Signs of Spring
Despite Recent Cold Spells Spring Is Coming
Despite the two recent cold spells, spring is coming. Snowdrops and celandines are flowering in a lot of places around the Parish.
Winter Visiting Birds
Flock of Lapwings near the Bereleigh Road
There is a flock of 30 to 40 lapwings in the field on the south side of the Bereleigh Road. This is a relatively unusual sight in East Meon. When I first came to East Meon around 15 years ago there seemed to be some breeding pairs on Park Hill Read more…
Tree Working Group (TWIG)
TWIG Completes Its First Project
TWIG (Part of East Meon Nature), led by Stuart Martin, completed their first project yesterday. They planted a broad hedgerow using native British species on the north side of the village green. As it develops it will provide a habitat for many birds, insects and other animals, as well as Read more…
Rivers and Streams
The Coombe Road Winterbourne Flows
After a record breaking hot summer, and the Coombe Road pond drying out completely the winterbourne started flowing yesterday 02/11/22. We have been very worried that the toads and newts that use the pond for breeding would have nowhere to go! The autumn heavy rains have saved the day.
Fungi
Cauliflower Fungus (Sparassis Crispa)
This autumn is throwing up a number of interesting fungi. I spotted this one, Cauliflower Fungus (sparassis crispa), yesterday. Apparently it is edible when fresh and white, but it gets tough an indigestible when it gets to this orange/yellow colour.
Insects
Pale Tussock Moth Larva
I found this very colourful pale tussock moth larva in the Parish this week. Autumn is a good time of year to spot exotic looking larva.
Butterflies
Freshly Hatched Red Admiral
It has been a difficult last half of the summer this year for butterflies. Most of the nectar plants have been dried out by the very high temperatures and lack of rain. Pamela Peacock managed to catch this freshly hatched red admiral recently, on what looks like ivy.
Eco Problems
Autumn in August
Autumn in August! There is often a small leaf fall at this time, but this is the earliest time of a major leaf fall I can remember since 1976.
Insects & Flowers
More Developments on the Pavilion Stones
As the wild flowers grow on the Pavilion stones, they are starting to attract various insect life. The attached picture shows seven spotted ladybirds making inroads into this area. Picture by Sigi Goolden.
Summer Flowers
Harebells on Hyden Hill
The picture shows a clump of harebells (campanula rotundifolia), also known as fairy bells. They are to be found on the upper part of the track that goes from South Farm to the South Downs Way on Hyden Hill. In Scotland harebells are known as ‘bluebells’ and bluebells are known Read more…