Devil’s Punchbowl
Cluster of Trooping Funnel fungi Clitocybe geotropa Click for photo
Events
Plaistow
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly found in Church
Early spring heathland birds on Lavington Common (National Trust)
Leader: Alan Perry (HNHS member and Emeritus President of Sussex Ornithological Society) 28 bird species were located by 13 members on this SSSI site (south of Petworth) of 95acres of dry and wet heath, acid grass and woodland. Three notable heathland species were seen: Woodlark frequently singing and tumbling in their display flight, Stonechat males […]
Fossils at Bracklesham Bay
Leader: David Bone (Geologist and Chair: Sussex Geodiversity Partnership) The date and time of 13.45 were chosen as having good probability for finding fossils in the clay sediments during a receding falling tide. David, a local expert geologist, gave a short talk to 21 people describing the site and showed examples of what might be found […]
Signs of spring on a Shillinglee walk
Leader: Jon Taylor (HNHS member) Birds seen or heard included: Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Stock Dove, Skylark, Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Red Kite, Pied Wagtail and Mandarin Duck.In flower were: Bitter Cress, Common Dog Violet, Dog’s Mercury, Barren Strawberry, Lesser Celandine and Moschatel. Blackthorn bushes were laden with blossom.Badger latrines were found and in muddy tracks Jon […]
Solar Boat, West Itchenor: Bird Watching (Chichester Harbour Conservancy)
Even before the 25 members went on board, seen was a Black-throated Diver, not often present in Chichester Harbour.John Arnott and his wife Philippa helped identify species and he gave a most interesting commentary on their feeding habits and history.Seen were: Little Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Plover, Shelduck, Redshank, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Mute Swan, Heron, Teal, […]
Winter birds at Pulborough Brooks Reserve (RSPB)
After flooding in October and January, areas of flood water were still frozen at the shallow edges and grassland was reappearing. Most of the ducks and waders were feeding a long way from the hides.There were two exciting sights: White-tailed Eagles and Snipe. One of the Eagles was first located through a ’scope as a […]
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
After the short business meeting there will be an illustrated Talk. Wildlife Projects in Haslemere and BeyondSpeaker: Gareth Matthes (Ecologist and HNHS member) Gareth, as a local ecologist, spoke to an audience of 39 of wide-ranging schemes and plans with which he is involved.He gave a number of useful contact details should members want to […]
Swallows and martins
Paul Stevens (Ecologist with increasing specialisation in hirundines and swifts) To a large audience of 60, Paul’s photos showed the physical difference between these species.Barn Swallow: Besides barns will nest in out-houses with an open door. Mud is collected and added to an existing nest or to build a new one. There can be 3 […]
in the Night: Britain’s nocturnal wildlife
Speaker: Michael Blencowe (Sussex naturalist, co-author of “Butterflies of Sussex” and wildlife guide) An audience of over 60 enjoyed the presentation which had not only photographs but sounds of birds and entertaining, animated comments and diagrams.By the use of trail cameras and ultraviolet torches Michael recounted his night excursions, including:In the garden: sounds of Green […]