FIELD MEETINGS 2009
·
Visitors are very welcome on all meetings.
A donation of £2 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 Portsmouth) are given for coastal bird
meetings
FORTHCOMING
EVENTS (and see
below for brief reports of past meetings)
MARCH 2010
Saturday 20th 10.00.a.m. Grid Ref: SZ857966
BIRDS AT FERRY POOL, SIDLESHAM AND CHURCH NORTON
Leader: Judith Kusel
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 (approx. 1½ miles+ return).
Alternatively, members may drive to the church car park to meet the group later
on.
Meet at Ferry Pool Visitor Centre car park on the left, 1½ miles south of
Sidlesham on B2145. Carry lunch. Warm clothes and Wellingtons advisable.
H.T. 1352 4.4
APRIL 2010
Saturday 10th 10.00 a.m. Grid Ref: SU860434
FARNHAM HEATH RSPB RESERVE
Leader:
Mike Coates (Farnham Heath Project Manager)
A
morning walk over Farnham Heath when Mike will give us a progress report on the
heathland restoration and management It is hoped to see a variety of birds
including tree pipit, stonechat, woodlark and warblers.
Meet in the Tilford Rural Life Centre visitor car park in The Reeds Road,
Tilford.
Saturday 24th 10.30 a.m. Grid Ref: SU963470
SPRING FLOWERS
IN BUMMOOR COPSE, COMPTON
Leader: Jill Fry
The morning walk will be in a mixed deciduous wood with a stream. In the
afternoon a visit is planned to a bluebell wood near
Mitchen
Hall Plantation,
not far from Puttenham Common.
On entering Compton village (on B3000) from the A3, turn left near Compton
Common into Polsted Lane. From south on A3100 turn left into New Pond Road
(B3000) and turn right at The Withies pub sign into Withies Lane. Pass pub.
Park on verge near the triangle.
PAST
EVENTS - 2010
FEBRUARY 2010
Saturday 27th
ARUNDEL WILDFOWL
& WETLAND CENTRE
Two buzzards were wheeling
over the hillside as members arrived. The captive birds were in their bright
spring plumage and beginning to pair up, with some males aggressively defending
their territory or mate.
The “Boat Safari” was much enjoyed; the electric boat silently glided through
the reed beds where pochard, tufted duck, little grebe and the ubiquitous
mallard duck were seen. Water voles were introduced to the reserve in 2005 and
have bred well, but although the calm, sunny conditions were conducive, no
adults were sighted. There was plenty of evidence of their presence: reed
stems cut at an oblique angle and pieces of freshly nibbled green reed in the
feeding stations with adjacent latrines.
Arundel’s collection of ducks, geese and swans from around the world includes
some species which are globally threatened, for example, the white-headed duck
and the Hawaiian goose or nene which responded well to a breeding programme and
was brought back from near extinction. Among the entertaining sounds and sights
were the “ooh-ooh” call of the male Eider ducks and the “punk” hairstyle (black
of the males and brown of the females) of the scaly-sided mergansers.
JANUARY 2010
Saturday 30th 10.30.a.m. Grid Ref. SU924348
FRILLINGHURST
FOREST
Leader: Jon Taylor
Fifteen members met for the first field
meeting of 2010. The walk, led
by member Jon Taylor, started in Frillinghurst Forest where timber
extraction is in progress, continued to an old coppice with a stream, on
to a bracken area where there was evidence of badger excavation work,
past the large pond at Imbhams Farm and then across arable farmland.
Twenty-one species of birds were either seen or heard, notably
bullfinches, siskins and fieldfares all busy feeding. An unusual sight
was caddis larvae, moving slowly along the underside of the ice in a
small woodland pool.
PAST
EVENTS - 2009
DECEMBER 2009
Saturday 5th
HIGHCOMBE EDGE, HINDHEAD (National Trust)
Leader: Matt Cusack (local Head Warden)
Twelve members attended the final Field Meeting of the year. Matt described how
the two sides of the Devil's Punch Bowl will be united once the Hindhead
Tunnel Project has been completed. Invasive rhododendron was being
removed and in other areas pines, bracken and young birch had been
reduced to provide suitable habitats for woodlarks, nightjars and
Dartford warblers. Walking through a beech wood there were signs of an
old sawpit, two charcoal hearths and a barn belonging to the former
Highcombe Farm where the "broomsquire" George Mayes had lived. The main
spring that feeds Smallbrook Stream and continues to bubble throughout
the year was also located.
NOVEMBER 2009
Saturday 7th
BIRDS AT FARLINGTON MARSHES (Hampshire Wildlife Trust)
Leader: Mary Clarke
Eleven members met at Hampshire's oldest reserve on a cool, sunny and breezy
day. Fifty-two species of birds were seen: brent and Canada geese, full
complements of waders - including avocet, snipe, turnstone, ringed-plover
and greenshank - ducks - including pintail, red-breasted merganser, and shoveler
- and grebes - little, black-necked and great-crested. The highlights were a
group of ringed plover at high tide sharing a small island, beautifully lit by
the low sun, with a restless flock of dunlin and, at the end of the day, the
explosive call of an unseen Cetti's warbler.
OCTOBER 2009
Saturday 31st
FOSSILS, SNAILS & CREEPY CRAWLIES AT BURITON CHALK PIT (East Hampshire County
Council)
Leader: Dr June Chatfield
Buriton Chalk Pit provides an excellent habitat for snails and slugs. For
October the weather was warm and so the snails had not yet gone into
hibernation. In the deep leaf litter, under logs and fallen branches snails
with such names as land winkle, orchard, waxy glass, dusky, door and chrysalis
were found and on a tree trunk was a white-lip snail.
By lunchtime Dr. June Chatfield’s expert knowledge meant that 21 species of
snails and slugs had been located and identified. It was exciting to find first
several empty shells and then a living specimen of the rare cheese snail, only
found in this area and on the South Downs.
Click here for a full list of the species found.
Other “finds” were: small tree slugs, fungi (including the white porcelain
fungus with its slimy surface), an earth star, unusual mosses, ferns, a
liverwort on a beech tree, a tiny millipede and several slime moulds with their
fruiting bodies.
Sunday
11th
FUNGUS FORAY ON MARLEY COMMON (National Trust)
Leader: Sara Shepley
Despite drizzle, which later turned into rain, 15 members joined Sara Shepley
for a fungus foray on Marley Common. Fungi have been much harder to find this
year than has been the case in mid-October in previous years, but we nonetheless
found 30 varieties and the weather was completely forgotten in our enthusiasm
for the search and our interest in Sarah's lively descriptions of the varieties.
It was a privilege to be led by someone with such encyclopaedic knowledge of the
subject.
Click here for a full list of the species found.
SEPTEMBER 2009
Saturday 12th
BIRDS AT TITCHFIELD HAVEN NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE (Hampshire County Council)
Leader: Bob Kirby
The sky was clear blue, it was hot, and the tide was out for the beginning of
this walk.
The group followed the River Walk through the rustling reeds to the Knights Bank
Hide where a flock of goldfinches was seen alighting on the thistle seedheads.
The light was good for viewing birds on and near the water. The group retraced
their steps to the Suffern Hide from which two dabchick could be seen
intermittently, many Canada geese and one smaller near-relative – a cackling
goose, black-tailed godwits, one barnacle goose, a kingfisher which sat just
long enough for a good view and a probable escapee, a Cape Barren goose. Lunch
was taken overlooking the sea and birds feeding in advance of the incoming
tide. From the viewing point near the entrance to the Scrapes, excitement
centred on two water rails weaving in and out of the reeds. At Meon Shore Hide
the resident whistling duck was feeding at the water’s edge and a small group of
Barnacle Geese took to the water. A Cetti’s warbler heralded arrival at
the
Spurgin
Hide from where a common sandpiper was spotted feeding on the mud and, through
the telescopes, the markings on three snipe showed up vividly in the late
afternoon sunshine.
AUGUST 2009
Saturday 1st
MOTHS IN HASLEMERE
Leader: Fiona Haynes (Surrey
Wildlife Trust Ranger)
A moth trap set up near broad-leaved woodland in Haslemere the
previous
cloudy, warm night had collected 400 moths. Many of these had been
potted-up and were displayed in Haslemere Museum's Education Room for 18
members to view. Among many interesting facts about moths, Fiona
suggested some plants that are good nectar sources: honeysuckle,
jasmine, stock, bramble and Nicotiana. She said that over-ripe
blackberries provide food for moths that over-winter.
Those trapped included the huge poplar hawkmoth, silver Y, purple thorn,
brimstone moth, clouded border, buff-tip and (Fiona's favourite) rosy
footman. For full list
click here.
JULY 2009
Saturday 18th
BUTTERFLIES & FLORA OF GRAFFHAM DOWN
Leader: Margaret Hibbard with Biddy and Paul Dimmer of Graffham Down Trust
Nineteen
observant people were bound to find much to interest them
during the walk through five reserves managed by the Graffham Down Trust
and adjacent to the South Downs Way. Biddy and Paul Dimmer described
how management in recent years has encouraged an increase in butterfly
numbers and flower species. Thirteen butterfly species were seen,
including many newly-hatched painted ladies. (This brood no doubt
resulting from the great invasion in late May). A queen wasp
Dolichovespula media, a fast-moving snake, a fallow deer, several large
yellow underwing moths, a vivid dark green dung beetle, the bright green sawfly
Rhogogaster viridis and a
longhorn beetle were all encountered.
Wednesday 1st
PEWLEY DOWN & THE CHANTRIES (Guildford Borough Council)
Leader: Bob Kirby
A quotation from William Cobbett’s “Rural Rides” on his visit to Chilworth in
1825 set the scene for a fantastic, if very hot, day on the North Downs.
Society-member Bob Kirby had taken great care with preparation, providing a list
of flora which he had recently seen and fossils typical of the area. He
described the topographical features of the Downs in the context of the Weald
and how their geology determined the flora. We looked at plants which had
colonised a sandstone quarry, found a large number of Harlequin ladybirds on a
clump of stinging nettles beside the road and then took the long narrow path
across the vale of Gault Clay to the chalk of Pewley Down, noting the change in
flora as we went (together with a white letter hairstreak butterfly!). The
highlight of the chalk-loving plants was the sight of countless pyramidal
orchids, ranging from very pale to deepest pink. Nearby more than a dozen
marbled white butterflies were nectaring on greater knapweed. We crossed to the
north-facing slope of the Down to find another change in flora. Members were
beginning to flag in the heat so it was regretfully agreed that the plan to look
at flora on the sandstone Chantry Down should be postponed to another year. We
saw so much and there were so many things to reflect on!
JUNE 2009
Sunday 21st
WOODLAND FLORA IN LYNCHMERE WOODS
Leader: Laura Ponsonby
Including grasses and ferns growing in damp areas, nearly 80
woodland
flora species were identified. To name just a few - there were yellow
flowers of buttercups, tormentil, cinquefoil and two species of St.
John's-wort; pink and purple self-heal, hedge woundwort, herb-robert,
marsh thistle and one spotted orchid; blue thyme-leaved speedwell,
brooklime and skullcap; and in full-flower large patches of white common
marsh-bedstraw. The stands of foxglove were impressive and it was
pleasing to see ragged robin and carpets of wood sorrel.
Wednesday 10th
ORCHIDS ON BOX HILL (National Trust)
Leader: Martin Scalway
The walk aimed expressly to look for orchids. The day began with torrential
showers and low cloud but slowly improved and it was then notable for amazing
views and some lovely chalk downland plants. Well over 50 species, including
two twayblades, numerous common spotted orchids, a small colony of man orchids
and five beautifully fresh specimens of bee orchid, left members with the
feeling it had been a good day.
MAY 2009
Saturday 16th
BIRD SONG ON WITLEY COMMON (National Trust)
Leader: Jon Taylor
A
dozen members met at 8 am under the guidance of Jon Taylor to experience the
bird calls/songs of Witley Common. Despite dull, windy conditions 19 calls/songs
were identified and 11 species seen. The highlights were a great spotted
woodpecker feeding young at the nest hole and identification of a high flying
peregrine. Calls/songs heard included willow warbler, blackcap, chiffchaff,
whitethroat, goldfinch, chaffinch, goldcrest, wren, stonechat and woodlark.
APRIL 2009
Saturday 25th
SPIDERS AT LONGMOOR (near Liss Forest)
Leader: Dick Jones (author of The Hamlyn Guide to Spiders of Britain and Europe,
currently out of print)
With
a large pale-coloured sheet (on which to scatter leaf litter with hidden
spiders), a "pooter" ( a tube to catch very small spiders) and a sweep-net the
spider hunt began. First caught was a Linyphia
clathrata with two large round black palps (knobs) signifying it was a male.
Several different wolf spiders were found; quickly roving around on the ground
they sit and wait for their prey. Females were
seen carrying their egg sacs, one being pale turquoise. Sweeping the net around
heather produced a hunting spider and a plump spider which had probably eaten
many aphids and midges.
Saturday 4th
MAMMALS AT SWAN BARN
Leader: Matt Bramich (National Trust Warden)
By
observing the established routes and runs made by small mammals in
grassland and wooodland, Matt was able to bait (but not set) for 5
nights eleven Longworth traps. On the sixth night the humane traps were
set and caught a yellow-necked mouse, bank voles, a wood mouse, common
shrews and a pigmy shrew. The group of seventeen enjoyed the experience
of being so close to these small mammals and hearing about the management
that The National Trust undertakes in this beautiful valley.
MARCH 2009
Wednesday 25th
MID-WEEK MEANDER: KILLINGHURST WOODS
Leader: Margaret Tomsett
The walk
started by seeing a long-tailed tit and two buzzards. Many
woodland plants were already in flower: wood anemone, dog's mercury,
wood spurge and a carpet of primroses in a spinney. Others, such as
barren strawberry, pignut, wood sorrel and goldilocks buttercup were
recognised by their young leaves. There were swathes of wild garlic and
bluebell in the woodland by a deep stream valley and on the stream's
banks were opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage in flower and the feathery
tufts of the moss that resembles a small fern Thuidium tamariscinum.
Saturday 21st
WINTER BIRDS AT PULBOROUGH BROOKS NATURE RESERVE
Leader: John Sanderson
Twenty four members enjoyed a sunny, spring visit to this
internationally important reserve. From the viewpoint at the Visitor
Centre the old breed of British white cattle, Highland cattle and a herd
of black fallow deer were seen grazing. The number of land bird species
counted was 26 (notably sparrowhawk, tree creeper, mistle thrush, linnet
and a singing chiffchaff) and as for birds associated with water, 19
species were seen. From the several hides pintail, shoveler, snipe and
a pair of greylag geese were identified among the many ducks and geese
on the water meadows.
FEBRUARY 2009
Saturday 28th
SOLAR BOAT TRIP FROM (WEST) ITCHENOR: BIRD WATCHING
Leader: Judith Kusel
In very calm conditions members joined the last bird-watching 'voyage' of the
Solar Heritage catamaran to enjoy the experience of gliding silently in
Chichester Harbour.
Among the species seen were black-tailed and bar-tailed godwit, curlew, shelduck,
red-breasted merganser, redshank, lapwing, teal, ringed and grey plover and
dunlin. Turnstones perched on old wooden stakes, a large flock of oystercatchers
rested on a shingle bank, and the special treat of the morning was to have a
very close view of a peregrine perched on a concrete pipe and unconcerned as the
boat passed by.
JANUARY 2009
Saturday 31st
WINTER BIRDS AT COBNOR POINT, CHICHESTER HARBOUR
Leaders: Chris Rhodes and Ann Fitchett
Two of our
members acted as able leaders on the walk on Chidham
Peninsular, arriving at Cobnor Point for a picnic lunch. Here many
birds were feeding on the mudflats as the tide advanced. During the day
nearly 40 species were counted. Notable were snipe, red-breasted
mergansers, ringed plover, dunlin, knot, pintail, goldeneye and 13
avocets, with two members witnessing a peregrine that put up a group of
dunlin with a black-tailed godwit.
Wednesday 28th
MID-WEEK MEANDER: MILLBRIDGE AND SPREAKLEY
Leader: Margaret Hibbard
The morning walk
followed footpaths across fields and skirted the
southern branch of the River Wey, where, near the disused Malt House,
was a bank of snowdrops. A yellowhammer, a party of long-tailed tits,
tall trees bearing many clumps of mistletoe and flowers of red and white
dead-nettle were some of the winter sights.
PAST
EVENTS - 2008
DECEMBER 2008
Saturday 6th
MANAGEMENT
OF LYNCHMERE COMMON
Leader: Hilary Adair
Members were very impressed with what has been achieved by
the Lynchmere
Society in their on-going work to restore the area as lowland heath. In
the past three years Shetland cattle have been brought in, felling of
some silver birch and Scots pine has taken place, views have been opened
up, a World War 11 ditch for a gun emplacement was uncovered and two
hidden ponds have been cleared and scraped. Heather now flourishes in
some areas, charcoal is made on site and there has been an increase in
species of plants, butterflies and reptiles.
