Field Meeting

Leader: Jon Taylor (HNHS member)Crossing Grayswood’s Village Green a pair of Carrion Crows was probing in the grass. These (and other covid and owl species) bond early in the spring.Jon explained that birds’ calls include songs, usually by the male, when establishing or needing to hold a territory and to attract a mate; and alarm […]

Leaders: Phil Darley and Doug Maughan (HNHS members)Bright sunshine made for good viewing conditions and having watched garden bird species in Fattengares Courtyard’s feeding station, the group of 22 members was divided into two and continued to the hides.There were large numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard and Pintail.A very distant perching White-tailed Eagle was […]

Leader:  Andy Swan (HNHS member) About 24 species were recognised, but many Lichens require microscopy and chemical tests.  St. Mary’s headstones had a reputation as being very interesting in the last century when atmospheric pollution prevented their growth in urban areas.  20 members attended. Found were: orange patches of Caloplaca flavescens on marble surfaces; dark […]

Leader: Paul Nevett (HNHS member) Thick mist remained all morning. In addition to garden birds, Paul drew attention to the occasional Redwing, Bullfinch, Brambling, Redpoll and Goldcrest in the canopy and sightings of Stonechat and Treecreeper.Small pits in the sandstone may have been where lumps of chert were sought for use in gun flints, producing […]

Leaders:  Phil Darley and Douglas Maughan (HNHS members) Seen from the hide overlooking Ferry Pool were Shovelers, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Black-headed Gulls and Mallards.Nearly a dozen butterflies were encountered: Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Small White.At Church Norton a family of Goldcrest was accompanied by Long-tailed Tits and beyond the incoming tide seen were […]

Despite consistently damp weather, the fungal season had been poor and only 31 species (with 40% being wood-rotters) were found on this renowned site.Near the track were “fibrecaps”; fungi with unambiguous smells were Garlic Parachute and Sulphur Knight that smells of coal gas; also found were a coral fungus, the wood-staining Chlorociboria aeruginascens and a […]

Leader: Matt Bramich (Reserve Manager) Seventeen members explored this new venue, once known for fen plants until scrub invaded with lack of grazing. Water percolates downhill, seeping out between Bargate Beds and Sandgate Beds.The valley bottom has five bays where contractors have removed scrub and excavated scrapes, all to encourage the return of a rich […]

Leader: Fiona Haynes (Reserve Manager: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust) The only butterfly seen was Common Blue, but with entomologist Scotty Dodd present with his sweep-net, many other creatures were identified. Notable were Tortoise Bug, Common Striped Woodlouse, Roesel’s Cricket, a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Heath Snail and Hairy Snail and a Wasp Spider. Flowering […]

Leader: Rob Eadie (Volunteer Reserve Manager) Managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust, this site has chalk grassland, chalk heathland and an important Juniper colony.Butterflies were few but the flowering plants were of interest: Small Scabious, Clustered and Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Round-headed Rampion, Squinancywort, Eyebright, Marjoram, the parasite Dodder with small white flowers and Autumn Ladies Tresses Orchid.Remarkable […]

The weather was poor (dull, overcast and a fair breeze) for finding butterflies; only 6 species in low numbers. 2024 is being reported everywhere as a poor year.However, the flowers on the chalk downland were superb. To name a few: Field Scabious, Wild Marjoram, Meadow Cranesbill, Pyramidal Orchid, Greater Knapweed, Dark Mullein and Red Bartsia.Interesting […]