Nabble - Adastra

New Publication on British Grasses

2009-11-04T02:43:54Z

Grasses of the British Isles

Series: BSBI HANDBOOKS 13

Tom Cope and Alan Gray

612 pages, 220 full page illustrations.
Botanical Society of the British Isles

Softcover | 2009 | £19.99 |

#166205 | ISBN-13: 0901158429

Hardcover | 2009 | £24.99
#180837 | ISBN-13: 9780901158413

It is now over 50 years since the grasses of the British Isles were last subject to a book of their own (Hubbard, 1954, revised 1968 & 1984). Changes have since occured regarding the taxonomy of the families to justify a new BSBI Handbook. Grasses of the British Isles attempts to bridge the gap between the taxonomy of the 1980s and new molecular phylogenies that are currently being explored so that what is being offered is something that users will feel comfortable with but which hints at changes that may occur in the near future.

The species descriptions have been kept as brief as possible and are supported by keys to, and detailed descriptions of, tribes and genera, a move that has allowed expansion in other sections of the text. These keys are arranged by tribes and then genus allowing the user to check the specimen against a tribal description before moving on to genus and then on to a species.

The book contains descriptions of 15 tribes, 67 genera and 220 species and the information includes description, distribution, habitat and additional information as well as plates illustrating the different species.

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630

Some dates for your diaries...

2009-11-04T02:15:58Z

Some dates for your diaries...

A Series of Lectures Organised by the Sussex Ouse Conservation Society

The formation of the river
At Beechwood Hall, Beechwood Lane, Hamsey
Thursday, 26^th November 2009 starting at 7pm.
Geoff Mead of the University of Sussex will explain how the geology of
The Weald influenced the formation of the river.

The history of the river
The Lecture Room at Lewes Town Hall.
Friday 22^nd January 2010 starting at 7pm.
The eminent historian Dr. Peter Brandon will describe the impact of man throughout history on the structure of the river.

The ecology of the river
Plumpton Village Hall,
Thursday, 18^th February 2010 starting at 7 pm.
Dr.Martyn Stenning will show how the environment of the river has influenced the plants and animals that live there.

The present day demands on the river
The Lecture Room, Lewes Town Hall
Friday 19th March 2010 starting at 7pm.
John Spence of Southern Water will clarify the Water Framework Directive and its influence on current discharge and abstraction policies.

The presentations will last for approximately one hour followed by questions and refreshments.
Admission to lectures is free but donations will be welcome.
For more information contact Mary Parker Tel: 01273 400452

ole0.bmp (72K) Download Attachment

Re: Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-11-02T06:37:59Z

This is our third or fourth year of uninvited guests in the corners of our dormer windows. We expect a few more yet based on previous years. No more dusting or hoovering now until the spring

Glynn

From: Candida Gould <candida.gould@...>
To: Adastra discussion group <adastra@...>
Sent: Monday, 2 November, 2009 9:29:01
Subject: Re: [Adastra] Harlequins Ahoy!

We've had about 20 in the last few days, and we are in the Hollingdean area of Brighton.

Candi

From: Jonathan Simons <jsimons@...>
To: adastra@...
Sent: Fri, October 23, 2009 9:32:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Adastra] Harlequins Ahoy!

our flat has been invaded also over the last few days

PennyGreen wrote:

>
> Hi all,
>
> Has anyone else been experiencing the congregating groups of Harlequin
> Ladybirds that are just getting ready to over-winter?
>
> Here at Woods Mill we have 100's on the outside walls today, showing an
> array of the different sizes and colour pattern varieties. They're
> creeping in around the windows and through the keyholes to find a place
> to the spend winter.
>
> Don't forget to send us your Harlequin Ladybird records please!
>
> Best wishes, Penny
>
>
> Penny Green
> Species Officer
> Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
> Woods Mill, Henfield
> West Sussex, BN5 9SD
> Direct Line Tel: 01273 497521
> Fax: 0203 0700709
> e-mail: pennygreen@...
> sxbrc.org.uk
>
> The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is the centre for reference for
> authoritative information relating to biodiversity in Sussex, working in
> partnership with both data users and data providers for public benefit.
> SxBRC is funded by a wide range of bodies; for a full list please see
> sxbrc.org.uk
>
>
>
>
> Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the
> Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered
> Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office:
> Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630
>
>
>

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Re: Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-11-02T01:29:01Z

We've had about 20 in the last few days, and we are in the Hollingdean area of Brighton.

Candi

--
View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/Harlequins-Ahoy%21-tp26026945p26032819.html
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Re: Western conifer seed bugs in Sussex

2009-10-28T15:51:42Z

This grid ref. should read SZ 780 987.

Nick Gray.

Patrick,

My 8 year old son captured a fine specimen of Leptoglossus occidentalis in our bathroom today 28/10/09 at West Wittering PO20 8LY (SU 780 987) (see poor quality photo attached).

We still have the bug so to speak!

Western+Conifer+Seed+Bug+-+Leptoglossus+occidentalis+2.JPG

Nick Gray

Patrick Roper wrote:

Western conifer seed bugs in Sussex
Sep 02, 2009; 12:47pm — by Patrick Roper

An alien species from North America, the western conifer seed bug,
Leptoglossus occidentalis, has recently been reported....

Re: Western conifer seed bugs in Sussex

2009-10-28T15:41:32Z

Patrick,

My 8 year old son captured a fine specimen of Leptoglossus occidentalis in our bathroom today 28/10/09 at West Wittering PO20 8LY (SU 780 987) (see poor quality photo attached).

We still have the bug so to speak!

Western+Conifer+Seed+Bug+-+Leptoglossus+occidentalis+2.JPG

Nick Gray

Western conifer seed bugs in Sussex
Sep 02, 2009; 12:47pm — by Patrick Roper

An alien species from North America, the western conifer seed bug,
Leptoglossus occidentalis, has recently been reported....

Re: Brede High Wood fungi walk.

2009-10-28T11:45:54Z

Thanks Patrick.
In the book I was looking at Tyromyces chioneus or Postia subcaesia.
So I nearly had it.
Dave

Patrick Roper wrote:

Tyromyces chioneus

Patrick Roper

-----Original Message-----
From: adastra-bounces@lists.sxbrc.org.uk
[mailto:adastra-bounces@lists.sxbrc.org.uk] On Behalf Of Dave Monk
Sent: 26 October 2009 15:51
To: adastra@lists.sxbrc.org.uk
Subject: [Adastra] Brede High Wood fungi walk.

Hi,
Re the Brede High Wood fungi walk. Does anyone know if Martin found out what
the birch bracket fungi was. It was the one that looked a bit like Birch
Polypore.
Thank Dave
--
View this message in context:
http://www.nabble.com/Brede-High-Wood-fungi-walk.-tp26062269p26062269.html
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08:10:00

Re: Brede High Wood fungi walk.

2009-10-27T17:25:48Z

Tyromyces chioneus

Patrick Roper

-----Original Message-----
From: adastra-bounces@...
[mailto:adastra-bounces@...] On Behalf Of Dave Monk
Sent: 26 October 2009 15:51
To: adastra@...
Subject: [Adastra] Brede High Wood fungi walk.

Hi,
Re the Brede High Wood fungi walk. Does anyone know if Martin found out what
the birch bracket fungi was. It was the one that looked a bit like Birch
Polypore.
Thank Dave
--
View this message in context:
http://www.nabble.com/Brede-High-Wood-fungi-walk.-tp26062269p26062269.html
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08:10:00

Brede High Wood fungi walk.

2009-10-26T08:50:58Z

Hi,
Re the Brede High Wood fungi walk. Does anyone know if Martin found out what the birch bracket fungi was. It was the one that looked a bit like Birch Polypore.
Thank Dave

Re: Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-10-24T11:38:41Z

I too live in a very old cottage (16th century) with white south facing walls which are hugely appealing to the Harlequins. There are also many nooks and crannies for them to hibernate in. They always arrive in October and then start emerging again on any sunny day from January. I have grown used to having them in the house from then until late April. This spring I removed 350 from inside the house usually when the numbers got up to 30+ at a time and I needed to have a clear out. They don't seem to cause any damage and my wife and kids don't seem to mind them either so looks like they're here to stay. This year I've tried a ladybird box outside but they seem to be ignoring it completely.

The main worry is what has happened to the 2 Spot Ladybirds. When I moved here in January 2005 I found about 150 2 Spots hibernating in a rotten window with one Harlequin (which it turned out was possibly the first record for Sussex). Yesterday when the count was 670 Harlequins I only found one 2 Spot. I hope that means they're spending the winter elsewhere rather than a population crash.

Tony Wilson

Edburton

----- Original Message -----

From: hwlgmatch@...

To: adastra@...

Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2009 5:20 PM

Subject: Re: [Adastra] Harlequins Ahoy!

Hi All,

Yes we are experiencing dozens of Harlequin ladybirds congregating on our west facing wall. We live in a late eighteenth century flint cottage and at some time in the distant past the west wall had a thin coating of concrete applied which becomes extremely warm when the sun is shining on it and the ladybirds love it. Old house = buckled window frames and dozens managed entry last year. We are more alert this year and remove them immediately!

Best wishes,

Howard Matcham

21 Temple Bar,

Strettington,

Chichester,

PO18 0LB

From: "PennyGreen@..." <PennyGreen@...>
To: adastra@...
Sent: Fri, 23 October, 2009 14:58:18
Subject: [Adastra] Harlequins Ahoy!

Hi all,

Has anyone else been experiencing the congregating groups of Harlequin Ladybirds that are just getting ready to over-winter?

Here at Woods Mill we have 100's on the outside walls today, showing an array of the different sizes and colour pattern varieties. They're creeping in around the windows and through the keyholes to find a place to the spend winter.

Don't forget to send us your Harlequin Ladybird records please!

Best wishes, Penny

Penny Green
Species Officer
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill, Henfield
West Sussex, BN5 9SD
Direct Line Tel: 01273 497521
Fax: 0203 0700709
e-mail: pennygreen@...
sxbrc.org.uk

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is the centre for reference for authoritative information relating to biodiversity in Sussex, working in partnership with both data users and data providers for public benefit.

SxBRC is funded by a wide range of bodies; for a full list please see sxbrc.org.uk

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630

Re: Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-10-24T09:20:45Z

Hi All,

Yes we are experiencing dozens of Harlequin ladybirds congregating on our west facing wall. We live in a late eighteenth century flint cottage and at some time in the distant past the west wall had a thin coating of concrete applied which becomes extremely warm when the sun is shining on it and the ladybirds love it. Old house = buckled window frames and dozens managed entry last year. We are more alert this year and remove them immediately!

Best wishes,

Howard Matcham

21 Temple Bar,

Strettington,

Chichester,

PO18 0LB

From: "PennyGreen@..." <PennyGreen@...>
To: adastra@...
Sent: Fri, 23 October, 2009 14:58:18
Subject: [Adastra] Harlequins Ahoy!

Hi all,

Has anyone else been experiencing the congregating groups of Harlequin Ladybirds that are just getting ready to over-winter?

Here at Woods Mill we have 100's on the outside walls today, showing an array of the different sizes and colour pattern varieties. They're creeping in around the windows and through the keyholes to find a place to the spend winter.

Don't forget to send us your Harlequin Ladybird records please!

Best wishes, Penny

Penny Green
Species Officer
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill, Henfield
West Sussex, BN5 9SD
Direct Line Tel: 01273 497521
Fax: 0203 0700709
e-mail: pennygreen@...
sxbrc.org.uk

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is the centre for reference for authoritative information relating to biodiversity in Sussex, working in partnership with both data users and data providers for public benefit.

SxBRC is funded by a wide range of bodies; for a full list please see sxbrc.org.uk

Re: Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-10-24T07:59:58Z

Harlequins Ahoy!

Over 100 on Peasmarsh Church 10/10/09

Gordon

From: PennyGreen@...

Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 2:58 PM

To: adastra@...

Subject: [Adastra] Harlequins Ahoy!

Hi all,

Has anyone else been experiencing the congregating groups of Harlequin Ladybirds that are just getting ready to over-winter?

Don't forget to send us your Harlequin Ladybird records please!

Best wishes, Penny

Penny Green
Species Officer
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill, Henfield
West Sussex, BN5 9SD
Direct Line Tel: 01273 497521
Fax: 0203 0700709
e-mail: pennygreen@...
sxbrc.org.uk

SxBRC is funded by a wide range of bodies; for a full list please see sxbrc.org.uk

Re: Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-10-24T05:49:50Z

Harlequins Ahoy!

I haven't got any harlequins! (NW Sussex)

Theresa

----- Original Message -----

From: PennyGreen@...

To: adastra@...

Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 2:58 PM

Subject: [Adastra] Harlequins Ahoy!

Hi all,

Has anyone else been experiencing the congregating groups of Harlequin Ladybirds that are just getting ready to over-winter?

Here at Woods Mill we have 100's on the outside walls today, showing an array of the different sizes and colour pattern varieties. They're creeping in around the windows and through the keyholes to find a place to the spend winter.

Don't forget to send us your Harlequin Ladybird records please!

Best wishes, Penny

Penny Green
Species Officer
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill, Henfield
West Sussex, BN5 9SD
Direct Line Tel: 01273 497521
Fax: 0203 0700709
e-mail: pennygreen@...
sxbrc.org.uk

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is the centre for reference for authoritative information relating to biodiversity in Sussex, working in partnership with both data users and data providers for public benefit.

SxBRC is funded by a wide range of bodies; for a full list please see sxbrc.org.uk

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630

Re: Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-10-24T02:58:51Z

Harlequins Ahoy!

There were an estimated 200, all apparently Harlequins, on my house at Barcombe in the sun yesterday..

Robin

----- Original Message -----

From: PennyGreen@...

To: adastra@...

Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 2:58 PM

Subject: [Adastra] Harlequins Ahoy!

Hi all,

Has anyone else been experiencing the congregating groups of Harlequin Ladybirds that are just getting ready to over-winter?

Here at Woods Mill we have 100's on the outside walls today, showing an array of the different sizes and colour pattern varieties. They're creeping in around the windows and through the keyholes to find a place to the spend winter.

Don't forget to send us your Harlequin Ladybird records please!

Best wishes, Penny

Penny Green
Species Officer
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill, Henfield
West Sussex, BN5 9SD
Direct Line Tel: 01273 497521
Fax: 0203 0700709
e-mail: pennygreen@...
sxbrc.org.uk

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is the centre for reference for authoritative information relating to biodiversity in Sussex, working in partnership with both data users and data providers for public benefit.

SxBRC is funded by a wide range of bodies; for a full list please see sxbrc.org.uk

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630

Re: Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-10-24T01:00:35Z

Harlequins Ahoy!

Hi Penny,

c.30+ on the walls of our flat yesterday 23rd Oct

TQ41 Lewes

Paul

----- Original Message -----

From: PennyGreen@...

To: adastra@...

Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 2:58 PM

Subject: [Adastra] Harlequins Ahoy!

Hi all,

Has anyone else been experiencing the congregating groups of Harlequin Ladybirds that are just getting ready to over-winter?

Here at Woods Mill we have 100's on the outside walls today, showing an array of the different sizes and colour pattern varieties. They're creeping in around the windows and through the keyholes to find a place to the spend winter.

Don't forget to send us your Harlequin Ladybird records please!

Best wishes, Penny

Penny Green
Species Officer
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill, Henfield
West Sussex, BN5 9SD
Direct Line Tel: 01273 497521
Fax: 0203 0700709
e-mail: pennygreen@...
sxbrc.org.uk

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is the centre for reference for authoritative information relating to biodiversity in Sussex, working in partnership with both data users and data providers for public benefit.

SxBRC is funded by a wide range of bodies; for a full list please see sxbrc.org.uk

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630

Re: Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-10-23T13:32:08Z

our flat has been invaded also over the last few days

PennyGreen wrote:

Hi all,

Has anyone else been experiencing the congregating groups of Harlequin
Ladybirds that are just getting ready to over-winter?

Here at Woods Mill we have 100's on the outside walls today, showing an
array of the different sizes and colour pattern varieties. They're
creeping in around the windows and through the keyholes to find a place
to the spend winter.

Don't forget to send us your Harlequin Ladybird records please!

Best wishes, Penny

Penny Green
Species Officer
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill, Henfield
West Sussex, BN5 9SD
Direct Line Tel: 01273 497521
Fax: 0203 0700709
e-mail: pennygreen@sussexwt.org.uk
sxbrc.org.uk

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is the centre for reference for
authoritative information relating to biodiversity in Sussex, working in
partnership with both data users and data providers for public benefit.
SxBRC is funded by a wide range of bodies; for a full list please see
sxbrc.org.uk

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630

Re: Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-10-23T10:46:27Z

Harlequins Ahoy!

I've had Harlequins all over my house whenever the sun comes out for the last 2 weeks - today there were 670!

Tony Wilson

----- Original Message -----

From: PennyGreen@...

To: adastra@...

Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 2:58 PM

Subject: [Adastra] Harlequins Ahoy!

Hi all,

Has anyone else been experiencing the congregating groups of Harlequin Ladybirds that are just getting ready to over-winter?

Here at Woods Mill we have 100's on the outside walls today, showing an array of the different sizes and colour pattern varieties. They're creeping in around the windows and through the keyholes to find a place to the spend winter.

Don't forget to send us your Harlequin Ladybird records please!

Best wishes, Penny

Penny Green
Species Officer
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill, Henfield
West Sussex, BN5 9SD
Direct Line Tel: 01273 497521
Fax: 0203 0700709
e-mail: pennygreen@...
sxbrc.org.uk

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is the centre for reference for authoritative information relating to biodiversity in Sussex, working in partnership with both data users and data providers for public benefit.

SxBRC is funded by a wide range of bodies; for a full list please see sxbrc.org.uk

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630

Harlequins Ahoy!

2009-10-23T06:58:18Z

Harlequins Ahoy!

Hi all,

Has anyone else been experiencing the congregating groups of Harlequin Ladybirds that are just getting ready to over-winter?

Don't forget to send us your Harlequin Ladybird records please!

Best wishes, Penny

Penny Green
Species Officer
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill, Henfield
West Sussex, BN5 9SD
Direct Line Tel: 01273 497521
Fax: 0203 0700709
e-mail: pennygreen@...
sxbrc.org.uk

SxBRC is funded by a wide range of bodies; for a full list please see sxbrc.org.uk

Re: Adastra Digest, Vol 41, Issue 6

2009-10-13T04:16:01Z

Hi Ian,

Unfortunately no further sightings have come through since all those
years ago and I doubt there is any activity. The natural recolonisation
of otters is proving to be a long, slow process. I have definitely had
reports of mink down there though. The UK Otter survey is just about to
be revisited and Combe haven falls into one of the survey squares so
there should be an update by early next year. I am still running otter
survey courses if anyone who works in the area wishes to train up and
monitor the site as a volunteer.

All the best

Fran

Fran Southgate
Sussex Otters and Rivers Partnership
Sussex Wildlife Trust
Henfield
W Sussex
BN5 9SD
01273 497555
07825 797520
www.sussexotters.org

>The Sussex Otters and Rivers Project promotes sustainable management of
rivers and their landscapes, and the restoration of wetland habitats for
the benefit of people and wildlife. The project is supported by
Environment Agency, South East Water and Sussex Wildlife Trust and is a
partner of the national 'Water for Wildlife' project.

-----Original Message-----
From: adastra-bounces@...
[mailto:adastra-bounces@...] On Behalf Of
adastra-request@...
Sent: 13 October 2009 12:00
To: adastra@...
Subject: Adastra Digest, Vol 41, Issue 6

Send Adastra mailing list submissions to
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Today's Topics:

1. Re: Otter spotting (ian and della)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:44:25 +0100
From: "ian and della" <ian@...>
Subject: Re: [Adastra] Otter spotting
To: "Adastra discussion group" <adastra@...>
Message-ID: <NDEHKBHDFKEBEEICBEEOAEDLEDAA.ian@...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Otter spottingHi Terry and Fran,
It would be interesting to know whats going on with otters in Combe
haven as there hasn't been any signs of them for several years now after
a little batch of sightings, one lone wanderer I beleive, but any news
would be welcome.
Cheers
Ian Standivan
-----Original Message-----
From: adastra-bounces@...
[mailto:adastra-bounces@...]On Behalf Of terence oliver
Sent: 11 October 2009 17:09
To: 'Adastra discussion group'
Subject: Re: [Adastra] Otter spotting

Fran

Very good course last week. Especially valuable watching you looking
for signs out on the Reserve.

I noticed you have now marked Lindfield Bridge and East Mascalls
Bridge and path on your spread sheet. I would like to suggest one more
? the foot bridge near Fullingmill Farm GR348268. The footpath is
closed at present until the bridge is replaced but it is the one point
of public access on 3km of the Ouse between Lower Ryelands Bridge and
Lindfield Bridge.

Upstream and downsteam access from Lindfield Bridge and downstream
access from East Mascall Bridge is controlled by Haywards Heath and
District Angling Society. I can contact them specifically about
informal access to these points. I suggest, first, however, you look at
their web-site:
http://www.hhdas.com/rivers.htm and
http://www.hhdas.com/stillwaters.htm.
They have large stretches of the Ouse between Lindfield and Gold Bridge
on the 272 east of Newick as well as Balcombe Lake and it might be worth
your while trying to get some general permission for your project. Let
me know what you think. I am quite happy to contact them directly.

Some other sites I could visit whilst on SWT ?business?:

? Newbridge on the Medway whilst travelling back from Old
Lodge
Reserve

? Cackle Street on return from Eridge Rocks or Brickfield
Reserves

? Broadwater Bridge (Medway) on return from Eridge Rocks.
(Alternatively, now the RSPB own Broadwater Warren they may be very
happy to look for otter signs. Alice has contacts.)

? Combe Haven. The Filsham Reedbed Reserve is on the flood
plain
and has a boundary with the river. We could look for signs but it would
have to be whilst ?working? on the Reserve.

Kind regards

Terry

From: adastra-bounces@...
[mailto:adastra-bounces@...] On Behalf Of
fransouthgate@...
Sent: 03 April 2009 14:26
To: adastra@...
Subject: [Adastra] Otter spotting

Hi All,

For those of you who are out there rummaging in the wetland wilds of
Sussex on a regular basis I would really appreciate your help in keeping
an eye out for the return of the ever elusive otter. We are aware that
it is making a comeback and although numbers are still incredibly low,
there are increasing numbers of sightings across an ever expanding
geographical range.
Areas of particular interest are catchments adjacent to Hampshire (W
Rother and Arun and Chichester Harbour), the Medway and far East of
Sussex (Brede, Rye, E Rother, Tillingham).

I have a list of sites (attached excel spreadsheet) which have been
identified as easy to survey sites on main roads. If anyone would be
able to adopt one of these sites it would be greatly appreciated. Just
let me know your email address and I will add you to the list. You can
send in any survey results either to me or to the SxBRC via their
Recorder spreadsheet available from their website. Please report
negative sightings as well as positive ones as it is almost more
important for us to know where otters are not found than it is to know
where they are.

If you survey some of the better and more remote wetland or river
sites on a regular basis and know of a good spot which might be used by
otters as a territorial marker then let me know the grid reference and I
will add it to my list of survey sites. I am sure there are many better
survey sites than the ones listed, and would value your feedback as to
where these sites are.

<<Adastra spreadsheet.xls>>
If you feel you need a little more practice then we will be running an
otter survey training day on October 6th (?10 a head just to cover
expenses, but free to non-professional volunteers)

OR you can also find information on otter and mink signs at
http://www.sussexotters.org/wildlife/otters3.htm

Thanks for all your help

Fran

Fran Southgate
Sussex Otters and Rivers Partnership
Sussex Wildlife Trust
Henfield
W Sussex
BN5 9SD
01273 497555
07769 886696
www.sussexotters.org

The Sussex Otters and Rivers Project promotes sustainable management
of rivers and their landscapes, and the restoration of wetland habitats
for the benefit of people and wildlife. The project is supported by
Environment Agency, South East Water, Southern Water Services and Sussex
Wildlife Trust and is a partner of the national ?Water for Wildlife?
project.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
--

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the
Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered
Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office:
Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630
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Adastra@...
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End of Adastra Digest, Vol 41, Issue 6
**************************************

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630

Re: Otter spotting

2009-10-13T00:44:25Z

Otter spotting

Hi Terry and Fran,

It would be interesting to know whats going on with otters in Combe haven as there hasn't been any signs of them for several years now after a little batch of sightings, one lone wanderer I beleive, but any news would be welcome.

Cheers

Ian Standivan

-----Original Message-----
From: adastra-bounces@... [mailto:adastra-bounces@...]On Behalf Of terence oliver
Sent: 11 October 2009 17:09
To: 'Adastra discussion group'
Subject: Re: [Adastra] Otter spotting

Fran

Very good course last week. Especially valuable watching you looking for signs out on the Reserve.

I noticed you have now marked Lindfield Bridge and East Mascalls Bridge and path on your spread sheet. I would like to suggest one more the foot bridge near Fullingmill Farm GR348268. The footpath is closed at present until the bridge is replaced but it is the one point of public access on 3km of the Ouse between Lower Ryelands Bridge and Lindfield Bridge.

Upstream and downsteam access from Lindfield Bridge and downstream access from East Mascall Bridge is controlled by Haywards Heath and District Angling Society. I can contact them specifically about informal access to these points. I suggest, first, however, you look at their web-site: http://www.hhdas.com/rivers.htm and http://www.hhdas.com/stillwaters.htm. They have large stretches of the Ouse between Lindfield and Gold Bridge on the 272 east of Newick as well as Balcombe Lake and it might be worth your while trying to get some general permission for your project. Let me know what you think. I am quite happy to contact them directly.

Some other sites I could visit whilst on SWT business:

·         Newbridge on the Medway whilst travelling back from Old Lodge Reserve

·         Cackle Street on return from Eridge Rocks or Brickfield Reserves

·         Broadwater Bridge (Medway) on return from Eridge Rocks. (Alternatively, now the RSPB own Broadwater Warren they may be very happy to look for otter signs. Alice has contacts.)

·         Combe Haven. The Filsham Reedbed Reserve is on the flood plain and has a boundary with the river. We could look for signs but it would have to be whilst working on the Reserve.

Kind regards

Terry

From: adastra-bounces@... [mailto:adastra-bounces@...] On Behalf Of fransouthgate@...
Sent: 03 April 2009 14:26
To: adastra@...
Subject: [Adastra] Otter spotting

Hi All,

For those of you who are out there rummaging in the wetland wilds of Sussex on a regular basis I would really appreciate your help in keeping an eye out for the return of the ever elusive otter. We are aware that it is making a comeback and although numbers are still incredibly low, there are increasing numbers of sightings across an ever expanding geographical range. Areas of particular interest are catchments adjacent to Hampshire (W Rother and Arun and Chichester Harbour), the Medway and far East of Sussex (Brede, Rye, E Rother, Tillingham).

I have a list of sites (attached excel spreadsheet) which have been identified as easy to survey sites on main roads. If anyone would be able to adopt one of these sites it would be greatly appreciated. Just let me know your email address and I will add you to the list. You can send in any survey results either to me or to the SxBRC via their Recorder spreadsheet available from their website. Please report negative sightings as well as positive ones as it is almost more important for us to know where otters are not found than it is to know where they are.

If you survey some of the better and more remote wetland or river sites on a regular basis and know of a good spot which might be used by otters as a territorial marker then let me know the grid reference and I will add it to my list of survey sites. I am sure there are many better survey sites than the ones listed, and would value your feedback as to where these sites are.

<<Adastra spreadsheet.xls>>
If you feel you need a little more practice then we will be running an otter survey training day on October 6th (£10 a head just to cover expenses, but free to non-professional volunteers)

OR you can also find information on otter and mink signs at http://www.sussexotters.org/wildlife/otters3.htm

Thanks for all your help

Fran

Fran Southgate
Sussex Otters and Rivers Partnership
Sussex Wildlife Trust
Henfield
W Sussex
BN5 9SD
01273 497555
07769 886696
www.sussexotters.org

The Sussex Otters and Rivers Project promotes sustainable management of rivers and their landscapes, and the restoration of wetland habitats for the benefit of people and wildlife. The project is supported by Environment Agency, South East Water, Southern Water Services and Sussex Wildlife Trust and is a partner of the national Water for Wildlife project.

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630

Re: Otter spotting

2009-10-11T09:08:57Z

Otter spotting

Fran

Very good course last week. Especially valuable watching you looking for signs out on the Reserve.

I noticed you have now marked Lindfield Bridge and East Mascalls Bridge and path on your spread sheet. I would like to suggest one more – the foot bridge near Fullingmill Farm GR348268. The footpath is closed at present until the bridge is replaced but it is the one point of public access on 3km of the Ouse between Lower Ryelands Bridge and Lindfield Bridge.

Upstream and downsteam access from Lindfield Bridge and downstream access from East Mascall Bridge is controlled by Haywards Heath and District Angling Society. I can contact them specifically about informal access to these points. I suggest, first, however, you look at their web-site: http://www.hhdas.com/rivers.htm and http://www.hhdas.com/stillwaters.htm. They have large stretches of the Ouse between Lindfield and Gold Bridge on the 272 east of Newick as well as Balcombe Lake and it might be worth your while trying to get some general permission for your project. Let me know what you think. I am quite happy to contact them directly.

Some other sites I could visit whilst on SWT “business”:

· Newbridge on the Medway whilst travelling back from Old Lodge Reserve

· Cackle Street on return from Eridge Rocks or Brickfield Reserves

· Broadwater Bridge (Medway) on return from Eridge Rocks. (Alternatively, now the RSPB own Broadwater Warren they may be very happy to look for otter signs. Alice has contacts.)

· Combe Haven. The Filsham Reedbed Reserve is on the flood plain and has a boundary with the river. We could look for signs but it would have to be whilst “working” on the Reserve.

Kind regards

Terry

From: adastra-bounces@... [mailto:adastra-bounces@...] On Behalf Of fransouthgate@...
Sent: 03 April 2009 14:26
To: adastra@...
Subject: [Adastra] Otter spotting

Hi All,

For those of you who are out there rummaging in the wetland wilds of Sussex on a regular basis I would really appreciate your help in keeping an eye out for the return of the ever elusive otter. We are aware that it is making a comeback and although numbers are still incredibly low, there are increasing numbers of sightings across an ever expanding geographical range. Areas of particular interest are catchments adjacent to Hampshire (W Rother and Arun and Chichester Harbour), the Medway and far East of Sussex (Brede, Rye, E Rother, Tillingham).

I have a list of sites (attached excel spreadsheet) which have been identified as easy to survey sites on main roads. If anyone would be able to adopt one of these sites it would be greatly appreciated. Just let me know your email address and I will add you to the list. You can send in any survey results either to me or to the SxBRC via their Recorder spreadsheet available from their website. Please report negative sightings as well as positive ones as it is almost more important for us to know where otters are not found than it is to know where they are.

If you survey some of the better and more remote wetland or river sites on a regular basis and know of a good spot which might be used by otters as a territorial marker then let me know the grid reference and I will add it to my list of survey sites. I am sure there are many better survey sites than the ones listed, and would value your feedback as to where these sites are.

<<Adastra spreadsheet.xls>>
If you feel you need a little more practice then we will be running an otter survey training day on October 6th (£10 a head just to cover expenses, but free to non-professional volunteers)

OR you can also find information on otter and mink signs at http://www.sussexotters.org/wildlife/otters3.htm

Thanks for all your help

Fran

Fran Southgate
Sussex Otters and Rivers Partnership
Sussex Wildlife Trust
Henfield
W Sussex
BN5 9SD
01273 497555
07769 886696
www.sussexotters.org

The Sussex Otters and Rivers Project promotes sustainable management of rivers and their landscapes, and the restoration of wetland habitats for the benefit of people and wildlife. The project is supported by Environment Agency, South East Water, Southern Water Services and Sussex Wildlife Trust and is a partner of the national ‘Water for Wildlife’ project.

National Small Mammal Monitoring Scheme - get involved

2009-10-09T06:43:53Z

National Small Mammal Monitoring Scheme - get involved

Please reply to sussexmammalsurveys@...

Dear All,

National Small Mammal Monitoring Scheme

Hello, I'm Sam Finn and I am going to be your point of contact for mammal surveys and for borrowing traps on behalf of the Sussex Mammal Group for the near future.

Please find attached an outline of the National Small Mammal Monitoring Scheme project which has just been sent out to the County Mammal Groups from the Mammal Society. Unfortunately this has been sent out with not much time to spare; we need to organise the surveys in Sussex as soon as we can as the first survey sessions need to be carried out during October and November this year!

If you are interested in taking part, please respond before Friday 9th October. We will need to know where you live and you'll need to give us a four figure grid reference of where you live (e.g. TQ1234).

When we have an idea of which volunteers are interested we will then send off the list of grid references of where volunteers live to Simon Poulton at the Mammal Society so that he can randomly generate some tetrads within a 10km radius of where you live. We will then send the tetrad info back to volunteers so you can pick where you would like to carry out your surveys.

You can do whichever surveys you like from the list (the more you can do, the better!), but if you've not had experience with small mammal trapping before then we won't be able to lend you the traps but we may be able to come and help you.

October surveys will include Barn Owl Pellets, Bait-tubes, Harvest Mouse nest search and Field Vole signs search.

November survey will be Longworth trapping (low density option, so 10 traps in one site set at 10m apart, left for one night only.) We have to do this in November as this is the only time when the traps are available; we have 70 traps in total to lend out.

The next survey sessions will be held in April/May next year in the same places.

If you would like to be involved with a small group of people, rather than doing it by yourself, then let us know. If you're in the Brighton area the chances are that there will be a few people interested in doing this. If there are enough people perhaps we could have a team of people that do two sites between them?

Your help is greatly appreciated.
All the best,

Sam Finn
Sussex Mammal Group
c.o. Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill
Henfield
West Sussex BN5 9SD

The Great Nut Hunt 2009/2010 - get involved

2009-10-09T06:42:37Z

Please reply to sussexmammalsurveys@...

Dear All,

The Sussex Mammal Group is working in partnership with PTES (People's Trust for Endangered Species) on the third Great Nut Hunt to find out more about where dormice are across the country.

We are looking for volunteers to join in the surveys in Sussex. Although dormice are nocturnal, the best way of finding out if dormice are using a wood or hedge is to look for hazel nut shells that they have opened to get at the nut inside.

If you would like to be involved in the Great Nut Hunt your help would be greatly appreciated. To participate you initially need to register your interest with PTES at: http://www.greatnuthunt.org.uk and with us (by return email). PTES will send interested volunteers an information pack and we will supply details of the grid references and names of woods that need surveying for you to choose from and also let you know about a Nut Hunt training day.

We ran a Sussex Nut Hunt last autumn/winter (2008/2009), where we encouraged volunteers to revisit historic sites where dormice had been recorded in the last Nut Hunt and from ad hoc records. 31 sites were surveyed with 19 coming back as absent, 2 unknown and 10 present. We'd like to revisit those woods where no signs were found last winter and some other woods where we have historic records which haven't yet been revisited.

I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Best wishes,

--
Sam Finn
Sussex Mammal Group
c.o. Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
Woods Mill
Henfield
West Sussex BN5 9SD

FW: NARRS Results and Scientific Meeting Announcement [Scanned]

2009-10-08T07:40:15Z

Dear All,

- Attached is a flyer for our annual Scientific Meeting to be held at the usual venue on 6^th December, please reserve your place early if you’d like to come as it always fills up and it would be a shame to turn surveyors away!

With best wishes,

John & Ben

ARC Science Team

Dr. John W. Wilkinson

Research & Monitoring Officer

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

655A Christchurch Road, Boscombe,

Bournemouth, BH1 4AP, Dorset, UK.

T: 01202-391319 E: johnw.wilkinson@...

W: www.arc-trust.org www.narrs.org.uk

ARC-BHS 2009 Sci Meeting Flyer.pdf (175K) Download Attachment

Re: Graffham Common

2009-10-05T05:48:29Z

Dear Jonathan

Sussex Wildlife Trust is talking to the Agents regarding this land. As
it is going on the open market it is unlikely that we can do a big HLF
bid and thus go for the whole lot, but are interested in parts of it.

Best wishes
Henri

-----Original Message-----
From: adastra-bounces@...
[mailto:adastra-bounces@...] On Behalf Of Jonathan Simons
Sent: 02 October 2009 18:36
To: adastra@...
Subject: [Adastra] Graffham Common

Hi - notices have just gone up announcing the sale of part if not all of
Graffham Common as one or three lots. Considering that the Sussex
Naturalist
Trust have just bought a bit of Graffham Common West are they aware of
this
sale? This would be a fantastic place to conserve - there lots of
interesting things in it and parts coudl well be put back to heathland.
On
the other hand an unsympathetic new owner might cause chaos (and stop me
wandering about). Can anyone reassure me?
Thanks
Jonathan Simons

--
View this message in context:
http://www.nabble.com/Graffham-Common-tp25719482p25719482.html
Sent from the Adastra mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Registered in England, Company No. 698851. Registered Charity No. 207005. VAT Registration No. 191 305969. Registered Office: Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD. Telephone 01273 492630

Graffham Common

2009-10-02T10:35:47Z

Hi - notices have just gone up announcing the sale of part if not all of Graffham Common as one or three lots. Considering that the Sussex Naturalist Trust have just bought a bit of Graffham Common West are they aware of this sale? This would be a fantastic place to conserve - there lots of interesting things in it and parts coudl well be put back to heathland. On the other hand an unsympathetic new owner might cause chaos (and stop me wandering about). Can anyone reassure me?
Thanks
Jonathan Simons

Sussex Butterfly Conservation AGM this Saturday

2009-09-29T14:36:54Z

Sussex Butterfly Conservation will be holding their AGM on Saturday October 3rd at Chailey Parish Hall (on A275 between North and South Chailey, just south of the Five Bells pub at TQ393189).

Although AGMs are traditionally rather dull affairs last years event was an 'information packed emotional rollercoaster' and this years event looks set to be even better.

The (brief) formal AGM will be followed by two talks.

First off, writer and broadcaster Matthew Oates will examine 'Why Butterflying is Dangerously Addictive ... A look at the psychology and spirituality of butterflying'.

This will be followed by 'Of Ladies and Loopers - The 2009 Butterfly & Moth year in Sussex' in which Michael Blencowe will look back over the highlights of an action-packed lepidopteral year and provide information on how all our 45 butterfly species have fared.

The event starts at 2:30pm. All are welcome whether members or non-members. Come along to learn more about the lepidoptera of the county, the work of Sussex BC and how you can get involved in butterfly recording in 2010.

Refreshments will be available. And, of course, there will be a raffle.

www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk

FW: NBN e-News September 2009

2009-09-22T04:53:28Z

SwiftPageEmail

Welcome to your September edition of the NBN e-news update

NBN Conference – bookings open!

Taking place on the 20^th November 2009 at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, Albemarle Street, London, this year’s Conference promises to be another great opportunity for hearing about work across the NBN and networking with partners. The theme is “Non-Native Species - alien invaders or benign newcomers?” Book Now!

In addition, we are delighted that Dr Sandy Knapp of the Natural History Museum will deliver The Sir John Burnett Memorial Lecture, with a talk entitled - Origins and invasions: evolution and distribution in a changing world

There will also be posters, displays and demonstrations during lunchtime with the following being confirmed so far: The OPAL Project; Orthoptera Recording Scheme website and re-launch; The Darwin Guide to Recording Wildlife; Darwin’s landscape;The Harlequin Invasion: timeline; Scotland’s Nature and NBN web-services; Online recording in the British Dragonfly Society.

The cost for entry is £20, with some discounted entry places available. Click here for the full information, programme and how to book.

Speakers

Dr Mark Hill, Biological Records Centre, CEH Wallingford
Rob Cooke, Natural England
Prof. Michael Crawley, Imperial College, London
Stephanie Peay, University of Leeds & Scott Wilson
Dr Sandy Knapp, Natural History Museum, London
Peter Brown, Anglia Ruskin University
Dr Remy Ware, Cambridge University.
Dr Max Wade, RPS Group

We look forward to seeing you there! Book Now!

We are still looking for a Sponsor for this conference! If you are interested please contact j.purdy@...

Programme

*10.00*	Registration and coffee.
*10.15*	Welcome and introduction
*10.20*	Non-native species in Britain
*10.55*	Natural England’s policy on invasive non-native species
*11.30*	Lessons from past and present plant invasions
*12.05*	Crayfish in the U.K.
*12.40*	Lunch, posters, displays and demonstrations
*13.50*	The Sir John Burnett Memorial Lecture, 2009
*14.30*	Watch out for that alien
*15.05*	Interactions between the invasive ladybird
*15.40*	Knowing your non-natives
*16.15*	Chairman’s summing up.
*16.30*	Tea and depart

Full programme details

Book Now!

Make a Donation

Sent to: henribrocklebank@...
If you prefer not to receive
future e-mails of this type,
Leave this List.

Sent By:

NBN Trust

3-5 High Pavement
Lace Market

Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG1 1HF
England

To view as a web page.

White wild boar

2009-09-19T09:25:45Z

A white (not pink) wild boar has been reported at TQ871234 by the A268 west
of Peasmarsh. The sighting, by my daughter and granddaughter, was about two
weeks ago. Both were totally sober.

Patrick Roper

Re: National Moth Night in Sussex - Broadcasting Live viaTwitter

2009-09-18T06:23:55Z

Given that I’ve been ‘using’ Twitter for well over a year now, and given that I am neither Stephen Fry nor a 13-year old girl (last time I checked), I fear for my options.

Great idea, though – I knew the world of biological recording would come up with a neat use for Twitter eventually. I’ll be following along from some device or other, wherever that may be.

I see National Moth Night news has already started flow in: http://twitter.com/#search?q=NMN09

Charles

http://twitter.com/SxBRC

http://twitter.com/charlesroper

From: adastra-bounces@... [mailto:adastra-bounces@...] On Behalf Of MichaelBlencowe@...
Sent: 16 September 2009 23:54
To: adastra@...
Subject: [Adastra] National Moth Night in Sussex - Broadcasting Live viaTwitter

If you thought Twitter was only used by 13-year old girls, self-obsessives and Stephen Fry then you'll be pleased to know we've actually found a proper use for it.

This year's National Moth Night will be held this Friday and Saturday night with a target this year of migrant moths. Members of the Sussex Moth Group will be running a number of traps across the county - but you wont need a wooly hat and a torch to join in on the moth action. On Friday night, through the miracle of modern technology, Michael Blencowe (in the middle of the Pevensey Marshes), Steve Teale (high on the cliffs of Newhaven) and Steve Wheatley (on the coast at Rye) will be keeping you up to date with the moth news as it happens by sending their sightings via SMS to Twitter.

I've no idea what it means either - but I do know that if you go to www.twitter.com and enter #NMN09 in the search box you can access news of what's happening at each site which will be updated regularly throughout the evening.

And if it all goes according to plan we'll do it again on Saturday night when Steve Teale will be on some vegetated shingle, Ralph Hobbs will be at Powdermill Woods and Michael Blencowe will be sat on his own on the edge of The English Channel.

We've got the technology - now all we need is 100% cloud cover and a ridge of high pressure over The Azores.

Michael Blencowe

Sussex Moth Group

National Moth Night in Sussex - Broadcasting Live via Twitter

2009-09-16T15:54:14Z

If you thought Twitter was only used by 13-year old girls, self-obsessives and Stephen Fry then you'll be pleased to know we've actually found a proper use for it.

We've got the technology - now all we need is 100% cloud cover and a ridge of high pressure over The Azores.

Michael Blencowe

Sussex Moth Group

Kent Wildlife Conference

2009-09-15T06:29:16Z

The Kent Wildlife Conference 2009

Improving Connectivity across our landscape: linking habitats and populations

Saturday, 17 October 2009, 10:00am – 4:00pm

The Old Sessions Lecture Theatre
Canterbury Christ Church University College, Kent

Supported by Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre

The aim of this year’s conference is to look at how the interlinking of habitats and populations across the landscape influences our local wildlife. First of all, the flora and fauna need to be mapped on a site by site basis so we know where all the species are and the results made centrally available. This relies largely on the expertise and enthusiasm of the recording community. Further quantitative or semi-quantitative studies then provide us with additional information on where the largest, most viable populations occur and this is especially useful when developing plans for the conservation of rare or endangered species. The presence of suitable habitat on its own may not be sufficient for species persistence long term and close linkage (i.e. connectivity) to other high quality habitats is seen as increasingly important at a landscape scale in maintaining viable populations of many high profile species. Planning initiatives at local district, county and national levels have been implemented in an attempt to ameliorate the effects of habitat fragmentation and deterioration and several examples of these initiatives will be discussed during the conference. Counter-intuitively, motorways which normally exacerbate habitat fragmentation may act as corridors for selected groups of wildlife.

The Kent Wildlife Conference 2009

Improving connectivity across our landscape: linking habitats and populations

Programme

9:30 - 10:00 Arrival and coffee

10:00 Welcome and Introduction. Richard Moyse (Kent Field Club)

Session 1

10:05 Wildlife and planning in Dover: the Green Infrastructure Approach. Nick Delaney (Dover District Council)

10:25 Mapping Great Crested Newt metapopulations across Kent. Lee Brady (Kent Reptiles & Amphibians Group)

10:45 Linking marine intertidal communities. Ian Tittley (Natural History Museum, London)

11:05 - 11:30 Coffee and poster session

Session 2

11:30 Chiropteran Countryside commuters. Frank Greenaway (formerly, Natural History Museum, London)

11:50 Landscape planning and Habitat networks in the Canterbury district. Richard Andrews (Jacobs UK plc)

12:10 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Kentish roadsides: botanical connectivity. Geoff Kitchener (Kent Field Club)

12:30 Connectivity across a woodland landscape: lessons from the management of Blean Woods and the Heath Fritillary butterfly. Nick Bourn (Butterfly Conservation)

12:50 – 2:10 Lunch and poster session

2:10 Project and record requests. (All)

Session 3

2:30 The role of ponds in maintaining freshwater habitats at the landscape scale. Jeremy Biggs (Pond Conservation)

2:50 The role of Agri-environment schemes in restoring habitats and corridors. Dan Tuson (Natural England).

3:10 Reconnecting wildlife in Kent. Sue Young (Kent Wildlife Trust)

3:30 -3:45 Discussion

3:45 Tea and Close

The cost for the day will be £14.00 per person including all light refreshments and a buffet lunch (vegetarian dishes included). Please enclose a cheque payable to the Kent Field Club with the completed reply slip (below) and return by Friday 9th October 2009 to: John Badmin, Kent Field Club, Coppice Place, Perry Wood, Selling, nr Faversham, Kent ME13 9RP.

"---------------------------------------------------------------

I/We hereby enclose £ . . . . . . . . . to attend the Kent Wildlife Conference 2009

(Please make cheques payable to Kent Field Club).

Name(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Telephone/email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you require confirmation of your booking, or a receipt, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Selsey Bill tops the bill

2009-09-14T07:56:59Z

On 10 September Selsey Bill was announced the best beach in the UK for
beachcombing:

http://blog.cottages4you.co.uk/beachcombing/beachcombing-results-revealed/

An interesting accolade for our most southerly point.

I did wonder how many people had been beachcombing there in order to provide
a reasonable comparative sample. Selsey Bill does not seem to be a very
obvious destination for visitors, but maybe it has a reputation in the
beachcombing world. Could it be that interesting items are swept round the
point and get stuck in the offshore Bracklesham Beds? Or maybe bits of Old
Selsey get washed up from time to time. Apparently a large number of gold
coins of Commius, Tincommius, Verica, Epillus, and
Cunobelin dating to the Iron Age were found on the beach in 1877 along with
a collection of scrap gold, so perhaps this is the draw.

I was actually at Selsey Bill on Saturday (see
http://ramblingsofanaturalist.blogspot.com) though unaware of the recent
award, but saw no beachcombers and, indeed, hardly any people. I have
though, already had an anonymous Selsey supporter claim that my rant about
the place was unfair. Maybe he or she is a beachcomber.

My own fieldwork on the beach produced a few lesser dung flies,
Thoracochaeta zosterae, under rotting seaweed which I thought might be the
most southerly terrestrial insect records in Sussex.

Patrick Roper

Powdermill Moth event

2009-09-14T06:01:02Z

Powdermill Trust open events for National Moth Night

19^th –20^th September

East Sussex-based nature conservation charity Powdermill Trust is holding two special open sessions to observe wonderful, yet rarely seen migrating moths at its Powdermill Wood Nature Reserve, near Battle on 19^th and 20^th September, in the company of local moth enthusiast Ralph Hobbs.

There will be an evening session on Saturday 19th September between 7.30pm and 10.00pm, starting with the setting up of a light trap to witness the first moth arrivals. The following morning there will be a full examination of the rarely seen night’s catch between 8.00am and 10.00am, with photo opportunities before release.

“September is one of the best months for migrant moths arriving from the continent, ranging from the large and powerful 'Bedstraw Hawk-moth' down to the rather frail looking little yellow 'Vestal',” said Ralph Hobbs, Chairman and trustee of the Powdermill Trust.

This year moth specialists along the south coast will have already marked as many migrant moths as possible (akin to bird ringing) during the previous week, before releasing them again. Observers will be on the look out for these specially colour-coded stars of the moth world, adding to their knowledge of migrant behaviour.

Light traps will be set up all over the country on the weekend, and results will be recorded in a national report and the Powdermill Trust newsletter.

Members, friends and children are welcome, but not dogs. There is no need to book either the morning or evening sessions. Visitors will need to bring a torch and wear appropriate footwear.

Meet in the Powdermill Reserve Car Park (Grid Ref TQ735144) at each start time. The location of the light trap will be clearly visible to any late-comers.

Editors’ Notes: Photos available

The Powdermill trust was formed in 1980 by a group of naturalists to help conserve wildlife and safeguard natural landscapes. Currently the Trust, based in East Sussex, has reserves in Rotherfield, Powdermill Wood, and Crowhurst.

The woodland reserves feature: wildflower and hay meadows, hedges, heaths, ponds, and marshy areas vital habitats for the future survival of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, wild flowers, trees, frogs, lizards, dragonflies, bats, and dormice.

The Trust is always ready to acquire new reserves, especially in those areas where wildlife species may be threatened.

Supporting Powdermill Trust

Individual membership costs: £10pa, additional member at same address £5pa. The membership year commences 1st September.

All members receive a well-illustrated newsletter twice a year and are given guided walks around the nature trails (the bluebells are stunning!) to which they have access at all times.

Other activities, such as illustrated talks and nature displays, are organised and free advice given on any wildlife matter.

The Trust is affiliated to the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) and the Sussex Wildlife Trust. Wildlife conservation management is carried out on our reserves and a separate Conservation Volunteers News sheet is available for those interested in carrying out practical work such as coppicing, tree planting, nature trails, and pond digging.

Contacts:

Ralph Hobbs at Powdermills Trust on 07748 180240

George Shaw at Avocado Media on 01892 750851

79a Vale Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN37 6PX

T: 01424 426986 W: www.powdermilltrust.co.uk

Sussex Lichen Recording Group Newsletter No. 29

2009-09-03T06:34:25Z

Here is the twenty ninth of our Sussex Lichen Recording Group newsletters

Sussex Field Meetings

The weather for the meeting at Stanmer Park (two old orchards) was warm and fine. We were investigating the old orchard trees and amazingly did not get distracted from our mission. The trees were generally covered in lichens and Parmelia saxatilis was particulalry abundant which was nice to see. Because this meeting clashed with a number of other events there were only three SLRG members and two representatives from the park which included Bryn Thomas who guided us for most of the day. However, our count was pretty respectable even though we kept to corticolous species - 30 species for the first orchard - south facing and well-lit; and 20 species for the second orchard which was rather shaded.

The next meeting, following a request from the local society (and one of our members - Jacqui Morris), will be at Markstakes Common, nr Chailey, East Sussex, where we will be investigating an old wood pasture site just off the A275 in Chailey, East Sussex and an old church (if time). There are several quite old pollards (oak and beech) but the bulk of the woodland has younger hornbeam, oak, ash, hazel, wild service trees and holly. Relict stands of heather indicate that some areas were open until relatively recently.There is a flint wall along the northern boundary, several old pits and earth boundary banks, and streams. There are some ancient woodland indicator vascular species, which suggests that the common was never entirely cleared or cultivated. There is also St Peter's Church (c. 1269 or earlier) nearby which may be of interest - ancient yew and old gravestones.

Here are the co-ordinates and time of the meeting:

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009. Markstakes Common, nr Chailey, East Sussex. 10.30 - 3.30, Grid Ref: *. We will be parking on the roadside at TQ 397183 where there is limited parking (see below). Jacqui Morris will be taking the lead and will be accompanying us for the day. All welcome - bring a packed lunch.

Access is: Meet by the gate in the flint wall in Markstakes Lane where there is limited parking on the roadside

TQ 397183. Markstakes Lane is to the east of the A275 in South Chailey (travelling north from Lewes it is a right turning just after the Horns Lodge pub and travelling south from the A272 junction it is on the left soon after the Five Bells). No loos but lots of trees and cover. Can be muddy of there has been rain. If you wish to visit St Peter's Church after Markstakes there is parking in the lane and in the church car park TQ392 193. Again off the A275 about 0.5 mile north of the turning for Markstakes.

SLRG Membership - we have dispensed with membership fees for our informal group as the costs for running this group is negligible. Feel free to pass on the details of this newsletter to anyone who might be interested in joining our meetings or receiving the newsletter (email only).

Jacqui Middleton's Phone number - Tel: 01730 716366 Email - jacquiandbruce@... Mobile - 07790 528926 (only used on field meeting days)

Useful lichen links:

http://www.theBLS.org.uk - the BLS web site has a range of useful lichen links now including the Australian and Icelandic floras!

http://www.lichen.com/people.html

There is also now a new lichen chat group (britishlichens group at Yahoo). It is a free, easy-to-use email group service. I am sure they would welcome additional subscribers - their details are as follows:

To learn more about the britishlichens group, please visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/britishlichens

To start sending messages to members of this group, simply
send email to
britishlichens@...

If you do not wish to belong to britishlichens, you may
unsubscribe by sending an email to
britishlichens-unsubscribe@...

To see and modify all of your groups, go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups

For all species recording information in Sussex contact the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre (SxBRC) where Henri Brocklebank, Penny Green or Charles Roper will be happy to help with any of your enquiries.

Tel: 01273 492630 (switchboard); Web site - http://www.sxbrc.org.uk/

Please contact me (Jacqui Middleton) with any lichen links that you would
like to share with other members.

If you have a query, or have any ideas concerning locations for future
meetings or items that you would like to be included in this newsletter,
please contact me, Jacqui Middleton - Sussex Lichen Recording Group
Secretary - at my email address: jacquiandbruce@...

National Events and Courses 2009

The British Lichen Society publish their list of field trips and courses on
their web site as follows:

(For further general information and for booking/BLS membership details have
a look at the BLS web site - http//:www.thebls.org.uk/content/events.html).

October 2- 4, 2009 - Lichens in the Dales: An Introductory Course: FSC Malham Tarn. Tutor, Allan Pentacost

October 9 - 12, 2009 - AUTUMN MEETING: HARTINGTON DERBYSHIRE Leader: Steve Price