex
Wildlife Trust)
Leader: Glenn Norris(SWT Ecologist)
On a beautiful, sunny spring morning on March 19th with
barely a cloud in the sky, fifteen members were greeted by Glenn Norris, the
Ecologist for Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT), at their Reserve in West Dean Woods,
near Singleton to see the Wild Daffodils.
The Reserve has been worked as a Hazel coppicing site for hundreds of years. SWT
took the area over in 1975. Rotated on a seven year cycle, all wood is sold for
use as fencing or poles. Once an area has been coppiced it is fenced off to
protect the new growth from deer, and, more surprisingly, hares.
In the cleared rides many butterflies were seen nectaring on the fully-opened
flowers of Goat Willow: Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Brimstone.
Plant species seen: Butcher's Broom (an ancient woodland species), Blackthorn,
Primrose, Violet and Wood Anemone. Glenn pointed out a pair of Ravens, a
Firecrest singing high up in pine tree and a Marsh Tit. Chiffchaffs were heard
everywhere, having just return to the UK. Also seen were Red Kite and Buzzard.
The visit to see the Wild Daffodils in flower in this private reserve certainly
did not disappoint. They were spectacular ! - in full flower and extensive, a
carpet of pale yellow as far as the eye could see. Members were truly impressed
to see the thousands of Daffodils; surely a sight to remember.
FEBRUARY 2022
Saturday12th
Solar Boat West Itchenor: Bird Watching
(Chichester
Harbour Conservancy)
JANUARY 2022
Saturday 29th
DECEMBER 2021
Saturday 4th
Winter Birds at Frensham Great Pond (managed by
Waverley Borough Council)
Leader: Sue Bradford (HNHS Member)
The pond area has distinct habitats: fresh water,
woodland, alder carr and Cladonia Heath.
On the pond were Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Moorhen
and Heron. The putlet pond is surrounded by woodland, predominately Holly,
where Redwings were busy stripping the berries. In the alder carr (waterlogged
woodland with alder, sallow and birch) Siskins, high in the canopy, fed on alder
cones. A medium-sized, pale-grey bird suddenly appeared flying fast and
swerving between the alders - probably a Sparrowhawk. The Cladonia Heath
(fenced area between the pond and the main road) is dominated by silvery-grey
Cladonia species lichen and green mosses.
NOVEMBER 2021
Saturday 20th
10.30
GR:
SU965319 GU8 4SY
Signs of winter on a Shillinglee walk.
Leader: Jon Taylor (HNHS member)
West of Plaistow, the Shillinglee area just in the South
Downs National Park has a mixture of habitats.
In a mixed deciduous copse found on different leaves were
tiny white “tracks” or
mines. These had been made by leaf miner larvae of a micromoth or flies.
In the Sweet Chestnut woodland a tiny buff-coloured November Moth was seen
fluttering and there was a circle of the common large
Wood Blewit fungus.
Near the freshwater lake some members caught a brief glimpse of a Kingfisher and
on The Lake were Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot and Great Crested Grebe.
Walking through the rough grazing fields three pellets thought to be from either
Little Owl or Kestrel were discovered. These were taken home by members keen to
dissect and identify the contents! One with tiny remains of beetles and flies
but no bones was probably from a Kestrel, but
another with several undigested
green and brown caterpillars (from two species of moth) was more likely to have
been ejected by a Little Owl as these caterpillars will come out to feed on mild
nights even in winter.
OCTOBER 2021
Saturday 30th
Birds at Ferry Pool, Sidlesham and Church Norton.
Leaders: Phil Darley & Douglas Maughan (HNHS Members)
In mizzle with leaden skies, 11 members proceeded to the
bird hide overlooking Ferry Pool. There was a wonderful view of Avocets on the
water, then in flight. Lapwing, Shoveler and Wigeon were there too.
In the stream exiting the Pool the group was delighted to see a
Red-necked
Grebe. A small squadron of Brent Geese flew silently overhead.
Moving to a view-point at the shingle spit alongside Church Norton overlooking
Pagham Harbour, in brighter conditions seen were: Pintail, Turnstone, Grey
Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, to name just some of the species, and surprising to
see a Whimbrel and a Mediterranean Gull.
Click for species list
Saturday 23rd
Early morning autumn migratory birds on Black Down
(National Trust)
Leader: Paul Matson (Sussex Ornithological Society member).
Report to be posted shortly.
Saturday 9th
Fungus Foray: Waggoners Wells (west end) (National
Trust)
Leader: Andy Swan (HNHS Member)
The conditions were near-ideal. Descending to Cooper’s
Stream identified were: Chanterelle, Hedgehog Mushroom and large number of “Jellybabies.”
In more open areas were: a large Orange Birch Bolete and the Parasitic Bolete
which grows from old Common Earthballs, but is found only very sporadically.
Colourful finds were: Amethyst Deceiver, Fly Agaric, Yellow Stagshorn and
Sulphur Knight. Beech Milkcap has intensely hot and acrid-tasting “milk.”
Further discoveries were: Bulbous Honey Fungus, Blue-spot Knoght, Grey Knight,
Panther Cap, Lilac Leg Fibrecap and faintly honey-smelling Sweet Poison pie.
The group of 14 enthusiastic forayers did a good job of finding an interesting
and diverse range of fungi, numbering a total of 48 species.
Click for species list.
SEPTEMBER 2021
Friday 17th
Moth Trapping
Leader: Andy Swan (HNHS member)
Three traps were set up, tree trunks had been smeared and wine ropes dipped in a
special concoction.
After a slow start lots of pug moths were found, several different species of
thorns and then a Brimstone Moth and a Barred Sallow. Two Copper Underwing
alighted on tree trunks.
The traps remained out overnight and by morning
20 species had collected.
Member Martyn Phillis bought along his bat detector so Common and Soprano
Pipistrelle and a single, distant Noctule were identified. Martyn was able to
confirm that social calls were probably being made by a male Soprano trying to
attract females into a bat box!
Saturday 4th
Reptiles on Ambersham Common
(Natural England)
Leader: Paul Stevens (Sussex Amphibian & Reptile Group Committee member)
With more than 20 years’ experience of recording
amphibians and reptiles, Paul led members across part of Heyshott Common, which
is on the other side of the road from Ambersham Common.
He had carried out a full survey of the site during the previous week and had
planned a route to visit the tins (refugia) where Slowworms, Adders, Grass
Snakes or the rare Smooth Snake take shelter.
The very first tin that was lifted revealed a fairly small, adult male Smooth
Snake. For several members this was an exciting ‘first’. A second
male Smooth
Snake was also found beneath another tin.
As the group moved on over the Heath where heather was still in flower, seen
were: 6 dark brown, furry Fox Moth caterpillars; a
Wasp Spider in her web and an
egg pot made by the same species; an unusually dark
Slowworm, clearly gravid and
near to giving birth; and flowering
Dwarf Gorse growing adjacent to Common
Gorse.
Under the final tin a third male Smooth Snake was found, with members declaring
it had been thrilling to have had the chance to see three examples of this rare
and elegant snake.
AUGUST 2021
Saturday 28th
Bats at Frensham Little Pond
(National Trust)
Leader: Martyn Phillis (HNHS Member)
Weather conditions were very promising at the start of our walk. A warm, still
evening with 90% cloud cover was ideal to bring out the insects, and following
them, the bats.
Soprano pipistrelles Pipistrellus pygmaeus were the first to emerge,
shortly after sunset. High amongst the tall conifers, north-west of the pond,
they flitted about, silhouetted against the sky, above the bat boxes funded by
HNHS a few years ago.
Near the south-west corner of the pond, the distinctive call of a large noctule
bat Nyctalus noctula was picked up faintly on the bat detectors. Shortly
afterwards, one appeared above us, hawking for large flying beetles and moths.
Its distinctive ‘chip-chop’ call could be heard clearly on our detectors as it
swooped about at high speed.
We were soon surrounded by soprano pipistrelles, flashing past very close, just
above our heads. Our bat detectors rattled loudly as they gobbled up the midges
homing in on our group.
Common pipistrelles Pipistrellus pipistrellus first appeared on the east
side of the pond, at one point taking advantage of our midge cloud in the same
way that sopranos had earlier.
To finish, we watched a splendid display of Daubenton’s bats Myotis
daubentonii skimming the water in front of us at the dam, plucking their
insect food from the surface of the pond.
Then a final surprise as we reached the car park – a large serotine bat
Eptesicus serotinus passed unseen above us a few times, its calls clear on
the detectors. It will have been catching flying beetles emerging from the
mature pine trees.
Saturday 14th
Mainly Dragonflies on Graffham Common
(Sussex Wildlife Trust)
Leader: Jane Willmott (Reserve Manager)
Sussex Wildlife Trust took over the Common in 2010 and removed many rhododendron
plants and pine trees to bring it back to open heathland. The large pond was
probably used for shooting.
The Common is renowned for its
spider population. Found were: a tiny,
white-flowered sundew (previously
not recorded here) and a bright-orange female of the uncommon
Red-brown Longhorn Beetle.
There were several grasshopper species,
Bog Bush-Cricket,
Common Cudweed, Common Eyebright, Sphagnum Moss, immigrant Silver Y Moth and the
large hairy caterpillar of the Fox Moth. At the pond identified were:
Large Red Damselfly,
Blue-tailed Damselfly, several
Ruddy Darter and an
Emperor Dragonfly flying fast over the water.
JULY 2021
Saturday 31st
Midhurst Common
Leader: Murray Marr accompanied by Friends of Midhurst Common.
Murray has studied the history of the Common in detail, has made maps going back
to 1550 and kindly produced a leaflet for our 12 members.
200 years ago Scots Pine was introduced on the bare heath as ornamental planting
and with little grazing and being self-seeded has spread and adapted to the poor
soils.
In wet heath areas Purple Moor Grass grows. Cross-leaved Heath and Bell Heather
were in flower with heather about to do so. Deep in the bracken a marker stone
(1793) was located. This was one of four and showed the boundary between
Midhurst and Woolbeding Manors. Commoners had the right of turbary, i.e.
cutting of peat and turf as fuel.
Near the Pest House (1741) chalk and lime were brought in to neutralise the acid
soil so the inmates could cultivate food. Now it is deciduous mixed woodland.
The flat, open sandy area with three ponds was the base of a sandpit. Here grow
Common Wintergreen, Blue Fleabane, Smooth Cat’s Ear and Yellow-wort.
Murray commented: “The Common is really a place of mixed-up habitats.”
Saturday 17th
Butterflies at Oaken Wood near Plaistow (Butterfly
Conservation)
Leader: Phil Darley (HNHS Member)
The
rare butterfly in the south of England, the Wood White, made its first emergence
of the summer brood on the very day of this field meeting.
During the hot, sunny morning many species of butterfly were in high numbers and
very active: Small Heath, Marbled White, Purple Hairstreak, Gatekeeper and
Large Skipper were all seen; Silver-washed Fritillary had newly emerged; and
numerous Small Skipper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet flew wherever one looked.
For butterflies (and 21 members) it was a perfect morning in a perfect location!
Saturday 3rd
Entomology at Myrtle Farm, Rake
Leader: Scotty Dodd (Entomologist)
Myrtle Farm was a new venue for the Society. The
farm owners had requested that numbers be limited but were kind enough to allow
an afternoon visit too.
With 16 acres of pasture and 10 acres of woodland the aim is to promote a more
natural landscape and increase biodiversity, habitats and carbon capture. ~
With Scotty’s collapsible white fabric beating tray, a pooter and the Society’s
two sweep nets a large number of insects and spiders were collected which Scotty
very ably identified. Many were very small and only have Latin names. Seen were
grasshoppers, bush-crickets, weevils, soldier beetles, leaf hoppers, shieldbugs,
spider mites, hoverflies, ladybirds and harvestmen.
When the sun appeared butterflies in the meadows were active: Ringlet, Meadow
Brown, Large and Small Skipper and Marbled White.
Click here for Scotty’s
comprehensive species list. Included are 5 Notable Species and one on the
Rare Data Book, namely a false click beetle Microrhagus pygmaeus.
JUNE 2021
Saturday 19th
Insects and Plants on Bramshott Common
Leader: Andy Swan (HNHS Member)
Andy gave a brief history of the Common, particularly the impact of Canadian
Army Camps in WW1 and WW11, whereby mortar from buildings and materials for
roads have altered the pH allowing calcareous-loving plants to survive and
plants brought in to maintained gardens have spread. Examples of these are
Carline Thistle, Mossy Stonecrop, Birdsfoot Clover, Lady’s Mantle, and St.
Dabeoc’s Heath, Bloody Cranesbill and Dotted Loosestrife, all of which Andy
revealed their precise location as he knows the area well.
Although mainly dull and overcast, there were two occasions when male and female
Silver-studded Blue
butterflies were seen and photographed.
Click for species list.
MAY 2021
Saturday 22nd
Spring Plants on Ebernoe Common
(Sussex Wildlife Trust)
Leader: Frances Abraham (Sussex Botanical Recording Society member)
After 15 months with no Field Meeting due to Covid-19
restrictions, it was a great pleasure for 16 members to meet up again. Visitors
are not permitted yet.
Ebernoe Common is a National Nature Reserve, owned and managed by Sussex
Wildlife Trust, It is a Low Weald woodland and is an example of old wood
pasture with glades, all created when cattle and pigs one grazed and browsed on
acorns and beech mast.
Along the main track found were: Wood Millet, Wood-sedge, Dog’s Mercury Wood
Mellick, Black Bryony, Agrimony, Wood Sorrel and Butcher’s Broom, to name a
few. In a glade with acid soil were: Sharp-flowered Rush, Tormentil, Broad
Buckler Fern, Dwarf Gorse, Crab Apple and Midland Hawthorn. In damp Willand
Wood, once coppiced, were: Thin-spike Wood Sedge, Goldilocks, Sanicle and
Pignut.
Members had enjoyed Frances’ anecdotes, both botanical and historical and had
learnt to recognise plants new to them.