Mistle thrush

On McIntyres Field on Thursday, a Mistle Thrush took control of the territory at the intersection of the mowed pathways. A familiar sight at this time of year and possibly a migrant from Scandinavia or Northern Europe, it is not seen during the summer.

Mowing

The Meadow was cut soon after the previous post.

Butterfly Meadow

At the time of writing, the meadow south of the dewpond has yet to be cut this year.
It was not cut last year either and the result is a mass of Dogwood brush and patches of Gorse and Hawthorn where the grass and herbs were becoming established.

Jay birds

Three Jay birds were seen in the area of the Chalk pit this afternoon, two were flying over the chalkpit area heading towards the arable field to the north. The third was on a tv airial in Ring Road just below the chalkpit area.

Shaggy Pholiota

i1653, originally uploaded by Ray-of-Sun.

growing on the base of a dying Ash tree

Harlequin Ladybirds

An apparent swarm of alien Harlequin Ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis) have been making a nuisance of themselves around the Dewpond seats.
I sat there in the exceptional warm sunshine for about twenty minutes and was constantly harassed by the alien beetles landing on me or passing over my head

Friends Coffee morning

Coffee Morning is on 27th October at the usual venue
The Holy Family Catholic Church Hall at Monks Farmhouse in North Road commencing at 10:00am.
Participants are requested to arrive soon after 9:00 to help set up.
I will be presenting a small display of photos from the recent tree planting last weekend, along with some photos supplied by Bob Brown of the clump as it was twenty years ago.

There will also be a computer slide show.

ring tree planting

ring treeplanting 1499, originally uploaded by Ray-of-Sun.

Grace Heath and Jim Hoare with the newly planted Beech commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Great storm

Lancing Ring tree planting 1486

Lancing Ring tree planting 1486, originally uploaded by Ray-of-Sun.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Great Storm of 1987, the Friends of Lancing Ring planted this Beech tree in the woodland where many of the original trees were lost.

The Friends are appealing for any photographs of the Clump, before and after the Great Storm.

If you can help please contact me ray hamblett

lancing ring

lancing ring, originally uploaded by Ray-of-Sun.

If anyone is in the vicinity of Lancing Ring at 10:30am on Sunday 21st October, there will be a ceremonial tree planting to commemorate the Great Storm of 1987
The local press will be sent images of the event.
I will be taking photos'

2006 Butterfly list

The list below is from data supplied by the Sussex branch of Butterfly Conservation.
It represents totals for butterfly species in 2006 recorded from a regular transect survey by Bert Laker

Ragwort

During my walk through McIntyres Field on Sunday I noticed a that there were a lot of uprooted Ragwort plants that had been left on the footpath through the field.
This concerned me, I wondered who had been pulling it out and for what reason.
I understand that it is toxic to mammals such as Horses and Cattle if eaten, the pathway through the meadow is used by horse riders to access the bridleway at the top. I wondered if riders have been pulling the plants.
Whoever is responsible seems unaware that the plants are more dangerous left strewn on the pathways, where they could be handled by toddlers or eaten by passing animals who find it more palatable when dry!

July butterflies

On the reserve i met local recorder Bert Laker on a transect walk across the reserve.
I joined him for part of his walk, several species in flight including Marbled White, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Large White.
Marbled Whites were most numerous, in one small patch of Scabious plants in the Chalkpit a dozen individuals were basking.

On the meadow

A much needed change in the weather as the sun shone for the day and prompted a walk on the butterfly meadow. On the approach path from the cemetery Comma and Red Admiral were common, on the lower path of the meadow Marbled White and Small Skipper were common.
The recent rains have made the grass much more vigourous than is normal, some of it stood up to 4ft tall.

Bats

Thursday: Local walk organised by Andy Brook to see Bats on McIntyres field.
At height of activity about ten bats were estimated but difficult to verfify in poor light.
Species not confirmed. Daubenton's was suggested but the habitat and location was not typical for that species. I believe they may have been Serotine (Eptesicus serotinus), I recall from communications with the Sussex Bat group that this species were known for this habitat.