Grass Vetchling

Grass Vetchling
Originally uploaded by Ray Haych.

One of thousands of the these plants growing in the lower half of McIntyres Field on Lancing Ring

Roe Deer on Lancing Ring LNR

Roe Deer on Lancing Ring LNR
Originally uploaded by Ray Haych.

We spotted this fine beast on the western slope overlooking Halewick recreation ground.

Something new in the Dewpond

Something new in the Dewpond
Originally uploaded by Ray Haych.

A new inhabitant of the Dewpond has been seen hunting for Frogs and Newts

Early Purple Orchids

Early Purple Orchids
Originally uploaded by Ray Haych.

A good display of Early Purple Orchids are now in full bloom in the Ash woodland under the developing leaf canopy.

Bumblebees

Today has been a busy one for the Bumblebees. Many were in flight around the Ring as we wandered on the lower slopes. Most seemed to be Bombus terrestris, the Buff-tailed Bumblebee.
There were two Bombus lapidarius, the easy to identify Red Tailed Bumblebee.
Often they were found on the ground amongst the grass, it was a rather cool wind and the bees were conserving their energy reserves

Spring Butties

On Lancing Ring LNR above the cemetary, there is a large area of nettles, probably covers about an acre. Currently looking lush as they are beginning their new seasons growth, they stand about 6-10 inches tall.
Treading through this we disturbed 6 Small Tortoiseshells and a single Peacock.
Had it been warmer with more sun I felt sure a lot more would have shown.
The weather was cool but the sun occasionally appeared between breaks in the billowing cloud.

Butterlies

In warm sun but breezy in exposed areas, Jan Hamblett spotted a large Red Fox at Bartons Farm, a Brimstone butterfly at the Cemetery seat, and two Tortoiseshell duelling butterflies at the top of butterfly meadow near to Brian Old's seat. Finally she saw a Red Admiral on the ground south of the car park on the grassy area after walking through the wooded copse.

McIntyre's Field

1 April 2006
Spring has finally arrived under a blue sky with the warm rays of the afternoon sun, the flowers were out on Lancing Manor and McIntyre's Field (east of Lancing Clump): Lesser Celandine, Field Speedwell, Sweet Violets, Chickweed and Red Dead Nettle were noted in profusion. Katherine Hamblett was the first to spot one of the frequent 7-spot Ladybirds. Queen Buff-tailed Bumblebees crawled from their holes in the mown ground before buzzing off. A single medium-sized Syrphus hoverfly was spotted on a sun bathed leaf. Adur Bumblebees
The air temperature reached 12.9 ºC at 3:19 pm.
Jan Hamblett spotted a Peacock Butterfly at the bottom of McIntyre's Field and Ray Hamblett spotted a Comma Butterfly at the top. The latter was the first of the year. A Green Woodpecker called noisily from the wood to the east of the field.

Spring Table Sale

Please come to the Spring Table Sale and coffee morning on April 1st at the The Holy Family Catholic Church Hall at Monks Farmhouse in North Road from 10am.
I will be exhibiting a selection of images from around the clump as a computer slide show.

Butterflies

Report from 28th March from Andy Brook

Dru is just back from her "constitutional" walk (1.00pm) and reports one Painted Lady Butterfly and one Red Admiral butterfly in McIntyres field just above the allotments!

spring must be here!

Badgers

I have been asked by a Lancing resident if I know of a 'Badger Watch' on Lancing Ring.
I was not able to help but I am able to publicize the enquiry.
If anyone knows of any small local groups who are actively monitoring the Badgers, my correspondent would like to take part.
Note that I will not publish any specific information of Badger set locations.

Lancing ring in the snow

http://www.flickr.com/photos/manjushri/sets/1116628/

I like these pictures found on Flickr

Peacock

The first Peacock butterfly of the year has ben reported by Dru Brook, it was seen near the car park.
The temperature has improved today and almost managed 10ºC on the garden thermometer

Bridle path on Lancing Ring

1st March 2006
Horse Riding on Lancing Ring is currently not officially permitted , however it does occur and is tolerated by the land owner Adur District Council provided the riders act with due consideration to other members of the public on the land.
It has been proposed that a permissive bridle pathway is laid out with marker posts denoting the route that riders can use and for the public to be aware that horses may be passing through.
The Friends committee have agreed in principal to this and wish to poll the views of the ordinary members of the group and the general public of Lancing who share the area.
Please come along and air your views at the forthcoming AGM and coffee morning on April 1st at the The Holy Family Catholic Church Hall at Monks Farmhouse in North Road from 10am.

Send your views by email to lancing.nature@ntlworld.com
Your viewpoint will get through to the Adur District Council landowner.

Ray Hamblett
Lancing Ring
Committee member

Spurge Laurel

Daphne laureola is an evergreen shrub that has been slowly increasing under the shady canopy.
There are several well established plants to be found mostly beneath the Ash trees.
Seen here it flowers in February and has a honey scent. The whole plant is poisonous.

Dewpond

This notice was attached to the fence around the dewpond before Christmas when the fence was repaired. Predictably it has now been torn off.
This may act as a reminder that the public and their dogs have been asked to stay out of the area

Lancing Rings

Surface of cut Ash Tree at showing the rings, note the growth is greater on the side facing south.

Sweet Violets

The first Sweet Violets are opening in a clearing of the woodland under Common Ash trees

Sycamore clearance

A small area of Sycamore has been cleared in the wood behind the Dewpond.
This has hte effect of opening up the space and allowing light to reach the floor.
It will be interesting to observe the effect on growth of plants and fungi among the leaf litter.
The cutting have been left in heaps where they will decompose.

Birds and Bees

The first Honeybee of the year

In the afternoon a chance to walk on Lancing Ring with the sun shining and feeling warm when sheltered from a cool northern wind. Good views were had of a Kestrel perching on Hawthorn overlooking the Vale of Halewick Lane.

Kestrel

A fellow walker reported that they had heard on good authority that Red Kite were breeding nearby to the Sompting Down area.
An exersize to reveal the inhabitants of Gorse bushes was carried out with a white cloth held under a bush while it was tapped with a stick. (Considerable care is needed to avoid the needle sharp leaves of the Gorse).
The insects that were collected were nearly all small and hard to identify but some were possibly some kind of Seed Weevil, having as they did, a small snout.

Apion ulicis. A Gorse Seed Weevil measuring about 3mm
ID assistance from Malcolm Storey

Among them a 7-Spot ladybird made it the second of the day.
A Honeybee was active on the same bush, another one was spotted nearby.

Iced over

Happy New Year to all, this was the Dewpond on the 28th December during the brief cold spell.
The surface is frozen and has a dusting of snow over the ice, some of which has melted causing the odd patterns.