Holly Blue, Elm and Wild Cherry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.