Events

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Leader: Paul Matson (Sussex Ornithological Society member).Report to be posted shortly.

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.  […]

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 […]

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, […]

A very successful morning was spent in excellent light conditions enabling easier recognition of bird species. For birds associated with land, 24 species were seen including a male Kestrel, perched on top of a tree very close to members and remaining there for 10 minutes or more.In the flooded fields more than 16 species of birds […]