Lancing Ring LNR Sightings

New location of FoLR website

2009-03-30T10:55:00.000Z

http://folr.wordpress.com

Chalk Pit History

2009-02-05T12:14:00.001Z

Can any reader point me to a picture or description of the former Chalk pit at Lancing Ring LNR . please

FOLR Autumn Coffee Morning

2008-10-12T18:43:00.003Z

The next event in our calendar is the Autumn Coffee morning. This will be held on Sat 25 October 2008 between 10am and 12 noon at the Holy Family Catholic Church Hall, North Road, Lancing There will be refreshments, a raffle, book and plant sales and bric-a-brac stall.

Why not come along and have a cup of tea or coffee and try your luck with our raffle? If anyone has any bric-a-brac items to bring along, they would be most gratefully received at the start of the day. We are also looking for puzzles - jigsaw puzzles especially - so if you have any that you have finished with and no longer need please do bring them along. There will be other puzzles on sale if you wish to look

for another one to do!

From Lancing Ring complete

Coffee Morning

2008-04-02T13:57:00.003Z

Spring Coffee Morning Followed by short annual general meeting

Saturday 5th April

Commences 10am at the
The Holy Family Catholic Church Hall at Monks Farmhouse in North Road

2291

2008-02-01T16:59:00.002Z

From Lancing Ring complete

Believe this to be a small Common Lizard in hibernation.
It was found under a piece of log in a warm part of McIntyres Field on February 1st

Tree Planting

2008-01-20T09:14:00.000Z

Thanks to everyone who attended.
Photos will be sent to the Lancing Herald for this week publication.
check this site for a selection of pictures coming soon.
Here's Grace..

Link to Slide Show

(clearance to publish minors is assumed, contact me if you wish to withdraw)

Friends Newsletter

2008-01-13T11:11:00.000Z

"Winter Newsletter 2007/8"
Most important news for this edition of the newsletter is the tree planting which is to take place on Sunday 20th January, 2008. We are hoping to plant about 50 whips and will need all the help we can muster to complete the task.

It is an historic event to mark the 20th anniversary of the great storm of October 1987, so please come along and bring your children, they can look at the fully grown trees and say to their children and grandchildren - 'I was there when they were planted'.

Ann White - Secretary
01903 851152

Meet at the Mill Road car Park at 10.00am, bring a spade.

Early Bumblebee on the Gorse

2008-01-06T22:25:00.000Z

Bumble bees were active on the Gorse bushes of Lancing Ring today, I would say they were male Bombus terrestris, showing the whitish tails and two yellow bars.
I counted four individuals there was almost certainly more.
The weather was warm and sunny at about 10C
Click here for Image

Mistle thrush

2007-12-24T09:44:00.001Z

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

2007-12-24T09:43:00.000Z

The Meadow was cut soon after the previous post.

Butterfly Meadow

2007-11-08T12:47:00.000Z

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

2007-11-07T16:17:00.001Z

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

2007-11-03T17:51:00.001Z

i1653, originally uploaded by Ray-of-Sun.

growing on the base of a dying Ash tree

Harlequin Ladybirds

2007-11-03T16:19:00.000Z

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

2007-10-25T15:12:00.000Z

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

2007-10-24T19:11:00.001Z

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

2007-10-21T12:07:00.001Z

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

2007-10-15T13:41:00.001Z

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

2007-07-23T09:54:00.000Z

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

2007-07-16T08:12:00.000Z

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

2007-07-15T11:39:00.000Z

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

2007-07-08T16:02:00.000Z

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

2007-06-30T10:14:00.000Z

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.

Grass Vetchling

2006-06-11T18:58:00.000Z

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

2006-05-26T08:34:00.000Z

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

2006-05-19T15:13:00.000Z

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

2006-05-16T14:06:00.000Z

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

2006-04-17T19:15:00.000Z

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

2006-04-17T18:05:00.000Z

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

2006-04-08T18:46:00.000Z

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

2006-04-02T12:02:00.000Z

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

2006-03-30T16:22:00.000Z

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

2006-03-29T12:41:00.000Z

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

2006-03-21T16:01:00.000Z

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

2006-03-08T15:47:00.000Z

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

I like these pictures found on Flickr

Peacock

2006-03-06T17:50:00.000Z

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

2006-03-01T10:40:00.000Z

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

2006-02-19T12:13:00.000Z

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

2006-02-16T16:47:00.000Z

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

2006-02-16T15:28:00.000Z

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

Sweet Violets

2006-02-16T13:59:00.000Z

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

Sycamore clearance

2006-02-08T09:42:00.000Z

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

2006-02-06T08:54:00.000Z

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

2006-01-03T11:28:00.000Z

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.

NATIONAL TREE WEEK TALK

2005-11-12T15:06:00.000Z

18 November 2005
Event: NATIONAL TREE WEEK PRESENTATION
Venue: Marlipins Museum, High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea
Time: 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm
Speaker: Jon Stokes (Tree Council)

http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/

November walk

2005-11-02T16:17:00.000Z

The first day of November was largely bright and warmer than average.
On Lancing Ring a large cloud looked threatening but passed over and warm sun shone through.
Two Red Admiral butterflies patrolled their territory, one in the lane aproaching the car park, the other flew from the Beech trees at the clump down the slope to the Sloe bushes and back. Into the woods of Beech and Ash trees where several clumps of Shaggy Pholiotas were congregated around the base of one Ash tree. Further down the slope small groups of Agaricus mushrooms opened their caps under the canopy.
In the soft clay of the dewpond bank a group of fungi, possibly identified as Pholiota gummosa, yet to be confirmed. Close by a small Beetle broke cover, it apeared to have a swollen body it turns out to be a gravid female Leaf Beetle called Galeruca tanaceti.
In the short grass area around the Dewpond many small fungi sprouted in the turf, among them a distinctive Yellow Waxcap, Hygrocybe chlorophana. A small red one just emerging may have been the Scarlet Waxcap Hygrocybe coccinea. Previously there had been a lot of Parasol Mushrooms but the entire crop had gone, possibly perished but likely they were picked as they are edible.

The Dewpond had not held water for the latter half of the summer and by October had dried up, a leak was located by council staff and repaired. Clay that had slumped has been repositioned to cover the exposed liner revealed by the activity of the many dogs that have been able to jump into the pond.
The fence that was put up to prevent this has been repaired and it is hoped dog owners will respect this restriction.

Scarcity of Butterflies

2005-08-04T17:47:00.000Z

4 August 2005

Scarcity of Butterflies

Although warm (21.9 ºC), it was slightly overcast in the late morning on
Lancing (Sussex) Ring and meadows (including McIntyre's field), but even
making allowances for the weather, the butterfly numbers were disappointing
and much less than previous years. In about an hour, there were not many
more than a hundred butterflies of the following species (listed in order
first seen): Speckled Wood Butterflies (12+), Common Blues (12+), Meadow
Browns (60+), a possible Holly Blue, Gatekeepers (20+), Large Whites (12+),
Red Admirals (4), Small Whites (3+), Chalkhill Blues (4+) Brown Argus (1),
Marbled White (1) and Small (or Essex) Skipper (1). A dozen or so 6-spot
Burnet Moths were noted.

These restored meadows are not an area for Chalkhill Blues, but usually
thousands of Common Blues are to be discovered. A Wall Brown would be usual
as well, but these may have been missed. Marbled Whites are near their end.

Nature Notes for Lancing Ring
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/LancRin2005.htm

Adur Butterfly & Large Moth List (Microsoft Internet Explorer recommended
for this page.)
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Butterfly-list2005.html

Adur Valley (West Sussex) Nature Notes
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Adur2005.html
Adur Valley Nature Notes: August 2005
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Aug2005.html
><< ( ( ( ' >

Winged Conehead

2005-08-03T20:52:00.000Z

A short walk through the butterfly Meadow late on Wednesday evening as the sun began to set. The butterflies were all at rest, a few could be disturbed by walking off the path and into the flowery meadow. In poor light the easiest to make out were a couple of Common Blues. Meadow Brown were also prompted to fly for a brief time but soon settled back into the grass and flowers. Every footstep caused a panic among the many Grasshoppers and Crickets as they sprang clear of danger.
Some like this Long Winged Conehead could be caught and would even rest on the hand while a photograph was taken.

Vollucella

2005-07-08T16:45:00.000Z

I saw my first Volucella pellucens on McIntyres Field on Thursday, this is a large distinctive Hoverfly with a large white band below the thorax http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ray.hamblett1/nature/flies.html#Volucella_pellucens

This one seems to have a damaged left wing and there is a small nick out the tip of the right wing

Lancing Ring meadows

2005-06-24T19:49:00.000Z

23 June 2005
I saw my first Marbled White and Brown Argus Butterflies on Lancing Ring meadows, (but Ray Hamblett had already seen these butterflies this year). Unidentified skippers could have been the first Small Skippers of the year, but they would not remain still long enough for identification. I think they were Large Skippers. The first blue was a Holly Blue, the second a confirmed Brown Argus before I found by first Common Blue in just a small area of Lancing Ring meadows. Meadow Browns were at first counted and then estimated at over 75 and this was only part of a much larger population.

Kidney Vetch on Lancing Ring meadows

Nine species of butterfly were discovered on a brief visit to Lancing Ring with two species found elsewhere.

Webs of the large predatory spider Agelena labyrinthica were seen amongst the grasses and herbs on the Lancing Ring meadows but none of the spiders were visible. Kidney Vetch was common in the undergrowth this year, but despite a brief search no Small Blue Butterflies were found. There was a Cinnabar Moth just north of the cemetery near Lancing Ring.

The highest air temperature this year, so far, was 28.4 ºC at 5:16 pm to 5:40 pm, humidity 52%.

Adur Nature Notes 2005

Saturday Walk

2005-06-18T14:20:00.000Z

A walk around the low meadow in temperatures of around 24C a few butterflies were active.
Most obvious were Common Blues I counted at least 8.
Meadow Browns made an appearance, I made a mental note of six individuals.

A Small Heath flittered around the edge of the meadow by the low path.
On the other side of the path on Dogwood a Red Admiral took off as I passed.
From the edge of a clump of shrubs a large Dragonfly took to the wing.
As I walked towards the Dewpond a large Rabbit sat poised on it's haunches to get a better view of any potential danger. It remained as I photographed it's pose.

A few feet further ahead of me a small Fox with it's back towards me turned to watch me approach before disappearing into cover.

Before I left a Burnet Companion Moth caught my attention.

Yellow Shell Moth

2005-06-15T08:58:00.000Z

This blogger is for all visitors to Lancing Ring to add their own sightings of any wildlife they encounter.
First post 2.2.2005

To take part send an email to ray hamblett requesting an invitation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition to the sightings mentioned previously I also saw this Moth which I have now idendified with help from Ian Kimber at UK Moths
as a Yellow Shell

Lancing Ring Nature

2005-06-15T08:32:00.000Z

Lancing Ring Nature

Lancing Ring Nature Notes from Andy Horton

Early Marbled White

2005-06-15T07:45:00.000Z

For an hour's meandering amble around Lancing Ring on a bright blustery day I think I did well to see Marbled White, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Red Admiral butterflies mostly in the sheltered places away from the force 4-5 breeze.
My star find for the day was a single stem of Grass Vetchling, (Lathyrus nissolia, I have only seen this elusive plant once before on the Meadow, the plant is not nationally rare but it is on Lancing Ring.

My Marbled White is early, previous sightings have been in early July

It's nice to see the Greater Knapweed showing again, this one is a bit early

There was a lot of birdsong on the way and one distinctive call led me to see a red chested Linnet perched on top of a Hawthorn clump.

Holly Blue, Elm and Wild Cherry

2005-04-10T20:40:00.000Z

Dutch Elm and Wild Cherry, I believe are the trees marking the route past the Lancing Manor allotments as one approaches McIntyres field. The white flowers of the cherry are opening as the leaves of the Elm are unfolding.

As I walked past a yellow Brimstone butterfly flew from about 8ft to about 20ft and disappeared into the greenery
A few minutes earlier in the lane from The Street I watched a Holly Blue in flight as it climbed over the Leylandii hedge of the park boundary.

Early Butterflies

2005-04-02T14:22:00.000Z

My quest to find a positive view of Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni on Lancing Ring LNR was successful today. Taking a walk on the west side where ribbons and clumps of Hawthorn, Elder and Bramble break up the Brachypodium smothered grass slope. The western-most perimeter adjoins an arable field, here fluttering over the Bramble a bright yellow male Brimstone butterfly patrolled back and forth over about 200 yards of it's territory. It's was not in the mood for resting so a photo was out of the question.

My first view of the Brimstone was a couple of weeks ago but so brief as to be hard to be confident that it was not a leaf in an updraft of wind.
A Peacock was less elusive. At least one, probably more settled on the short grass path during my quest.

Butterflies

2005-03-26T18:06:00.000Z

This blogger is for all visitors to Lancing Ring to add their own sightings of any wildlife they encounter.
First post 2.2.2005

To take part send an email to ray hamblett requesting an invitation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peacock, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies have all been found in flight on Lancing Ring recently.
I have discovered their favoured site is on the eastern edge of the lower meadow adjacent to the woodland spinny leading to the main Mill Road car park.

March Walk

2005-03-21T08:54:00.000Z

This blogger is for all visitors to Lancing Ring to add their own sightings of any wildlife they encounter.
First post 2.2.2005

To take part send an email to ray hamblett requesting an invitation.

Following the Friends AGM and Coffee Morning/Table Sale in which Katherine's book and toy stall raised £7.00 for the group funds, Jan, Katherine, Andy Horton and I set off on a walk on Lancing Ring, our designated Local Nature Reserve.
We began at the car park at Lancing Manor Leisure centre and headed towards the allotments and McInyres Field.
The first invertebrates found were 7-Spot Ladybird beetles in the emergent growth of Stinging Nettle around the perimetre fence of the allotment.
An inspection of our own allotment plot revealed more ladybirds and a Short-tailed Vole in it's hiding place under an old wooden door
The walk progressed on through the grass stubble field to the exit at the top where in small clearing a basking Comma butterfly was spotted. From there on to the Chalk Pit where three Jay birds were sighted in tall trees at the base of the chalky slope. Continuing on and up through 'Barton's Wood' into the grassland area. As we emerged out into the light a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly flew across my path closely followed by a Comma butterfly, the two were in aerial combat competing for territory. In the same few yards a Peacock butterfly had staked a claim on a sunny patch of dried grass.
Moving on up to the Dewpond we identified a group of Yellowhammer birds among the small trees around the pond.
After a loop around the lower meadow where on two occassions a butterfly darted over the top of the hedgerow before identification was possible.
When arriving back on the flint track near the old Barton's Farm a Kestrel was seen within 200 yards of us perched on a telephone cable post. In the distant hedgerow on the far side of the sheep grazing meadow another Kestrel could just be made out through binoculars.
This marked the end of our interesting wildlife spotting walk, the return stretch to the car park was uneventful.

Friends of Lancing Ring: AGM & Coffee Morning

2005-03-18T18:12:00.000Z

Friends of Lancing Ring: AGM & Coffee Morning
Saturday 19th March 2005, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Venue: Church of the Holy Family Church Hall, North Lancing
North Road (north of Somerfield)

Recommended. Friendly atmosphere.

McIntyres field

2005-02-27T14:09:00.003Z

Situated north of the Lancing Manor allotments, McIntyres field is a former Cabbage patch that has been returned to nature and is now managed as a grass meadow. The field is cut once a year in late autumn and the arisings are removed to be composted. Surrounded on three sides by a thin ribbon of Ivy laced woodland and fringed with bramble and nettle scrub, it is sheltered from the cold northeasterly winds, especially at the edges where a mown path allows walkers to enjoy the wildlife. Friday 25th was a cold day with icy winds blowing from the north east, at the top of the field in a few moments of sunshine it was pleasantly warm. In the open field where the meadow grass had not begun to sprout new growth, two thrush-like birds foraged in the stubble. Without binoculars it was difficult to identify them at first but they remained long enough to get a better look. It was soon obvious that they were *Redwings*. This was confirmed when consulting a bird guide book later. The path at the top of the field is sheltered from the effect of the wind by a dense barrier of scrub and taller trees separating the field from the open farmland of Lancing College. On this edge, some distance away I spotted a small pale object fluttering over the top of *Bramble* and *Privet*. I am fairly sure it was not a leaf as it was maintaining purposeful flight, I concluded it most likely to be a Brimstone butterfly. This might be one of the first reported sightings this year in the UK. A small bird movement in the privet alerted us to the presence of others close by. There were three, possibly more *Long-tailed Tits*. Before heading for home, a short investigative walk through the gap in the windbreak to the wind exposed pathway alongside the farmland to check if any animals were in the sheep grazing meadow. Sometimes there are *Foxes* seen here, but it was not to be on this occasion. Feeling too cold to continue this route we turned for home.

General Map

2005-02-03T11:36:00.000Z

Vehicle access is only possible on the yellow routes. The green routes are bridlepaths including cycles. The central route (3) has a vehicle height restriction. So no coaches, small buses for old people.

I expect this is the idea of the South Downs Conservation Board. Barrier constructed without public consultation.

New Recording Blog

2005-02-02T17:49:00.000Z

This blogger is for all visitors to Lancing Ring to add their own sightings of any wildlife they encounter.
First post 2.2.2005

To take part send an email to ray hamblett requesting an invitation.