FIELD MEETINGS
·
Visitors are very welcome on all meetings.
A donation of £4 per non-member would be appreciated.
·
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.
· Dogs are not permitted.
Winter
bird rambles
In exceptionally severe or dangerous weather conditions, please assume that the meeting is cancelled.
Tidal
information
The times and heights of high water (as at Chichester Harbour entrance) are given for coastal bird meetings
JUNE
2017
Saturday 24th 10.00.a.m.
Grid Ref: SU978180 GU28 0JR
BURTON MILL POND RESERVE (Sussex Wildlife Trust and West Sussex County Council)
Leader: Jane Willmott (Living Landscapes Officer, Sussex Wildlife Trust)
A morning walk round part of the 56-hectare Reserve with different habitats:
woodlands, carr, wet and dry heath, two large ponds and restored boardwalk
across “Black Hole” bog. Rare cowbane and dragonflies may be seen.
On A285 3 miles south of Petworth at Heath End turn L into Burton Park Road.
After a mile, opposite the Pond, drop down L to car park behind Burton Mill.
JULY 2017
Saturday 1st 2.00 p.m.
Grid Ref: SU869311 GU27 3NE
FLOWER SURVEY AT LYNCHMERE (to be held jointly with the Lynchmere Society)
Come and help with (or increase your knowledge during) a botany survey for the
Lynchmere Society in their beautiful unimproved wildflower meadow “Barnfield.”
This is a continuation of previous surveys undertaken by Laura Ponsonby. Bring
flower identification books. If wet our results can be collated in the barn.
From Haslemere and Hammer take first turning signed “Lynchmere.” Just before
the T-junction take a track on left (a bridleway and part of Sussex Border
Path). Parking is by the barn.
Wednesday 12th 1.45 p.m.
Grid Ref: TQ151204 RH13 8NN
A SAFARI TOUR at Knepp Castle Estate Wildland Project, near Shipley, West Sussex
Leader: Penny Green (Knepp Castle Wildlife Project Ecologist)
***THIS TOUR IS
NOW FULLY BOOKED***
From their safari vehicle this is an opportunity to see how this exciting
project is developing. Their re-wilding project is using large herbivores (cows,
deer, horses and pigs) to create a mosaic of habitats, to open up grassland,
regenerate scrub, to produce bare ground and forested groves. This is a
low-carbon way to return former arable land to benefit wildlife, the soil and
local water supplies. It is now a “hot spot” for the purple emperor butterfly.
This event is for members only and numbers are limited. The safari will last 3
hours and the cost will be £15. Bookings with a cheque made out to “Haslemere
Natural History Society” c/o Mrs. Margaret Hibbard, HNHS, Haslemere Museum by 1st
July.
On A272 at Coolham continue east for 2 miles. At second crossroads turn R into
Pound Lane. After a mile turn L into Swallows Lane. After a mile take a drive on
R signed “New Barn Farm” (just north of Dial Post).
Saturday 22nd 10.30 a.m.
Grid Ref: SU929167 GU28 0NJ
BUTTERFLIES AT GRAFFHAM DOWN (Graffham Down Trust)
Leader: Margaret Hibbard. (HNHS Member)
Many of the chalk downland flowers are the food plants of a wide variety of
butterflies which this month should include the marbled white. We plan to walk
through several meadows which the Trust manages, adjacent to the South Downs
Way.
Meet at Graffham Church. Stout footwear advisable for the steadily inclining 20
minute uphill walk, which can be slippery if wet. Carry lunch.
AUGUST 2017
Friday
18th 7.30 p.m.
Grid Ref: SU858417 GU10 3BT
BATS AT FRENSHAM LITTLE POND (National Trust)
Leader: Martyn Phillis.(HNHS Member, and Surrey Bat Group Member)
After an introductory talk with Martyn we will embark on our walk round Frensham
Little Pond listening out for bats. We hope to see several of the many species
found here including the Daubenton's bat flying low to feed over the pond.
Children welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet at the National Trust car park, where you will be given a parking exemption
leaflet to put in your car window.
Wear suitable clothing as it can become chilly in the evening. Bring a torch and
bat detector if you possess one. We will also have the Society’s bat detectors
for members to use.
SEPTEMBER 2017
Friday1st
8.00p.m – 11.00 p.m
Grid Ref: TQ009304 RH14 0NT
MOTH TRAPPING AT PLAISTOW
Leader: Fiona Haynes
Fiona will have set up a moth trap in Margaret Hibbard's garden. Bring a torch.
On entering Plaistow village continue on road (do not turn L at Church) and
after half a mile in Rickmans Lane look for “Bramble” on R. Park in drive.
Saturday 16th 8.30.a.m. Grid Ref:
SU927337 GU27 2EX
MAMMAL TRAPS AT IMBHAMS FARM (by courtesy of John and Margaret Barlow)
Leader: Jim Jones (Living Landscape Officer, Surrey Wildlife Trust)
Jim will be remembered by members for his lecture in 2012 on dormice and harvest
mice. This morning he will be taking us around Imbhams, examining the traps he
will have set the previous night. Any occupants will then be released.
From Haslemere Town Hall take B2131. Shortly after almshouses on L turn L into
Holdfast Lane (signposted Grayswood). After approximately one third of a mile
turn R at Public Footpath sign for Imbhams Farm. Be aware of speed humps
adjacent to farm buildings. Park where you see the HNHS sign. Wear suitable
footwear.
OCTOBER 2017
Sunday
1st. 2.15 p.m. Grid Ref:-
SU932405 GU8 5QA
FUNGI FORAY ON WITLEY COMMON (National Trust)
Leader: Sara Shepley (HNHS Member)
Witley Common is renowned for its many species of fungi, including some
interesting rarities. Sara has a fund of interesting facts and stories
associated with them. Children welcome if accompanied by an adult.
From Haslemere on A286, after passing Lee Coach Road on L (cross roads) take the
service road on L signposted ”National Trust Deliveries” (before Webb Road
turning). Meet in car park outside Witley Centre.
Saturday 14th 8.30.a.m. Grid Ref:
SU922307 GU27 3BJ
BIRDS ON BLACK DOWN (National Trust)
Leader: Dave Burges
Dave regularly counts birds there throughout the year (sending his sightings to
our website). A morning walk when, hopefully, among other autumn visitors ring
ouzels may be seen.
From Haslemere, at end of Tennyson's Lane, on bend by entrance to Aldworth
House, turn R down to car park. Wear stout footwear.
NOVEMBER 2017
Saturday 25th 10.30.a.m. Grid Ref:
SZ857966 PO20 7NE
BIRDS AT FERRY POOL, SIDLESHAM AND CHURCH NORTON (RSPB)
Leaders: Wendy and Alan Novelle. (HNHS Members)
This area attracts a wide variety of geese, ducks and waders. After looking at
the birds on Ferry Pool, the walk will proceed along the sea wall to the
shingle, salt marsh and mudflats en route to Church Norton (appx. 1½
miles + return).
Meet at Visitor Centre car park 1½ miles south of Sidlesham on B2145. Carry
lunch. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear advisable.
H.T. 1518
DECEMBER 2017
Saturday 9th 10.30.a.m. Grid Ref
SU844405 GU10 2QD
WINTER BIRDS AT FRENSHAM GREAT POND (managed by Waverley Borough Council - owned
by National Trust)
Leader: Sue Bradford (HNHS Member)
A morning walk around Frensham Great Pond and the Outfall.
From Haslemere take the A287 to Frensham. After passing the pond on your L turn
down Bacon Lane. The car park is on the left. Parking is free at this time of
the year. Wear stout waterproof footwear and warm clothing.
REPORTS OF RECENT EVENTS
(Click underlined links for photos taken on the day)
JUNE 2017
Saturday 3rd
WILDLIFE ON WITLEY COMMON (National Trust)
Leader: Mike Lawn (HNHS Member)
On a beautiful morning 25 members were shown around the common by Mike, a keen
entomologist. Among the activities, we examined insect pitfall traps, held
insect nets under tree branches and gently shook to dislodge their occupants for
closer inspection.
As the sun came out, so did the butterflies, green hairstreak, silver studded
blue, grizzled skipper, there were damsel and dragonflies and a beautiful
demoiselle.
Few birds were heard, garden warbler, and chiffchaff.
Our morning ended with the find of a old and very smelly Boletus fungi
and sweet briar.
Click for full species list
MAY 2017
Saturday 20th
HEATHLAND WILDLIFE AT FARNHAM HEATH (RSPB)
Leader: Mike Coates (RSPB Reserve Manager)
Members heard how restoration work has taken place since 2002 to change a
commercial conifer plantation to the historic heathland with acid grassland.
Many bird species were seen, notably
woodlark, tree pipit and
hobby.
In an area not open to the public a project was started in 2012 to relocate the
rare field cricket. The
number counted this spring exceeded all expectations.
Saturday 20th
CONSERVATION SUCCESSES IN THE OLD BOURNE CHURCHYARD
Leaders: Noel Moss and Martin Angel (The Bourne Conservation Group)
Noel described the history of the site: here once stood
the first church of St. Thomas, surrounded by 700 graves, but by 2008 it had
become completely overgrown. The Conservation group has restored it to a place
of tranquillity and biodiversity.
773 animals, 162 higher plants, 21 mosses and 1 fungus have been recorded. There
is now a pond and boxes for birds and bats.
Martin talked of the plants and had brought along in pots moths and a
cockchafer. On site a discovery
was made of the landhopper Arcitalitrus dorrieni.
Everyone was in awe of all the conservation work that has taken place to provide
a beautiful wildlife area.
Saturday 6th
BOTANY RAMBLE AT BEACON HILL, EXTON
Leader: Alan McVitie (Natural England)
Members were amazed at the variety of chalk flora on this 40 acre site. The
count was approximately 50, some of which were flowering. Alan drew attention
to two ant hills and helped identify the many plants growing on each. As the
temperature increased eight species of butterfly appeared including green
hairstreak, 6 bird songs were noted and a red kite was seen.
On the return walk encountered were: a small orange moth (later identified as
burnet companion Euclidia
glyphica), a bloody-nosed beetle and huge
swarms of longhorn moths Adela reaumurella.
APRIL 2017
Wednesday 26th
BIRD SONG WITH NIGHTINGALES AT TUGLEY WOOD NEAR CHIDDINGFOLD
Leader: John Richardson (HNHS Member)
The early morning start for 7 members was well rewarded as more than 8 bird
species were in full voice plus several nightingales. One male sang so loudly
that everyone stood still in awe for 10 minutes. There was the unusual sight of
a singing nightingale in the open, perched on felled saplings, with his body
vibrating.
The walk was repeated in the evening for another 7 members and, as in the
morning, for one member to be able to hear and recognise the song of a
nightingale was an exciting, new experience.
Saturday 1st
BIRDS IN SPRINGTIME IN FRILLINGHURST FOREST AND GRAYSWOOD
Leader: Jon Taylor (HNHS Member)
Thirteen
members were treated to a spring walk from Grayswood's sheep-grazed pastures ,
through Frillinghurst Wood and across arable farmland. Jon drew attention to
animal tracks and signs and to recognising bird song. 24 bird species were heard
or seen, notably song thrush, blackcap, nuthatch, yellowhammer, skylark and woodlark.
Click for full list.
Jon’s knowledge of the area and its wildlife and
his recognition of bird song were much appreciated.
MARCH 2017
Saturday 4th
WILDFOWL NEAR THE RIVER ROTHER, PETWORTH
Leader: Andrew Thompson (Leconfield Estate Warden)
Special permission had been obtained to visit this area which has no public
access. The morning’s walk began in meadows that had been under floods just a
few days before. Two snipe dropped down into the tussocks and three teal flew
out of a wide “carrier ditch”. Later, by a large, wide pool (created about ten
years ago), were many other teal which took to the air in small flocks of 20 or
so. A heron and mallards were nearby and a single reed bunting perched on a
sapling.
A remarkable find in tall, dried grass was the
nest of a harvest mouse. This was
a first, exciting sighting for most members.
On the other side of the Rother was a small group of Canada geese, a single
greylag goose and a much paler goose – possibly a hybrid. Returning alongside
the river, goldfinches flew out of a willow; developing alder catkins showed
maroon against the blue sky; and a grey wagtail disappeared in the folds of the
bank.
FEBRUARY 2017
Saturday 18th
SOLAR BOAT TRIP FROM WEST ITCHENOR: BIRDWATCHING (Chichester Harbour
Conservancy)
Twenty three members boarded the solar catamaran “Solar Heritage” for a
birdwatching morning passing along the Bosham Channel, Chichester Channel and
then past Thorney Island to Pilsey Island. In the continuous sunshine it was
possible to see distinguishing colours of the birds and even colour of legs
(turnstone orange, redshank bright red, common gull greenish-yellow and herring
gull pink).
The almost silent boat created little disturbance to the feeding birds and
enabled close views, with some members taking photographs. John, a volunteer
member of the crew, gave a very full commentary on the wildlife, birds and local
history.
JANUARY 2017
Saturday 28th
WINTER BIRDS AT PULBOROUGH BROOKS (RSPB)
Leader: Sue Bradford (HNHS Member)
After more than two weeks of freezing temperatures, fog and frost a change of
weather had arrived. The group of 19 members meandered to the
various hides and
viewpoints where ducks and
waders had returned to the thawing fields and wetlands: lapwing, teal,
wigeon shoveler, pintail, moorhen
and, for some members, a new find, namely a white-fronted goose feeding on the
grass among the Canada geese. There were glimpses of two snipe, preening their
wonderfully camouflaged plumage with their seemingly overlong beaks.
DECEMBER 2016
Saturday 3rd
LYNCHMERE COMMON
Leader: Mark Allery (Woodsman, bodger and scythes-man)
Mark led 22 members on a walk across Lynchmere and Stanley
Commons after visiting the hazel coppice that was planted in 2012 with a
contribution of funds from the Society.
The 307 acres consist of lowland heath which is a rare habitat in Britain.
Constant conservation work takes place to reduce birch and pine seedlings; to
provide corridors between open areas; and to make small scrapes of bare soil for
invertebrates and reptiles. Sussex cattle (Mark’s “best workers”) trample and
eat young bracken together with young birch and pine, bramble and pine needles.
They also enjoy licking ash from fires where Mark makes charcoal.
These commons provide great wildlife habitats which Haslemere is so fortunate to
have right on the town’s doorstep.
NOVEMBER 2016
Saturday 19th
STORIES IN STONE: EXPLORING WEST SUSSEX CHURCH GEOLOGY
Leader: David Bone (geologist)
On a crisp sunny morning fourteen Society members gathered
at St Peter’s Church in Westhampnett to learn from David Bone, an eminent
geologist, about the history of churches by examining the stones used in their
construction.
In the 13th century this church was enlarged with the addition of a
nave and tower and the majority of the material used was flint with surrounding
galleting. Four
different kinds of flint were pointed out. Window frames were made from
harder Bath oolitic limestone.
Part of the chancel wall
dating from around 710 AD contained material such as tiles, bricks and even
pieces of hypocaust taken from the ruins of the Roman city of Regnum, much of it
laid in typical Saxon herringbone fashion. Other stones present were grey Malm
stones – found on outcrops of the north face of the South Downs, strong Quarr
stone – from the north coast of the Isle of Wight, hard Mixon rock from an
off-shore reef off Selsey Bill, spongy Travertine limestone found at spring
heads at Duncton and Steyning, as well as an “exotic” stone, Granite – probably
ballast from the Channel Isles or Brittany.
The group then set off the short distance to Boxgrove Priory where Tim Pullen, a
local historian, outlined the history of the site. The present Priory Church of
St Mary and St Blaise dates from 1105 AD and was constructed by monks from the
Abbey of Lessay in Normandy. This remained an influential community until the
Reformation dissolution in 1536.
Walking round the mainly flint exterior walls, David Bone pointed out
putlogs (holes used for the wooden
scaffolding), the
strong Caen limestone imported from Normandy contrasting with the soft
crumbling Hythe sandstone, and some Chilmark greensand limestone used for recent
repairs. Evidence of mediaeval
sundials was also found on one of the buttresses.
Next looking at the remaining wall and pillars of the ruined Parish Church, it
was shown that they were all constructed of a local hard gritty chalk, now
called Lavant Stone, containing
many fossils such
as sharks teeth, sea urchins and their spines, starfish, belemnite tubes and
sponges.
The morning ended inside the
impressive Monastic Church with its recently installed new floor, the
fossils of ferns, shells and shark’s fin visible in the pale Purbeck stone. The
high ceiling roof, with painted decoration by Lambert Bernard (1530) and the
ornate limestone chantry chapel built by Lord de la Warr were much admired.
It was agreed that what was learned on this visit will always make visiting
churches so much more
interesting.
OCTOBER 2016
Saturday 15th
BIRDS AT FISHBOURNE
Leader: Sue Bradford (HNHS member)
Fourteen members were very pleased to have the use of
the Society’s new Kowa
’scope and the tripod recently purchased from the Clare Britton Legacy.
From the eastern side of the creek flocks of
wigeon were seen and at least six
little egrets perched in a tree.
Sea-purslane, the strongly aromatic
sea
wormwood, sea beet and marsh thistle grew by the sea wall. A reed bunting and a
stonechat perched on the tops of the reeds. Other species seen were: curlew,
Brent geese, meadow pipit, lapwing,
redshank (in a flypast) and starling in a group.
Common darter dragonflies were
mating; three red admirals and a speckled wood were active.
In the afternoon, the walk rounded the head of the creek to the western side
where a flock of redshank grazed on the newly-revealed grass and congregating
were approximately 80 mute swans.
A kingfisher was seen at a saltwater pond;
black-tailed godwits,
oystercatchers, a great-crested grebe and dunlin fed on the mudflats; a stoat
ran across a field; and a female whinchat was identified.
Sunday
2nd
FUNGI FORAY AT OLDER HILL, near FERNHURST
(National Trust)
Leader: Sara Shepley (HNHS member)
On a beautiful autumn afternoon some 20 members met for
the annual fungus foray. Sara explained that because of the dry weather in July
and August, the season had got off to a slow start. However, the recent rain had
helped and the fungi were beginning to appear in good numbers.
The banks of the small road that leads up to the car park were very productive
and here there was Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) with its white-spotted,
red cap; its close relative, Amanita rubescens, (the blusher) and, the
star of the show, the very beautiful but deadly,
Amanita phalloides (the
death cap). Also found here was Boletus luridiformis (scarletina bolete)
which has red pores, a red dotted stem and when cut goes an immediate and
dramatic dark blue.
Moving to some mixed woodland the group found a wide variety of fungi in
different shapes, colours and sizes. Two large bracket fungi were encountered
first: Ganoderma australe (southern bracket) which is found on both the
living and dead wood of deciduous trees, and Piptoporus betulinus (birch
polypore or razor strop fungus) whose second English name refers to the days
when strips of the fruit bodies were used instead of leather to strop the
old-fashioned cut-throat razors. These amazing organisms are now thought to be
effective in supporting cancer treatments.
Other species seen were the purple Laccaria amethystina (amethyst
deceiver), the yellow Tricholoma sulphureum (sulphur knight) and the tan
coloured Gymnopus dryophilus (russet tough shank).
It was a fascinating afternoon. Cameras were busy recording what was seen and
the group was eager to learn. The walk inspired a great admiration for the
extraordinary world of fungi.
Click here for list
of species found on the day.
SEPTEMBER 2016
Saturday 24th
PLANTS AT MIDHURST COMMON
(local
wildlife site)
Leader: Bruce Middleton (Central West Area Manager, South Downs National Park
Authority)
On a beautiful early autumn morning
nine members were
expertly guided to see plants, both native and non-native, on Midhurst Common.
On the walk a number of puffballs were seen. At a newly created scrape were
common and hare’s tail cotton grass. By creating such scrapes it is hoped
sundews will return. Purple moor grass is a good indicator of mire and is a host
to the fungus ergot that appears in late October. This is hallucinatory. In days
gone by workers on the land unknowingly would get it on their hands. When they
began hallucinating they were liable to be accused of witchcraft!
Bruce pointed out hornbeam-leaved bramble and the often-overlooked downy birch,
recognisable by the feel of the soft leaves. Several dragonflies were seen
during the morning. Specialist heathland species were: heath rush, bell
heather, cross-leaved heath and heath star moss which has tiny white hairs to
deflect the sun and keep moisture at its base. Tamarisk moss with its feathery
appearance was growing in a shady area and is a woodland indicator.
Searching in Midhurst Cemetery the parasitic common dodder was found and,
although not in flower, its long thin red threads were clearly visible. There
too was juniper hair moss. Bruce said that the leaves of holly contain irons
and minerals and because it is an excellent lightning conductor it was often
planted near houses. In a sandy area from where material was taken in the past
to make Midhurst White bricks, in flower were common eyebright and autumn
hawkbit. On the two ponds alternate-flowered water-milfoil and fennel-leaved
pondweed were growing.
It had been a most interesting morning thanks to Bruce’s enthusiasm and
knowledge, both botanical and historical.
AUGUST 2016
Friday
26th
BATS AT EBERNOE
(Sussex Wildlife Trust)
Leader: Martyn Phillis (HNHS Member)
Nineteen members listened to Martyn’s introductory talk: bats only produce one
baby a year if the weather conditions are suitable; bats need hedges to provide
connectivity between woodlands to help them navigate, provide a food source and
give them protection from predators, such as owls.
Ebernoe Common (owned and managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust) has ancient woodland
which is home to 14 out 18 British bat species. Both the rare Bechstein’s and
barbastelle bats were discovered living and breeding at Ebernoe and so, in past
years, a great deal of study took place here. 72 barbastelles were found in two
boxes on one occasion some years ago. All bats were ringed. Attaching tiny
radio transmitters showed that in order to feed on a certain micro-moth species
barbastelle females travelled up to15 miles a night to feed in the Rother River
valley, then returning to suckle their young. Martyn pointed out high in the
beech trees the special bat boxes designed for barbastelles. These have long
slits to replicate splits and gaps under bark favoured by this species.
Following a path with trees on either side, the group reached an open area full
of yellow flowering fleabane. The evening was still, clear and very warm –
ideal conditions for bats to be active - so bat detectors were switched on and
everyone waited for the bright western sky to become dark. Eventually only one
or two (probably) pipistrelles were seen briefly. The walk continued through
Furnace Meadow and then on to Furnace Pond. Here, at last, were very active
bats feeding over the water. The detectors picked up loudly the eco-location
signals. Serotine, common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle were positively
identified.
Saturday 20th
BARTLEY HEATH
(near
Hook, Hampshire) AND GREYWELL MOORS NATURE RESERVE (Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Wildlife Trust)
Leader: Peter Vaughan (Volunteer for the above Trust)
Ten members visited for a guided walk in search of the very rare marsh gentian.
The 70-acre nature reserve, owned by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
(HIWWT), is an area of wet heath, acid grassland and secondary woodland and the
only remaining site in North Hampshire with a colony of marsh gentians.
Members
were delighted to find them, as well as creeping willow, dwarf gorse, saw-wort
and petty whin.
In the afternoon members visited Greywell Moors, jointly owned by the HIWWT and
Wessex Water Company.
After WWII grazing ceased,
allowing wet woodland and scrub to invade the area and reducing the area of open
fen meadow. However, it is still very rich in scarce plant species and is also
nationally important for its populations of sedges, rushes, mosses and
liverworts. During the walk around the site to the millpond and back along the
River Whitewater noteworthy species that were seen were a large red damselfly,
crack willow, water figwort, gipsywort and
purple loosestrife. Members were
shown a ‘giant’ tree: a black poplar with a girth of 25ʹ
when measured 5ʹ
above ground level. This was a truly magnificent giant.
Finally the group visited Greywell Tunnel which, since its collapse in 1932, has
remained blocked and today provides an important site for bats. In winter it
supports the second largest hibernating population of Natterer’s bat in Europe.
Other bat species recorded in the cave are Daubenton’s, Brandt’s, whiskered and
brown long-eared.
JULY 2016
Saturday 23rd
BUTTERFLIES AT LEVIN DOWN, SINGLETON
(Sussex Wildlife Trust)
Leader: Margaret Hibbard (HNHS member)
On one of the hottest days of the summer,
18 members met to look at
butterflies. In such high temperatures the 15 species seen were very active.
These included marbled
white, ringlet, common blue, a comma and a peacock with high numbers of
meadow brown, small
skipper and large skipper.
The group much appreciated the company of Ann Griffiths who is the Voluntary
Reserve Manager there, does a regular transect-count and has known the area
since the 1980s. She described the management work organised by Sussex Wildlife
Trust. Recently this had included grazing by Herdwick sheep and three Exmoor
ponies, contractors dealing with invading sycamore and hawthorn scrub and
volunteers pulling ragwort.
The result was the magnificent profusion of chalk-loving wild flowers, for
example, deep blue round-headed rampion (the flower of Sussex), bright pink
pyramidal orchid and - good nectar sources for butterflies – purple wild
marjoram and wild thyme.
Friday
1st
NIGHTJARS ON LUDSHOTT COMMON (National
Trust)
Leader: Jim Avenall (National Trust Warden)
Six intrepid members of Haslemere Natural History Society gathered in a
rainstorm at 8 p.m. Just before Jim arrived a
rainbow appeared over
the pines, followed by clear skies and an amazingly light evening with a
colourful sunset.
Walking round, Jim explained that the common of 705 acres is an SSSI and a
Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds and its wildlife. He said that
commoners’ rights – to graze cattle and swine, collection of heather, gorse,
wood, bracken and grasses for fuel and winter bedding – created the open
heathland that exists today.
Around 25% of the common is now mixed woodland. The remaining area has to be
managed to provide the heathland for ground nesting birds: nightjar, woodcock,
pipits (tree and wood) and Dartford warbler, which likes some gorse cover; plus
reptiles such as adders and rare sand lizards, together with low heather
favoured by silver studded blue butterflies.
As the sun started to set, members saw a number of woodcock fly over, and
listened to the sound of several male nightjars churring all around, with three
fleeting sightings. It is thought that there are at least five pairs on the
common this year. Whilst walking round the common, there were two sightings of
male roe deer (both with antlers) observing the group, one giving its coughing
bark. Members heard and saw a melodious song thrush, bullfinch, blackbird,
buzzard being mobbed, several crows, some bats (probably pipistrelles), and a
tawny owl.
Having returned to the car park around 10.30 by torchlight, Jim was thanked for
sharing his practical knowledge, the group was very satisfied with all that had
been learnt and seen, and particularly grateful for the change of weather to
such a beautiful sunny evening.
Saturday 18th
ORCHIDS AND OTHER FLORA AT NOAR HILL (Hants
and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust)
Leaders: Freda Line and Helen Curwen (HNHS members)
On a rather drab day skylarks sang,
while 15 members were guided around
by two fellow members in search of rare orchids and much more. Noar Hill,
once the site of mediaeval chalk workings, is now home to a wide variety of
orchids and other chalk loving plants.
The grass parasite yellow rattle and delicate dog roses were among the first
flowers spotted. There was a veritable feast of common spotted, fragrant and
pyramidal orchids. Lots of wild marjoram was in evidence, waiting to burst into
flower and attract butterflies. Other delightful flowers seen were common
milkwort, delicate fairy flax, quaking grass, field scabious and majestic
parasitic knapweed broomrape standing tall with its host, greater knapweed.
Soon the group was led to see some
fly orchids. These
charming deep russet and blue flowers are so named as they mimic flies. Members
were delighted to see the tiny, light green
musk orchid.
Twayblades were abundant.
And all the while, the birdsong was beautiful, with linnets and yellowhammers
flitting about. Someone spotted a magnificent red kite circling overhead,
climbing higher and higher.
Much hemp agrimony was found, just coming into bud; wonderful for butterflies in
due course. A couple of small heath butterflies were noticed. At the
regeneration enclosure members saw lots of kidney vetch buzzing with bees;
always a pleasing sight. Many other interesting flowers were seen including
dewberry, field bedstraw, yellow-wort, salad burnet and crosswort.
One eagle-eyed member spotted an
elephant hawkmoth
hiding amongst some brambles. What a great disguise, its colouration perfectly
mimicking ruddy-edged bramble leaves.
The weather may have been dull but the flora and fauna definitely were not.
JUNE 2016
Saturday 4th
FAUNA & FLORA ON THUNDRY MEADOWS
Leader: Leo Jennings (Surrey Wildlife Trust Ranger)
On an overcast day that warmed gradually,
eighteen members gathered to hear
that the 12-hectare site is comprised of the Charleshill Site of Special Scientific Interest, together with the water meadows
bounded by the River Wey. It is a very diverse area consisting of unimproved
wet and dry meadows, wet carr and dry woodlands.
Passing around the rare quaking mire, bog
bean, hemlock water dropwort, deep red-purple
marsh cinquefoil, yellow flag
iris, cuckoo flower, meadowsweet, common fleabane and greater tussock sedge were
seen, with banded demoiselles flying around, and a wren heard.
On the grazed meadows along the Wey, mayfly, swifts, grey heron, cormorant and
mallard, nuthatch and an orange tip butterfly were seen. Along the river edge
were water figwort, red campion, birds foot trefoil, silverweed, dame’s violet
(garden escape). Small snails were found on the riverside rushes. Belted
Galloway cattle were resting by the river, some by a pond with reed mace and
greater spearwort.
A melodious song thrush was heard near a World War II pill box – now a bat
hibernaculum – and other bat boxes were spotted in trees. Several bat species
have been recorded including brown long eared, Daubenton's, noctule,
pipistrelles and whiskered bats.
In the damp alder woodland carr section, water mint, water pepper, brooklime,
marsh woundwort and enchanter’s nightshade were seen.
Passing onto drier ground covered with tormentil and lesser stitchwort, there
were many spiders and webs, small green grasshoppers and busy ants’ nests. A
demonstration was given of how ants defend themselves by squirting acid.
Then amongst gorse and mixed woodland in the glades were climbing corydalis,
dyer’s greenweed, mouse-ear hawkweed, heath bedstraw, pignut, herb Bennet,
greater stitchwort, spear thistle and germander speedwell.
MAY 2016
Saturday 14th
DUKE OF BURGUNDY AT HEYSHOTT
(The Murray Downland Trust)
Leader: Mark Colvin (HNHS member)
Mark (also a member of Sussex Butterfly Conservation) led
20 members over the north-facing slopes and pits of the Heyshott Escarpment
which is managed by The Murray Downland Trust. In recent winters much
conservation work has been undertaken to eliminate scrub allowing the spread of
cowslips, the food requirement of Duke of Burgundy caterpillars (a nationally
rare species).
As the morning progressed and periods of sunshine increased many butterflies
were seen basking, but the low air temperature reduced their flight activity so
members were able to photograph some of the many orange and black
Duke of
Burgundy, green hairstreak with vivid, emerald green underside and the dull
brown dingy skipper. With everyone searching it was Mark who first located the
tiny black and white grizzled skipper – a pair which quickly flew off. Singles
of red admiral, peacock and small heath were also found and at the end of the
morning a green-veined white and an orange-tip appeared.
Botanists in the group were delighted to find
twayblade, bugle, yellow
archangel, ramsons, salad burnet, adder’s-tongue fern, white helleborine and
many spikes of early-purple orchid to name just some of the species in flower.
It has been a most interesting and rewarding morning thanks to Mark’s knowledge
and expertise.
APRIL 2016
Saturday 30th
BIRDS ON BLACK DOWN (National Trust)
Leader: Dave Burges
The early start of 7.30am was extremely worthwhile as 31
species were seen or heard. Dave’s depth of knowledge and acute hearing enabled
10 members to locate linnets, siskin, willow warbler, marsh tits, common
whitethroat, Dartford warblers,
redpoll and tree pipit to name a few.
A highlight of the morning’s walk was to be so close to a flock of
12 crossbills that it was possible
to see and photograph their chunky crossed bills, the males’ russet colouring
and the females’ pale yellow-green plumage.
Saturday 9th
BIRDS AT MEDMERRY (RSPB)
Leader: Peter Hughes (RSPB Warden)
Eighteen
members thoroughly enjoyed a morning’s birdwatching at Medmerry when among the
large number of species seen were: skylarks,
yellowhammers,
avocets, a
little owl, a
little ringed plover, a
little gull, a peregrine falcon
and – seldom seen - a white wagtail thought to be on spring passage back to
Iceland. The freshwater and tidal pools, saltmarsh, pasture and arable farmland
are becoming excellent habitats for land and water birds.
MARCH 2016
Saturday 19th
BURITON CHALK PITS (Hampshire District Council)
Leader:
Joe Williams, Apprentice Ranger at Queen Elizabeth
Country Park
Once it was the scene of industrial activity for 70 years from 1860 when chalk
was quarried to be burnt in a series of kilns to produce lime. Now this small
reserve has the status of SNCI (Site of Nature Conservation Interest) and LNR
(Local Nature Reserve).
The paths that wind up and down the hillsides and the deep pits are excellent
habitats for common beech, snails, ferns (much hart’s tongue fern was seen),
mosses and liverworts. Long-tailed tits, a kestrel and a calling nuthatch were
located. Early spring flowers found were: colt’s-foot, primrose, dog’s mercury
and ground ivy.
FEBRUARY 2016
Saturday 27th
BIRDS AT THORNEY ISLAND (Ministry of Defence)
Leader: Hugh Searle
Hugh met 15 members
and explained that Thorney Island is no longer an island and has 72 hectares of
tidal mudflats. The path along the sea wall is part of the Sussex Border Path.
The weather conditions were not conducive to locating birds as there was a
strong, biting, east wind. Nevertheless 28 species were counted including the
large flocks of lapwing, Brent geese and starlings. Oystercatcher, cormorant,
teal, pintail, shelduck and grey plover were also identified.
After a lunch stop at the ancient Church of St Nicholas some of the group
continued southwards to Longmere Point, then across Pilsey Sands to Pilsey
Island which is now a RSPB Reserve. On the incoming tide were
sanderling and
dunlin searching for invertebrates.
JANUARY 2016
Saturday 30th
BIRDS
AT CUTT MILL
Leader: Steve
Wattridge
Twenty-one members met at the Tarn at Cutt Mill which is situated in Surrey
Wildlife Trust’s Reserve called Puttenham Common.
On the lake known as The Tarn were three
great crested grebes
in bright plumage. Good sightings were had of two kingfishers. In the woodland
more birds were found, notably a small flock of long-tailed tits and a
treecreeper, followed by coal tits feeding in a Scots pine.
A member remarked how enjoyable it was to be out walking on a “sparkling day”
after the damp, dark days of much of January.
DECEMBER 2015
Saturday 5th
BIRDS ON A WINTER WALK AROUND GRAYSWOOD
Leader: Jon Taylor (HNHS member)
For the final meeting of the year, 18 members met at the
entrance to Frillinghurst Wood, Grayswood. Jon is a local resident, is very
knowledgeable on wildlife subjects and is always a popular leader.
He explained how separate compartments had been managed and how this has, or
will, affect the wildlife. He is of the opinion that, ideally, there should be a
mosaic of habitats making a woodland tapestry.
Although it was mild for December the wind was very strong, preventing the
location of birds. Only a wren, robin and two soaring buzzards were seen. The
walk had been muddy, but most instructive!
NOVEMBER 2015
Saturday 7th
BIRDS AT PULBOROUGH BROOKS
(RSPB)
On a wet and windy morning 14 stalwarts of the Society braved this visit.
Setting off for Netley’s Hide (hides were truly the only place to be in such
conditions) the group noted the abundance of berries – large amounts of sloes,
hips and haws – surely a great feast for blackbirds, redwings and fieldfares to
name but a few. Several individual jays were seen flying by and their
distinctive calls could be clearly heard.
The weather did seem to have discouraged many of the birds members would expect
to hear and see in the hedgerows and trees along the way but dunnock and
blackbird were seen and a green woodpecker flew over.
At Netley’s Hide it was thrilling to see how many birds were out and about:
shovelers, shelduck, mallards, wigeon, teal and lapwing. But the highlights
were definitely 4 snipe, showing off very nicely in the open – and a good
number of pintail.
At Little Hanger hide, there were fewer birds to be seen but there was an
excellent view of a small herd of fallow deer with 2 stags, one of which was
wearing a ‘wig’ of dead grass.
But – the weather in the end got the better of the group who eventually ended up
in the excellent coffee shop for refreshments.
A soggy but happy morning!
OCTOBER
2015
Wednesday
28th
BIRDS AT FERRY POOL, SIDLESHAM, AND CHURCH NORTON
Seventeen members thoroughly enjoyed the very
successful bird-watching day in warm sunshine.
The temperature was over 14°C, bringing out
insects, three species of butterfly, bumblebees and many
black darter dragonflies.
Surprisingly, many plants were still in flower,
notably common knapweed, yarrow, ragwort, sea campion, common mallow and
honeysuckle. The light was perfect for birdwatching.
Among the many birds at the Ferry Pool were six
avocets, redshank, black-tailed godwit, lapwing, teal, snipe
and shoveler.
With the generous sharing of their ‘scopes
two other visitors pin-pointed the position of a single little stint among the
dunlin feeding in the mud.
From the path above the shoreline mallard,
curlew, oystercatcher, wigeon, reed
bunting, kestrel,
stonechat, goldfinch and several
little egret were identified. Twelve Brent
geese, in a skein, wheeled overhead. Three members were fortunate to have a brief glimpse of a
kingfisher and a hidden Cetti’s warbler was heard. In newly-ploughed fields a pair of
red-legged partridge and grey herons were feeding.
Catching insects on the roof of Church Norton’s little chapel were a pied
wagtail and a
female black redstart - the latter being an exciting first
sighting for most members.
During the return walk around 20 curlew flew from the ploughed field towards the
water, ending what was acclaimed “a brilliant day”.
Sunday
4th
FUNGI FORAY ON MARLEY COMMON
(National Trust)
Leader: Sara Shepley (HNHS member)
On a beautiful autumn day twelve members attended
this meeting.
Quite soon fungi were found in the car park with a cluster of vivid yellow
sulphur
tuft
and some fine specimens of a tough and leathery bracket fungus known as the
artist’s
bracket.
The walk went through the woods and then out onto the open heath, where there
were representatives of several different genera of fungi (including
amanitas,
boletes,
deceivers,
milkcaps
and
bonnets).
Many specimens gave an opportunity for discussion of the different diagnostic
tests used in identification; subjects like habitat, structure of the toadstool
and spore prints among them. Later, more important points about identifying
them were made, such as the gills on the
ochre
brittlegill
and the
charcoal
burner,
the different ways the spores of earthballs and puffballs are spread and
interesting characteristics of other fungi that were found, such as
Slippery
Jack,
tawny
grisette,
amethyst
deceiver,
glistening
ink-cap
and
candle
snuff.
Although the prolonged dry period leading up to this year’s foray had reduced
the numbers seen, nearly 40 species were recorded. It was a great privilege to
be taught so much about a rich field of study.
SEPTEMBER 2015
Saturday 26th
IMBHAMS FARM
OPEN DAY
Whilst not an HNHS event, members were interested to visit the farm for
their open day and nature walks.
Saturday 5th
SMALL MAMMALS & DORMICE AT IMBHAMS FARM
(by courtesy of John and Margaret Barlow)
Leader: Jim Jones (Surrey Wildlife Trust Officer)
Gathered under a very old oak tree,
17 members were
shown how Longworth small mammal live traps were assembled. These and the
mammals themselves were to be the subject of a morning field trip at Imbhams
Farm.
The farm is a special place for wildlife. The leader for the day, Jim Jones
(who is the Living Landscapes Officer for Surrey Wildlife Trust), explained that
many of the areas of Imbhams are managed for wildlife conservation; for example,
some fields are set aside to allow grasses and flowers to flourish for the
protection of insects, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, which in turn feed
small mammals and birds.
Longworth traps are designed with comfort in mind. A small amount of hay is
placed at one end to act as an insulated nest. Food is provided as well as
a lure comprising small pieces of chocolate digestive biscuit, which apparently
the mice love!
The field that was the venue is surrounded by woodland. The traps are never
left for more than 12 hours at a time, to lessen the stress on the animal. Any
animal found is removed to a clear plastic bag for identification and weighing,
then quickly released.
The first trap that Jim found had been sprung:
a bank vole, female and
weighed-in at 25 grams. The second had two juvenile voles each weighing 9
grams, and so on up and across this small field, a few more voles, then a
wood mouse. A grand
total of 6 bank voles and 1 wood mouse.
All of this data is collected and used to add more knowledge about these small
but very important animals in the food chain.
AUGUST
2015
Friday
28th
BATS AT IMBHAMS FARM
(by courtesy of John and Margaret Barlow)
Leader: Martyn Phillis (Surrey Bat Group)
“A very special place for bats” was how Martyn described Imbhams Farm, as of the
14 species in Surrey 11 have been recorded there, including the rare Bechstein’s
and Alcathoe. Sixteen people listened to Martyn’s introductory talk describing
how harp traps are used to temporarily catch the bats to identify, measure, sex
and sometimes ring or attach a radio tag. Juveniles which cannot fly far have
been caught, indicating that there were maternity roosts nearby.
Martyn had brought along a live common pipistrelle, being one of the rescue bats
he is often asked to nurture and care for. This year he has rescued about two
dozen, including saving seven of the ten baby bats brought in.
On the walk through the ancient woodland, along a wooded track, past open
meadows and by the large pond common and soprano pipistrelles and Daubenton’s
bats were located by the aid of bat detectors. For some of the group to see (in
powerful torch light) Daubenton’s skimming across the pond was an exciting first
experience.
A single distant pass by one of our largest bats, the serotine, was detected
over the meadows just before we finished.
Saturday 8th
DRAGONFLIES & OTHER INVERTEBRATES ON THURSLEY COMMON (Natural England)
Leader: Jill Fry
On a sunny Saturday morning forty members of the Society
met to seek dragonflies and damselflies on Thursley Common, a National Nature
Reserve important for its heath and bogs. The group split into two, one led by
Jill Fry, a very knowledgeable naturalist and botanist, the other being taken by
her husband Ray, a previous warden of the Common for over 20 years, ably
assisted by member Don Tagg who also has extensive knowledge of dragonflies and
damselflies (Odonata).
Members learnt about the geography of the area, how the bogs are kept filled by
springs welling up from the base sand beds, and why the Moat pond is thought to
be a hydraulic pingo, a depression left after the last ice age.
Both parties saw a good number of dragonflies and damselflies and their life
cycle was explained. Dragonflies seen and positively identified were male
emperor (patrolling ponds, chasing off other males and waiting for females so
that mating and egg laying could take place),
common darter, a pair of black darter mating and egg laying, keeled skimmer,
four-spotted chaser and
black-tailed skimmer. Damselflies included emerald,
common blue, large red, small
red, large red-eyed, blue-tailed and azure.
There were also opportunities to study butterflies, birds (including a hobby)
and plants adapted to the boggy terrain.
JULY 2015
Saturday 25th
BUTTERFLIES ON MAGDALEN HILL DOWN, NEAR WINCHESTER
Leader: Margaret Hibbard (HNHS Member)
Hampshire Butterfly Conservation is celebrating 25 years
of careful management at Magdalen Hill Down, creating rich wildflower meadows on
the unimproved chalk downland. The flowers were superb: marjoram, greater and
black knapweed, small and field scabious, tall melilot, dark mullein and
sainfoin.
After a grey start the day progressed with periods of sunshine when chalkhill
blue and marbled white butterflies appeared and many bumblebees and six-spot
burnet moths were active. A first sighting for most of the eleven members, was
the small blue (Britain’s smallest butterfly) seen on the hillside and in a
man-made scrape full of small scabious and kidney vetch.
The walk reached the western end of the reserve and returning eastwards small
skipper, small tortoiseshell and peacock were seen. Finally a red admiral and a
holly blue flew past, bringing the total number of butterfly species seen to 16.
Saturday 11th
VARIED SUMMER FLORA ON BRAMSHOTT COMMON
Leader: Pamela Lee (HNHS Member)
A visit to Bramshott Common by 18 members of the Society
proved to be a revelation of its history and its unusual flora. Pamela led a
walk around the network of paths which cross the common to look for summer
flowers.
The sward at the side of the path included tormentil, bird’s foot trefoil,
lesser stitchwort and agrimony, and patches of musk mallow and marsh thistle
were growing in the long grass behind.
A purple emperor butterfly
arrested progress and photographs were taken as it fed on the ground.
Pamela explained how at the outbreak of World War I the Government had
requisitioned the Common, and the British Army had organised transport of timber
by horse-drawn cart up the Portsmouth Road for the building of huts. 35,000
troops, mainly Canadian, passed through during the War. Pamela brought it all
to life with contemporary photographs.
Further on there was a view over Hammer Vale. Bell heather in flower indicated
a more acid soil, in contrast to the area round the camp where soil had been
brought in to grow vegetables. Meadow vetchling, tufted vetch and wild yellow
loosestrife provided additional colour. Pamela then took the group to a stand
of betony and a very special patch of St Dabeoc’s heath, a plant native to
Ireland, sadly not in flower.
The group gathered at a memorial stone commemorating those Canadians who fell
during the two Wars. When the A3 was widened 200 Canadian Maples were planted
either side, donated by the Canadian Government.
Over 50 flowering plants were recorded, some of them courtesy of Army occupation
but most of them this country’s precious indigenous heathland flowers. There
were welcome bird sounds and butterflies added interest. Pamela had made it
such an interesting morning, full of local history and wild flowers.
JUNE 2015
Saturday 27th
CHALK DOWNLAND FLOWERS ON PEWLEY DOWN
(Managed by Guildford Borough Council and owned by the people of Guildford)
Leader: Vanessa McClure (HNHS and Guildford NHS member)
It was a very warm and beautifully sunny day when
twenty members of the Society met Vanessa for a walk on Pewley Down, chalk
downland on the North Downs managed by Guildford Borough Council and owned by
the people of Guildford. Vanessa is a member of both Haslemere and Guildford
Natural History Societies and a volunteer at Pewley Down. The group climbed the
gentle slope on to the Down. Peeping through the longer grass were several
bright pink pyramidal orchids, in company with spent flowerheads of yellow
rattle. Birds sang from the hedgerows, two buzzards circled overhead and
marbled white butterflies flew across the grasses while members found countless
chalk-loving plants. As the group stood at a stone of dedication from the
Friary Brewery, at the same time marvelling at the expansive panoramic views to
the south, Vanessa explained that when the Brewery closed in Guildford they gave
the Down to the people of Guildford in perpetuity.
Vanessa took the path which quickly crossed to the north-facing slope overlooking Guildford. In the exposed chalk at the side of the path were poppies, Scarlet pimpernel and heart’s-ease. After climbing over a style and entering a field the group was led to some of the Down’s exquisite bee orchids. The party returned to the south-facing down. Numerous marbled whites nectared on greater knapweed. It was a fitting finale to a morning full of the pleasure of identifying over sixty species of our precious flora and benefiting from Vanessa’s intimate knowledge of the Down.
Friday
12th
NIGHT MOTHS AND OTHER NIGHT INSECTS ON ROYAL COMMON
(Ministry of Defence) AND BAGMOOR COMMON (Surrey Wildlife Trust)
Leader: Fiona Haynes (Surrey Wildlife Trust Ranger and Warden)
Cancelled due to risk of lightning on open common land.
MAY 2015
Saturday 30th
BIRDS AT RIVERSIDE PARK NATURE RESERVE, BURPHAM (Guildford Borough)
Leader: David Knight (RSPB Guildford Group)
After unseasonably cold and wet weather the previous day it was a
relief when it dawned clear and bright, if cool, for eighteen members to go
birdwatching at Riverside Park Nature Reserve, near Guildford (known locally as
Stoke Meadows). David Knight of the RSPB’s Guildford Group introduced the walk.
Sadly the bird song had to compete with the sound of A3 traffic. On reaching the
river, the group turned on to a short boardwalk through woodland and into a
field where there was a welcome sound of a chiffchaff. The path led to the
lake where a great crested grebe was carrying a youngster on her back, later
unceremoniously dropping it in the water where it was joined by the male. A
pair of common terns was in residence on the tern raft and two Canada geese swam
with three goslings.
David then took the group to the extensive and sturdy boardwalk over the marsh.
A red kite flew over. A handsome reed bunting obligingly sat on top of a
willow, a blackcap and a whitethroat sang and a sedge warbler was clearly
visible as it uttered its scratchy little song.
The group reached Stoke Lock. Nearby were two Egyptian geese with goslings. A
kestrel was resting on a dead tree and then, at the end of the walk, a party of
goldcrests was singing high in a conifer. At least twenty-eight bird species
were seen and/or heard.
Wednesday
20th
TO VIEW THE TERN RAFTS AT FRENSHAM LITTLE POND
(National Trust)
Leader: Tim
Mockridge (NT Ranger)
Five members met to look for activity on the two tern rafts at Frensham Little
Pond which had been funded from the legacy given by the late Clare Britton. The
rafts were installed in 2013 and 2014.
Tim led the group to the top of the hill overlooking the pond, where a flock of
Canada geese was observed flying over in a ‘V’ formation. On the way up the
steep steps long-tailed tits flitted around in the Scots pine and silver birch
trees. At the top of the hill swifts were soaring around in the sky catching
insects.
The group descended to the edge of the pond. The sandy soil is an important
habitat for sand lizard, adder and the smooth snake but none was seen. A
woodlark parachuted downwards and chaffinches were heard calling. On the pond
were two greylag geese and a great crested grebe, and common terns flew nearby.
The deep “chuntering” of reed warbler and reed bunting were heard coming from
the reed bed.
As the group approached a boggy region of alder carr Tim explained that it was
one of the few areas where native white-claw crayfish remain undisturbed,
perhaps because of the dam which kept out the American crayfish.
A tern was seen nestling down, hopefully on a clutch of eggs, on one of the tern
rafts but there was little activity on the other. A heron hiding in the rushes
flew away across the water and a pair of greylag geese escorted their four
goslings. On arriving at the new café a redstart was spotted fluttering in the
bushes.
APRIL 2015
Wednesday
29th
BIRD SONG WITH NIGHTINGALES AT TUGLEY WOOD, NEAR CHIDDINGFOLD
Leader: John Richardson
The effort of meeting at 7am was rewarded when so much birdsong, including
nightingales, was enjoyed. Songs of blackbird, chiffchaff and wren were soon
joined by two nightingales hidden on either side of the track. Leader and
member John Richardson said he had heard the first one on 10th
April. He drew attention to chaffinch, wood pigeon, blackcap, great tit, robin
and goldcrest.
Having learned the different parts to the nightingale’s song a new sound was
heard: a quiet croak like a frog.
In the evening John took a different group on the same walk. The nightingales
were in fine voice again, three tawny owls called, a willow warbler gave his
descending trill and two woodcock passed on their “roding” circuit.
A member who had come especially to hear the nightingales said; ”I was amazed to
hear the different, contrasting components of their song and how it dominated
the songs of all the other birds.”
Saturday 18th
FOSSILS ON BRACKLESHAM BEACH
Leader: David Bone
Members’ eyes were directed downwards in the search for
fossils on Bracklesham Beach. David, who had given a talk to the Society the
previous year, gave an introductory explanation to 20 members as to why this
beach is so special for fossils. He showed boxes of previous finds and gave
tips as to where to search. He had chosen a particularly low tide so that
the
fossil beds, not normally uncovered at low tide, would be revealed.
Seeing the linear beds containing thousands of
bivalves and others full of
gastropods was an amazing experience. The most spectacular finds were: two
globe-shaped fossil corals, a small black piece of tooth palate from a sting ray
and a large shark’s tooth.
A member remarked: ”It is wonderful to see something so truly ancient.”
MARCH 2015
Saturday 28th
CAMELSDALE SCHOOL,
School Road, Haslemere GU27
3RN
Leader:
Veronica Carter
Toasting
marshmallows over a fire, using a bow saw to make a wooden badge and
attempting to light a small fire using a fire-steel, thistledown and birch bark
shavings were unusual challenges for eleven members during this visit. These
activities are just some of the many Forest School educational programme enjoyed
by the children.
The visit was arranged to enable members to see various projects to which our
Society has contributed financially (from the Clare Britton Bequest):
a bird box webcam (linked to
the School’s web site); a report drawn up by Sussex Wildlife Trust to suggest
further improvements and new plants for the Secret Garden which already has a
great variety of habitats; and the
large lockable display board set up in the gazebo in which identification
charts and pictures can be changed often to reflect the season.
Saturday 7th
BIRDS AT TITCHFIELD HAVEN NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
(Hampshire C.C.) Cliff Road, Hill Head, Fareham PO14 3JT
Leaders: Wendy and Alan Novelle
It was a bright and breezy day on the south coast
when twelve members visited Titchfield Haven. The reserve occupies the Lower
Meon Valley where the river meets the Solent.
In the morning the group followed the River Walk, over the boardwalk through the
marshland and willow carr, eventually reaching the new and spacious Knights Bank
Hide. After lunch members visited the scrapes and hides to the west of the
Reserve.
Many species of birds were seen including
black-tailed godwit, marsh
harrier, golden plover, avocet and
snipe. Some of the birds had been forced onto the scrapes by a rising tide.
The dominant species was the back-headed gull and among the raucous colony was
one lone Mediterranean gull, which was distinguished by a blacker head, with
bright red beak and flashy red legs.
The call of a Cetti’s warbler was heard several times throughout the day but
alas not seen.
Coltsfoot, blackthorn and a
brimstone butterfly were seen – surely a harbinger of the coming spring.
FEBRUARY 2015
Wednesday 25th 8.30 a.m.
BIRDS AT BLASHFORD LAKES, N. of Ringwood, Hampshire
(Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust)
Leaders: Sue Bradford and Caroline Lemka
13 members of the Society boarded a minibus at
8.45 in the morning at Hindhead National Trust Car Park and set off for a day of
bird watching at the fabulous Blashford Reserve, near Ringwood. It was a
comparatively mild morning, but by mid-day the sun was shining on us so we were
lucky.
We were indeed lucky in all the wildlife that we saw, hightlights of which I
think were goldeneye, gadwall,
pochard and a water rail on the lakes and lesser redpoll, siskin,
reed bunting and a bank vole in
the Woodland Hide. Along the path to the Woodland Hide we came across some
beautiful scarlet elf cap fungi.
Whilst sitting having our lunch outside the Education Centre we watched a robin
adding material to her nest under the eaves of the centre and a group of 8
(almost too many to count!) buzzards circled high above us.
A great day out indeed.
JANUARY 2015
Saturday 24th
THE GIBBETT, HINDHEAD COMMON
(National Trust)
Leader: Matt Cusack (Head Ranger, South West Surrey Hills)
Matt took 20 members along the Hidden Hindhead Trail in order to use the
new telescope sited on Gibbet
Hill in 2014, funded by the Society from the Clare Britton Bequest.
Stopping at a viewpoint, once the actual location of the A3, Matt pointed out
the topography: heathland on the highest and lowest areas with chalk grassland
between. He also gave the historical reasons for the Sailor’s Stone (site of a
murder), the Celtic Cross (site of where the murderer’s bodies were displayed)
and the foundations (the only remains) of a small lodge at the Temple of Four
Winds.
The new telescope is on the summit of Gibbet Hill. It can be rotated 360
degrees to take in the spectacular panorama and has a stand to assist children.
A stop was made in a valley where sweet chestnut grows to hear about the
traditional methods being used there to coppice and make stakes and lathes.
Birds were few, but it was a most interesting morning to see how Hindhead Common
is being reinstated as heathland after the closure of part of the A3 following
the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel in 2011.
